Dry conditions across the Southeast continue to allow the peanut and cotton harvest to roll along. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture Meteorologist Brad Rippey, the nation’s peanut harvest is ahead of schedule.
Rippey says cotton bolls are opening ahead of schedule as well.
In Alabama, 92 percent of the cotton bolls were open, which compares to 87 percent last year at this time. Twenty-five percent of the cotton crop has been harvested, which compares to 17 percent this time last year. Seventy percent of the peanuts have been dug, which compares to 43 percent this time last year. Fifty-six percent have already been harvested, which compares to 27 percent last year.
In Florida, 74 percent of the cotton bolls were open, which compares to 81 percent last year at this time. Thirteen percent of the crop has been harvested, comparing to 3 percent last year. Seventy-six percent of the peanuts have been dug, which compares to 71 percent this time last year. Fifty-nine percent have been harvested, which compares to 56 percent this time last year.
In Georgia, 92 percent of the cotton bolls were open, which compares to 87 percent last year at this time. Twenty-eight percent of the crop has been harvested, comparing to 11 percent last year. Sixty-two percent of the peanuts have been dug, which compares to 53 percent this time last year. Forty-six percent have been harvested, which compares to 36 percent this time last year.