Canals, Cotton, And...Corn? - RDA 411
In this Red Dirt Agronomy episode, the team is joined by Maxwell Smith, Southwest Area Cotton Extension IPM Specialist, who provides a comprehensive look at cotton and peanut production in Oklahoma’s southwestern corner. From drought-stricken irrigation districts to the slow resurgence of lake levels, Smith explains how farmers are making the best of what nature and infrastructure allow. You'll learn about ongoing efforts to modernize irrigation, the strategic shift to corn in response to economic pressures, and the critical role of pest and weed management in these systems. Smith also provides an overview of Bt trait technologies, including the promising new ThriveOn technology that targets early-season pests like thrips. The discussion touches on peanut production, which is seeing slight growth despite challenges from weeds and water availability. This episode serves as a thorough update on southwest Oklahoma's cropping systems and what’s ahead for 2025.
Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast · Maxwell Smith, Josh Lofton Ph.D., Raedan Sharry Ph.D., Dave Deken, Brian Arnall Ph.D.
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Show Notes
This week on the Red Dirt Agronomy podcast, the "Doctor's of Dirt, & Everything That Grows From It" talk about the southwest corner of the state—where the cotton fields stretch wide and the water’s been mighty scarce.
Dr. Brian Arnall, Dr. Josh Lofton, and Dave Deken catch up with Maxwell Smith, the IPM specialist working boots-on-the-ground in Altus.
Maxwell breaks down the unique challenges of farming cotton in a region where irrigation depends on the Lake Lugert-Altus canal system—and where just a few inches of water can make or break your season.
They talk through the nuts and bolts of the irrigation setup, why cotton works (when it works), and what’s pushing some farmers to roll the dice on dryland corn.
You’ll also hear why herbicide resistance is bringing back “old-school” weed control, how new cotton trait tech like ThriveOn is changing early-season insect control, and what the future looks like for peanuts in Caddo County.
If you grow cotton, peanuts, or anything under hot skies and dry dirt, this episode's got your name on it.
[00:00–02:00] Max Smith on Altus, cotton, and canal-fed irrigation
[03:00–06:00] Allocation math, irrigation upgrades, and lining the ditches
[06:30–10:30] Cotton economics, price drops, and crop-switching trends
[11:00–16:00] IPM 101: Bugs, weeds, and managing the early season
[16:30–20:00] Trait tech: What’s working, what’s not, and what’s next
[20:30–24:00] Rotation talk: Corn, cotton, and keeping weeds guessing
[24:30–29:00] Peanuts in Oklahoma: acreage trends, water woes, and weeds
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