Episode 56 - Southeast Crop Update

July 2025 | 57 min., 41 sec.
by Camp Hand, Guy Collins, Keith Edmisten, Sudeep Sidhu and Josh Lee
University of Georgia, North Carolina State University, University of Florida, Auburn University

Summary

​Drs. Guy Collins (NCSU), Keith Edmisten (NCSU), Sudeep Sidhu (UF), and Josh Lee (AU) join host Camp Hand (UGA) to discuss planting conditions, acreage reduction, and crop management during a challenging 2024 season. Weather patterns, market pressures, and management strategies dominate the conversation as experts share insights on navigating the lowest cotton acreage since the early 1990s.

About the Presenter

​​Camp HandCamp Hand is an assistant professor and Extension cotton specialist at the University of Georgia in Tifton. His research and Extension programs focus on cotton agronomics in Georgia, and his goal is to work with the UGA county agents and growers to answer questions that will help Georgia growers remain sustainable and economical. Camp received his BS and MS degrees at Auburn University in horticulture while minoring in agronomy. His graduate work at Auburn was conducted under Dr. Wheeler Foshee. He then went on to pursue a PhD at the University of Georgia in Tifton in weed science under the direction of Dr. Stanley Culpepper.

Guy D. CollinsGuy D. Collins began his career in 2009 as the Extension cotton agronomist at the University of Georgia after completing his PhD in crop science at North Carolina (NC) State University the same year. He earned his MS in crop science and his BS in agronomy from NC State in 2006 and 2004, respectively. Dr. Collins returned to NC State University in 2015 and served as the cotton Extension associate professor until 2020, when he was promoted to cotton Extension professor. Although his official appointment is 100% Extension, he is heavily engaged in applied agronomic research conducted on his own and collaboratively with other cotton faculty in multiple departments. In his Extension work, Dr. Collins provides assistance, support, and training programs for county agents and growers regarding cotton production and management. His research supports his Extension program by providing current information that enables cotton growers to maximize yield potential, reduce production costs, optimize timing of agronomic inputs, and employ decision aides. His current research and Extension efforts focus on large-scale, on-farm evaluations of cultivar stability across environments, plant growth regulator management, seed quality and replanting decisions, and management strategies to maximize yield and fiber quality. Dr. Collins works closely with county agents, the NC State University cotton team, the NC Cotton Producers Association, Cotton Incorporated, the Extension Cotton Specialists Working Group across the United States, and seed and crop protection companies.​​​

Keith Edmisten Keith Edmisten is a Professor and Extension Cotton Specialist with North Carolina State University. He received his BS in Agronomy from North Carolina State in 1981 He received his MS in Crop Science in 1985 from the same institution. He received his PhD in Agronomy in 1987 from Virginia Tech. Dr. Edmisten grew up on a farm in Iredell County, North Carolina.​




Sudeep Singh Sidhu Sudeep Singh Sidhu is an Assistant Professor of Agronomy at the University of Florida. He heads research and extension efforts to develop site-specific nutrient and water management strategies for various cropping systems in FL (peanut-cotton- cotton; peanut-corn-carrot; peanut-corn) with and without cover crops. Dr. Sidhu establishes on-farm demonstration trials for testing new and upcoming technologies for making them cost effective and practical to be used on a farm scale. He organizes in-service trainings for county and regional extension faculty along with field days and workshops to spread knowledge to stakeholders.

Josh Lee Josh Lee is an extension specialist for cotton at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University. His responsibilities include in-service training for extension agents, conveying information about new developments from industry to stakeholders, conducting applied research related to cotton production and mentoring graduate students.



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