|
|
Boll weevils becoming historyLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)--Arkansas cotton farmers are having a difficult season because of the weather. But their struggle would be much more trying if boll weevils were still attacking their crops. Agriculture officials say that for the first time in a century, no boll weevils have been found in Arkansas cotton fields. Arkansas cotton yielded 645 pounds per acre in 1998, before the state eradication program reached the fields. By 2004, the yield was 1,114 pounds per acre. Every yield since 2003 has been more than 1,000 pounds per acre. The long-snouted beetle arrived in Arkansas in 1906, having worked its way up from Mexico and through Texas and Louisiana. Now the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the nation's 9 million acres of cotton are as much as 98 percent weevil-free. "It's been a great adversary,'' said Danny Kizer, executive director of the Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation. More than $200 million has been spent in Arkansas since 1997 in the eradication program. Kizer says the program had a staff of 300 at its peak. That number is down to about 20 now. Fighting off the boll weevil cost farmers between $8 and $35 per acre in eradication-supporting fees, depending on location and year. Eliminating the pest helped ensure that improvements in farming techniques and plant quality didn't go to waste. Growers this year have been struggling with bad weather, and other pests, such as stinkbugs, have caused damage. Bill Grefenstette, the USDA's national eradication coordinator, said the problems would be much worse if boll weevils infested the crop. "The boll weevil in most parts of the Cotton Belt was the biggest bad boy,'' Grefenstette said. "If you get that one out of there, it's a lot easier. It's not bliss, but it's a lot easier.''
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
