Texas cotton acreage likely will slip significantly in 2013 as farmers try to capitalize on better pricing opportunities with grain.

The Texas Blacklands and the Upper Gulf Coast regions may see the biggest percentage of cotton acreage reduction, says Texas AgriLife Extension state cotton specialist Gaylon Morgan.

Morgan, in an interview during the recent Texas Plant Protection annual conference in Bryan, Texas, said the Rolling Plains and the Coastal Bend areas “may see less of a drop. The Valley could go either way, depending on the water situation. But a lot can happen between now and planting time.”

He said weather and price will be determining factors, but the Blacklands and the Gulf Coast, especially, “have good opportunities for grain crops, especially corn and grain sorghum. We’ve also seen more wheat planted in the Blacklands and the Rolling Plains,” he said.