Georgia’s Cotton Crop Could Lose $$ - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Georgia’s Cotton Crop Could Lose $$

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February 11, 2008

Moultrie -- Cotton generates more money than any other crop in Georgia, but that could change drastically next year.

Monsanto developed an insect-resistant type of cotton called Bollgard that's planted in more than 90 percent of Georgia's cotton fields.

But, the company is phasing it out because of concerns that insects could develop a resistance, and that could create super bugs.

Their Bollgard 2 also resists insects, but it doesn't yield as much cotton.

And, that could mean a 60-million dollar loss of net income for farmers.

"From an economic standpoint, it's going to have a significant effect on our economy or economic situation of farms and gins.  We're hopeful that before that before the registration does expire that our seed providers will bring new varieties that are competitive.  So time will tell there," said Phillip Roberts, UGA Extension Cotton Entomologist.

In addition to the 60 million dollar hit to farmers, lower crop yields could cost Georgia cotton gins more than 8 million dollars in business.

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