Across the nation, 85 percent of the cotton crop was setting bolls according to the latest crop report. But USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says heat and drought are causing problems for the crop.
Rippey says conditions are mostly steady for the nation’s peanut crop.
In Alabama, 93 percent of the cotton crop is setting bolls, which compares to 92 percent this time last year. Only 12 percent of the bolls were open, which compares to 20 percent last year at this time.
In Florida, 91 percent of the cotton crop is setting bolls, which compares to 91 percent this time last year. Only 8 percent of the bolls were open, which compares to 11 percent last year at this time.
In Georgia, 95 percent of the cotton crop is setting bolls, which compares to 92 percent this time last year. But 22 percent of the bolls were open, which compares to only 6 percent last year at this time.