Overall Increase in U.S. Cotton

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/06 - SNS -- The U.S. planted area for all cotton in 2006 is estimated at 15.3 million acres, up 7% from 2005, according to the USDA's seeded area estimates for 2006.

Upland cotton acreage totaled 14.9 million acres, up 7% from last year. By the end of May, 93% of the crop had been planted, 4%age points above last year and 6 points ahead of the 5-year average.

In the Southeast States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia), upland growers planted 3.36 million acres, up 11% from last year. Georgia producers planted 1.40 million acres, up 15% from last year and Florida producers planted 105,000 acres, up 22% from 2005. Planting throughout the Southeast was complete by mid-June.

The Delta region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) planted 4.21 million acres of upland cotton, up 6% from last year. Acreage in Louisiana and Missouri was up from 2005 at 660,000 acres and 485,000 acres, respectively.

During April, planting progress was ahead of normal throughout most of the Delta but by early May planting had slowed due wet conditions. In some areas of Tennessee and Missouri, the damp weather conditions caused problems with germination and some of the crop was reseeded in those areas. In Mississippi and Arkansas, the crop developed ahead of normal with over 70% of the crop squaring by June 25.

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