Cotton Estimates Slip

WASHINGTON - Oct 28/08 - SNS -- Cotton production in the United States is forecast at 13.7 million 480-pound bales, down 1% from last month and down 29% from last year, according to the USDA's revised crop production and seeded area estimates.

Yield is expected to average 849 pounds per harvested acre, unchanged from last month but down 30 pounds from the record yield in 2007. Upland cotton production is forecast at 13.3 million 480-pound bales, down 1% from last month and 28% below 2007. Producers in the Southeast and Texas are expecting increased yields from last month, while producers in Louisiana and Mississippi expect lower yields due to the effects of Hurricane Gustav. Upland growers in Arkansas and New Mexico are expecting record high yields. American-Pima production is forecast at 451,000 bales, down 2% from last month and down 47% from last year.

American-Pima production is forecast at 451,000 bales, down 2% from September and down 47% from last year. The U.S. yield forecast is 1,273 pounds per acre, down 23 pounds from last month and down 146 pounds from last year. The crop was progressing normally throughout Arizona and California and harvest was beginning by late September.

Ginnings totaled 817,200 running bales prior to October 1, compared with 1,566,300 running bales ginned prior to the same date last year and 2,572,150 running bales in 2006.

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