The National Cotton Council’s (NCC) recent planting-intentions survey predicts a 14.6 percent nationwide decrease in planted cotton acreage this spring. Low prices are a major factor, reports the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
The estimate of 9.4 million cotton acres set to be planted this spring is about 1.6 million lower than the number planted last year. In Texas, projected planted upland cotton acreage is 13.8 percent lower than last year, down from 6.2 million to 5.34 million.
With prices still hovering around a barely break-even mark of 60 cents, considering an acreage switch is understandable, said Mary Jane Buerkle of Plains Cotton Growers.
“We know our producers are making some tough decisions and we certainly support them in determining what crop mix will help them through these times of low cotton prices,” Buerkle said.
The NCC estimated planting acreage by mailing surveys in December to producers in the 17-state Cotton Belt. Staff collected and analyzed their responses.