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NEWS
Cotton Planting and Boll Weevil Eradication
May 27, 2014
All cotton planted in the state, including cotton grown in ornamental gardens and other non-traditional locations must be registered with the state to be monitored for possible boll weevil presence. State boll weevil eradication law provides that anyone who intends to plant cotton for non-commercial purposes must receive prior permission from the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, D.V.M.
“The state is officially boll weevil-free but we must monitor all cotton grown in the state to protect Louisiana’s cotton industry,” Strain said. “Boll weevil traps are set along the edges of cotton fields, but gardeners outside traditional cotton growing areas may plant cotton, for example, to spin their own thread for fabric. Gardeners may also grow cotton for its ornamental appeal. If so, we have to place a boll weevil trap nearby to be sure we preserve our boll weevil-free status.”
Historically, the boll weevil has been cotton’s most destructive pest. All cotton-growing states have eradication programs.
Cotton remains one of Louisiana’s leading crops. Although only 126,647 acres of cotton were harvested in 2013, record yields were achieved and the total value of the crop was set at almost $148 million.
For more information regarding planting of non-commercial or ornamental cotton, please contact the Louisiana Boll Weevil Eradication Program office at 225-922-1338 or bollweevil@ldaf.state.la.us.