# Crop Progress: First Report of Open Bolls

Author: Jim Steadman
Published: 2023-08-07
Canonical URL: https://www.cottongrower.com/cotton-production/crop-progress-first-report-of-open-bolls/

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Open bolls make their first appearance of the 2023 cotton growing season in the [USDA Crop Progress report for the week ending Aug. 6.](https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/8336h188j/f7624v982/ff366p28b/prog3123.pdf)

The report shows that open bolls can be found in 8% of the U.S. crop this week across 11 states.

Squaring is now reported in 92% of the total crop – up 6 percentage points in the past week and one point shy of the 5-year average for the date. Eleven states are ahead of their respective averages.

Boll set is now visible in 63% of the total crop – up 16 points in the past week and right on the 5-year average. Six states are running ahead of their averages.

Cotton condition remains relatively steady, but still trending slightly down. The crop is rated 41% good/excellent, 25% fair, and now 34% poor/very poor.