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Dr. Carl V. Feaster (1921 - 2011)

By Jesse Curlee

Because it is impossible to decide who to include and who not to, Supima has never written a tribute in this newsletter to someone in the industry who has died.  However, Carl V. Feaster made such significant contributions to the American Pima cotton industry, that we are making an exception.

Dr. Feaster passed away on March 30.  It is not an exaggeration to state that there would not be an American Pima cotton industry or Pima cotton production in the USA, if it were not for Dr. Feaster and his successful USDA Pima Cotton Improvement Program.  Before Carl began this program, the Pima cotton varieties were very low yielding and the fiber properties were not adequate for the major Extra-Long Staple cotton markets.  It was a small regional crop and there wasn’t much interest in growing American Pima.  Upland varieties were easier to grow with much better yields. The old Pima varieties were also very tall and rank and not suitable for machine harvesting.

Dr. Feaster was active in agricultural research for over 50 years.  During that time, he worked with soybeans and hemp, but his career had been spent working predominantly with American Pima cotton.  Dr. Feaster was the leader of a research team that spanned basic and applied research in Pima cotton, Gossypium barbadense L.  Results of Dr. Feaster’s research efforts included the breeding and release of six commercial Pima cultivars with improved yield and longer fibers which were planted on 100% of the Pima cotton acreage for over 40 years; establishment of a model variety evaluation program which led to the discovery of a significant variety-environment interaction of critical importance to growers; and creation of a germplasm pool of great variability with high potential for further improvements in Pima cotton.  Dr. Feaster cooperated in agronomic studies which led to better cultural practices for the improved varieties, and in genetic studies which led to the discovery and description of an abnormal reproduction process called semigamy that provides a unique breeding method for greatly reducing the time required to breed commercial varieties.

Carl Feaster was a true scientist.  In developing Pima varieties, he was keenly aware that one and even two years of testing and evaluations were not usually sufficient to be certain that a variety was actually an improvement over a current variety.  He preferred testing over more years and over different growing areas.  He even insisted on small scale spinning test.  If the variety looked promising, then he tested it in commercial spinning mills before releasing the varieties.  Dr. Feaster never overstated the facts about one of his released Pima variety.  He would correct someone if they got a little too aggressive in talking to customers about the benefits and fiber properties of American Pima cotton.  Carl would have made a great technical salesman, because he would have all the facts and customers would learn to believe what he told them about the product.  He wouldn’t have been a good car salesman, because he could never embellish a car’s features.  He would even tell a customer that a competitive car might be better in some areas.  He only dealt with the bare facts.

Dr. Feaster was especially respected by his industry colleagues in plant sciences and cotton breeding.  The textile mills also loved to have Carl visit and talk about the Pima varieties and fiber properties.  He gave customers confidence that he had their best interest in mind to give textile mills a cotton with improvements in length, strength and micronaire.  Some recent comments are as follows:

“Carl Feaster and I were friends for more than 50 years.  We worked and traveled together wherever Pima cotton was grown. Carl, as plant breeder and leader of the USDA Pima Improvement Project, and myself as plant geneticist.  Over the years Carl developed six Pima cotton varieties, numerous breeding stocks and published many papers in scientific journals and books.  He was recognized worldwide for his knowledge of Pima cotton and his plant breeding expertise.  He was truly Mr. Pima Cotton.  Carl has left us now, but his legacy lives on.  I miss him and will never forget him” … Dr. Edward L. Turcotte, former Plant Geneticist and Research Leader for the USDA-ARS, Pima Breeding Program.

“Carl, together with Ed Turcotte, built the basic Pima germplasm that our present day Pima programs are built upon” … Dr. David M. Anderson, Head of Research & Development, Phytogen Seed Co. and global leader for cotton breeding for Dow AgroSciences.

“We have lost a scientist and a friend.  When I met Dr. Feaster 32 years ago in his green houses in Phoenix, I was immediately taken by his charm and his knowledge.  He was explaining to a cotton greenhorn about cotton breeding and his goals.  In his visits to Switzerland he was always listening to the spinner, asking for the needs and characteristics needed for the spinning industry. His improvements of the Pima fiber have also been one part of the success of Hermann Bühler AG” … Paul Schnepf, Former Director, Herman Bühler AG, Winterthur, Switzerland.

“We all shared in Dr. Feaster’s life-long work…the spinner of his cotton, weaver and not the least, the consumer of extra fine products like Fieldcrest’s Supima Charisma sheets and towels.  All of us were blessed to be part of such a wonderful experience” … Frank J. Garnier, former VP Fiber Purchases, Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc.

“I have not only been impressed with the outstanding progress that was realized in the Pima breeding program that Carl directed, but also in the full complement of work conducted by the team of scientists assembled and led by Carl.  This team included agronomist and entomologists, as well the plant genetic and breeding program.  As always, we stand on the shoulders of those that come before us.  Carl Feaster is an excellent example of one of my professional predecessors whom I greatly admire and appreciate.  Most importantly, Carl was a good person to know and a good man to work with.  He was intelligent, friendly and honest.  Good qualities!” … Jeffrey C. Silvertooth, Ph.D., Professor and Head Department of Soil, Water & Environmental Science, University of Arizona.

Dr. Feaster received many honors and awards during his more than 50 years of service to the industry.  Here are just a few:  Norman E. Borlaug award from the World Farm Foundation; University of Arizona Centennial Medallion Award; University of Arizona Alumni Honorary Alumni; and most recently the 2009 Cotton Genetics Research Award.  Carl was the first recipient of the Supima Man-of-the Year award in 1982.

Carl is survived by his wife Barbara, five daughters and one son.