Department of Agriculture and Forestry, State of Louisiana - Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner

NEWS

Farmers, gardeners must register cotton plants with the LDAF

June 5, 2015

All cotton planted in Louisiana, including cotton grown in ornamental gardens and other non-traditional locations must register with the state Boll Weevil Eradication office to be monitored for possible boll weevil presence, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said.

State boll weevil eradication law requires anyone who intends to plant cotton for non-commercial purposes must receive prior permission from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

“While our state is officially boll weevil-free, we continue to 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. In any case, 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.

In 2014, 164,132 acres of cotton were harvested in Louisiana and the total value of cotton production was $197.9 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.