In its January crop report, USDA projected the ’10-11 US crop to be 18.32 million bales, up 50,000 bales from the December report. Upland production was estimated at 17.82 million bales and extra-long staple (ELS) production at 498,000 bales. Harvested area was estimated at 10.71 million acres, implying a non-harvested area of 266,000 acres based on USDA’s revised acreage numbers in the January crop report. The resulting abandonment rate is roughly 2.43 percent. The national average yield per harvested acre was estimated at about 821 pounds, five pounds less than the five-year average.

Upland production in the West is an estimated 1.12 million bales with an estimated harvested area of 362,000 acres and a regional average yield of 1,478 pounds, 128 pounds higher than the region’s five-year average. Californialeads the region in yield gains with an estimated 1,639 pounds per harvested acre, 276 pounds higher than their five-year average.

The ELS crop is an estimated 498,000 bales. Harvested area is pegged at 202,000 acres with an average yield of 1,184 pounds per harvested acre.

The Southeast crop is estimated at 4.31 million bales based on harvested acres of 2.57 million and a regional average yield of 804 pounds, 12 pounds higher than the region’s five-year average. In terms of yield per harvested acre, South Carolinaleads all states in the region with an estimated yield of 872 pounds per harvested acre, 151 pounds higher than their five-year average. Alabama, Florida and North Carolinaare the region’s other states projected to see gains in terms of yield when compared to their respective five-year average. Yield increases are expected to be between 31 pounds (Alabama) and 40 pounds (North Carolina). Georgia and Virginia are expected to see yield declines ranging between 29 pounds and 194 pounds, respectively.

In the Mid-South, expected production is 3.85 million bales. Harvested area is estimated to be 1.90 million acres with an expected yield of 971 pounds per harvested acre. Louisianais the only state in the region with yields below its five-year average -- down eight pounds from their five-year average to 864 pounds per harvested acre. The largest gains are expected to be seen in Mississippiand Missouriwhere yields are estimated at 983 pounds and 1,068 pounds per harvested acre, up 124 pounds and 92 pounds, respectively.

The Southwest upland crop is estimated at 8.55 million bales. Expected harvested area is 5.67 million acres and the regional average yield is 724 pounds, nine pounds above the region’s five-year average of 715 pounds per harvested acre. Kansasis expected to see the greatest gains in yield with an expected yield of 784 pounds per harvested acre, 182 pounds higher than their five-year average. Texasis set to lead all states in terms of production with an estimated crop of 8.05 million bales. Expected harvested area in Texas is 5.35 million acres with a yield estimate of 722 pounds, six pounds higher than its five-year average.