Whether the strong predictions become reality largely depends on if weather conditions hold up. But from what they see so far, ag experts say we're off to quite a promising start.
Gins in Texas report nearly 100 percent of cotton is already planted and getting high ratings. Experts say this doesn't happen very oftn.
"With the kind of start we've had and what normally would happen here on our, we could easily have a new record production for the South Plains," says Jay Yates, risk management specialist with the Texas Agrilife Extension Service.
2005 holds the record for the most cotton output in Texas at almost 8.5 million bales. Yates says the South Plains alone could surpass that number if mother nature allows.
"We had some heat, now we need a little moisture, then we'll need heat again," says Yates.
Some local producers are even switching back to cotton from grain sorghum and corn to cash in on the strong prices.
"Better than normal because we had good spring prices, people are taking advantage of that and locking in a price on the crop," says Yates.
To top it off, according to the Texas Ag Statistics Servce, 96 percent of the state's crop is rated fair to excellent. Yates says this "is the highest number that's ever been given since they started calculating index for the state overall."
He says as long as hail and colder temps stay away Texas could reach 10 million bales this year, which as he points out, would create more jobs and spending money.
