Cotton growers increased the share of acres planted to FiberMax and Stoneville cotton seed varieties from Bayer CropScience LP in 2007 to capitalize on the high yield, fiber quality and profit potential consistently delivered by these leading brands.

The recently released U.S. Department of Agriculture acreage report shows that cottonseed varieties from Bayer CropScience account for the largest share of total planted acres at 44.4 percent. The flagship brands at Bayer CropScience — FiberMax, Stoneville and AFD — represent 29.3 percent, 14 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.

The report, “Cotton Varieties Planted — 2007 Crop,” is issued each year by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service Cotton Program division in Memphis.

For the ninth consecutive year, FiberMax increased its percentage of acreage share, moving up 3.1 percent from last year. This ranking seats FiberMax as the second most planted brand of cotton seed across the Cotton Belt for the fourth consecutive year. In 2006, FiberMax varieties accounted for 26.3 percent of all acres.

“FiberMax attributes this continued growth directly to providing growers with varieties that consistently deliver yield, quality and profit potential,” says Jeff Brehmer, Western regional marketing manager seeds and traits, FiberMax marketing manager.

“We continue to introduce new varieties to the market that bring a premium for growers and will meet their demands in the coming years.”

Stoneville also saw record growth capped by the largest increase in acre share of all cottonseed brands with a 4 percent gain. In 2006, Stoneville varieties accounted for 10 percent of all acres.

“Growers recognize the value of planting varieties from Stoneville for their early season vigor and rapid stand establishment, which leads to higher yield and profit potential,” says Kyle Maple, Eastern regional marketing manager seeds and traits, Stoneville marketing manager. “We link the increase in share for 2007 to these features.”

Four of the top seven most planted cottonseed varieties in 2007 are from Bayer CropScience breeding programs. These varieties, which account for 22.7 percent of all U.S. planted acres, include ST 4554B2RF (8.14 percent), FM 9063B2F (5.80 percent), FM 960B2R (5.11 percent) and FM 9058F (3.68 percent).

Bayer CropScience breeding programs focus on offering top-performing varieties with the latest trait technologies. For the second consecutive year, ST 4554B2RF was the most widely planted Bollgard II and Roundup Ready Flex variety across the Cotton Belt.

“Stoneville has demonstrated itself as a leader in the Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex market, and growers have identified varieties such as ST 4554B2RF and ST 4427B2RF as leading varieties,” Maple says. “For 2008, Stoneville will expand its portfolio of Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex varieties with ST 4498B2RF, ST 4596B2RF, ST 4678B2RF, ST 5458B2RF and ST 6351B2RF.”

FiberMax varieties are also available with the latest trait technologies, including LibertyLink, which account for 2.5 percent of the total acres in 2007. The technology offers growers a true alternative to the Roundup Ready system. Rotating the two systems manages and reduces the likelihood of future glyphosate-resistant weeds.

USDA compiles estimates of various cotton varieties planted in the United States for 2007 from informal surveys made by the Cotton Program Classing Offices of ginners, seed dealers, Extension agents and other knowledgeable sources.

The full report can be accessed at: www.ams.usda.gov/cottonrpts/MNPDF/mp_cn833.PDF.

For more information on FiberMax cotton seed visit www.FiberMax.com; for information on Stoneville cotton seed visit www.Stoneville.com.