Using System Approach to Evaluate the Cotton Production Practices to Improve the Efficiency

Cotton growers in Georgia are faced with in-season production and management decisions like fertility and integrated pest management. Researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) have developed tools such as UGA soil test recommendations on nutrient applications and economic thresholds for pest management with the goal of improving profitability for growers. However, there is a large percentage of Georgia cotton growers who do not follow UGA production recommendations. Some growers may over apply nutrients and pesticides. In other instances, growers may not use enough nutrients in their field, wait too late to apply pesticides, or not control pests at all, which can drastically reduce yield.

To address these issues and improve farming productivity and profitability, we conducted field trials in 2018 and 2019 at the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, Georgia to compare three different types of production practices, including UGA Recommendations for cotton production (UGA System), a high management system, and a low management system. The high management system follows the practices of cotton farmers where a high level of nutrients and pesticide are used, where the low management system follows the practices of cotton farmers where minimum efforts were applied in applying nutrients and managing pests.

The goal of this research is to improve the profitability of Georgia cotton growers, while reducing the input usage and cost. Preliminary results from 2018 trial indicated that high management system achieved the highest seed cotton yield and lint yield, with the highest cost of production. Cotton price plays a significant role in the optimal level of inputs to maximize profit. At the loan price, there is no revenue difference between all there systems. Using the market value as cotton prices, high management system achieves the highest net return.