By Clint Thompson The One Big Beautiful Bill’s passage into law is a win for the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and the cotton industry. Taylor Sills, executive director of the GCC, discussed the legislation. “It includes in it an increase in reference price. That reference price is applicable to the 2025 crop. That’s a huge deal for producers that enrolled …
Insect Pest Management Tips for Cotton Growers
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist, caution growers about what insect pests are currently impacting this year’s crop. Those insects include cotton aphids, plant bugs and stink bugs. Roberts emphasizes aphids will infest 100% of cotton plants throughout Georgia. He also stresses that during his research career, he …
Cover Crops’ Importance, Options for Georgia Cotton Growers
The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Cotton Team advise growers about the importance of summer cover crop options for fields that will be left fallow this growing season. Taylor Singleton, UGA assistant professor and Extension sustainability specialist, outlined in the UGA Cotton Team June Newsletter what growers must remember when planting cover crops. Growers who are considering …
A Little More Than A Month Away: Registration Ongoing for GCC Mid-Year Meeting
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) annual mid-year meeting is a little more than a month away. Registration is ongoing for the event, scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center in Statesboro, Georgia. Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission, discussed the significance of this year’s event. “The mid-year meeting is an important …
Prepare Now for Cotton Disease Management
By Clint Thompson It may be early in the cotton season, but Georgia’s growers need be concerned with potential disease buildup amid the increased rainfall across the region. The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team caution producers about areolate mildew and target spot. Bob Kemerait, UGA Extension plant pathologist, discussed both diseases in the team’s …
Some Georgia Cotton Producers Forced to Replant
By Clint Thompson Replanting is a management option that some Georgia cotton growers have had to consider this spring. The Georgia Cotton Commission and Camp Hand, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cotton agronomist, advise producers on how to proceed with replanting their cotton seeds, now and in the future. “Really the biggest thing I’d tell folks is if you’re on …
GCC Seeking Potential Nominees for Cotton Organization Leadership Positions
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) is seeking producers to serve as potential nominees for cotton organization leadership positions. In July, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will convene a caucus of certified producer organizations representing Georgia’s cotton farmers to nominate individuals to serve as members and alternates of the Cotton Board, which administers the Cotton Research & Promotion Program, …
Fertilizer Applications Still Essential for Cotton Producers
By Clint Thompson Cotton prices may be down, but that should not discourage producers from following through on the University of Georgia fertilizer recommendations. The Georgia Cotton Commission and UGA Extension Cotton Team remind growers that applying fertilizer below the recommended rates can be just as costly to the crop, due to a disproportionate reduction of yield potential and other …
Speakers Announced for GCC Mid-Year Meeting
The Georgia Cotton Commission has announced guest speakers for the commission’s mid-year meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center in Statesboro. This year’s speakers will be Akiko Inui, Board Chair of the Cotton Board, and Tas Smith, Vice President of Producer Affairs for the National Cotton Council. During the lunch program the Georgia Quality Cotton Awards …
Georgia Ag Commodity Commissions Seek Nominations
Atlanta, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced this week that five of Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions are seeking nominations from producers to serve on their respective commissions. This includes the Georgia Cotton Commission. Nomination forms are available on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website and will be accepted until May 23, 2025. Administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, …