Droughty soils prevail; harvest activities expanding across US cotton belt

The US crop is in the final stages of development, and bolls are opening rapidly. Although soil moisture levels continued to decline across the belt during the week ended September 22, and since harvest activities in many locales are beginning earlier than normal, dry weather is needed in the upcoming weeks to allow producers time to get the cotton off the stalk.

In West Texas, isolated thunderstorms developed overnight, bringing gusting winds and precipitation to some cotton growing areas. Generally, coverage was spotty, and light to moderate rain was recorded, with a few locales receiving heavier amounts. Mostly cloudy skies prevail today, and scattered showers remain in the near-term forecast, briefly hampering outside activities. Harvest-aid chemicals are being applied to more mature fields on the Panhandle and northern High Plains, and weather permitting, stripping is expected to commence in the next week to 10 days.

Meanwhile, harvesting is expanding in central parts of the state, and if open weather holds, widespread work is expected in the upcoming weeks. Picking is nearing an end in South Texas, and stalks are being cut and shredded. Producers in the Upper Coastal Bend district are harvesting after dark, and modules and round bales are accumulating on gin yards. Most processing plants in the region are operating at full capacity as they work through backlogs of seed cotton supplies on their yards.

Partly cloudy to overcast skies and light breezes rule across the Memphis Territory today, with daytime highs projected from the upper 70°s to the 80°s (F). Although a slight warming trend will begin tomorrow, mild, dry weather remains in the near-term forecast. Harvest activities are advancing at a steady pace, with defoliants being sprayed on more mature fields. Picking, therefore, is expected to gain momentum in the next week to 10 days. Seed cotton supplies are being transported from fields to gins, and as backlogs of modules and round bales accumulate, processing plants will soon extend their hours of operation.

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