In 1989, Mississippi cotton farmers participating in a professional scouting program had significantly higher yields and lower yield risk than nonparticipants. While there was no significant difference between participants and non-participants in terms of the number of insecticide treatments, participants used significantly more herbicide, fungicide, defoliant, and growth retardant treatments. Similar results were obtained for the Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee) as a whole.

Based primarily on yield differences, the value of professional scouting in Mississippi under 1989 conditions is estimated at approximately one hundred thirty five dollars per acre.