A premium cotton variety may become the most widely planted cotton grown in California, this year.
Observers say acreage of Pima cotton may surpass plantings of the upland cotton varieties that have traditionally been the most widely grown.
Farmers have been switching to the premium variety in part to boost earnings to ward off higher production costs.
Both types of California cotton (almost 70 percent exported) are made into fine fabrics and used in high quality table linens, sheets, bath towels and dress shirts.