By Clint Thompson
The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia Cotton Team advise growers to take advantage of the dry weather conditions when possible to finish harvesting this year’s crop.
Much of South Georgia observed the first measurable rainfall recorded since Hurricane Helene last week. It delayed harvesting progress, says Camp Hand, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cotton agronomist.
“It looks like we’re in this pattern now where we’re going to get these rains every few days. From now until whenever you’re done, we’re trying to work around it. It seems like it’s that way every year where we get about 60% to 70% done and then it starts raining. The last 30% takes just as long as the first 70%,” said Hand, who added cotton harvests are “right on schedule.”
“Right before that rain, I was thinking we probably got to about 60%. Since then, there probably hasn’t been a ton harvested. We might be 65%, 70%. It would be close. We’re on schedule, for certain.”
Georgia cotton growers are also doing better than expected with the quality and quantity of this year’s crop.
“Really, we’re looking good on quality. We’re harvesting some good stuff. Depending on where you are, the yields are good. Over in east Georgia, I’ve even heard some better yields than I thought we would. It tells me the crop was incredible before the storm came through,” Hand said. “All in all, we’re doing pretty good. Some of the earlier stuff right after the storm, we did see some reductions in color. But overall, as a state right now, we’re looking really good.”