West Texas cotton growers are heading into a difficult harvest after good early-season moisture gave way to a hot, dry summer, according to Keith Patrick, vice president of Plains Cotton Growers.

Patrick said the crop started with promising moisture and good stands before the rain largely stopped. Some pockets caught useful rain, but much of the region endured long spells of heat and dryness. Dryland fields suffered most, and irrigated acres were also stressed by heat and limited water.

The stakes are high because the Plains Cotton Growers region accounts for roughly 35% of US cotton production, and a smaller crop also hits the gins, warehouses and other businesses that depend on volume.

Cotton prices briefly recovered to near 90 cents a pound before falling back. Patrick said prices of 82 to 85 cents are better than in some recent periods, but production losses continue to squeeze farm margins.

The harvest will show how much of the crop survived the summer stress, and Patrick said 2026 will still be a tough year for many West Texas producers despite the strong start. The report is by Tony St. James.

Photo: Calsidyrose / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Source: All Ag News