U.S. Cotton Output Sinking

WASHINGTON - Aug 12/08 - SNS -- Cotton production will be down in the United States on sharp reductions in upland and American Pima cotton seedings, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Upland cotton growers planted 9.04 million acres, unchanged from the June estimate but down 14% from a year ago. Growers expected to harvest 7.66 million acres, down 25% from last year. American-Pima cotton producers planted 202,000 acres, down 31% from last year. Expected harvested area, at 193,900 acres, is down 33% from last year.

Producers in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) finished planting in late June. Crop development was ahead of normal in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina where several weeks of high daytime temperature and cool nights aided crop development. In North Carolina and Virginia, the acreage setting bolls was behind last year and normal. Throughout the region, the crop was rated in mostly fair to good condition.

Upland growers in the Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) finished planting by the middle of June, later than normal. Due to the later planted crop, development was slightly behind normal during the early part of the summer. However, in July, hot, dry weather dominated the region allowing the crop to begin to progress normally. The crop was rated in mostly fair to good condition.

Planting was complete in Texas by mid-June. In the Panhandle, continual heat allowed the crop to develop ahead of normal and ahead of last year's late blooming crop. The crop was rated in mostly fair to good condition. In South Texas, harvest was underway by late July. During the last week of July, Hurricane Dolly hit South Texas bringing heavy rains and 100 mph winds, delaying harvest progress. Texas producers have abandoned 1.30 million of the 4.70 million acres planted due to adverse weather conditions throughout the State. In Oklahoma and Kansas, the crop received beneficial rains in mid-July and was reported to be in mostly fair to good condition. The crop is developing slightly behind normal.

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