2008 PIE Program Tours Set
Apr 3, 2008 12:01 PM
Mid-South cotton producers participating in this year’s Cotton Foundation Producer Information Exchange will tour operations in Arizona and California June 22-27. The National Cotton Council recently announced all dates and locations for the 2008 program.
Now in its 20th year, the PIE program has an overall goal of helping participants improve yields and fiber quality. Upon completion of this year’s four tours, the PIE program will have exposed more than 800 U.S. cotton producers to innovative cotton production practices in regions different than their own.
Southwest producers will travel to North Carolina July 20-25; Far Western producers will visit Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee Aug. 10-15; and Southeastern producers will visit Texas Aug. 17-22.
The NCC’s member services staff, in conjunction with local producer associations, conducts the PIE program, including participant selection. The program also receives support from The Cotton Foundation via a grant from Bayer CropScience.
Cotton Foundation President Charles Parker, a Senath, Mo., cotton producer, said the PIE program enables cotton producers to gain new perspectives in such fundamental practices as land preparation, planting, fertilization, pest control, irrigation and harvesting as well as to observe unique ways in which their peers are using new technology.
“However, embracing new tools and production systems is not enough, today’s producers need to achieve better farming efficiencies along with their yield and fiber quality,” Parker said. “By offering firsthand observation and one-to-one interaction with innovative producers, PIE is giving its participants a leg up on their quest for better efficiency and profitability.”
Gary Gaar, U.S. sales manager, Bayer BioScience, said, “PIE participants are leaders in the cotton industry, and we’re glad to sponsor this program, as well as strengthen our ongoing partnership with cotton growers and the National Cotton Council. The information growers receive from these tours helps them enhance their own farming operations and build long-term friendships.”
