SAFFORD MAR 3, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | ****** | 122 * | ****** | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - MAR 2 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - FEB 23 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about 10 days behind normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : FEB 24 - MAR 2 This Week : MAR 3 - MAR 9 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 68 36 26 30 ---- Normal 71 37 26 37 Recorded 64 23 10 16 0.00 2012 72 30 17 37 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 48.4 MAR 2 ; Min = 43.2 FEB 25 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- -Expect sunny, warm & dry conditions through Thursday. Another cold storm system is projected to develop late this week, resulting in below normal temperatures & a chance for precipitation Friday/Saturday. Temperatures are expected to return to normal levels by early next week. -Growers are encouraged to measure soil temperatures prior to planting. Soils are quite cool due to the cold winter weather. Soil temperatures at 8am at seed- ing depth should approach 60F prior to planting. A good weather forecast for planting would call for sunny skies with highs above 80F & lows above 47F. Soil temperatures generally remain in the acceptable range for germination under these conditions. SAFFORD MAR 10, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | ******** | ** 170 * | ******** | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - MAR 9 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - MAR 2 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about 6 days behind normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : MAR 3 - MAR 9 This Week : MAR 10 - MAR 16 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 71 37 26 37 ---- Normal 73 38 26 45 Recorded 74 39 24 47 0.06 2012 79 37 14 57 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 58.3 MAR 8 ; Min = 50.2 MAR 3 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- -High pressure will develop over AZ this week, producing sunny & dry conditions with above normal temperatures. Temperatures should peak late in the week with highs approaching 90F in central AZ & the low 90s along the River. Some cooling is expected next weekend as a low pressure system moves across the Great Basin. The current 8-14 day forecast calls for dry weather & a return to normal temper- atures by the middle of next week. Both the 6-10 day & 8-14 day forecasts may prove useful when planning planting operations. The internet addresses are: 6-10 day forecasts: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/610day/ 8-14 day forecasts: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/ -A good planting forecast: sunny skies with highs above 80F & lows above 48F. SAFFORD MAR 17, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | ************ | **** 231 *** | ************ | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - MAR 16 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - MAR 9 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about 2 days behind normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : MAR 10 - MAR 16 This Week : MAR 17 - MAR 23 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 73 38 26 45 ---- Normal 76 40 28 52 Recorded 80 38 21 62 0.00 2012 84 41 20 80 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 60.1 MAR 16 ; Min = 50.9 MAR 11 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- --Mostly sunny & dry with mild temperatures this week. Temperatures will not be as warm as last week, but will remain above normal. A series of storms will pass through the Great Basin this week. These systems will produce periods of windy weather & some slight cooling after mid-week. The forecast for next week is less certain with one forecast model calling for more cooling while a second suggests much warmer weather. Growers should monitor forecasts if planting late this week. --A good planting forecast: sunny skies with highs above 80F & lows above 48F. --Medium term (6-10 & 8-14 day) forecasts can be obtained from the internet at: 6-10 day forecasts: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/610day/ 8-14 day forecasts: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/ SAFFORD MAR 24, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | *************** | ****** 297 **** | *************** | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - MAR 23 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - MAR 16 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : MAR 17 - MAR 23 This Week : MAR 24 - MAR 30 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 76 40 28 52 ---- Normal 75 40 27 49 Recorded 80 43 23 66 0.00 2012 77 39 21 53 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 62.1 MAR 22 ; Min = 58.8 MAR 18 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- --High pressure will develop over AZ this week resulting in sunny, warm & dry conditions through Saturday. Temperatures should average about 5 degrees above normal. Medium term forecasts indicate a storm system will develop off the coast of CA late this week & move inland early next week. This system is expected to produce windy & cooler weather with a chance for precipitation. Growers should monitor the development of this storm if planning to plant late in the week. --Planting windows are open in central & western production areas. Full season varieties should be planted before the annual accumulation of heat units exceeds 700 (see graph above). --Soil temperatures are considered acceptable for germination when minimum (8am) soil temperatures at planting depth remain at 60F or higher. SAFFORD MAR 31, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | ****************** | ******* 365 ****** | ****************** | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - MAR 30 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - MAR 23 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about 2 days ahead of normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : MAR 24 - MAR 30 This Week : MAR 31 - APR 6 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 75 40 27 49 ---- Normal 78 42 27 60 Recorded 81 41 16 67 0.00 2012 86 46 27 90 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 63.3 MAR 30 ; Min = 57.4 MAR 24 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- --A storm system located off the CA coast will move across the Great Basin on Monday, resulting in windy & slightly cooler conditions. No precipitation is expected with this storm system. The coolest day of the week will be Tuesday when temperatures should average near normal. High pressure will return on Wednesday, resulting in clear skies & very warm conditions through the weekend. --The planting windows are open for all production areas except Graham & Cochise Counties. Full season varieties should be planted before the annual accumulation of heat units exceeds 700 (see graph above). --Soil temperatures are considered acceptable for germination when minimum (8am) temperatures at planting depth remain at 60F or higher. Soils typically reach this acceptable thermal range when minimum air temperatures remain 48F or higher. SAFFORD APR 7, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | ********************** | ********* 440 ******** | ********************** | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - APR 6 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - MAR 30 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about 3 days ahead of normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : MAR 31 - APR 6 This Week : APR 7 - APR 13 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 78 42 27 60 ---- Normal 80 43 26 68 Recorded 82 45 26 73 0.00 2012 81 50 28 80 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 63.7 APR 1 ; Min = 53.1 APR 3 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- --A strong storm will move across the Great Basin Monday & Tuesday, resulting in very windy conditions & much cooler temperatures. This is a relative dry storm, but light & scattered precipitation is possible Monday & Tuesday, especially in & adjacent to higher elevation areas (mountains). Temperatures will cool to below normal levels by Tuesday, then rebound to above normal levels by the weekend. --Soil temperatures are considered acceptable for germination when minimum (8am) temperatures at planting depth remain at 60F or higher. Soils typically reach this acceptable thermal range when minimum air temperatures remain 48F or higher. The cool temperatures expected early this week may push soil temperatures below this acceptable level for a few days. Growers in central & southeast AZ may want to delay planting until later in the week. A three-day delay in planting at this time of year delays peak bloom, cut-out and maturity by about one day. --Full season varieties should be planted before the annual accumulation of heat units (HU) exceeds 700. The 700 HU level will be reached in western AZ this week. SAFFORD APR 14, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | ************************* | ********** 498 ********** | ************************* | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - APR 13 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - APR 6 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about 2 days ahead of normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : APR 7 - APR 13 This Week : APR 14 - APR 20 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 80 43 26 68 ---- Normal 83 45 26 79 Recorded 77 42 27 58 0.03 2012 81 41 23 67 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 61 APR 9 ; Min = 55.6 APR 11 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- --A strong storm system will pass through the West early in week, resulting in windy & cooler conditions through Thursday. This is expected to be a dry storm with little chance for precipitation. Below normal temperatures are expected by mid-week with the passage of this system. High pressure will redevelop over AZ late in the week & bring a return to above normal temperatures by the weekend. --Plant population should range from 25,000-50,000 plants/a. To assess, count the number of plants in 1/1000a & multiply by 1000. The row length equal to to 1/1000a: 40"row = 13'1", 38"row = 13'9", 36"row = 14'6", 30"row = 17'5". --Full season varieties should be planted before the annual accumulation of heat units (HU) exceeds 700. Most central AZ production areas will reach 700 HUs this week. Short & medium maturity varieties are recommended after 700 HUs. SAFFORD APR 28, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | ********************************* | ************** 666 ************** | ********************************* | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - APR 27 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - APR 20 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about 2 days ahead of normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : APR 21 - APR 27 This Week : APR 28 - MAY 4 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 84 47 26 85 ---- Normal 86 48 25 92 Recorded 89 47 18 100 0.00 2012 86 54 23 106 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 69.4 APR 25 ; Min = 62.2 APR 21 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- --Expect sunny & dry conditions through midweek with hot days & mild nights. A storm system will move through the Great Basin Thursday, producing cooler temp- eratures & windy conditions. The cooling trend will be limited with temperatures expected to remain slightly above normal. No precipitation is expected with this system. The longer term forecast for May shows a moderate bias for above normal temperatures & no bias relative to precipitation. --The transition from vegetative growth to early reproductive development occurs with the formation of the first fruiting branches at nodes 5-7. This transition, known as pinhead square (PHS), usually occurs at ~700 heat units after planting. SAFFORD MAY 5, 2013 COTTON PLANTING DATE ADVISORY +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | v | *************************************** | ****************** 773 **************** | *************************************** | | ^ normal | | PLANTING WINDOWS | | | Short Season ---------------| | | | Medium Season ----| | | | Full Season | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---+ 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 HEAT UNITS (HU) ACCUMULATED FROM JAN 1 - MAY 4 v = Heat Units accumulated from JAN 1 - APR 27 HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- HUs are running about 3 days ahead of normal. HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : APR 28 - MAY 4 This Week : MAY 5 - MAY 11 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 86 48 25 92 ---- Normal 89 50 26 105 Recorded 90 51 14 107 0.00 2012 88 45 11 89 SOIL TEMPERATURES -------------------------------- Last Week's 8am Soil Temp: Max = 71.8 MAY 2 ; Min = 68.2 APR 28 WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- --Cooler & less settled weather is expected this week due to the presence of a trough of low pressure. This trough, currently off the coast of CA, wll send a series of waves & impulses across the region, resulting in cooler temperatures & a slight chance for showers Tuesday & Wednesday, especially near the mountains. This system moves inland & across AZ late in the week & & may produce another period of showers in eastern production areas. High pressure & much warmer temp- eratures are expected by the weekend. --The transition from vegetative growth to early reproductive development occurs with the formation of the first fruiting branches at nodes 5-7. This transition, known as pinhead square (PHS), usually occurs at ~700 HUs after planting (HUAP). N fertilizer should be applied in split applications between PHS & early bloom which occurs at ~1200 HUAP (see publication AZ1200 on ACIS website for details). SAFFORD COTTON DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY MAY 12, 2013 PLANTING +/- normal DATE+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | v | | | | | | | | 4/1 ********** 493 +1 day | v | | | | | | | | 4/15******* 352 +1 day | | | | | | | | | 5/1 *** 147 0 days | | | | | | | | | | Pin Sus 1st 1" Pk. Bloom Cut-Out Terminate | | head Sq. Flowr Boll +---+---+ +---+---+ +---+---+ | | S M F S M F S M F | +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-+ 0 400 800 1200 1600 2000 2400 2800 3200 3600 HEAT UNITS ACCUMULATED FROM PLANTING to MAY 11 v = Heat Units on MAY 4; S,M,F = Short, Medium, and Full Season Varieties HEAT UNITS -------------------------------- Heat Unit (HU) accumulation since Jan 1 = 878; Last year = 929; Normal = 837 HUs since Jan 1 are running about 2 days ahead of normal. HU last week = 103 HISTORICAL STATISTICS -------------------------------- Last Week : MAY 5 - MAY 11 This Week : MAY 12 - MAY 18 HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs RAIN HIGH LOW DEWPT HUs Normal 89 50 26 105 ---- Normal 92 54 29 119 Recorded 84 55 32 103 0.02 2012 88 50 22 98 ESTIMATED WATER USE -------------------------------- Planting date : 4/1 4/15 5/1 Water Use (last week): .44" .44" .44" WEATHER UPDATE -------------------------------- --The low pressure system responsible for the recent stretch of windy weather is expected to move out of Mexico Tuesday, opening the door for a return to hot & dry weather. There is a slight chance for thunderstorms in eastern AZ on Tuesday as this system moves out. Expect sunny & dry conditions late this week with temp- eratures exceeding 100F in lower desert areas. A slight cooling trend is expected this weekend as another dry storm system passes north of AZ. --The transition from vegetative growth to early reproductive development occurs with the formation of the first fruiting branches at nodes 5-7. This transition, known as pinhead square (PHS), usually occurs at ~700 HUs after planting (HUAP). N fertilizer should be applied in split applications between PHS & early bloom which occurs at ~1200 HUAP (see publication AZ1200 on ACIS website for details).