Crop Progress: First Report of Open Bolls

By Cotton Grower Staff|August 7, 2023

Open bolls make their first appearance of the 2023 cotton growing season in the USDA Crop Progress report for the week ending Aug. 6.

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.