Georgia cotton growers recently approved a continuation of a $1 per bale assessment to fund the Georgia Cotton Commission’s research, promotion and education programs on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia.
Every three years, pursuant to law, Georgia cotton producers have the opportunity to vote to continue the $1 per bale assessment. The 2025 referendum period was February 10 through March 12. The Georgia Department of Agriculture recently recorded the votes, and the result shows 87.83% of voters favored the continuation.
Colquitt County cotton producer Bart Davis, who serves as Chairman of the Georgia Cotton Commission, said “I am pleased that growers have faith in the Commission’s programs, even as cotton producers face generational, existential crisis. The members of the commission will strive and continue to push the industry to find creative solutions, to best do research, promote, and educate consumers and policy makers to the benefit of the cotton producers of this state.”
Following the continuation of the $1 per bale assessment to fun research, the Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors approved $660,818 in research for the 2026 crop year during their March board meeting.
The money will fund 15 projects to be conducted by University of Georgia researchers and extension specialists. Projects range from funding for the UGA cotton team to research on resistant weeds, soil management practices, evaluating the economics of conservation production, irrigation management and many more. The goal of this producerfunded research is to help cotton producers by conducting research that can either raise yields, promote efficiency or open new markets.
All projects are vetted by both the commission board of directors and the State Support Committee, made up of cotton producers from across Georgia and the commission’s research review committee, which is made up of researchers, crop consultants and local UGA Extension agriculture and natural resource agents.
Davis said, “Our board understands that times are very difficult on the farm these days, and we strive to be good stewards of producers’ money by funding research projects that promote efficiency, increases yield, and long-term sustainability.”
The Georgia Cotton Commission is a producer-funded organization located in Perry, Georgia. The Commission began in 1965. For more information about this and other topics please call 478-988-4235 or visit us on the web at www.georgiacottoncommission. org.
