The Texas Cotton Producers organization met on February 11 to discuss crop conditions for the 2023 planting season among other business.
Rolling Plains
In the Rolling Plains region, it was reported that producers received enough moisture to establish their wheat and haygrazer cover crops, but there may not be enough subsoil moisture to take them to harvest. However, producers are considering trying to make a wheat crop given the current wheat prices. The region projects to have 10% less planting acres than normal, which is about 700,000 acres.
Rio Grande Valley
The RGV area was one of the bright spots of the 2022 crop season; however, the area is now dry, and producers are looking at growing other crops. It’s estimated the area will plant just half the irrigated acres normally reserved for cotton.
South Texas
Producers are feeling pressure to get the cotton crop up within the next month, since there hasn’t been adequate rain to support planting. “We really need a good planting rain to give us a chance,” said Jon Whatley, producer in San Patricio and Nueces Counties. In 2022, South Texas planted over 840,000 acres, which is above their normal average. This year, it’s projected they will be back in the 750,000 range or less. “Acreage is easy to predict,” added Jeff Nunley, executive director for the South Texas Cotton and Grain Association. “Bales are not.”
High Plains
According to producers in the High Plains, acreage is going to go down, especially in the Panhandle. “If you have irrigation up there, you’re growing grain,” Shieldknight said. “ Fertilizer prices have dropped, so guys are buying it for corn as fast as they can right now — major grain shift north of I-40.”
In the South Plains area there’s projected to be a slight reduction in acres; however, Stacy Smith, producer in Lynn County, said he believes the seed price will bump intended planting acres back up.