Stop watering cotton that’s ready to pick. We dive straight into the decisions that protect margins in 2026: getting pivots uniform, setting planters for true depth, dialing fertility with grid sampling, and timing irrigation to the crop’s changing demand. With Dr. Wes Porter from the University of Georgia, we compare what the data promises with what real systems can deliver, turning research into a framework you can actually use.

First, we tackle pivot uniformity—the cheapest, most reliable ROI in irrigation. From clogged nozzles and cracked regulators after freeze events to backwards orifices that cause yield‑robbing bands, we outline why preseason testing matters and how a $2,500 to $5,000 re‑nozzling can pay back quickly. We connect aerial images and yield maps to water distribution so waste is visible, fixable, and profitable to correct.

Then we shift to precision fertility and planting. Stop trying to homogenize fields by pouring inputs into chronically weak zones. Use 2.5‑acre grid sampling to align nutrients with potential, and protect returns by reducing seed and fertility where yield never responds. On the planter, prioritize real seed‑to‑soil contact: a true one‑inch placement in hot, dry windows, lighter downforce for a small seed, and appropriate speed or high‑speed delivery when you push past 6 to 7 mph. We also unpack years of hill drop data: it boosts emergence in tough conditions but rarely adds yield unless stands are consistently poor—so deploy it tactically on crust‑prone ground.

The payoff comes with water timing. We explore stage‑based irrigation thresholds that let cotton run a little drier early, tighten through peak bloom, and relax late—always within the limits of your system’s capacity. And we address the bottom‑line finding growers ask about most: multiple years show no yield difference between terminating irrigation at cutout versus watering to 10 percent open or beyond, as long as the profile is full at termination. That’s real savings—often $10 to $40+ per acre—without sacrificing lint, and less risk of boll rot in wet finishes.

Want to turn wasted inches into margin? Listen now, take notes to tailor the framework to your fields, and send us your biggest win or sticking point. If this helped, subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review so more growers can put money back in the bank.

Prices are stubborn, inputs aren’t getting cheaper, and acres have shifted—but we still need cotton in Georgia. We take you inside the decisions that matter most for 2026: choosing stable, above‑average varieties with multi‑year proof, pairing trait packages to your pest pressure and management style, and building a plan where timing—not just rate—drives performance. From OVT comparisons to 25 on‑farm trial sites, we explain how to read the data for stability across environments instead of chasing last year’s headline yield.

We also unpack a hot question: can conventional cotton really save money? The math often says no once you include extra trips, worm sprays, and weed pressure. Yield per pound remains the biggest lever on profitability, so we outline where to spend and where to skip—clean starts with effective residuals, scouting‑led insect calls, and right‑time PGRs tailored to variety vigor. Small positioning choices matter too, like using semi‑smooth leaves outside whitefly zones to buy time against jassids and placing aggressive genetics on weaker ground to rein in height and hasten earliness.

Deer pressure is no longer “just a headache”—it’s measurable loss. We share new work that links NDVI satellite imagery to yield maps so you can put dollars to damage, make a case with insurers, and decide if fencing pays back in one field edge or across a whole farm. For those exploring repellents, we discuss practical ways to fold them into existing spray calendars without letting costs outrun returns. Along the way, we keep the focus where it belongs: make every input count, avoid unproven add‑ins, and keep the two‑way conversation going with your county agent.

Subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review with your biggest 2026 decision—what will you change to protect yield this year?

We’re rolling out a series of recorded updates from every Georgia cotton specialist so you can hear the what, why, and when behind this season’s key recommendations—without rearranging your whole week. Consider this your on‑demand companion to the in‑person meetings, built to fit inside a busy farm day.

We walk through how the information pipeline works: production guides are already with your county agents and at the meetings, the summer newsletter keeps up with fast-moving issues like pest pressure and growth stages, and this podcast fills in the context you might miss or need a refresher on. Not every specialist can be in every room, and not every grower can get to a meeting. By capturing these updates in audio, we help you keep pace with agronomy, and pest management while you scout fields, haul modules, or catch a rare quiet moment.

More than anything, we’re focused on economic sustainability. The advice we share aims to protect yield potential, prioritize decisions under pressure, and keep cotton viable across Georgia’s diverse acres. If a topic you care about isn’t covered or you want deeper detail for your county, call your local Extension agent—they know exactly how to reach us and get you what you need.

If this approach helps you, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review. Your feedback tells us which questions to chase next and helps other growers find the information when it matters most.