Overcoming the costliest drought in Southwest history with more than half of Texas cotton acres abandoned, a record number of FiberMax growers achieved one-ton yields during the 2011 season. Bayer CropScience recently honored 103 farmers at the seventh annual FiberMax One Ton Club awards banquet in Lubbock.

The FiberMax One Ton Club recognizes farmers who produce 2,000 pounds or more of lint cotton per acre on at least 20 acres using FiberMax cotton. This year, farmers from Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas joined the club, with 410 members since the club began in 2005.

“It is our honor to recognize these farmers for their outstanding achievements, especially considering the drought and adversities they overcame last year,” said Jeff Brehmer, U.S. marketing manager for FiberMax cotton. “These farmers use innovative production practices and push FiberMax germplasm to reach its greatest potential. This year, a One Ton Club member produced six bales to the acre with one of our new varieties, demonstrating that these growers are continually reaching new heights in cotton production.”

One Ton Truck Winner

Henry Cheuvront, a fourth-year One Ton Club member from Gaines County, Texas, won a two-year lease on a Ford Super Duty F-350 King Ranch truck. Cheuvront averaged 2,028 pounds per acre using FM 9170B2F.

“We are so excited to win the FiberMax One Ton Club truck this year,” Cheuvront said. “It was very difficult to grow cotton last year in Texas, and we are excited to make the One Ton Club in those conditions. Cheuvront farms with his wife, Jody, and their two sons, Jud and Jevon. Individual awards presented during the banquet included highest yield, highest loan value, highest gross value per acre, most acres and most varieties. Winners included:

In addition to these awards, Kirk and Emily Fly of Dalhart, Texas; Delmon Jr. and Dollie Ellison of Seagraves, Texas; and Joe McFerrin of Cotton Center, Texas, were chosen in a drawing to each receive 15 bags of FiberMax cotton seed.

For additional information and background on the FiberMax One Ton Club please visit: http://www.bayercropscience.us/products/seeds/fibermax-cotton/one-ton-club.