Shown, from left, are Richey Seaton, Georgia Cotton Commission; Ralph Sandeford, Midville Warehouse; Lamar Black, grower; Wade Parker, Jenkins County Extension Coordinator; and Rob Mills, Bayer CropScience. (Photo contributed) The quality of Georgia cotton has been a serious issue in the past. Bayer Crop Science and the Georgia Cotton Commission teamed up several years ago to sponsor the Georgia Quality Cotton Award. The award is administered by the University of Georgia cotton team, with nominations being accepted by local gins and County Extension Agents. The purpose is to recognize producers and ginners of high quality cotton fiber and to identify general management practices associated with the production of high quality fiber.

Lamar Black of Tilmanstone Farms was the winner in Region 2 in the less than 500 acre category. Lamar’s cotton had a premium of 1.92 cents/lb with a loan value of 53.92 cents/lb (52 cents/lb is the base price). Cotton ginning is an important aspect of cotton quality. Ralph Sandeford of Midville Warehouse was responsible for ginning Lamar’s cotton.