Suggested introduction cut one:
Three years ago, Missouri cotton buyer Barry Bean loaded his camera with infared film and a red filter and began taking pictures of cotton fields. Dr. Bobby Phipps saw Bean’s pictures and noticed that plant stands were greatly enhanced. Phipps, who is the State Extension Cotton Specialist at the University of Missouri, fine tuned the idea, and soon discovered a digital camera and computer software can help producers decide if replanting is needed.
Suggested introduction cut two:
Digital photography is a necessity for this project because quick turn around time is needed, says Phipps. Once the pictures are taken, he downloads them to Photoshop, a computer software program, and then adjusts the color to see the living tissue.
Suggested introduction for cut three:
Currently three years into the project, Phipps would like to improve the replant aspect and expand the technology to measure insect pressure.
