Thrips, Weeds, and Rain: A Cotton Season to Watch - RDA 414
This week on Red Dirt Agronomy, the spotlight is on Oklahoma cotton. Dr. Jenny Dudak joins the podcast to share her expertise on what growers can expect this season—from wet weather challenges to pest pressure from thrips. With many fields in flux and soil conditions far from ideal, Dr. Dudak and the team discuss the importance of timely weed control, residual herbicide strategies, and scouting to protect fragile cotton seedlings. The episode also explores how emerging technologies and smarter management practices—like skip-row patterns and targeted planting dates—can improve sustainability for cotton producers. As corn makes temporary inroads into traditional cotton regions, the conversation turns toward the future of Oklahoma’s cotton infrastructure. It's a candid and timely discussion that highlights both the complexity and promise of managing crops under tough conditions.
Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast · Jenny Dudak Ph.D., Brian Arnall Ph.D., Dave Deken, Josh Lofton Ph.D.
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Show Notes
In Episode 414 of the Red Dirt Agronomy podcast, the team dives deep into the current cotton season in Oklahoma with Dr. Jenny Dudak, Oklahoma State University’s Extension Cotton Specialist.
The conversation kicks off with a crop update from Dr. Josh Lofton, who notes mixed outcomes across wheat and summer crops, and a challenging planting season influenced by erratic rainfall.
Dr. Brian Arnall and Dr. Raedan Sharry contribute technical insights on soil nutrient conditions and weed management tactics.
Dr. Dudak shares her perspective on the cotton planting outlook across Oklahoma, detailing issues like thrips, herbicide resistance, and the narrow windows available for cotton growers in different regions.
She also discusses how new technologies and research, including residual herbicides and skip-row planting studies, could help producers cut costs while improving yield reliability.
The conversation closes with thoughts on the long-term viability of the cotton industry and its infrastructure in Oklahoma.
Timestamps:
(00:03) Welcome and podcast intro
(01:30) Crop update and planting challenges
(07:00) Weed control concerns in double crops
(11:45) Cotton planting status and early-season issues
(13:00) Scouting for thrips and weed competition
(18:00) Overview of Dr. Dudak’s background and research focus
(27:00) Cotton expansion into northern territories and risk factors
(38:30) Emerging cotton technologies and herbicide advancements
(41:00) Cotton vs. corn in southwestern Oklahoma
(45:00) Cotton infrastructure and future outlook
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