ABSTRACT

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a major rainfed field crop grown in the semiarid regions of the Texas High Plains. Frequent droughts along with high climatic variability account for the low cotton yields obtained in this region. Cropping practices that might be used to take advantage of seasonal rainfall conditions include crop choice, planting density, planting date and fertilization practices. At present very little or no information is available to encourage High Plains dryland cotton farmers to modify cropping practices to take advantage of weather information in good years or reduce losses in poor years. CroPMan simulation model was used to evaluate the economic benefits of using alternative management practices for dryland cotton. The potential economic benefits of tailoring dryland cotton production practices to seasonal rainfall expectations was found to be from $17 to $21 million per year for the Texas High Plains. Results from this study reveal that dryland cotton farmers could benefit from modifying cropping practices based on seasonal rainfall expectations.