Crop Progress: Cotton Crop Slightly Behind Schedule

By Cotton Grower Staff|June 26, 2023

The U.S. cotton crop is making good progress. But based on USDA’s Crop Progress report for the week ending June 25, the crop appears to be slightly behind schedule in most areas.

The report shows that planting is now complete on 95% of the U.S. cotton acres – up 6 percentage points but still 3 points off the 5-year average for the date. All states surveyed now have at least 91% of their cotton planted.

Squaring is now reported in 28% of the crop – up 9 percentage points but also 3 points behind the 5-year average. The biggest percentage jumps came from Missouri (up 26 points), Arkansas (up 23 points), Virginia (up 18 points), Louisiana (up 17 points), and Alabama (up 16 points). Only six states were on or above their respective average for the date.

Boll set is now seen in 5% of the total crop – up 2 percentage points in the past week and 5 points behind average.

Cotton condition numbers slightly improved over the past week. The report shows that 49% of the U.S. crop is rated good/excellent (47% last week), 33% is rated fair (no change), and 18% is rated poor/very poor (20% last week).