United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA ERS) announces that the USDA December forecast of the 2006 cotton crop remains at 21.3 million bales, about 11 percent below last season's record.
The national yield was unchanged at 798 pounds per harvested acre. Upland production is projected at nearly 20.6 million bales in 2006/07, down from last year s 23.3 million.
Meanwhile, the extra-long staple (ELS) crop is projected to increase nearly 100,000 bales, to 729,000 bales, as larger area in California this season accounts for the gain.
Compared with last month, crop estimates for three of the four regions were lower while the Southeast provided the only increase in December.
Production in the Southeast rose 200,000 bales this month to 4.8 million bales as the regional yield increased to 716 pounds per harvested acre.
In contrast, the Delta's crop was lowered 100,000 bales to 8.3 million bales as a result of lower yields. Nevertheless, the Delta crop remains a record.
Upland production in the Southwest and West regions were only slightly below the estimates from a month ago, at 6 million and 1.4 million bales, respectively.
United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service
