Producers in states like Oklahoma are readying for the cotton-planting season. Jenny Dudek, the cotton specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension, said most areas may be a little cool yet to begin planting.
“Well, I mean, it’s kind of hard to say as of right now. I mean, it’s April, and who knows what’s going to happen with the weather. Obviously, we’re still a little bit too cool to go ahead and pull the trigger in most of the state, but I am hopeful for another good year. Hopefully, the rains in the forecast will bring us some moisture. It’s direly needed all over the state, so hopefully we’ll get some moisture in the ground based on that.”
She offered some reminders for producers anxious to get planting.
“We do want to think about our air temperatures when we go looking at planting. Highs may be favorable, but we also need to consider our low temperatures, as well. So, for example, you know, if we have a day that we’ve got highs in the 90s, that may seem promising, but if we have lows below 50, that’s actually kind of hindering our accumulation of DD 60s, and that’s kind of what we’re really looking for there. Optimal temps would be highs above 80, and lows in the 60s.”
It’s important to balance soil moisture with soil temperatures when you plant cotton.
“Do we pull the trigger when we’re there for temperature? Do we pull the trigger when we’re there from soil moisture? So, it’s just kind of based on whatever region you’re in, but when you’re planting based on soil moisture, temperatures are still important, especially the first day or two after you plant that seed in the ground. It’s really absorbing that water that’s around it, and that makes it extremely susceptible to the negative effects from cold temps, so you want to make sure that your soil temperature is at least a minimum of 60 degrees.”