As we enter into August, the cotton crop is the most variable I have ever experienced. Many fields are yet to flower. Many more have been flowering for 10 days or more. There are a few fields around in NE Mississippi which are flowering at two to three nodes from the terminal. Others are flowering seven to eight nodes from the terminal.
Insects are almost as variable and as unorthodox.
Boll weevils are probably still the most consistent problem we are encountering. Sprays to prevent square loss from these pests were advisable. The BWE program should begin the first week in August and help to keep weevils down. The first applications, coming at 5-day intervals, will be very effective at removing weevils from the system. We have also had a few reports of worm infestations in the NE Mississippi area.