USDA: Cotton Output, Condition Up Slightly

By Jim.Robinson|September 16, 2009

In its latest forecast of domestic cotton production, the U.S. Department of Agriculture totals all cotton production at 13.4 million 480-pound bales, up 2 percent from last month and up 5 percent from last year. The report also indicated that 51 percent of the U.S. cotton crop was rated in good to excellent condition on August 30, up slightly from last year’s rating. About 35 percent of the U.S. crop was opening bolls as of September 13.

The small production increase is attributed to several regions. Upland growers in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee are expecting record high yields, while growers in the Southeast and Delta regions are expecting higher yields than last month.

The American-Pima production forecast, carried forward from last month, is 367,000 bales, down 15 percent from last year. The U.S. yield is forecast at 1,205 pounds per harvested acre, a decrease of 21 pounds from last year.

Ginnings totaled 142,600 running bales prior to September 1, compared with 334,650 running bales ginned prior to same date last year and 182,250 running bales in 2007.

U.S. export forecasts have been raised slightly due to decreased foreign competition. The report states that: “Developments in India suggest that exportable supplies there will be lower than previously anticipated.”