2021 Harvest in a Word: Satisfaction
January 2, 2022 The Rolling Stones may “get no satisfaction.” But U.S. cotton growers may argue otherwise after a relatively smooth and surprising harvest.
By the time these words reach your eyes, 2021 cotton harvest should be complete. As of early December, USDA reported that 85% of all U.S. cotton acres had been harvested, with pickers and strippers still in fields in parts of the Southeast and across the High Plains and Panhandle.
In all, shaped up to be a good harvest. Combined with good prices, there was ample reason for growers to look ahead to 2022 with smiles on their faces.
For a look at 2021 harvest across the Cotton Belt, we asked our Crop Scan AgReport consultants for a quick report from their areas. Here’s what they had to say in mid-December.
Wes Briggs, Southwest Georgia
“We are probably 85%-90% completed with harvest. It’s been dry for the last three weeks, so we’ve had good picking conditions. Of course, as we expected, our early planted cotton yields were off due to the earlier rain and boll rot it caused. Cotton yields improved with later planted cotton. Earlier planted cotton ranged from 800-1,100 lbs/A. Later planted cotton ranged from 1,100 to 1,500 lbs/A, with a few fields hitting 1,600 to 1,700 pounds.
“This year was better than the last four but, overall, was still off from what some of our growers expect. We have a few farms that planted most all of their cotton early, so, naturally, yields for those were below par with the highest yield probably being 1,100 lbs/A. This also occurred with some of our better growers that get things done on time, and it did not work in their favor. If growers had all cotton planted by May 15 in 2021, it was not good.
“Depending on variety and planting date, we are seeing several factors good and bad that will help growers with variety selection going forward in 2022.”
Chad Harrell, Northeastern North Carolina
“We finished up harvest about a week ago. Overall, it was an excellent crop. There was a lot of 3-bale cotton, but average yields were around 2.5 bales.”
Tucker Miller, Mississippi
“We have finished harvesting our cotton, and some have finished ginning. We had a late start planting in 2021 with most of our cotton planted in mid-to-late May. We then had over 20 inches of rain in early June. We lost acres to the flood, and what we saved was detrimentally affected.
“Our yields ranged from 1,000 to 1,300 lbs/A. Our average was around 1,100 lbs/A , which was about 200 pounds less than normal. With the higher prices, I hope farmers will come out okay. I think cotton acres will be up around 20% in 2022 due to these higher prices.
“We did have some new varieties that performed well and got to test some new traits that are promising. The new ThryvOn trait is exciting, and we will learn more about it in 2022.”
Mark Nemec, Central Texas
“Cotton harvest for 2021 in Central Texas has finally wrapped up. After the cool, wet spring slowed us down, we knew harvest would be a little later. We just didn’t know just how late it would be. Thanks to the good moisture early on and the cooler than normal summer, the plants were able to go longer and more this year.
“This was the first year in a while that harvest wasn’t hampered by excessive rainfall. The yields in the area were at or above average depending on how well the fields drained off in the spring. Some growers had the best yields they’ve ever had in some areas. Our grades are coming back good as well, thanks to a drier fall.
“With prices the way they are, cotton acres will probably go up a little in Central Texas, depending on rotation. This year finally put some excitement back in cotton farming here in the Blacklands and Brazos Bottom.”
Kerry Siders, West Texas
“The Southern High Plains of Texas is nearing completion of the 2021 cotton harvest. Fortunately, we have a dryland crop to harvest along with our irrigated acres. The yields are all over the board but, in general, are slightly below some expectations. The dryland crop is ranging from 200 to 650 lbs/A of lint, while irrigated ranges from 450-1,800 lbs/A.
“This down tick in expectations can be mostly explained by the fact that we were short about 150 heat units (DD 60) for the growing season. Again, fortunately, we had a dryland crop, but also a good finish from mid-September through October. Had we not finished the season in this fashion, we would have had a potential disaster on our hands.
“So, thank God – disaster diverted and here we are in the 85% harvested range. Grades have generally been good, and prices are still holding at – for some – a once in a lifetime value.
“The 2022 cotton season looks like another challenge from cost and possibly availability of inputs. However, planting intentions look like we will continue to plant mostly cotton. Though we were blessed with moisture this 2021 growing season, it has dried considerably since the end of the growing season. We will need some good winter moisture for the 2022 growing season to keep our current positive attitude.”
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