Mississippi Crop Report:
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Cotton produces well despite record rainsBy Anna Minor MISSISSIPPI STATE -- After a year of ups and downs, many Mississippi cotton farmers finished 1994 with one of the better cotton crops seen in the state. The crop represented a vast improvement over 1993's yields. Cotton's estimated value of farm production was $844 million, an increase of $216 million from 1993. The crop remained third behind poultry and forestry in farm production for Mississippi. Dr. Will McCarty, extension cotton specialist at Mississippi State University, said growers did a remarkable job in making 1994's cotton crop. "We grew one of the top three or four cotton crops ever grown in the state," McCarty said. "We just had trouble harvesting it because of all of the rain." Production for the state is estimated at 2.2 million bales. Farmers saw an average of about 800 pounds per acre, about 40 percent more than 1993's average. Dr. O.A. Cleveland, extension marketing specialist at MSU, said prices also are higher in 1994 with the average price being 65 cents a pound. 1993's average price was 62 cents. "We are probably going to be about a half cent per pound above the national average," Cleveland said. Cleveland predicted about a 2 cent per pound decrease in 1995 prices due to a decrease in exports. Domestic demand should increase by 4 to 5 percent as production remains the same. McCarty said 1994's crop was a big help to many Mississippi growers. "1994 has given us some stability," McCarty said. Record rains in July and during harvest months coupled with insect and weed problems hurt most growers. "Growers with late-maturing cotton were really hurt by the wet weather," McCarty said. "But other farmers have one of the best crops they have ever made." 1994's crop got off to a good start since it was planted earlier and faster than in other years. "We planted the crop in a fairly narrow window of time," McCarty said. "We had one of the best planting seasons ever." After planting, a cool front swept through the state, giving unseasonably wet and cool weather for early May. "The weather during June improved and allowed the plants to fruit well," McCarty said. "By the first of July, we were looking at possibly one of the best crops we had ever produced." Rains during July delayed the cotton's maturity and prevented weed and insect control applications. "Some cotton saw 21 inches of rain in July," McCarty said. "When you have 700 percent above-average rainfall, you are going to have lots of cloudy days and the maturity problems associated with them." John Coccaro, Sharkey county agent, said many farmers were pessimistic during summer's rainy weather. "Growers really had a fear that the weather was going to be devastating to the 1994 cotton crop," Coccaro said. The weather improved in August and September and allowed the crop to finish its growing season in good condition. But as October began, above-average rainfall made harvest difficult. "Based on our planting date, harvest was two to three weeks later than usual because of the rains," McCarty said. "Some farmers still had some of their crop in the field the first week in December." Despite the rains, McCarty said the cotton's grade held up well, but some growers had problems with its color, resulting in price reductions. Charlie Estess, Coahoma county agent, said county growers harvested 850 pounds an acre, making it one of their better years. "We were out of the fields for about four weeks because of the rain," Estess said. "To our surprise, the rains didn't hurt our yields much when we went back into the fields." Released:
Dec. 13, 1994 |
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