# Crop Progress: There’s a Lot of Good Cotton Out There

Author: Jim Steadman
Published: 2023-08-28
Canonical URL: https://www.cottongrower.com/cotton-production/crop-progress-theres-a-lot-of-good-cotton-out-there/

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In a season with extreme heat and its wilting impact on Southwest cotton, it’s easy to overlook some of the good news tucked away in the USDA Crop Progress report numbers.

[For the week ending Aug. 27, the Crop Progress report](https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/8336h188j/hx11zz54j/js957z69p/prog3423.pdf) shows that boll set is evident in 90% of the total U.S. crop – up 9 percentage points in the past week and right on the 5-year average for this week. In all, 11 cotton-producing states are on or ahead of their respective averages.

Open bolls are now reported in 25% of the total crop – up 7 points in the past week (again, right on the 5-year average) – with all Cotton Belt states now accounted for.

Overall cotton condition is relatively unchanged, with 33% of the crop rated good/excellent, 23% fair, and 44% poor/very poor. But flip the ratings, and you’ll find outstanding good/excellent crops in California (95% ), Virginia (88%), Tennessee (80%), Arizona and Missouri (both 75%), Alabama (73%), and Louisiana (70%)…with South Carolina and Arkansas not far behind.