Weed Resistance Major Concern for NC Cotton Producers

Name: Donny Lassiter

County/State:Northampton County, North Carolina

Association: North Carolina Cotton Producers Association

Type of farming operation: Cotton, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, corn and a niche crop: chufa

Family: Married with a young son.

 In our continuing series of association presidential profiles, Lassiter discusses what he feels is the primary role of the North Carolina Cotton Producers Association:

“Like other grower associations, we collect dues based on yields and with that money we pay national and regional dues. We also make sure research is done on different aspects of cotton production to make cotton producers more efficient and profitable.”
 

The Cotton Producers Association plays a role in choosing the research projects that their checkoff funds support:
 

“We choose what we feel is the best service to the growers of North Carolina.”
 

Regarding challenges facing Carolina cotton producers, Lassiter feels one of the most worrisome is the glyphosate resistant weed problem:
 

“Its definitely an issue. Along with fuel and nitrogen prices. But our biggest issue is staying ahead of the weed problem.”
 

Along with the fight to maintain yields in the face of resistant weeds, to keep the situation in hand, input costs have risen:
 

“On my farm I can say that herbicide costs have increased at least $60-70 an acre.”
 

Bringing the North Carolina association up to date in the online world was just one of Lassiter’s goals as president of the association:
 

“We wanted to improve the website, not only for our growers here, but for all people interested in cotton who want to learn more about the industry. We want to increase the awareness that cotton is sustainable and we are doing things to lessen our environmental footprint. But ultimately we want it to be a source for our growers to find out what is happening in the industry.”
 

Donnie Lassiter, president of the North Carolina Cotton Producers Association. For more of our presidential profiles for North and South Carolina producer associations,click here.