The question has often been raised about which was the main culprit, environmental stress or genotypic problems, for the disappointingly low yields experienced in the Mid-south in 1999. Last year was not a good year for cotton in the Mid-south, and Arkansas, whose long term yield trends are very similar to those of the Mid-south, was no exception. The average state yield in Arkansas in 1999 was 715 lb. lint/acre compared to the average of 756 lb. lint/acre for the last five years. Boll numbers per acre were high, boll weight was low, and seed number per boll was normal. Fiber quality was generally good with an average staple length of 34.8, a strength of 28.7 g/tex, and a rather high micronaire of 4.7. In general, tobacco budworms were light, plant bugs were moderate, thrips and aphids were localized problems, and bollworms and boll weevils were the main pests, but extremely light. For the most part, insects did not have a major influence on yields.