The latest estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Prospective Plantings Report, released March 31, shows no increase in Texas planted acreage in upland cotton for 2021. Texas upland cotton planted acres is forecast at 6.8 million acres. Planting of Pima cotton is predicted estimated to be a total of 20 thousand acres, which is 47 percent below 2020.
While the USDA has estimated Texas to plant 6.8 million acres, the National Cotton Council’ Planting Intentions Survey released, in February, estimated 6.4 million acres of upland cotton to be planted. Nationwide, the USDA expects 11.9 million acres of upland cotton to be planted, a slight increase from last year, while the NCC expects 11.3 million acres to be planted, a 4.9 percent decrease from 2020.
The survey from the USDA was conducted during the first two weeks of March and new estimates will be made based on surveys conducted in June when crops averages have been established or planting intentions are firm.