Open skies rule across US cotton belt

Partly cloudy, warmer weather prevails across West Texas today, with highs forecast in the mid to upper 80°s (F). A stray thundershower could develop, but no significant precipitation is expected. Mostly open skies and favourable conditions are forecast through next week, which will help enhance final boll maturation. Outside activities are increasing as the growing season winds down. Defoliants are being sprayed on more mature fields in some northern areas, and harvesting is expected to gain momentum in the next couple of weeks. On the Southern High Plains, work is proceeding at a steady pace, and modules are being transported to gins. Some pressing plants are increasing hours of operation as seed cotton supplies accumulate on gin yards.

Clear skies persist elsewhere in the state. Thunderstorms, though, could develop tomorrow in the Coastal Bend, and inclement weather is forecast for the Upper Coastal Bend on Friday, hampering winter field preparations. Ginning, though, will continue with little interruption.

Sunny, seasonable conditions rule from the Memphis Territory to the Southeast, and daytime highs will climb into the upper 70°s to low 80°s (F) by the end of the week. A cold front, though, is expected to enter the South late this weekend, and scattered thunderstorms are forecast through early next week, with projected rain amounts of between 0.50’’ and 2.0’’ possible. Growers, therefore, are rushing to get as much of the crop off the stalk as possible before the storms arrive. Module haulers are working long hours to transport seed cotton supplies from fields to gins. Many processing plants are at full capacity, working through backlogs of modules on their yards.

Harvesting is advancing with little interruption across the Far West, and good weather remains in the near-term forecast. Work, therefore, will likely gain momentum soon. Producers are cutting and shredding stalks soon after picking cotton. Ginning activities are expanding.

Posted in: Cotlook Headlines News