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Cotton!! by Jeremy M. Kichler County Extension Coordinator Colquitt County • Moultrie, Georgia email: jkichler @ uga. edu
Cotton is a staple in Colquitt County agriculture. Cotton generated over $ 46 million dollars in farm gate value to Colquitt County in 2023. In 2023, Colquitt County growers planted over 51,000 acres of cotton. Due to the economic situation, growers have reduced cotton acres to approximately 35,000 acres. Cheap cotton prices have lasting effects on our cotton industry.
Growers have had a few struggles this year in addition to the low price. The two spotted cotton leaf hoppers or the cotton jassid has had everybody scratching their heads. This pest is new to Georgia cotton producers and has spread across the Southeastern cotton belt quickly. Cotton jassid was first detected in the U. S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in the spring of 2023. Two-spot cotton leafhopper can cause serious damage to cotton, okra, eggplant, peanut, roselle and other crops. In Colquitt County, this pest has been a headache since the first of August. The life cycle of the cotton jassid is interesting. Eggs are inserted in slits in the leaf veins. The nymphal period lasts between 5 – 16 days. Males lived 15 – 34 days and females lived 17 – 37 days. Dr. Phillip Roberts, UGA Cotton Entomologist, has done a great job working with county agents trying to figure out scouting techniques and insecticide choice for managing jassid in local cotton. The insect pests in Colquitt County are complex because of the whitefly, plant and stick bugs and jassid.
Cotton producers are facing low prices because U. S. cotton is facing heightened global competition, particularly from Brazil. Over the past decade, Brazil has significantly increased its cotton production, offering relatively high-quality cotton at lower costs compared to the United States. In 2023, Brazil surpassed the United States to
Two Spotted Cotton Leafhopper
become the world’ s third-largest cotton producer, following China and India, and its production levels continued to rise in 2024. This intensified competition in the global market poses ongoing challenges for U. S. cotton prices and profitability, making it increasingly difficult for American cotton farmers to keep a competitive edge.
What can everybody do to help? The first thing is to buy cotton clothing. Let’ s do our part and support the local cotton industry. If you have questions, please contact your local county Extension agent. n
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