We preview the Georgia Cotton Commission annual meeting in Tifton with clear updates on pests, policy, markets, and risk. Speakers from UGA, USDA, and the National Cotton Council share what growers need to do now and how to prepare for 2026.

• date, location, registration link and logistics for the annual meeting
• main program speakers and why their topics matter
• cotton jassid status and management priorities
• FSA timelines for safety nets, bridge assistance and marketing loan changes
• Plant Not Plastic goals and how growers can amplify demand
• luncheon awards and educator insights on school–farm partnerships
• new breakout on budgets, crop insurance, futures and options
• county meeting schedule and how to reach the team

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting - please register at the link below:

https://uga.ungerboeck.com/prod/emc00/register.aspx?aat=6e6e42387452526344624c7277642f614e5848726b4130327a52504f4d4748332f4a6a365177674e335a633d

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.