With new, high-yielding germplasm available for planting, growers seeking to maximize production are encouraged to check out cotton variety tests that match their field management systems when determining what to plant in 2016.

Many new varieties also feature the latest trait technology, enabling farmers to choose high-yielding performers that address their pest management needs.

Variety testing done by universities, county agents, and private companies represents the largest data pool that farmers can access. The variety trials are typically broken down by dryland and irrigated, performed on various soil types and separated by variety maturity classifications. The chance that a farmer can find a trial matching his growing conditions is very high.

Many on-farm trials in 2015 had entries that were all tolerant to glufosinate, so that full herbicide regimens could be employed. These types of trials are critical for evaluating the performance of today’s leading cotton varieties. In particular, these trials can help farmers see the effect that differences in herbicide tolerance can have on yield potential. With the commercialization last year of Deltapine^® Bollgard II^® XtendFlex^® cotton varieties, farmers now have many options for using glufosinate, in addition to glyphosate, in their over-the-top herbicide programs. If farmers intend to use glufosinate in their cotton in 2016, it is important to select varieties with commercial tolerance to the chemistry.

“Past university data shows Liberty^® herbicide used on WideStrike^® cotton can reduce yields,” Dr. Dave Albers, U.S. cotton germplasm manager for Monsanto, said during a paper presentation at the recent 2016 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. “Preliminary 2015 university data suggest that in tests where Liberty is not sprayed, the results are relatively higher yields for WideStrike varieties. In tests where Liberty is sprayed, the opposite can happen in terms of yield.”

The lesson to be learned, according to Albers, is if you’re looking for high yield and the added weed control offered by glufosinate, then there are better variety options to plant with commercial glufosinate tolerance. The Deltapine Class of 15 and Class of 16 cotton varieties offer Bollgard II XtendFlex technology in elite, high-performing genetics. These varieties topped county agent trials across the Mid-South and Southeast.

Growers should check their local university or county agent variety trials for the performance of Deltapine Bollgard II XtendFlex varieties. The New Product Evaluator (NPE) Program ensures that every Deltapine variety commercialized for planting in a particular region has been approved for performance by farmers in that region. The Deltapine NPE Program brings together roughly 200 cotton farmers representing all growing areas of the Belt to evaluate variety candidates in large-acre trials under different management systems and growing conditions. Their experiences and input are essential to determining which candidates are released as new varieties each season and how they are positioned to farmers in various regions.

See the Deltapine Bollgard II XtendFlex varieties available in 2016.

_{Bollgard II® XtendFlex® cotton contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides, dicamba, the active ingredient in M1691, and glufosinate, the active ingredient in Liberty® brand herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate. Contact your Monsanto dealer or refer to Monsanto’s Technology Use Guide for recommended Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System weed control programs.}

_{DO NOT APPLY DICAMBA HERBICIDE IN-CROP TO Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton in 2016 unless a dicamba herbicide product is approved that is specifically labeled for that use in the location where you intend to make the application.  Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton.}

_{IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO MAKE AN IN-CROP APPLICATION OF ANY DICAMBA HERBICIDE PRODUCT ON BOLLGARD II XTENDFLEX COTTON UNLESS THE PRODUCT LABELING SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES THAT USE.}

_{Individual results may vary. Always read and follow IRM, where applicable, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Bollgard II®, Genuity®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup® and XtendFlex® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Deltapine® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company. Liberty® is a registered trademark of Bayer. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2016 Monsanto Company.}