Georgia $1 Per Bale Assessment Out for Votes

If you are a Georgia cotton farmer and not have yet voted, the time is nigh for the $1 per bale assessment that funds the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC). Every three years, pursuant to law, Georgia cotton producers have the opportunity to vote to continue this assessment, which supports research, promotion, and education.

Voting runs from Feb. 10 to March 12, with ballots mailed to eligible producers. To be counted, ballots must be mailed by midnight on March 12, and growers must sign the back of the ballot envelope. Those who do not receive a ballot should contact the GCC in Perry (478-988-4235) or the Georgia Department of Agriculture in Atlanta (404-586-1405).

The GCC, established over 50 years ago, has invested millions in research to support Georgia’s cotton industry. A significant portion of its funding supports University of Georgia studies on critical production issues, including Palmer amaranth pigweed, insect and nematode control, fertility studi es, product comparisons, and varietal trials.

Georgia’s cotton industry plays a vital role in the state’s economy. The 2022 University of Georgia Farm Gate Value Report valued the crop at $1.3 billion, making it the state’s second-highest grossing agricultural commodity.