USDA: Eleven Percent Increase in Open Bolls in Past Week

By Jim.Robinson|September 23, 2013

The 2013 cotton crop is still running two-to-three weeks behind schedule, but it’s working hard to catch up, based on the September 22 USDA Crop Progress Report.

The percentage of open bolls reported now stands at 47 percent across the Cotton Belt – an 11 percent jump in the past week. That also holds true on a state-by-state basis, with percentage increases in open bolls ranging from seven-to-26 percent since early last week.

Harvest is still weeks away in most states, although a small percentage of harvested acres are now being reported in a handful of states. Louisiana leads the way with 15 percent harvested, followed by Texas with 10 percent.

Crop condition is holding steady, with little change from last week’s numbers. On average, 44 percent of the crop is now rated good-to-excellent, 33 percent is rated fair, and 23 percent falls in the poor-to-very poor category.