Cotton growers to earn more in Georgia

27 Mar '17

2 min read

Cotton growers in Georgia are likely to earn at least 5 to 6 cents more per pound this years in comparison to last year mainly due to increase in exports, according to University of Georgia which says that this year represents the best cotton quality produced in Georgia in past over 26 years. This is attributed to newer varieties and technology.

The price is due to many factors, but the main cause is the increase in exports. "Most of our cotton now is exported - about three-fourths of it is going overseas. Our exports are doing really well. US quality, especially here in the Southeast, has been just excellent in recent years," Don Shurley, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton economist, said.

Shurley, who has been with UGA Extension for more than 26 years, believes this year represents the best quality of cotton Georgia has produced in that time. Much of that is attributed to newer varieties and technology associated with those varieties.

Some of the past year's yield potential was lost due to the late-season drought. The lack of rain prevented some of the yield at the top of the plants from fully developing. But because of the extended drought, growers were able to get into the fields and harvest the crop in a timely manner.

"We didn't have any rain or wind come in and reduce the quality, so the harvest conditions were really, really good," Shurley said.

Cotton acreage was also up last year. Georgia planted 1.18 million acres, compared to 1.17 million acres in 2015, according to the UGA Farm Gate Value Report. This year, however, Shurley projects the acreage in Georgia may decrease due to estimated high peanut prices. (SV)

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