Oklahoma’s cotton harvest is rapidly approaching, with many fields already showing open bolls across the state. In a recent update, OSU Cotton Extension Specialist Jenny Dudak shared with Farm Director KC Sheperd that producer excitement is high, largely due to ample heat units that have helped push the crop to maturity.
Dudak, traveling through Southwest Oklahoma, confirmed that the harvest timeline is imminent. “Ye,s ma’am, we sure are,” Dudak said of the impending harvest. “I have seen many open cotton fields getting ready to harvest, so it’s an exciting time of year.”
Beneficial Heat and Crop Progression
A major factor in the crop’s successful late-season progression has been the consistent heat. While some parts of the state started the season with variable conditions, the recent warmth is crucial for finalizing the top crop.
“Those heat units will definitely help us finish out some of that top crop and maybe boost our yields a little bit,” Dudak noted.
Harvest is expected to begin quickly in the southern regions. “Just from what I’ve seen down here in Southwest Oklahoma, some of that dryland cotton or… some of the fields that have already been sprayed with defoliants and ready to go, I think, you know, they might pull the trigger here within the next week or so,” she estimated.
While the Southwest Oklahoma crop is “looking good, progressing well,” there is regional variation. Dudak mentioned that “some stuff in the Panhandle that is a little bit behind,” leading her to express hope for a “long fall” to allow those later fields to finish.
Pre-Harvest Management: The Art of Harvest Aids
As producers prepare to roll the equipment, the immediate management decision shifts to harvest aids (defoliants and boll openers).
“Really, I mean what they need to be thinking about, if you haven’t already sprayed harvest aids, is is harvest aids and what you’re going to use this year,” Dudak advised.
She highlighted the successful efficacy seen in recent on-farm demos: “Pretty much everything with one shot is looking really, really well… with all the heat that we’re having. It’s helping open up that crop pretty good.” The heat is crucial as it activates the chemical compounds, ensuring effective boll opening and leaf drop.
Monitoring for End-of-Season Risks
Although pest pressure is winding down (moving past the major windows), Dudak warned growers to remain vigilant against weather risks, particularly a hard freeze, which can drastically impact fiber quality.
- Rain Risk: Excessive late-season rain poses a threat to quality. “Rain can decrease your fiber quality; it can also kind of string some of that lint out of the bolls,” she cautioned.
- Freeze Preparedness: The most concerning weather event is a freeze, which can stop development prematurely. Dudak advised constant weather monitoring, especially given the unpredictable forecast. “If we are going to get that freeze, we want to make sure we’re putting out boll openers and things like that at least a few days before so it has a chance to work.”
Finally, Dudak reminded listeners of an upcoming learning opportunity: “We have a field day… just around the Hydro area with the Schantz family, and that’s coming up on Thursday,” which will feature race trials, technology comparisons, and expert speakers on pests, diseases, and weed management.
2025 Schantz Family Farm Field Day on October 9th as we honor Merlin Schantz and explore the latest in cotton, peanut, soybean, and corn research.
Field tours, expert speakers, CEUs, door prizes, and a delicious lunch catered by Pecina’s — it’s all happening just north of Hydro!
Location: 2 miles north of Hydro on Hwy 58, 1 mile west, ½ mile north
Starts at 7:30 AM with coffee & donuts
