Deltapine kicks off New Product Evaluator program with 200 cotton farmers testing seeds

Deltapine said Friday that nearly 200 farmers will test the company’s cotton variety candidates during this year’s eighth New Product Evaluator (NPE) program.

Under the program, farmers across all growing regions evaluate the company’s cotton seeds to see how they perform under different management systems and conditions. Each farmer is given enough seed to grow at least a module-worth of cotton per candidate. The company will announce the seeds it plans to commercialize in December.

Deltapine’s Monsanto Cotton Product Manager Keylon Gholston said NPE growers have helped the company bring to market cotton varieties that are more water efficient and resistant to the root-knot nematode pest.

“The NPE program is becoming even more valuable as we continue to advance new insect, disease and weed control solutions through our product pipeline, and as we add new seed varieties to the Deltapine portfolio this year,” Gholston said.

Farmers will evaluate eight Deltapine cotton seeds, including several bred for performance in the Texas markets and three lines with a broad fit across the northern areas of the Cotton Belt. Also being evaluated is a full-season seed that has shown especially good fiber length, exceptional yield and overall fiber quality performance.