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Acreage updates for cotton were made in several states based on a thorough review of all available data. All cotton planted area totaled 11.2 million acres, down 4 percent from the previous forecast but up 9 percent from 2023. Area harvested is forecast at 8.63 million acres, up 34 percent from 2023. All cotton production is forecast 15.1 million 480-pound bales, up 25 percent from the previous year. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 840 pounds per harvested acre, down 59 pounds from 2023.
As of August 4, sixty percent of the Nation’s cotton acreage had begun setting bolls, 2 percent ahead of last year and 1 percent ahead of the 5?year average. Forty?five percent of the 2024 cotton acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, 4 percent below the previous week but 4 percent above the previous year.
Cotton production in Georgia is forecast at 2.15 million bales, down 1 percent from last year. In Alabama, production is estimated at 725,000 bales, down 1 percent from 2023. Florida production is expected to total 115,000 bales, 4 percent above last year.
This is Becky Sommer with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.