One of the main questions cotton growers in Southeast Georgia must answer following Hurricane Debby is whether to use an airplane or ground rig to make future chemical applications. It is not an easy decision for producers to make and will differ from farmer to farmer. The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia Extension Cotton Team, including agronomist Camp …
Deer Problem in Georgia Cotton
By Clint Thompson Deer’s threat to Georgia’s cotton crop is an annual concern for the state’s producers. It’s now a top research priority for Camp Hand, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cotton agronomist. He talked about deer management in cotton at this year’s Georgia Cotton Commission mid-year meeting in July. “Last year at this meeting, I started to learn about …
Insect Infestation: Georgia Cotton Growers Should Be Wary of Stinkbugs
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s cotton producers should be on high alert for stinkbug pressure. Infestations could wreak havoc on the state’s crop. Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist, cautioned growers at the recent Georgia Cotton Commission meeting about the insect’s lingering presence in cotton fields. “As we enter bloom, stinkbugs and other boll-feeding bugs become a primary …
NCC President: Extending Current Farm Bill Doesn’t Work for Industry
By Clint Thompson Farm bill discussions continue and so does the agriculture community’s insistence that a new bill be finalized this year. That was the mindset shared by Gary Adams, president and chief executive officer of the National Cotton Council (NCC). He spoke at the Georgia Cotton Commission’s mid-year meeting last week in Statesboro and emphasized that a farm bill …
GCC Mid-Year Meeting Attracts Attendees from Across Georgia
By Clint Thompson There is no shortage of issues impacting Georgia cotton production. Whether it is the unpredictable weather that affected planting this spring, insect pests like stink bugs and whiteflies, or the looming farm bill; all have challenged the state’s growers in their quest to be more efficient and sustainable. All were highlighted during the Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) …
UGA Extension Advises Cotton Growers About Aphid Management
The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team advise growers about aphid management this time of year. Phillip Roberts, UGA Extension entomologist, provided a pest patrol update and said initial reports of the aphid fungus were observed last week. The reports were limited to spots of fields, located southwest of Tifton, where some fungus, or gray, …
GCC Executive Director Discusses Farm Bill
By Clint Thompson Like other crop specific organizations, the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) anxiously awaits the next farm bill. Taylor Sills, GCC executive director, discussed this important piece of legislation that growers are hopeful will get passed sometime this year. The farm bill will be one of the many topics set to be discussed at this year’s mid-year meeting on …
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Growers Can Now Apply for the Level 2 Climate Smart Cotton Program
(MEMPHIS, TENN) — The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, an initiative supported by the Georgia Cotton Commission, announced that growers can now enroll in Climate Smart Cotton Program Level 2. This program, led by the Trust Protocol, gives Level 1 growers the opportunity to receive additional financial support for implementing Climate Smart practice changes into their operations. With implementation of Climate …
Registration Still Open for GCC Mid-Year Meeting
Registration remains open for the Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) mid-year meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 24 at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center in Statesboro, Georgia. Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission, outlined this year’s second annual meeting, which will highlight timely topics impacting the state’s cotton producers. “July 24, we’re going to have our second annual Georgia Cotton …
Slow Down: Georgia Cotton Producers Be Careful Not to Make Mistakes
The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team implore producers to be properly prepared when finishing out this planting season. Some growers may be behind in their planting schedules following excessive rainfall this spring. Camp Hand, UGA Extension cotton agronomist, says the worst thing those farmers can do now is to be in a hurry and …