2009 Boll Weevil Assessment Rates Set for Cotton Growers

NASHVILLE– The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced the cotton grower assessment rates that were recently approved by the Tennessee Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation. The assessment funds the Boll Weevil Eradication Program, which monitors and treats for the potentially devastating cotton pest. 

West Tennessee cotton growers will be assessed $5 per acre, which represents a 50 percent reduction from last year, and Middle Tennessee cotton growers will be assessed $2 per acre.

“This year’s reduction in assessment rates represent an important milestone for growers in what has been a very successful economic development and environmental program,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “This could not have been achieved without the commitment from and support of all of our state, federal and industry partners.”

Tennessee cotton growers voted overwhelmingly in March to continue to monitor for boll weevils following a successful completion of the active phase of the eradication program. This action followed the repayment of all debt associated with the program a full five years ahead of schedule. More than $39 million in debt has been repaid to the USDA Farm Service Agency, making the program 100 percent grower funded. 

Despite various setbacks, the program has been successful in contributing to a string of record cotton yields since the program started. According to the Tennessee Agricultural Statistics Service, an average of 909 pounds of cotton per acre was harvested in 2008, the second highest yield on record. In 2007, cotton was the state’s top crop generating more than $307. 5 million in farm income. 

According to TDA Boll Weevil Eradication administrator Boyd Barker, favorable weather and improved varieties contributed to these record yields, but a major factor has been the Boll Weevil Eradication Program. “The program has exceeded early expectations in delivering both economic and environmental benefits. The program has not only contributed to a 200 plus pound per acre increase in average cotton yields but also a 40 to 90 percent reduction in cotton insecticide use—something that benefits all Tennesseans.”

Cotton growers will need to meet certification requirements and report all cotton acreage to the Farm Service Agency office in each county where cotton is grown by July 15, unless extended by the FSA. The deadline for payment of the 2009 Boll Weevil Eradication Program assessment without penalty is November 16.

For more information about the Tennessee Boll Weevil Eradication Program, visit http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/general/bollweevil.html or contact Boyd Barker at 615-837-5136 or Boyd.Barker@TN.gov.