It’s been hot by human standards with up to a 110-degree heat index rating in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) this August. But that is just what cotton farmers need right now.
Yields are looking promising as harvest begins on the 2015 crop.
“Defoliation was excellent and the attitude (of area growers) is good. When we get this crop in, it’s going to be a lot better,” said Jim Hearn, farm broadcaster and TFB radio reporter from the Rio Grande Valley.
It has been a tough year with rains delaying planting. The crop is about 30 days late.
But cotton growers have concerns about the tropical season.
“The tropical season to date has been a bust, but it doesn’t take much for something to brew up close to home and then move on shore in a couple of days. We always have to be wary of any areas of disturbing weather in the Gulf of Mexico,” Hearn said.
“The Gulf waters are extremely hot right now. About 86 degrees. It is not going to take much to fire something up,” he added.
Listen to Tom Nicolette’s full report with Hearn on News and Views on the TFB Radio Network: http://bit.ly/1NI2gmW.