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Boll Weevil Eradication Program
In 1992 the Boll Weevil Eradication Law (R.S. 3:1601-1617) was established, authorizing the creation of the Boll Weevil Eradication Commission and clearing the way for a grower referendum to fund the Boll Weevil Eradication Program. The Commission was charged with oversight of the Eradication Program. Grower assessments, State funding and Federal in-kind services provided the funding necessary to implement the Eradication Program which began in the Red River Valley and stretched into Northeast Louisiana two years later. The program utilized a combination of field trapping and electronic technology in daily operations, gathering cotton field data using GPS units and overlaying that data onto a computerized mapping program. Weevil trap counts were monitored in each field, recorded with bar code readers and transmitted electronically. Aerial applicators were required to use DGPS systems with printout capabilities for tracking pesticide applications.
As the program progressed, boll weevil trap captures dropped from 4 to 5 weevils per acre to only a handful of weevils per 1000 acres. In May 2010 the last boll weevil was trapped in the state and in March 2012 the boll weevil was declared eradicated from the state of Louisiana. The Eradication Program is now at a maintenance level, funded through grower maintenance inspection fees. Traps are placed and monitored according to an approved trapping protocol. Cotton producers have seen increases in yields along with a reduction in the cost of insect control.
Boll Weevil Eradication Law
Boll Weevil, Rules and Regulations, State Register, Title 7, Part XV, Chapter 3
Boll Weevil Eradication Commission Agendas and Meeting Minutes are available HERE
Have a question regarding the Boll Weevil Eradication Program? Email us HERE.