Boll Weevil Eradication 

Historically, the boll weevil was the most important cotton insect pest in Tennessee.  West Tennessee is currently in an active boll weevil eradication program that began in 2000.  Middle Tennessee is in a post-eradication, maintenance phase of the program.  Eradication efforts have eliminated economic injury to the crop, but producers in Tennessee are annually assessed a fee for on-going eradication efforts based on the acreage of cotton they grow.

In spring of 2004, West Tennessee cotton producers passed a new eradication referendum.  This ten-year program combines all of West Tennessee into a single region.  The referendum allows a maximum, annual assessment of $12.25 per acre of cotton, although state contributions reduce grower assessments.  Growers in Middle Tennessee are annually assessed $5 per acre to maintain boll weevil eradication.

Additional information about boll weevil eradication is available at: 

     Tennessee Department of Agriculture

     USDA APHIS