Tractor pulling a combine harvesting peanuts
By Wellford Tiller/Shutterstock
While the recent dry weather conditions have allowed the harvest of both cotton and peanuts to pick up, it also created favorable conditions for cotton crop development. But, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey notes the percentage of cotton bolls opening around the country are still behind the 5-year averages.
And Rippey notes there are also delays in harvest progress for peanuts.
In Alabama, 84 percent of the cotton crop saw bolls opening, which compares to 91 percent last year and 92 percent is the 5-year average. Cotton harvested is at 17 percent, which compares to 19 percent last year and 37 percent is the 5-year average. For peanuts, 63 percent have been dug which compares to 65 percent last year at this time, 75 percent is the 5-year average. 39 percent of the crop has been harvested, which compares to 41 percent this time last year, while 61 percent is the 5-year average.
In Florida, 80 percent of the cotton crop had bolls opening, which compares to 81 percent last year and 85 percent is the 5-year average. Cotton harvested is at 9 percent, which compares to 4 percent last year and 13 percent is the 5-year average. As for peanuts, 71 percent have been dug which compares to 79 percent last year at this time, while the 5-year average is 84 percent. 53 percent has been harvested which compares to 65 percent last year while the 5-year average is 74 percent.
In Georgia, 87 percent of the cotton crop saw bolls opening, which compares to 90 percent last year and 94 percent is the 5-year average. Cotton harvested is at 15 percent, which compares to 18 percent last year and 30 percent is the 5-year average. As for peanuts, 56 percent have been dug which compares to 60 percent last year at this time, while the 5-year average is 72 percent. 37 percent has been harvested which compares to 40 percent last year while the 5-year average is 56 percent.