Cotton Specialists Corner – Détails, épisodes et analyse

We trace how the cotton jassid moved from scattered detections to a widespread, fast-moving threat and share what actually stopped yield losses. We explain scouting on the top leaves, the new one-per-leaf threshold, and why missing the first spray costs you the season.

• biology, hosts and how hopperburn looks
• rapid spread patterns and storm-assisted movement
• where to scout on the plant and why leaf four matters
• thresholds shifting from five to one per leaf
• yield loss data across planting dates and regions
• first-spray urgency and recovery limits
• effective modes of action and rotation needs
• overwintering risks and alternate hosts near fields
• variety differences and early resistance prospects
• 2026 readiness: scout from day one and avoid overreacting
• finishing green to 20 percent open under late pressure

If you have questions about cotton jassid management in your area, reach out to your local Extension specialist or county agent for the latest recommendations

When the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed on July 4th, 2025, it marked a turning point for America's cotton farmers after years of economic hardship. But what exactly does this legislation mean for growers across the Cotton Belt, and how did the industry secure these critical policy wins?

In this revealing conversation, Camp Hand hosts three key cotton industry leaders—Taz Smith from the National Cotton Council, Kody Bessent from Plains Cotton Growers, and Taylor Sills from the Georgia Cotton Commission—to break down the groundwork and advocacy that led to this watershed moment. The panel reveals how a unified cotton industry approached Congress with compelling economic data showing hundreds of millions in losses, convincing lawmakers that American agriculture faced an existential threat without significant policy improvements.

The results are substantial: reference prices for seed cotton jumped from 36.7 cents to 46 cents, potentially tripling PLC payments for many producers. Payment limits increased from $125,000 to $155,000 and are now indexed to inflation. Producers gained the flexibility to simultaneously participate in PLC and area-wide insurance coverage—a long-sought change that enhances risk management options. These provisions extend through 2031, providing unprecedented long-term stability.

Yet challenges remain. The first payments under these new programs won't reach farmers until October 2026, creating an immediate cash flow crisis for operations already stretched thin. The panel discusses efforts to secure bridge assistance and the proposed Buy American Cotton Act, which would provide tax incentives to boost demand for U.S. cotton amid intensifying global competition from Brazil and Australia.

Whether you farm cotton in drought-prone Texas, hurricane-threatened Georgia, or anywhere across the Cotton Belt, you'll want to attend one of the National Cotton Council's upcoming educational sessions this September. With complex decisions ahead about base acre updates and program participation, these regional meetings offer crucial guidance to maximize your benefits under this landmark legislation. Dates and locations for these meetings can be found at this link: https://www.cotton.org/news/releases/2025/ncc-farm-bill-meetings.cfm

Listen now to understand how the cotton industry's remarkable unity delivered this policy victory and what you need to know to navigate the road ahead.

Dr. Wes Porter, Extension Ag Engineer at the University of Georgia, joins host Steve Brown to talk about the JD roll picker, with a few thoughts about the comparable stripper version. We discuss a little history about the concept and talk about advancements in capabilities of these remarkable machines. We specifically address how to calibrate the module handling system and the possible uses of the resulting data.

Extension Cotton Specialists Drs. Randy Norton (University of Arizona), Brian Pieralisi (Mississippi State) and Camp Hand (University of Georgia) join host Steve Brown to discuss approaches, means, methods and challenges of irrigation in their respective regions. We also discuss WHEN to quit, when to shut off irrigation and the associated factors that go into that decision.

Cotton Entomologists Drs. Scott Graham (Auburn University) and Phillip Roberts (University of Georgia) join host Steve Brown to discuss management of this common pest ... at least a pest that is ever-present in the Southeast and perhaps some other parts of the Belt. Topics include why stink bugs are a threat in many areas, basic biology and life cycle characteristics, damage symptoms, scouting methods and thresholds as well as the intersection and influences of plant bug management with stink bugs.

Soil Scientists / Fertility Experts Drs. Hunter Frame (Virginia Tech), Glen Harris (University of Georgia), Audrey Gamble (Auburn University) and Katie Lewis (Texas A&M) join host Steve Brown of Auburn to discuss the challenges associated with K management in cotton. Sometimes, particularly in the the Lower Southeast, we can fertilize appropriately and still encounter K deficiencies, presumably because pre-bloom heat/moisture stresses limit K uptake; then during boll-fill, K demand from leaf and stem tissues can quickly  deplete plant reserves. The results can be premature defoliation, secondary fungal leaf diseases such as Stemphylium and reduced yields.

Numerous Extension Cotton Specialists from across the U.S. provide an update on the 2024 crop as of June 7.  Reports include planting progress, expected final acreage crop, crop condition and emerging issues and challenges. Information from 10 states is provided, from Arizona to Virginia.

Bhupinder Farmaha (Clemson University), Tyson Raper (University of Tennessee), John Arnall (Oklahoma State) and Katie Lewis (Texas A&M) join host Steve Brown to discuss N management in cotton. The session addresses:  Are we using too much N in some areas? Why do many N studies across the Belt show limited or even no response to N? If that is the case, where does the N come from? How much N is actually required to make a bale of cotton (and the associated seed, etc.)? Can we mine residual N in subsoil layers? Might it be possible to impose targeted nutrient stress on cotton and improve root growth and yield? And a lot more. There are clear differences in how we manage N across the U.S. It is a lively discussion on a key topic.

Drs. Brian Pieralisi (Mississippi State) and Brian Arnall (Oklahoma State) join host Steve Brown in a broad discussion on the subject of new Biological, Microbial and other products targeted to improve crop productivity. We discuss the 2023 Beltwide Cotton Incorporated project in this realm and also chase several "rabbits," including topics such as N rates (are we using too much?), soil health and "regenerative" ag.

Fred Bourland (University of Arkansas) and John Snider (University of Georgia) join host Steve Brown for another discussion on cotton seed quality. We talk about seed quality variations within the plant, within varieties, the effects of ginning and acid delinting, seed vigor versus seedling vigor and other related issues. This is the second of two sessions on Cotton SEED QUALITY.