The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service released its latest crop production report May 12, 2023.
2022 Production
According to the report, an estimated 13.6 million acres were planted nationwide. Seven million of those acres were harvested, producing nearly 14 million bales.
Texas planted 7.85 million acres, harvesting 2 million for an estimated production of 3 million bales.
The Texas High Plains planted roughly 4.8 million acres and harvested 961,000 of those acres for a production estimate of 1.5 million bales.
Carson County holds the title for most production in the 2022 crop year with 113,800 bales, while Hockley County came in fifth at 94,700 bales.
A full report of PCG’s 42county production numbers can be found here.
2023 Forecast
USDA’s initial projection for 2023/24 U.S. cotton production is 15.5 million bales, 7% (1 million bales) above the final 2022/23 estimate. The Prospective Plantings report estimates 2023/ 24 cotton planted area at 11.3 million acres, 2.5 million acres below the 2022/23 estimate. Market price, weather, production costs and potential program benefits will all play a key role in determining planted cotton acres this year, according to the USDA Cotton and Wool Outlook report released in May. USDA will update the plantings estimate at the end of June. Advisory Group Outlook This morning (May 26, 2023) the Plains Cotton Advisory Group gathered to discuss crop conditions. Rather than focusing on the lack of rain, current weather conditions provided a new topic: planting when it’s wet.
While there are challenges associated with rain like difficulty in meeting planting deadlines, soil temperatures not quite warm enough and the increased potential for hail with weather events in this region, the overall consensus was summed up by South Texas Cotton and Grain Executive Director Jeff Nunley. “I will say, having moisture is way better than being dry.”
When 65% of the High Plains and the state consists of dryland cotton acres, rain is a necessity for higher production levels. To make an average or above average crop, the group agreed a dryland crop has to be made.