13% Smaller U.S. Cotton Crop

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/12 - SNS -- All cotton production is estimated at 15.7 million 480-pound bales, down 1% from last month and down 13% from 2010, according to the USDA's final production estimate for 2011 crops.

The United States yield is estimated at 772 pounds per acre, up 1 pound from the December 1 forecast but down 40 pounds from last year. Harvested area, at 9.75 million acres, is down 1% from December and down 9% from last year.

Upland cotton production is estimated at 14.8 million 480-pound bales, down 2% from the December 1 forecast and down 16% from last year. The United States yield for Upland cotton is estimated at 754 pounds per acre, down 3 pounds from last month and down 51 pounds from 2010. Upland planted area, estimated at 14.4 million acres, is up 34% from last year. Harvested area, at 9.44 million acres, is down 1% from last month and down 10% from last year. The Upland cotton abandonment rate, at 35%, is a record high.

Drought throughout much of the Cotton Belt was the main factor contributing to decreased Upland cotton production compared with last year. Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia experienced extremely hot, dry weather this growing season. North Carolina and Virginia also saw reduced yields due to Hurricane Irene which made landfall in late-August.

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