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

By Cotton Grower Staff|August 28, 2023

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 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.