Planting estimates for cotton production in 2010 differ, one plus, one minus, for one state in the Southwestern cotton growing area of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

USDA predicts that Kansas, which had 38,000 acres of cotton in 2009, will plant even less cotton, only 35,000 acres estimated this year. On the other hand, the National Cotton Council, depending on a recent producer survey, predicts Kansas farmers will plant 45,000 acres of cotton.

Depending on who is right, the USDA estimates would show a 7.9 percent reduction in acres in Kansas for this year. If we go with the NCC estimate, there will be a 19 percent increase in cotton acreage in Kansas this year.

In Texas, both entities are in agreement that more cotton will be grown in the Lone Star State.

Compared to the five million acres grown in Texas in 2009, the USDA predicts an increase of 12 percent in acreage for this year, or 5,600,000 acres.

The NCC estimate is a little smaller, predicting an increase of 8.3 percent or 5,414,000 acres.

In Oklahoma, where 205,000 acres of cotton were grown in 2009, USDA estimates 240,000 acres will be planted in 2010, an increase of 17.1 percent. NCC estimates call for an increase of 26.3 percent to 259,000 acres.

Comparing 5,243,000 acres grown in 2009, USDA estimates a 12.1 percent increase or 5,875,000 acres for the three Southwestern states. NCC estimates a 9.1 percent increase or 5,718,000 acres for 2010.

Nationally, compared to 9,149,000 acres grown in 2009, USDA calls for an increase of 14.8 percent or 10,505,000 acres to be grown this year. NCC calls for an increase of 10.3 percent or 10,093,000 acres to be planted in 2010.

TALKIN' COTTON is produced by NTOK Cotton, a cotton industry partnership which supports and encourages increased cotton acreage in the Rolling Plains of North Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. For more information on the cotton scene, see ntokcotton.org and okiecotton.org. For comments or questions about Talkin' Cotton, contact [email protected].