By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia Cotton Team advise growers to take advantage of the dry weather conditions when possible to finish harvesting this year’s crop. Much of South Georgia observed the first measurable rainfall recorded since Hurricane Helene last week. It delayed harvesting progress, says Camp Hand, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cotton agronomist. …
GCC Meeting Scheduled for Jan. 29, 2025
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds its growers and industry leaders to save the date for next year’s annual meeting. It is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, and will be held at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. It is the first of two meetings for the commission in 2025. Its mid-year meeting …
GCC Executive Director Implores Safety on Roads
By Clint Thompson Georgia cotton producers are in the midst of harvesting this year’s crop. That means cotton pickers are traveling up and down the roads from one field to another at slow speeds. The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and executive director Taylor Sills encourage drivers to implore patience if they are behind a tractor or harvester that is traveling …
Ideal Weather Conditions for Georgia Cotton Harvests
By Clint Thompson Plenty of sunshine and dry weather this week means weather conditions are ideal for Georgia cotton producers to be in the field harvesting this year’s crop. That’s exactly what the Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team are encouraging farmers to be doing this week, says Camp Hand, UGA Extension cotton agronomist. “The …
GCC at the Sunbelt Ag Expo
By Clint Thompson Various factors are challenging cotton growers across the Southeast. The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) is using this week at the Sunbelt Ag Expo as an opportunity to meet with producers and industry experts to discuss ways to overcome those obstacles. Taylor Sills, executive director of the GCC, discussed the commission’s role this week in Moultrie, Georgia. “In …
To Pick or Not to Pick? Cotton Quality a Question Mark Following Hurricane Helene
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia Extension Cotton Team advise Georgia growers to consult their crop insurance providers about the state of this year’s crop following Hurricane Helene. Producers are entering harvest season with major question marks about the cotton quality after Helene’s devastating winds left the crop in peril. “I’d stay in touch with …
GCC Executive Director: We’ve Lost at Least a Third of Cotton Crop Following Helene
By Clint Thompson One of Georgia’s top agricultural commodities experienced as much damage as any from Hurricane Helene when it moved through the region on Sept. 26 and 27. Taylor Sills, Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) executive director, said initial assessments has Georgia cotton growers losing at least 33% of this year’s crop. “The Monday before Hurricane Helene came, that’s when …
Georgia Cotton Commission: Hurricane Helene Devastates Georgia Farms
Friday afternoon, Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Executive Director, Taylor R. Sills, issued this statement concerning Hurricane Helene’s impact on the cotton crop in the state: In the early hours September 27th, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on south, southeast, east and parts of central Georgia and made an exceptionally damaging impact on farms. Affected producers are reporting yield losses ranging from 35% to …
More Than 300 Groups Call on Congress to Pass Robust Farm Bill
MEMPHIS – Citing worsening economic conditions impacting the nation’s farmers, the National Cotton Council led an effort that resulted in more than 300 national and state groups, including the Georgia Cotton Commission and Georgia Peanut Commission, sending a letter to congressional leaders calling on them to pass the farm bill before year’s end. Signatories included groups representing farmers, livestock and …
Davis, Mathis Reappointed to Georgia Cotton Commission Board
In late June, the Commodity Commission Ex Officio Committee met to make appointments to the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Board of Directors. GCC Chairman Bart Davis, a cotton, peanut, corn and cattle farmer from Doerun, Ga. was reappointed to another term on the board. Chad Mathis, a cotton, peanut and corn farm of Arlington, Ga. was reappointed to the board …