Survey results for all Southeastern states indicate declining cotton acreage, shifting to a double-crop of winter wheat and soybeans. The Carolinas reported the largest percentage declines, between 20 percent and 22 percent. Respondents in Alabama indicated an 11 percent reduction in cotton acreage while Florida growers are planning a 17 percent cutback. Georgia and Virginia respondents indicated the smallest declines of 5 percent and 6 percent, respectively.
All Mid-South states indicate a shift from cotton to wheat and soybeans with major percentage decreases in Mississippi (-31), Arkansas (-30) and Tennessee (-29). Smaller declines are expected in Louisiana (-18) and Missouri (-8).
“This means that 2008 Mid-South cotton area intentions would be less than half of that region's 2006 level,” Slinsky said, noting that there was a sharp decline in 2007 acreage there, too.
Kansas and Oklahoma were the only states that indicate cotton acreage increases – with 16 percent and 3 percent increases, respectively. Texas growers indicated intentions of 4.8 million acres. While this is a 2.3 percent drop from last year, Texas is expected to account for half of all U.S. cotton acreage in 2008.
The West region showed a projected 38.7 percent decline. In California, concerns over water availability and competition from specialty crops are contributing to a sharp decline. If that state's growers plant the indicated 91,000 acres to cotton, it would represent a 53.3 percent decrease from 2007. The survey revealed that Arizona and New Mexico growers intend to decrease upland area by 25 percent and 27 percent, respectively.
Each of the four states producing ELS cotton indicated declining area. In Arizona, California and Texas, declines were approximately 20%.
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National Cotton Council of America
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