Economic Analysis of Seeding Rate and Planter Downforce in Singulated and Hill-Drop Planted Cotton

To be profitable at the end of the season, it is critical that cotton producers begin with a successful stand establishment. This includes preventing replanting and ensuring that the seed emerges uniformly both in location and time.  Replanting can be extremely costly as seed cost of cotton is around $100-$150 per acre. Selecting the correct planting parameters according to the field conditions and cotton varieties is crucial in ensuring high crop emergence, improving cotton productivity, and achieving high economic profitability. This paper is based on a study which was conducted in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the crop emergence and yield in cotton as affected by seed vigor, seeding rate and planter downforce under singulated and hill-drop production scenarios. Two cotton varieties (a small seeded low vigor variety and a large seeded high vigor variety) were planted at 1-inch seeding depth using singulated and hill-drop methods. Two seeding rates (29,000 and 42,500 seeds/acre) were used in 2017, and three seeding rates (20,500, 29,000, and 42,500 seeds/acre) were used in 2018. Cotton was planted in a field under conventional tillage in 2017, and in strip-till conditions in 2018. Planter downforce treatments consisting of 100, 200, and 300 lbs. downforce values in 2017, and 0 and 100 lbs. downforce values in 2018. The field data collected and used for the economic analysis portion of this project included plant stand counts at one and three weeks after planting and yield data during harvest. Economic profitability will be analyzed by considering the cost of cottonseed and market prices for lint and seed. This economic analysis portion of this study will emphasize careful consideration of planting parameters such as cotton variety, seeding rate and planter setup based on existing field conditions to maximize economic profitability.