Record Upland Cotton Harvest

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/06 - SNS -- Upland cotton production is estimated a record high 23.1 million bales, up fractionally from the December 1 forecast and 2% above last year's production, according to the USDA's final crop production report for 2005.

The U.S. yield for upland cotton is estimated at 824 pounds per acre, unchanged from last month but 19 pounds less than last year's record high yield. Harvested area, at 13.4 million acres, increased marginally from last month and is 5% above 2004. Upland planted acreage is estimated at 13.9 million acres, 4% above last year.

American-Pima production is estimated at 655,000 bales, down 3% from last month and 12% from last year. The U.S. Pima yield is estimated at 1,171 pounds per acre, down 50 pounds from last month and 272 pounds from last year.

Producers planted 270,400 acres of Pima cotton, up 8% from last year. Harvested area is estimated at 268,600 acres, up 3,600 acres from last month and up 8% from last year.

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