First cotton bloom

The first cotton bloom reported to the Town Crier for the 2011 growing season came from the Hicks Farm. It was found on June 28 south of Manila on dry land. The DP&L-0920 was planted on April 30.

Jimmy Hicks said with the weather this year cotton stages have been stretched. The Hicks is a family farming operation with brothers Jimmy and Paul Wayne and the next generation, Bubba Hicks, Aaron Master, and Jairus Hicks working together. They have 2,300 acres of cotton this year.

Pictured are Trey Hicks and Aidan Master with the cotton blooms.