Less Cotton in Georgia This Year

Clint Thompson Cotton, Georgia

When USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its 2020 planted acreage reports, it noted growers across the belt planted 12.2 million acres this year, which is down 11% from last year. In Georgia, producers planted 1.2 million acres of cotton this year, which is down from the 1.4 million acres last year. But Georgia Cotton Commission’s Taylor Sills told …

Cotton Scouting School Goes Digital, Set for July 24

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Pest/Pest Control

By Katie Nichols For 60 years, Extension scientists taught the Scouting School in person and hands-on. But the 61st Cotton Scouting School is going digital — pushed to an online version because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The short course will be July 24 from 8 a.m. to noon via Zoom. Growers, consultants, scouts and others are encouraged to attend just as …

Major Crops Planted Acres Up from 2019, but Below Average

Clint Thompson Alabama, Corn, Cotton, Field Crops, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts, Soybeans

While the number of acres planted to major crops in the U.S. this year is more than last year, acreage this year is on the historically low side. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle …

Richey Seaton Retiring From Georgia Cotton Commission

Clint Thompson Cotton, Georgia

Longtime Executive Director of the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC), Richey Seaton, has announced he will retire effective August 1, 2020. Seaton told Southeast AgNet that it has been a privilege for him to work for the cotton producers of Georgia. (please post the GCC release here) Richey Seaton to Retire From Georgia Cotton Commission; Sills to Serve as Executive Director …

Unusual Weather, Year for Cotton Insects

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton

By Katie Nichols (Alabama Extension) AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Mild winter weather, cool spring days and a handful of heat-filled scorchers combined to create an interesting situation with cotton insects this spring and summer. Alabama Cooperative Extension System crop entomologists are keeping a close eye on the evolving situation. Alabama Extension’s Ron Smith and Scott Graham have been working with busy cotton …

U.S. Cotton Acreage is Down 11%

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released its 2020 planted acreage reports. Chris Hawthorn, field crops section head with NASS in Washington D.C., says cotton acreage across the country is down 11% from last year. In Alabama, growers planted 470,000 acres of cotton this year, down from the 540,000 last year. In Florida, 95,000 acres of cotton were planted, …

Georgia Cotton Commission Approves 2021 Budget

Clint Thompson Cotton, Georgia

On Wednesday, the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) met and approved their fiscal 2021 budget. GCC Executive Director, Richey Seaton, said the mission for the next year has been given to the staff, with research being a big part of the budget. For more information contact the GCC office in Perry at 478-988-4235. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role …

U.S. Cotton Producers Maintain Access to Critical Weed Control Tool

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council (NCC) is pleased with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s denial of an emergency motion to halt dicamba use — a ruling that provides U.S. cotton producers with a very important weed control tool this season and prevents devastating financial losses. The court’s ruling means producers and commercial applicators can …

Cotton, Peanut Crops Developing

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

According to the latest numbers from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), cotton planting is wrapping up. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest information concerning not only cotton planting but also squaring and setting bolls. But he notes there is a nationwide decline in the cotton crop condition. And Rippey has the latest outlook for the nation’s peanut …

Cotton Growers Need to Monitor for Plant Bugs

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Scouting for plant bugs is an important practice all cotton growers need to be doing now, says Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension entomologist. He estimates 35% to 40% of the cotton crop is squaring. Unfortunately, some farmers are already reporting high incidences of plant bugs. “We have received a few reports of fields exceeding threshold …