There have been significant changes in the budget this year, he explained. Dryland cotton farmers could expect a yield increase of 100 to 125 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 the rest are about the same.
Growers can also 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.