The Virginia Cotton Board voted August 3, 2006, to raise the assessment on cotton by 10 cents per bale of cotton ginned in the Commonwealth. The assessment per bale ginned has been 85 cents per bale but will go up to 95 cents per bale starting September 1.
The assessment funds are used to support cotton research and promotional efforts. The distribution of the assessments are one of the main thrusts of the Cotton Board. In its mission statement the organization describes its main goal is "to conduct programs in the areas of research, education, and promotion, which will enhance production efficiency, improve quality and increase the growth and use of Virginia cotton."
The amount of the assessment is set by a vote of all eligible cotton producers in the state, who voted for the increase in June. In that referendum producers actually voted to increase the assessment by a maximum of 15 cents per bale but the Cotton Board makes the final decision on how much of an increase is needed. The assessments are also distributed by the Cotton Board.
The referendum is authorized by Virginia's Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It was conducted by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
For more information, contact Gail Moody Milteer. Milteer heads up Cotton Board activities for the Virginia Cotton Board. Her e-mail is gail.moodymilteer@vdacs.virginia.gov.