# Crop Progress: Cotton Condition Continues to Excel

Author: Jim Steadman
Published: 2021-08-16
Canonical URL: https://www.cottongrower.com/cotton-production/crop-progress-cotton-condition-continues-to-excel/

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As the U.S. cotton crop moves into late summer, it continues to look like one of the better overall crops seen in several years.

According to the [USDA Crop Progress report for August 16](https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/8336h188j/qj72q579n/w66352068/prog3421.pdf), 67% of the U.S. crop is now rated good/excellent – up 2 percentage points in the past week. Fair ratings hold steady at 28%, while only 5% of the crop is now considered poor/very poor.

The rest of the report shows that 93% of the total crop is now squaring – up 5 percentage points in the past week, with the biggest percentage increases coming in Oklahoma and Kansas. Boll set is now reported in 75% of crop – up 12 percentage points in the past week, but still 7% off the 5-year average for the week. Five states – Arizona, California, Kansas, Missouri, and South Carolina – are running ahead of average.

Open bolls have been noted in 10% of the crop – up 5 percentage points in the past week and 5 percentage points behind average.