Arizona cotton farmers produced the nation's top 2011 upland cotton yields with 1,548 pounds per acre, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The 1,548-pound yield is an all-time record in Arizona. This yield is 31 pounds/acre higher than Arizona’s previous record set in 2010. Arizona was the U.S. top upland-yielding state in 2010.

2011 Arizona upland cotton production is expected to total 800,000 bales, up 31 percent from the 2010 crop. Harvested acreage at 248,000 acres is 55,000 acres higher than a year earlier.

In 2011, California cotton farmers grew the nation’s second largest upland yields at 1,432 pounds/acre; down 51 pounds/acre from 2010. California upland-acala harvested acreage in 2011 is 181,000 acres.

California wins the title as the U.S.’s top 2011 American-Pima yield-producing state with 1,376 pounds/acre (272,000 acres). Texas ranked second at 1,038 pounds/acre (18,500 acres) followed by Arizona in the third slot with 960 pounds/acre (10,000 acres).

Overall, U.S. cotton production is estimated at 15.7 million 480-pound bales, down 1 percent from last month and down 13 percent from 2010.

The U.S. all-cotton yield average is estimated at 772 pounds per acre, up 1 pound from the Dec. 1 forecast but down 40 pounds from last year. The harvested area at 9.75 million acres is down 1 percent from December and down 9 percent from last year.

American-Pima producers planted 306,400 acres, up 50 percent from last year. The harvested area at 303,900 acres is up 51 percent from last year. Production is estimated at 845,700 bales, up 15 percent from the Aug. 1 forecast and up 68 percent from last year.

The U.S. American-Pima yield is estimated at 1,336 pounds per acre, up 105 pounds from the August 1 forecast and up 136 pounds from last year.