Soggy weather has slowed cotton planting in Arkansas, but strong prices may encourage farmers to finish before the window closes, extension specialists said on June 2. Cotton was reported as 88 percent planted, ahead of last year’s 83 percent but behind the five-year average of 91 percent, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The March Prospective Plantings survey indicated that Arkansas cotton acres were expected to decline by 50,000, or 10 percent, to a total of 470,000 acres—the lowest since 2017. “Cotton growers saw a surprisingly strong rally this spring that pushed prices above 80 cents per pound and to two-year highs,” said Scott Stiles, extension economics program associate with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “With prices still below 70 cents during the March Prospective Plantings survey, many believed 470,000 acres was too optimistic,” he said. “With December cotton futures still clinging to 80 cents, that may be incentive enough to get these last few acres planted — even in early June.”
Zachary Treadway, extension cotton agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said newer varieties have improved late-planting performance. “I have a feeling that with producers that are near the end of cotton planting, they will roll on and finish, calendar be danged,” Treadway said. “I do not think we will reach 100 percent.”
Soybean planting is closer to completion at 95 percent—up from last year’s rate and above the five-year average. The Prospective Plantings report showed an anticipated increase in soybean acreage by about 510,000 acres or roughly twenty percent over last year’s figures. Extension Soybean Agronomist Jeremy Ross said that after fields dry from recent rainstorms, most growers would likely finish within seven to ten days.
Stiles also noted upcoming surveys: “NASS will be conducting surveys for the June 30 Acreage report.” He added: “Industry observers are looking for a further increase in soybean acres in the June report… Sharp increases in fuel and fertilizer costs following the Iran conflict may have shifted some rice acres over to soybeans.” Rice and corn plantings are complete across Arkansas.
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service receives funding through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state appropriations; it operates county offices across all seventy-five counties in Arkansas with specialists located on several university campuses and at research centers; its mission is enhancing agriculture and communities through research-backed practices; it is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture; it supports social cohesion by addressing rural as well as urban needs—all according to the official website.
