Crop Progress: Open Bolls Now Reported

By Jim Steadman|August 8, 2022

For the first time this season, open bolls were reported in the USDA Crop Progress numbers for the week ending Aug. 7.

The report shows that open bolls are now seen in 9% of the overall U.S. cotton crop – right on the 5-year average for the date. Three states lead the way – Arizona with 26% open, Louisiana with 14% open, and Texas with 14% open.

Squaring is now all but complete, with squares reported in 95% of the crop – up 6 percentage points in the past week and 2 points ahead of the 5-year average. Boll set showed a healthy 11-point increase in the past week – up from 58% to 69%. That’s 5 points ahead of average as a whole, with 9 states on or above their respective averages.

Cotton condition continues to show a good, but not exceptional, crop. This week, 35% of the U.S. crop is rated fair (up 1 point), while 31% is now rated good/excellent (down 7 points). Thirty-four percent of the U.S. crop is now rated poor/very poor – up 6 points in the past week.