September 25, 2009
Agriculture Ministry officials in Pakistan reported this week that cotton crops in the Punjab province have survived a nearly two-month-long bout with virus stress. Rising temperatures and a general water shortage in the region still threaten the crop, however. Attacks of armyworm are being managed in the area.
Farmers are now determining whether they will give the crop time to develop a third picking in early December. The Punjab province was expected to produce about 9.5 million bales, but that figure could change if farmers choose to forgo a third picking.
Wheat prices and cotton prices will affect the cotton crop decision as well. The optimum wheat sowing date for the region is November 20. Waiting for the cotton crop will come at the expense of wheat yields.
While the government initially estimated nationwide cotton production from the next crop at 15 million bales, the latest estimates peg the crop at closer to 14 million bales. Last season’s crop totaled 12.8 million bales.