The Arizona Cotton Advisory Program

Abstract

Arizona Cooperative Extension generates and distributes weather -based Planting Date and Cotton Development Advisories for 10 cotton production areas (Marana, Litchfield Pk, Pinal Co., Parker, Safford, Yuma Valley, Dateland and Aguila). Planting Date Advisories are distributed from mid - February through the end of April and stress 1) planting all (particularly full season varieties) cotton varieties according to heat unit accumulations rather than calendar date and 2) the importance of soil temperature to good germination. Cotton Development Advisories are distributed from early May through mid -September and provide updates on crop developmen4 insects, weather and agronomy to growers. The Cotton Advisory Program will continue in 1993 and growers may obtain the advisories by mail (far only in Yuma County only) from the local county extension office or by computer from the AZMET computer bulletin board.