Cotton Planting Progress

Well over half of the 2015 cotton crop has been planted and a large proportion of that amount is up to a good stand.  Areas in the north Delta received rainfall over the past weekend and some earlier this week.  However, as you move south from Clarksdale toward Greenwood and Yazoo City many folks are either planting into dry soil or are in a holding pattern awaiting rainfall.  While tremendous progress was made with respect to planting during the week of April 4; there is still a fair amount of cotton to be planted in several areas of the state. A good chance of rain is predicted for the next three days which, if received, should facilitate the final phase of planting for the 2015 crop.

Reports of re-plants or potential re-plants have been virtually non-existent.  Most folks have reported good stand establishment and are on the look out for thrips and other early season pests.  Although we are off to a later start than we would like, planting has progressed smoothly to this point.  While we are not late with respect to planting compared to the past two years, we have reached the date after which yields have historically started to decline.  While cotton planting is not discouraged by any means, managing for earliness should be a top priority with uncertain fall weather.