Emerging pest threats, market conditions and new cotton varieties expected to shape the coming season are on the agenda for the South Carolina Cotton Growers Meeting, slated for Jan. 27 in Santee.
The meeting will be held at the Santee Conference Center, 1737 Bass Drive/US-15, Santee, 29142. Registration opens at 8:15 a.m., with the program beginning at 9.
Sam Durant, chairman of the South Carolina Cotton Board, will welcome attendees and provide board updates to kick off the first morning session. He will be followed by Tas Smith, vice president of producer affairs for the National Cotton Council, who will share national-level insights for growers.
Cody Simpson, state executive director of the Farm Service Agency, is scheduled to deliver updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Clemson Extension economist Nathan Smith will offer a detailed outlook on the 2026 cotton market, including crop conditions and price expectations.
One of the meeting’s highlights will be a discussion of the two‑spot cotton leafhopper, an emerging pest of growing concern. During the second morning session, Clemson entomologist Jeremy Greene will brief growers on what to expect this year regarding the insect’s presence and management strategies.
Also, during the second morning session, Ed Barnes, director of agriculture and environmental research for Cotton Incorporated, will present updates on national research and technology initiatives.
The morning program will conclude with a special recognition segment.
Following lunch, Clemson Extension cotton specialist Michael Jones will review the 2025 cotton crop and provide updates on new varieties for this year.
Additional variety information tailored for southeastern producers will be shared by representatives from major seed companies, including BASF, Americot, Bayer Crop Science, Phytogen and Dynagro.
The meeting will conclude at 2 p.m.
For information, email Michael Jones at majones@clemson.edu.
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