USDA Increases Production Estimates

In its September crop report, USDA estimated a ‘09-10 US cotton crop of 13.44 million bales, up 230,000 bales from the August report. Upland production was put at 13.07 million bales and ELS production at 367,000 bales. Harvested area was estimated at 7.7 million acres, implying an abandonment rate of 15.43%. The national average yield per harvested acre was estimated to be roughly 835 pounds, four pounds below the five-year average.

On a regional basis, the Southeast crop is estimated at 3.33 million bales, based on harvested acres of 1.87 million and a regional average yield of 857 pounds, 85 pounds above the five-year average for the region. In the Mid-South expected production is 3.26 million bales. Harvested area is estimated to be 1.55 million acres and an expected yield of 1,006 pounds per harvested acre. The Southwest upland crop is an estimated 5.79 million bales. Expected harvested area is 3.93 million acres and the regional average yield is 707 pounds, 14 pounds below their five-year average of 721 pounds per harvested acre. Upland production in the West is an estimated 698,000 bales with harvested area of 237,000 acres and a regional average yield of 1,414 pounds, 39 pounds higher than the region’s five-year average.

The ELS crop is an estimated 367,000 bales. Harvested area is pegged at 146,000 acres with an average yield of 1,205 pounds per harvested acre. State-level results can be found by clicking here.