All cotton production is forecast at 12.8 million 480-pound bales, down 2 percent from the previous forecast and down 11 percent from 2022. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 767 pounds per harvested acre, down 19 pounds from the previous forecast and down 183 pounds from 2022. All cotton area harvested is forecast at 8.02 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 10 percent from 2022.
By October 1, eighteen percent of the Nation’s cotton acreage was harvested, 3 percent behind last year but 1 percent ahead of the 5?year average. At this time thirty percent of the 2023 cotton acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, equal to the previous week but 1 percent below the previous year.
Cotton production in Georgia is forecast at 2.30 million bales, down 13 percent from last year. In Alabama, production is estimated at 680,000 bales, down 18 percent from 2022. Florida production is expected to total 100,000 bales, 39 percent below last year.
Listen to the USDA/NASS Cotton Crop forecast here.
Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.
Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet Weekly podcast. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley.