The past week has seen cooler, dryer air across the Southeast which has helped in getting cotton and peanut harvest back underway in many areas. According to USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey, a majority of the nation’s cotton bolls are open.
But the recent rains have put harvest across much of the Southeast behind, not only last year’s pace, but also the 5-year averages.
In Alabama, 79% of the cotton bolls are open, which compares to 91% last year and the five-year average of 86%. Cotton harvest was 2% complete, while last year it was at 21% and the 5-year average is 16%. As for the peanut harvest, 33% had been dug, which compares to 66% last year. Seventeen percent had been harvested which compares to 49% last year, and the 5-year average is 36%.
In Florida, 59% of the cotton bolls were open, which compares to 72% last year and the five-year average is 71%. Cotton harvest was barely underway, but last year it was at 11% while the 5-year average is 6%. As for the peanut harvest, 54% had been dug, which compares to 73% last year and the 5-year average is 65%. Forty-one percent had been harvested, which compares to 55% last year, and the 5-year average is 54%.
In Georgia, 81% of the cotton bolls were open, which compares to 91% last year, and the five-year average is 89%. Cotton harvested was at 8%, which compares to 25% last year, and the 5-year average is 15% As for the peanut harvest, 26% had been dug which compares to 57% last year and the 5-year average of 47%. Peanuts harvested were at 13%, which compares to 41% last year, and the 5-year average is 31%.