Cooperative Extension Services' first efforts with cotton integrated pest management started about 1967. With increased interest in field-by-field scouting, beneficial insects, selective type insecticides, cultural practices and especially diapause control, several programs were initiated. Then in 1972, with Federal funds made available for planning, organizing, and implementation of pilot IPM programs across the Cotton Belt, we were well on our way to a system which utilizes all available components to suppress insect populations.

With the pilot IPM funds in 1972 and additional funding in 1975 for the 1l boll weevil infested states, the Cooperative Extension Services across the Belt established their present pest management structure. These funds allowed the states to hire pest management specialists who then were able to greatly expand their efforts statewide in planning, organizing and implementing IPM programs. Their expanded efforts for the past 10 years have been very productive for Extension and our cotton farmers.

These farmers have bought IPM "lock, stock and barrel," as the saying goes, and it now is the "State of the Art."