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

Mr. Taylor Sills, Executive Director of the Georgia Cotton Commission, joins Drs. Camp Hand and Phillip Roberts to discuss the 2025 Georgia Cotton Commission Mid-Year Meeting. Registration and agenda can be found at https://georgiacottoncommission.org/. 

Drs. Phillip Roberts, Wes Porter, Bob Kemerait, and Camp Hand discuss the current status of the Georgia crop and some thoughts surrounding insect management, management of foliar diseases, and irrigation. 

Drs. Phillip Roberts, Wes Porter, Henry Sintim, and Camp Hand discuss considerations surrounding the current status of Georgia's cotton crop, from newly planted cotton to cotton entering peak bloom. 

Drs. Phillip Roberts, Bob Kemerait, and Camp Hand discuss some considerations as we wind up planting and thoughts about cotton that is beginning to square throughout Georgia.