U.S. Cotton Acreage Continues To Decline

Memphis, TN (AHN) - Cotton acreage in the United States is dropping and is expected to drop more in several states because of continued low market prices coupled with high prices for cotton seed.

Mississippi farmers are projected to plant 50 percent less than they did last year, which was itself a record low year.

But before farmers get to planting next year's crop, many of them are dealing with low harvests this year.

Farmers in Louisiana lost about half the crop there to damage from hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Crop losses were so severe that some cotton gins won't open to process cotton this year, according to reports.

United States Department of Agriculture officials say that cotton acreage estimates are the lowest since 1983, according to reports.

Expected crop yield estimates for this year's harvest in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Oklahoma have declined from earlier estimates.

It wasn't all bad news though, because expected crop yield estimates were increased for California, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, New Mexico and South Carolina.