Harvest is just around the corner in the Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. service area and producers have been blessed with relatively warm, sunny weather over the past couple of weeks. Though the crop has been accumulating much needed heat units, a timely rain earlier in September would have benefitted some dryland cotton areas to round out the season. Most producers in the region have started to shut off irrigation systems as boll development reaches maturation and with cooler temperatures being forecasted heading into October.
Producers remain optimistic for good yields and above average production levels this year, which has not been the case for the past several years. Insect concerns have dropped off significantly although producers will still need to be mindful of the potential for a late season aphid resurgence.
The cotton market had a roller coaster week but has recovered well after taking a dive into the upper 80’s for the first time in several weeks. At press time the market was trading near 95.99 cents for the December 2021 futures contract. As producers start preparing for the harvest, flow logistics and the ability to deliver cotton in a timely manner is going to be imperative.