The summer heat is starting to take a toll on the nation’s cotton crop, while here in the Southeast, we did see an improvement in the peanut crop. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey explains why the cotton conditions are declining.
And Rippey also has the latest on the peanut crop, which did see an improvement this past week.
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statics Service (NASS), this is how the cotton and peanut crops are progressing across the Southeast as of this past Sunday:
In Alabama, cotton squaring is 73 percent, which compares to 72 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average being 69 percent. Cotton setting bolls is 27 percent, which compares to only 11 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average is 16 percent. Peanuts pegging are 58 percent, which compares to 37 percent this time last year and the 5-year average is 50 percent.
In Florida, cotton squaring is 45 percent, which compares to 55 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average being 51 percent. Cotton setting bolls is 12 percent, which compares to 11 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average is 13 percent. Peanuts pegging are 62 percent, which compares to 63 percent this time last year and the 5-year average is 64 percent.
In Georgia, cotton squaring is 71 percent, which compares to 64 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average being 70 percent. Cotton setting bolls is 26 percent, which compares to only 15 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average is 20 percent. Peanuts pegging are 67 percent, which compares to 60 percent this time last year and the 5-year average is 69 percent.