Strong yields, premium fiber, and a price that refuses to budge—this season is a study in contrasts. We open with hard numbers: Georgia sits near 70% harvested and ahead of the five-year pace, while USDA’s updated estimate pegs statewide yield around 983 pounds per acre on roughly 830,000 harvested acres. Classing results are bright across the board, with color, staple, strength, and micronaire pushing many bales into premium territory, even as low 60s prices test patience and cash flow.

From there we head to the edges of the map, where a sharp freeze exposed weaknesses in late-planted and deer-damaged cotton. Our field notes from damage trials show how timing, wildlife pressure, and cold combine to shut down unopened bolls. If your fields are mostly open and you’re chasing leaves, a lean defoliation program at lower rates can finish the job now that temperatures have moderated. We also swap cab-seat lessons from a long day of overheated hydraulics, frayed belts, and roadside close calls—a reminder to winterize equipment, respect the road, and plan safe routes home.

Pest pressure took a turn as well. The frost likely knocked back whitefly reproduction by wiping host plants, while jassid counts on yellow sticky cards stayed highly variable, often tied to proximity to defoliated cotton and roadside goldenrod. We explain what the cards are telling us, why adult feeding isn’t the same as reproduction, and how county agents and collaborators are helping map hotspots across South Georgia. Looking ahead, we’ll bring more targeted guidance to county meetings this winter and spring, so tell your agent what you want covered, from variety selection to jassid thresholds and late-season timing.

We also take a moment for the people behind the pickers. If stress is heavy—tight margins, long days, or uncertainty—reach out. County agents can connect you with resources, and peers can be the extra strands in a cord that won’t easily break. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review so more growers can find it.

A strong crop and a tighter runway. We kick off with a clear snapshot of Georgia cotton quality and why harvest has suddenly accelerated, then dive into the decisions that will define the finish: defoliation timing ahead of a hard freeze, reading yield data for profit, and recognizing when insects actually move the needle. You’ll hear what surprised us this season—big yield gains from thrips control on slow-starting April cotton—and why jassid responses hinged on timing relative to plant decline. We unpack the shift toward lower jassid thresholds, the role of potash in injury severity, and how to separate insect blame from drought, elevation, and fertility signals you can see on a yield map.

From the cab to the office, precision ag earns its keep. We walk through calibrating yield monitors and onboard module weighing, confirming software unlocks, and using John Deere Operations Center to turn data into profit maps that guide next year’s inputs. Instead of forcing uniformity, we talk reallocation: dialing seeding rates by zone, pushing strong areas responsibly, and reducing inputs where returns won’t follow. Elevation, soil texture, and nematode sampling help decode those stubborn 4-bale-to-1.5-bale swings inside the same field, so winter plans can do more than guess.

Urgency matters this week. A hard freeze with lows in the upper 20s means defoliants need three sunny days to work before the cold sets in. We explain why cloudy, cool conditions stall defoliation, how ethephon accelerates opening, and the difference between a helpful frost and a yield-costing freeze. We close with safety reminders around pivots and live power, plus practical tips to keep crews and equipment out of harm’s way during long harvest days.

If this helped you plan your next move, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review. Got a question or a tricky map to decode? Reach out to your UGA County Extension agent and tell us what you want covered next.

Yields are coming in hot and the lessons are even hotter. We walk the rows with real numbers—1,200 to 1,400 pounds in several spots, three-bale reports on tough ground—and dig into what actually moved the needle: on-time jassid control, patient defoliation, smart irrigation cutoff, and stalk destruction that shuts down the green bridge. From the picker seat to the lab bench, we connect field-edge efficacy trials with practical harvest decisions you can make this week.

We bring the full team perspective together—entomology, agronomy, and on-farm trial work—to explain why a seven-to-ten-day delay on jassid sprays cost yield, how red leaves can still take defoliants if they’re not crunchy, and where fertility turned stress into survival rather than collapse. You’ll hear why irrigated variety trials in Tifton taught more than any spreadsheet, how late-June cotton has clearly cut out, and why strategic tillage—one targeted pass instead of three—can save money without sacrificing soil health. With a warm weather window ahead, most defoliation programs should perform cleanly, and classing results already show promising color and premiums.

We also map the finish-line moves: mow low or pull stalks to starve pests before winter, document where potash fell short, and share acres-treated estimates with your county agent so we can quantify the jassid footprint and sharpen recommendations for 2025. Harvest quality looks within reach if we stick the landing. If this conversation helps you plan your next pass or avoid an unnecessary one, share it with a neighbor, subscribe for updates, and leave a review with your top harvest question—we’ll tackle it on the next show.

The cotton crop is moving fast in Georgia this year. With 76% of the crop having open bolls—13% ahead of the five-year average—growers are making critical end-of-season decisions while planning for what comes next.

Drought conditions since Labor Day weekend have created unique irrigation management challenges. The UGA cotton team discusses the surprising discovery that many fields have adequate moisture in shallow soil layers but are bone dry below 12 inches. This deep moisture depletion could impact yields as plants can't access their usual "bank" of water reserves. The team addresses whether irrigating cotton that's already 20-30% open is worthwhile, and when it's simply wasting money. Their practical advice: if you're seeing 60% open bolls, it's time to shut off the water regardless of leaf appearance.

Interestingly, early-planted cotton (April-May) has performed exceptionally well this season. The dry conditions arrived just as these crops were finishing, preventing the boll rot that typically plagues early plantings. Some dryland cotton planted in mid-April is yielding 1500-1600 pounds—a testament to perfect timing between crop development and weather patterns.

The conversation shifts to cover crop planning as harvest approaches. Dr. Singleton explains how cover crops do more than just prevent erosion—they improve water infiltration, suppress weeds, and build organic matter over time. The team discusses how even tiny amounts of soil loss add up dramatically (a 1/32 inch loss across an acre equals five tons of soil), making cover crops a crucial investment despite their upfront cost. They explore options for fitting various cover crop species into tight rotation windows, particularly when following cotton with corn.

The episode concludes with practical advice on defoliating drought-stressed cotton and managing cotton damaged by jassids, emphasizing the importance of timing to avoid stuck leaves and other harvest complications.

Ready to protect your soil, maximize your irrigation efficiency, and set up next season for success? Listen now for research-backed strategies that balance immediate needs with long-term sustainability.

A critical transition point has arrived for Georgia cotton producers as this year's crop races toward harvest readiness. With 51% of bolls already opening—well ahead of the five-year average—growers face important decisions about defoliation timing, irrigation termination, and pest management that will impact both yield and quality.

The UGA Cotton Team dives into the unusual weather patterns affecting this year's crop, including September's surprisingly dry conditions that have necessitated more irrigation than typical for this time of year. For late-planted cotton approaching cutout, specialists recommend careful assessment of soil moisture before making irrigation termination decisions, as one final watering may prevent yield losses in fields with inadequate moisture reserves.

A significant focus of this episode centers on the emerging cotton jassid challenge and its potential impact on defoliation effectiveness. Dramatic field observations reveal stark differences between treated and untreated areas, with untreated cotton showing concerning red leaf symptoms that could compromise harvest preparation if not addressed promptly. The team emphasizes defoliating jassid-affected fields while leaves are still green or red, as waiting until they turn brown may create serious harvest quality issues.

Regional variations in boll rot present another management consideration, with middle and east Georgia experiencing significantly higher incidence than the Tifton area. This pattern appears linked to August's rainfall distribution and cloud cover, demonstrating how microclimates within the state can dramatically affect cotton development and quality.

Safety concerns take center stage as harvest approaches, with detailed discussions about cotton picker hazards, maintenance requirements, and operator vigilance. The team stresses the importance of appropriate harvest timing based on humidity conditions rather than pushing for extended operating hours that increase accident risks.

Perhaps most concerning for Georgia agriculture's future is the shifting crop balance, with cotton acreage falling to its lowest level since 1993 and being surpassed by peanuts. This disruption to traditional rotation patterns threatens the equilibrium that helps manage pests, diseases, and soil health across the state's farming systems.

Want to make better harvest preparation decisions? Connect with your local UGA Extension agent for field-specific recommendations on defoliation timing, pest management strategies, and irrigation decisions tailored to your situation.

The Georgia cotton crop is racing toward harvest with 21% of bolls already opening—about 5% ahead of the five-year average. This early September period brings ideal "cotton weather" with cool mornings in the high 60s and daytime temperatures around 90°F, creating perfect conditions for final boll development without the stress of extreme heat.

For most fields planted before mid-June, the irrigation season has ended. Water requirements drop significantly by week 18 after planting, and recent rainfall has helped many fields reach adequate soil moisture levels. Unless dealing with unusually late-planted cotton or areas that missed precipitation, growers can confidently terminate irrigation and focus on harvest preparation.

With cotton opening early and peanut harvest approaching simultaneously, equipment readiness becomes critical. Now is the perfect time to perform maintenance on cotton pickers—checking spindles for wear, inspecting doffer pads, and ensuring all systems are properly greased. Taking advantage of current favorable weather for maintenance will prevent costly delays when optimal harvest windows arrive.

Late-season pest pressure presents significant challenges across Georgia's cotton belt. Plant bugs continue causing problems in western counties, while whitefly populations have surged, particularly where harsh chemistry has been applied for other pests. Most concerning is the widespread presence of the cotton jassid, especially in eastern Georgia counties following what appears to be Hurricane Helene's path from last season.

These jassids cause distinctive yellowing along leaf margins resembling potassium deficiency, with damage progressing quickly as photosynthetic capacity decreases. Current management recommendations include a threshold that can be obtained through your local UGA Count Extension Agent, though many recommendations continue evolving as researchers gather more data. 

Timely defoliation becomes not just a harvest preparation strategy but an exit from ongoing pest management challenges. With cotton prices around 60 cents per pound, quality preservation through prompt harvest after defoliation will maximize returns in a challenging market environment.

Join us for upcoming field days on September 3rd at Lane Farm in Tifton and September 23rd in Watkinsville to learn more about navigating these late-season decisions for optimal yield and quality outcomes.

In this special episode, Dr. Stanley Culpepper breaks down the proposed regulatory changes with respect to dicamba that every cotton grower needs to understand before the September 6th comment deadline.

Dr. Culpepper first highlights Georgia's exceptional track record in pesticide stewardship, with over 19,000 training participants and multiple EPA visits to understand how Georgia farmers have successfully minimized off-target movement. This context matters because the proposed changes don't acknowledge regional differences in application success rates.

While some existing requirements remain unchanged – including restricted use status, mandatory training, and application parameters – the new temperature-based volatility mitigation requirements represent a potentially devastating change for southern cotton producers. Under the proposed rules, applications would face escalating restrictions based on 48-hour temperature forecasts.

The real-world impact is sobering. Data analysis shows these temperature restrictions would eliminate approximately 37% of potential spray days if cotton is planted in May, force costly sequential applications on most remaining days, and effectively eliminate any opportunity to apply dicamba without significant additional costs. For farmers planting in June, available spray windows might shrink to just 13 days – utterly inadequate for managing large acreages.

What makes this particularly frustrating is that Georgia has not documented dicamba volatility issues since implementing VRAs. This underscores the critical importance of farmer feedback through the comment period ending September 6th.

Work with your county extension agent to submit effective comments that can influence these proposed regulations. The future of this critical weed management tool depends on making your voice heard now.

The Georgia cotton crop is showing signs of change as August progresses, with growers witnessing fruit shed across fields statewide. This episode dives deep into the natural processes driving cotton fruit abscission and whether you should be concerned about those squares and young bolls on the ground.

Our experts explain that even high-yielding cotton naturally sheds up to 60% of its fruit, with this process peaking between peak bloom and cutout when demand for carbohydrates is highest. Recent overcast weather has intensified this natural process, limiting the crucial solar radiation plants need. While concerning to witness, the team reassures growers that position and timing play key roles – fruit retention typically peaks around node 10, and once bolls reach two weeks of age, they're unlikely to shed regardless of conditions. Unfortunately, when sunlight becomes the limiting factor, management options are virtually non-existent.

As cotton approaches cutout, irrigation termination decisions become critical. Research shows continuing irrigation beyond cutout can waste $20-80 per acre with no yield benefit. The team provides guidance on knowing when to "pull the meter" and walk away, especially valuable during a year with tight margins and 67-68 cent cotton. 

The conversation shifts to pest challenges, including bollrot (increasing with recent wet weather), stink bugs (Georgia's primary cotton pest), and the newly confirmed cotton jassid now present in over 40 Georgia counties. This tiny pest causes distinctive "hopper burn" that can be mistaken for nutritional deficiencies, particularly along field edges and equipment tracks.

With some early-planted cotton approaching defoliation as soon as late August, the team offers timely insights for navigating these late-season decisions. Join us September 3rd for the Cotton and Peanut Research Day in Tifton to see your checkoff dollars at work and discover the latest research findings from the UGA Cotton Team.

Hot weather, resistant pests, and critical timing decisions take center stage as the University of Georgia Cotton Team tackles the challenges of mid-season cotton insect management. This episode delivers practical, field-tested guidance for growers facing the boll-feeding bug complex and other persistent cotton pests.

Cotton entomologists Dr. Phillip Roberts and Mrs. Sarah Hobby break down the subtle but crucial differences between southern green and brown stink bugs, explaining why proper identification matters for control strategies. They share their expertise on scouting techniques, emphasizing the importance of internal bowl damage assessments using quarter-sized, soft bowls that reveal feeding activity from the past 24-48 hours. Their discussion of dynamic thresholds provides clarity on when intervention is truly necessary, with special attention to protecting those early, yield-determining bolls during weeks 3-5 of bloom.

Perhaps most alarming is the resistance of tarnished plant bugs to pyrethroid insecticides across Georgia. The team reveals testing results showing bifenthrin achieving only 25% control on average - a wake-up call for growers relying solely on this approach. While discussing the benefits of ThryvOn cotton technology for plant bug management, they emphasize it's "a tool, not a cure-all" that still requires vigilant scouting and potential treatment.

The conversation shifts to spider mites and whiteflies, both surging in the current hot, dry conditions. Detailed scouting protocols, including examining the critical fifth leaf down for those telltale "little lemon drops" of immature whiteflies, provide listeners with actionable guidance for monitoring and managing these increasingly problematic pests.

The episode concludes with a compelling personal anecdote about "breaking the system" - a vivid illustration of how broad-spectrum insecticide use can eliminate beneficial insects and trigger devastating secondary pest outbreaks. This powerful example underscores the importance of integrated pest management and thoughtful product selection.

Whether you're battling resistant plant bugs, monitoring for stink bug damage, or trying to stay ahead of spider mites and whiteflies, this episode delivers practical knowledge to protect your cotton crop during this critical production period. Subscribe to stay updated with the latest research and recommendations from the UGA Cotton Team.

Cotton is progressing on schedule with 79% squaring and 32% setting bolls, and the UGA team sees strong potential for the 2025 crop despite some management challenges.

• Stink bug management critical now as cotton sets bolls, with scouts checking for internal damage
• While checking for stink bugs, scout for plant bugs using a drop cloth to ensure they are controlled if necessary
• Spider mites appearing in some fields with abamectin still effective, though severe cases may need multiple treatments
• Potassium deficiency often appears during boll formation, especially in sandy soils
• Late potassium interventions work best at third to fourth week of bloom, with foliar applications having limited rescue value
• Growth regulator timing critical during rapid growth phase from squaring through third week of flowering
• Cotton growing faster than the normal 3 days per node in many situations, making timely monitoring essential
• Focus on top five nodes where new growth occurs, using the "three-finger" test between the fourth and fifth node
• PGR applications can accelerate maturity by 2-3 weeks, critical for late-planted cotton
• Water use peaks during rapid growth phase at canopy closure and peak bloom
• With cotton at 68 cents, focus on proven inputs rather than unproven products promising miracle results
• Mid-year Cotton Meeting scheduled for July 23rd in Statesboro - register at georgiacottoncommission.org