There have been a few showers here and there, but the summer heat is being felt on the nation’s cotton crop. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest cotton condition numbers.
And when it comes to the peanut crop, Rippey notes there has been an improvement overall, but the crop is not quite as good as it was a year ago at this time.
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statics Service (NASS), this is how the cotton and peanut crops were progressing across the Southeast as of this past Sunday:
In Alabama, cotton squaring is 84 percent, which compares to 84 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average being 79 percent. Cotton setting bolls is 45 percent, which compares to 32 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average is 31 percent. Peanuts pegging at 72 percent, which compares to 55 percent this time last year and the 5-year average is 67 percent.
In Florida, cotton squaring is 62 percent, which compares to 71 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average being 65 percent. Cotton setting bolls is 23 percent, which compares to 24 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average is 23 percent. Peanuts pegging at 73 percent, which compares to 82 percent this time last year and the 5-year average is 77 percent.
In Georgia, cotton squaring is 77 percent, which compares to 74 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average being 79 percent. Cotton setting bolls is 35 percent, which compares to only 25 percent this time last year, with the 5-year average is 34 percent. Peanuts pegging at 80 percent, which compares to 74 percent this time last year and the 5-year average is 80 percent.