Abandoning a crop after nurturing it through early-season difficulties and after investing significant amounts of money into production is never easy but a 40 percent abandonment for Texas Southern Plains cotton growers may not be as bad as many expected.

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A Texas AgriLife Extension cotton specialist says problems early in the season, including a cool spring and a slow start, late freezes and continuation of a long period of drought set the crop up for an even worse outlook. Some timely rains and moderate temperatures in July seem to have helped prospects considerably.

Robert Burns, Texas AgriLife media, has the full story. Read the latest Texas crop update here.

Also of interest:

Rains make a difference but drought far from over

U.S. cotton production estimated at 14.3 million bales

Rain may help cotton farmers get through summer