150 Producers Attend 2012 Cotton Field Day

The bi-annual North Carolina Cotton Field Day took place yesterday at the Upper Coastal Plain Research Center near Rocky Mount. North Carolina Cotton Producers Association President Donny Lassiter:

“We had about 150 producers along with all the folks from industry. It was a great field day and everyone seemed to enjoy it and take something away.”
 

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, yet producers still took time away from field work to hear about the latest cotton research according to Lassiter:

“Today was definitely the best field day weather we’ve ever had. We got to see some great research put on by the extension specialists.”
 

For more from Wednesday’s Cotton Field Day, visit our website, click here. Southern Farm Network’s coverage of the 2012 Cotton Field Day is brought to you by the good folks at The Cotton Board and North Carolina Cotton Producers Association.
 

Farm Bill Extension Not on Agenda
 

A six-month extension of government funding planned for House floor action today does not include a farm bill extension – but it’s possible a final decision hasn’t been made.

Republicans wanted a continuing resolution with the least political controversy to allow passage and a quick exit for campaigning. They first considered adding a one-year farm bill extension – but saw problems with conservatives and dropped the idea. They did extend food stamp funding. But without a farm bill – Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Pat Roberts says an extension is needed.

The House Rules Committee could still change the continuing budget bill – or come up with another plan for the farm bill – but National Corn Growers Association Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett says the current mess has made producers angry…

“I have been hearing a lot of angry voices coming from our membership. The 2008 farm bill was passed with an expiration date of September 30, 2012, and our membership is wondering why Congress cant get their work done.”

Virginia Reports First Human West Nile Death
 

Virginia health officials are reporting the state's first human West Nile virus death this year.
The Virginia Department of Health says in a news release that the patient was an older adult in northwest Virginia. The department didn't provide details. As of Tuesday, a total nine cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the state.
 

Despite Worst Drought in Decades, Corn Growers Produce 8th Largest Crop
 

USDA revised its corn production forecast Wednesday morning. The 2012 crop is now pegged at 10.7-billion bushels on an average yield estimate of 122.8-bushels per acre. With 15-percent of the nation’s corn harvest complete as of September 9th – USDA reported Monday that the condition of the holding steady from the previous week at 22-percent rated good to excellent…

“It does look like we are on track to deliver. Even after all this drought, we will could have the 8th largest corn crop in US history.”

That’s National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer who notes the nation’s growers planted the most corn since 1937 – and about five-percent more than last year. He says that additional acreage and innovative agronomic practices helped growers achieve this 10.7-billion bushel crop despite the adverse weather.