RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., January 7, 2021 — At this week’s virtual Beltwide Cotton Conferences, BASF sponsored two prestigious professional awards: Cotton Specialist of the Year and Cotton Marketer of the Year. Dr. Seth Byrd, an agronomist with Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension, was named the 2021 Cotton Specialist of the Year and Texas cotton grower Barry Evans was named Cotton Marketer of the Year.
Cotton Specialist of the Year
Voted on by cotton specialists in the 17 states where cotton is grown, this highly-esteemed award is based on several considerations, including exceptional leadership and outstanding industry service.
Though Byrd has experience in growing everything from corn and soybeans to wheat, alfalfa and potatoes, cotton has been his most recent focus. Byrd arrived at Oklahoma State University in 2018 and maintains active extension and research programs in southwest Oklahoma as well as the Oklahoma Panhandle. He works with clientele that have varying degrees of experience from multi-generation cotton farmers to first-time producers.
“Dr. Byrd has been instrumental in fostering a team-based approach to our cotton extension and research program, and providing leadership to that team,” said Dr. Jeff Edwards, Department Head and Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University. “As a result, we have a greater number of faculty and students actively involved in cotton extension and research, which brings new ideas and helps supply the industry with experienced graduates.”
Cotton Marketer of the Year
The Joseph J. O’Neill Cotton Marketer of the Year award presented by ICE Futures (formerly New York Cotton Exchange) and BASF dates back to 1991.
This year’s recipient, Barry Evans, is a fourth generation farmer in Swisher County, Texas. After receiving a degree in Agricultural Business and Economics at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M), he worked in the commodity futures industry before returning to the farm in 1992. He farmed and managed a family-owned commercial grain elevator until 2013. Today, he farms full time and is the secretary and treasurer of the National Cotton Council and a member of the board of Texas Grain Sorghum Producers.
“Barry has been a tremendous advocate for the cotton industry for many years, and this award recognizes his knowledge extends well beyond growing the crop,” said Dr. Kenny Melton, BASF Western Region Agronomic Manager. “Risk management is essential for every farming operation, and Barry’s marketing reflects the work needed to understand the macro and microeconomics of these tumultuous markets.”
Dr. Byrd received his award on Wednesday evening during a virtual award presentation. Evans was recognized during the Cotton Economic Outlook Symposium as part of the virtual Beltwide Cotton Conferences.
“BASF is honored to spotlight the tremendous efforts of Dr. Byrd and Barry Evans,” said Dr. Steve Nichols, BASF Agronomic Services – Cotton. “Our commitment to cotton goes beyond our portfolio, and we are pleased to celebrate the work these recipients are doing to advance the cotton industry.”
About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division
With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2019, our division generated sales of €7.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 18,800 employees in North America and had sales of $184 billion in 2019. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 117,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
|
