Extension economist Dr. Carl Anderson, said cotton in the Corpus Christi area is doing very well partly because of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program.
Boll weevils feed on blooms and bolls and cause the fruit to be shed from the plant.
Developing larvae in bolls reduces yields and quality. The program, established by the Texas Legislature, pays for all boll weevil pesticides and application costs. The Rio Grande Valley is suffering from heavy insect problems and dry weather. Despite high yields in some areas of Texas, other regions need rain to come soon to save the cotton crop. Anderson said the Rolling Plains region has low subsoil moisture and is very vulnerable to hot, dry spells.