EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL SCOUTING PROGRAMS IN COTTON PRODUCTION

Producers of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) who participate in commercial scout programs have significantly higher yields than producers that do not participate. A chi-square statistical inference test of data from a survey of cotton pesticide use in 1989 indicated that nonchemical pest control practices, such as resistant plant varieties, stalk destruction, and pheromone traps, are more commonly used on acreage in a professional scouting program. Producers in a commercial scout program, however, also treat a higher proportion of planted acres with pesticides and apply more treatments per acre. The study highlights the need for ongoing examination of integrated pest management programs to encourage reduction in the use of pesticides. The decision by producers to participate is correlated with the producer's education, age, tenure, and cropland value. Relative to producers in other regions, Southern Plains producers have the least participation in terms of percentage of acres in a commercial scout program and, therefore, have the most to gain in terms of yield increase by participating.