Cotton disease loss estimates are made annually by research and extension plant pathologists and nematologists, as well as agronomists with cotton responsibilities in their respective states. These estimates are compiled and reported by the Cotton Disease Loss Estimate Committee. This information is of use to all segments of the cotton industry. It gives changes and trends in disease and nematode development. Since 1952 overall disease losses have declined approximately 3.2 percent. During this period of time, Verticillium wilt and the seedling disease complex have declined only slightly while Fusarium wilt has declined 80 percent and bacterial blight 100 percent. Although boll rot losses have varied from .5 percent to a high of 5.25 percent, the 40 year average remains the same. The only entry that has shown a significant increase in the last 40 years is that reported for nematodes. These losses have increased approximately 25 percent, primarily since the early 1970's. In 1991 nematode losses were reported at 2.4 percent, second only to the seedling disease complex (2.7 percent). This represents 476,151 bales valued at over $190 million.