Record U.S. Cotton Harvest Possible

WASHINGTON - Sep 10/04 - SNS -- All cotton production in the United States is forecast at 20.9 million 480-pound bales, up 4% from last month and 14% above last year's 18.3 million bales, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Yield is expected to average 758 pounds per acre, up 31 pounds from last month and 28 pounds from 2003. If realized, both production and yield would be the largest on record.

Compared with August, production increased in Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas, offsetting declines in Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia. Harvested area, at 13.2 million acres, is down 1% from August but up 10% from 2003. Conditions improved in Arkansas, California, and Texas, leading to higher yield expectations than last month.

Upland cotton harvested acreage, at 13.0 million acres, is down 1% from August, but 10% above 2003. Based on administrative information, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee have fewer harvested acres compared with a month ago. Arizona and New Mexico increased their harvested acreage from the previous month. American-Pima harvested area, at 253,000 acres, is up 3,000 acres from last month and up 43% from last year.

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