Prices are stubborn, inputs aren’t getting cheaper, and acres have shifted—but we still need cotton in Georgia. We take you inside the decisions that matter most for 2026: choosing stable, above‑average varieties with multi‑year proof, pairing trait packages to your pest pressure and management style, and building a plan where timing—not just rate—drives performance. From OVT comparisons to 25 on‑farm trial sites, we explain how to read the data for stability across environments instead of chasing last year’s headline yield.

We also unpack a hot question: can conventional cotton really save money? The math often says no once you include extra trips, worm sprays, and weed pressure. Yield per pound remains the biggest lever on profitability, so we outline where to spend and where to skip—clean starts with effective residuals, scouting‑led insect calls, and right‑time PGRs tailored to variety vigor. Small positioning choices matter too, like using semi‑smooth leaves outside whitefly zones to buy time against jassids and placing aggressive genetics on weaker ground to rein in height and hasten earliness.

Deer pressure is no longer “just a headache”—it’s measurable loss. We share new work that links NDVI satellite imagery to yield maps so you can put dollars to damage, make a case with insurers, and decide if fencing pays back in one field edge or across a whole farm. For those exploring repellents, we discuss practical ways to fold them into existing spray calendars without letting costs outrun returns. Along the way, we keep the focus where it belongs: make every input count, avoid unproven add‑ins, and keep the two‑way conversation going with your county agent.

Subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review with your biggest 2026 decision—what will you change to protect yield this year?

We’re rolling out a series of recorded updates from every Georgia cotton specialist so you can hear the what, why, and when behind this season’s key recommendations—without rearranging your whole week. Consider this your on‑demand companion to the in‑person meetings, built to fit inside a busy farm day.

We walk through how the information pipeline works: production guides are already with your county agents and at the meetings, the summer newsletter keeps up with fast-moving issues like pest pressure and growth stages, and this podcast fills in the context you might miss or need a refresher on. Not every specialist can be in every room, and not every grower can get to a meeting. By capturing these updates in audio, we help you keep pace with agronomy, and pest management while you scout fields, haul modules, or catch a rare quiet moment.

More than anything, we’re focused on economic sustainability. The advice we share aims to protect yield potential, prioritize decisions under pressure, and keep cotton viable across Georgia’s diverse acres. If a topic you care about isn’t covered or you want deeper detail for your county, call your local Extension agent—they know exactly how to reach us and get you what you need.

If this approach helps you, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review. Your feedback tells us which questions to chase next and helps other growers find the information when it matters most.

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