The 2019 Georgia Quality Cotton Awards were presented at the Georgia Cotton Commission’s 13^th Annual Meeting and UGA Cotton Production Workshop on January 29, 2020 in Tifton, GA. The awards are co-sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission and BASF, and administered by the University of Georgia Cotton Team.

The purpose of the awards are to recognize producers and ginners of high-quality cotton fiber and to identify their general management practices for the benefit of other growers. The producers and their gins received a plaque and the winning producers received a $500 cash award. The UGA County Extension Agent for each winner was also recognized as they work closely with the farmers during the growing season.

The awards are given in each of these three cotton acreage categories: 1) less than 500 acres, 2) 500 to 1,000 acres, and 3) greater than 1,000 acres within the four regions of the state. Winners in these categories are determined by the loan value and premiums of their cotton. The winners’ excellent achievements are due largely to their management practices and expertise. The sponsors of this program congratulate all of the following winners:

Region 1

Less than 500 acres

Grower – Beth NeSmith, Turner County

Ginner – Sconyers Gin and Warehouse, Sycamore

UGA Extension Agent – Guy Hancock

500-1000 acres

Grower – Mark Thompson, Pulaski County

Ginner – Arabi Gin Company

UGA Extension Agent – Jay Porter

1000+ acres

Grower – Ronnie Conner, Wilcox County

Ginner – Worth Gin & Warehouse, Sylvester

UGA Extension Agent – Holly Anderson

Region 2

Less than 500 acres

Grower – Derek Davis, Washington County

Ginner – Midville Warehouse, Inc.

UGA Extension Agent – Tammy Cheely

500-1000 acres

Grower – Buckhead Creek Farms, Jenkins County

Ginner – Midville Warehouse, Inc.

UGA Extension Agent – Katie Burch

1000+ acres

Grower – Dean Johnson, Burke County

Ginner – Bryant’s Gin, Bartow

UGA Extension Agents – Peyton Sapp

Region 3

Less than 500 acres

Grower – Randall Webb, Tift County

Ginner – Omega Gin company

UGA Extension Agent – Justin Hand

500-1000 acres

Grower – Chris Exum, Brooks County

Ginner – BCT Gin Co., Inc., Quitman

UGA Extension Agents – Stephanie Hollifield

1000+ acres

Grower – Brian & Ken Ponder, Tift County

Ginner – Omega Gin Company

UGA Extension Agents – Justin Hand

Region 4

Less than 500 acres

Grower – Andrew Rayburn, Thomas County

Ginner – BCT Gin Co., Inc., Quitman

UGA Extension Agent – Sydni Barwick

500-1000 acres

Grower – Stacey & Stuart Jones, Worth County

Ginner – Worth Gin & Warehouse, Sylvester

UGA Extension Agent – Scott Carlson & Bryce Sutherland

1000+ acres

Grower – Brian Rayburn, Thomas County

Ginner – BCT Gin Co., Inc., Quitman

UGA Extension Agent – Sydni Barwick

The final award given was the overall Best Cotton Award. This was awarded to the Georgia cotton producer with highest loan value and premium. The 2019 Best Cotton Award went to Washington County’s Derek Davis with a loan value of 56.82 cents/lb and a premium of 4.82 cents/lb.