Robert Goodson 1 , T. Barber 2 , B. McClelland 3 1 County Extension Agent, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Phillips County, Helena AR, 72342 2 Cotton Agronomist, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock AR, 72204 3 State Cotton Verification Coordinator, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Keiser AR 72351 ABSTRACT The cotton research verification program is an interdisciplinary effort in which recommended best management practices and production technologies are applied in a timely manner. Objectives of the program are: (1) conduct on farm field trials to verify researched based recommendations with the interest of increasing profit, (2) educate producers on timely management decisions, (3) Aid researchers in identifying area that need additional inquiry and (4) to aid Extension personnel to learn more about all aspects of cotton production. In cooperation with producers in both counties, it was decided to plant a conventional (non-transgenic) variety in Phillips County and in Lee County cotton was planted double crop behind wheat. The two issues in Phillips County was being able to grow non roundup ready cotton when all the surrounding crops were and could the lepidopteron pests be controlled on a non Bt cotton variety The issue in Lee County was would there be enough time to produce an economical cotton crop planting so late in the growing season. Success was measured on how each crop fared economically. Due to poor stand and possibly glyphosate drift the Phillips County project lost $3.79 an acre. A success on the field was that the lepidopteron pest can be controlled with new insecticides on the market. In Lee County production cost were kept low and due to a higher market price the program profited $415 an acre. The program was able to show the advantages and disadvantages of each production system to all local producers. United States Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, and County Governments Cooperating The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer Lee County Verification field was a project to verify that cotton could be double cropped after wheat harvest in early June Phillips County Verification field was a project to verify that conventional (non Bt and non roundup ready) could be grown in a transgenic cotton growing area Cotton Verification Program Objectives Late season Lygus (tarnished plant bug) control was vital in producing June planted cotton in Arkansas Due to height of wheat stubble early plant growth in double crop cotton was tall and spindly Results Problem Purpose Problem Methods Double Crop Wheat & Cotton 1. When planting cotton behind wheat, stubble should be cut short to prevent spindly plants early in the season. 2. Weed control and irrigation is easier due to wheat stubble . 3. Cotton can be planted behind wheat successfully as long as inputs are kept low Conventional Cotton 1. Seed quality is important in cotton production whether conventional or transgenic 2. Pest management in conventional cotton is possible with current herbicides and insecticides 3. Glyphosate drift in conventional cotton is an issue that must be control led. If not there will be excessive yield loss. LEE AND PHILLIPS COUNTY ARKANSAS COTTON VERIFICATION PROGRAM 1. Conduct on farm field trials to verify researched based recommendations with the interest of increasing profit 2. 2. Educate producers on timely management decisions 3. Aid researchers in identifying areas that need additional inquiry 4. Aid local Extension personnel to learn more about all aspects of cotton production Problem Low seed quality of new conventional cotton, proved to be a rough start for the crop Possible Glyphosate drift was on possible solution to low yield in conventional cotton Yield Results Double Crop Wheat Cotton 697 lbs lint/acre Conventional Cotton 545 lbs lint/acre