Tennessee Department of Agriculture

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Boll Weevil Eradication in Tennessee

Various Commodities for Distribution Tennessee’s Boll Weevil Eradication Program (BWEP), begun in 1994, is part of a nationwide effort to rid the cotton belt of the most costly insect in the history of American agriculture. The boll weevil first appeared in the United States in 1892, and by 1950 it was estimated to have cost U. S. cotton producers $10 billion.

BWEP has increased cotton yields while reducing cotton insecticide use by 40 - 90%. According to the USDA, cotton yields for the years 2001-2004 have been the largest on record. In 2004 farmers enjoyed an average yield of 900 lbs. per acre. While favorable weather and enhanced varieties have contributed to these record setting yields, BWEP has played a major role. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is proud to serve an administrative role in what has been called one of the most successful industry/government partnerships in history.

Links to Related Sites:

USDA Boll Weevil Eradication Program - http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/weevil/
US EPA - http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/malathion/summary.htm
Tenn Dept of Health - http://tennessee.gov/health
National Cotton Council - http://www.cotton.org/tech/pest/bollweevil/index.cfm

Other State Programs:

Mississippi - http://www.bollweevil.ext.msstate.edu
Texas - http://www.txbollweevil.org and http://www.tpma.org/bwe/
Oklahoma - http://www.obweo.org
North Carolina - http://www.agr.state.nc.us/plantind/plant/entomol/BW.htm
Virginia - http://www.vdacs.state.va.us/plant&pest/weevil.html