While peanut harvest continues, cotton harvest is trying to get underway in some areas of the Southeast. But USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey notes cool, wet weather has delayed crop development.
In Alabama, only 64 percent of the cotton crop saw bolls opening, which compares to 78 percent last year and 84 percent is the 5-year average. Cotton harvested is at 5 percent, which compares to only 2 percent last year and 11 percent is the 5-year average. For peanuts, 35 percent have been dug which compares to 31 percent last year at this time, 43 percent is the 5-year average. 20 percent of the crop has been harvested, which compares to 16 percent this time last year, while 30 percent is the 5-year average.
In Florida, 53 percent of the cotton crop had bolls opening, which compares to 58 percent last year. Cotton harvested is at 2 percent, which compares to none last year at this time. As for peanuts, 50 percent have been dug which compares to 52 percent last year at this time. 36 percent has been harvested which compares to 40 percent last year while the 5-year average is 50 percent.
In Georgia, 76 percent of the cotton crop saw bolls opening, which compares to 80 percent last year and 86 percent is the 5-year average. Cotton harvested is at 4 percent, which compares to 7 percent last year and 13 percent is the 5-year average. As for peanuts, 31 percent have been dug which compares to 25 percent last year at this time, while the 5-year average is 44 percent. 17 percent has been harvested which compares to 12 percent last year while the 5-year average is 29 percent.