Cotton Harvest across Texas is well ahead of last year, and also ahead of the 2004-2008 average. Weather remains good for continuing harvest operations through the Sunday after Thanksgiving when a chance of rain enters the picture.

According to the weekly Crop Progress report from USDA's National Ag Statistics Service, as of November 22nd 70% of the 2009 Texas cotton crop had been harvested compared with only 55% in 2008, and 58% average over the five years 2004 thru 2008.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service Cotton Program Market News issues a Daily Cotton Quality Summary (available online at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/cnmnreports).

The latest report indicates that almost 1.2 million bales have been classed so far this season at the Lubbock Classing Office, and just over 490,000 at the Lamesa Classing Office.

Cotton being classed at both offices are reported as predominantly Color Grade 21+ and Leaf Grade 3.

Average staple length at Lubbock is 36.00 and at Lamesa is 35.80.

Average Micronaire at Lubbock is 3.80 and at Lamesa is 4.10.

Average strength at Lubbock is 30.20 gms/tex and at Lamesa is 30 gms/tex.