Cotton Area Rising in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Mar 31/06 - SNS -- Area planted to all cotton for 2006 is expected to total 14.6 million acres, 3% more than last year, according to the USDA.

Upland acreage is expected to total 14.3 million acres, up 3% from last year. Growers intend to increase plantings of American-Pima cotton to a record high 334,000 acres, up 24% from 2005.

Upland growers in the Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) intend to plant 4.14 million acres, a 5% increase from the previous year. The largest acreage increases are expected in Arkansas and Louisiana where farmers in both States intend to plant 50,000 more acres than last year.

Growers in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) intend to plant 3.18 million acres of upland cotton, 5% above last year. Planting intentions are up 7% or more in all States, except Alabama and South Carolina where expected acreage is down slightly.

Producers in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico intend to plant 6.46 million acres of upland, up 3% from 2005. Texas' upland area is expected to total 6.00 million acres, up 2% from last year. In the Rio Grand Valley, planting is underway. Farther north in Texas, planting will begin as conditions warrant.

Cotton producers in Arizona and California expect to plant 660,000 acres, a drop of 20% from last year. Intended upland area in California is down 28% from last year, as many producers expect to plant less upland and more American-Pima this year.

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