By Clint Thompson
Georgia cotton growers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for the Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) annual meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia.
Taylor Sills, executive director of the GCC, talked about next year’s meeting and a focus on an emerging insect pest that cotton growers must deal with.
“Each year we have put together a panel of speakers to come to really talk about what we think growers need to know about what’s going on in the cotton industry. This year we’ve actually got some changes,” Sills said. “This year to our main program we’re going to have Dr. Phillip Roberts, who’s no stranger to anybody in the cotton business in Georgia. He’s going to talk about what we know about the cotton jassid situation. The cotton jassid came to us towards the end of July and really took a lot of us by surprise, me included; just how mean that jassid bug can be to our cotton production here in Georgia.”
Insect Impact
The cotton jassid feeds on the lower surface of cotton leaves, extracting the contents of cells. Symptoms include yellowing, reddening and then bronzing of leaves. The jassid is also tiny, so it is likely that plant damage will be observed before the insects themselves. It is a pest of cotton, okra, eggplant and sunflowers.
“Obviously, this is an ongoing and developing situation, but we know a whole lot more today and we’ll know even more in January about the jassid and about how to handle the jassid than we did in July. We’re moving him from the breakout session to the main program.”
Mary Catherine Cromley, chief of staff for the USDA-Farm Service Agency, and Marjory Walker, vice president of operations with the National Cotton Council of America, will also serve as program speakers.
There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online at www.ugatiftonconference.caes.uga.edu or call (229) 386-3416.