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Suggested introduction for cut one: Arizona cotton producers are ready to tackle the pink bollworm once and for all, says Clyde Sharp, National Cotton Council delegate and president of the Arizona Cotton Growers Association. Suggested introduction for cut two: Pink bollworm eradication programs in Far West Texas and South Central New Mexico have successfully reduced insect populations by 90 percent since implemented in 2002. Arizona growers plan to implement the same tried and true four-step process that helped those producers. After mapping and trapping every cotton field, the remaining steps should fall into place. Suggested introduction for cut three: Sharp says releasing sterile pink bollworms will help cut reproduction of native moths drastically; thereby greatly aiding eradication efforts. Suggested introduction for cut four: Eradication costs differ for conventional and non-conventional cotton, but all bales will be assessed $1.25 for pink bollworm eradication. For producers who plant BT cotton, eradication program costs will be lower because pheromone and sterile pink bollworms do not need to be released over BT cotton. Conventional cotton growers will be assessed $32 per acre for pink bollworm eradication. Suggested introduction for cut five: Eradication efforts are slated to begin in 2005. Arizona officials are waiting for Congressional approval for funding to increase sterile pink bollworm production at a Phoenix facility. Once that is approved, Sharp thinks the program can begin within 45 days and be completed within four years. |
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