USDA Cotton Harvest Report Highlights Near-Average Progress for 2025 Season
USDA NRCS Texas, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the latest update on the 2025 cotton harvest, offering producers and analysts a clear picture of national and state-level progress. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey provided new insights into how harvest numbers compare to both last year and historical averages.
As Rippey summarizes, “A look at the cotton harvest, final look for 2025 showing that 79% of the cotton acreage harvested by November 23rd, very close to the five-year average of 80%. A little behind last year’s 83%.” This places the 2025 harvest almost exactly in line with typical seasonal expectations, despite regional weather challenges.
One milestone stands out early in the report: “Louisiana becomes the first of the 15 cotton production states to complete harvest in 2025 and among the 15 states only two are showing harvest progress more than five percentage points behind the five-year average for November 23rd.” This means most major cotton-producing states are tracking comfortably within normal ranges, demonstrating stable field conditions for much of the Cotton Belt.
However, two states show notable delays. According to Rippey, “Starting with Kansas, 52% harvested, five-year average 68%. In Arizona, 63% harvested, five-year average 69%.” These lagging figures highlight localized challenges that have limited harvest momentum.
Weather is a major factor for both states. Rippey explains, “One thing that Arizona and Kansas have in common is that there has been a good bit of rain this autumn and that has slowed final development of the crop as well as some of the harvest progress.” Persistent precipitation has not only set back fieldwork but also delayed crop maturation, pushing both states behind schedule compared to typical late-November benchmarks.
Meanwhile, the nation’s top cotton producer continues to move its harvest forward at a steady pace. Rippey notes, “Top producer Texas coming in this week is 70% harvested, five-year average is 74%.” Although slightly below average, Texas remains well within expected seasonal progress.
Overall, the 2025 USDA cotton harvest report reflects a stable national outlook, with most states aligning closely with historical patterns. While weather-related delays affected a few regions, the broader harvest trajectory remains strong as producers wrap up the season.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.