There have been significant changes in the budget this year, he explained. Dryland cotton farmers could expect a yield increase of 100 to125 pounds of lint per acre after the weevil is eliminated, Hoelscher said. With the program, producers who grow irrigated cotton can expect a yield increase of 200 to 250 pounds of lint per acre. Irrigated farmers' production costs are higher, although their additional costs are associated with pumping the water and larger general input costs. All of the rest are about the same.
Growers also can expect a significant decrease in pesticide costs.
The boll weevil eradication program will pay for all boll weevil pesticides and application costs once the program is initiated, Hoelscher said. Other pests such as flea hoppers and boll worms are still the responsibility of the grower, he added. Boll weevil eradication will help Texas economically and environmentally, Hoelscher said. During the program, Hoelscher explained, pesticides are specifically targeted to fields that have exceeded economic thresholds for the pest. Both aerial and ground application will be used.