PLAINS COTTON GROWERS
While some areas of the PCG service area may have fewer cotton acres than predicted, that is not the case when you head south on U.S. 87 from Lubbock to Lamesa. What is common; however, is the amount of either late planted or replanted cotton.
As far as you can see from the road, there was one field that looked like it had been planted in mid May. Everything else was in the one-leaf to two-leaf stage.
The fields that did hang on and miss the hail storms have experienced most of their damage due to high wind speeds. High winds for more than 10 consecutive days (and nights) has some producers in Lamesa shaking their heads at the abnormality of the conditions.
”It’s just been constant and there hasn’t been any rest periods for these small plants,” said Jeremy Brown, producer in Dawson County. “I have one field that I replanted three times, which I know is not feasible for every operation. I’m trying everything to make a crop and three of my farms south of Lamesa are just not working out with minimal moisture and the continual wind.”
Other producers have managed to avoid storms and wind while also not having to use their irrigation pivots yet. “We’ve been fortunate to receive some good moisture right after planting without any other consequences, which is allowing us to use our irrigation even more efficiently,” said Brent Coker, producer in Lamb County.
As with any crop year, there are bright spots and low points. As several producers have said over the past week, “You just plant like you expect a better year and a decent crop.”