Take away hurricane losses in Georgia and Texas, and the cotton industry could still pull 21 million bales from U.S. farmland in 2017. If the 21-million estimate holds, early math points toward a 5.5-million bale carryover into 2018 and a potential drop in cotton prices.
When corn futures prices are low compared to cotton futures, history points toward an average of 12 million planted acres of U.S. cotton. All things considered, a 12-million acre cotton crop in 2018 could set the table for healthy levels of cotton supply. With uncertainty hovering over the market road ahead, John Robinson, Texas A&M University Extension cotton economist, suggests producers should be prepared to take advantage of unexpected rallies, and shield themselves from unexpected sell-offs.
Hurricane Irma inflicted a projected 10% loss on Georgia’s 2.9-million bale crop. Hurricane Harvey’s damage to Texas cotton is still unknown, but Robinson estimates 200,000 bales on the stalk were lost and another 200,000 bales on the stalk were degraded. (In addition, an undetermined quantity of bales were either lost or degraded in post-harvest modules.)
Prior to Harvey, above-average moisture in spring and summer set up high yield potential and a record production outlook in south Texas and potentially in north Texas. As Texas cotton growers face losses from the effects of Harvey, the loss is compounded by a bitter irony: Gulf Coast growers were on the cusp of a fine crop to make up for recent years of struggle. Inches from the finish line, many Gulf Coast cotton growers lost once-in-a-lifetime yields to the icepick rains and wicked winds of Harvey.
With Harvey bearing down, Bob and Robby Reed had corn, grain sorghum and rice cut and safely stored. Pickers rolling, the father and son had 500 acres of cotton baled when Harvey smashed into Matagorda County and rolled their last 300 cotton acres on the stalk, severely diminishing yield and affecting quality.
The 2017 cotton crop initially appeared to be a lifeline, particularly after a relatively poor crop in 2016 forced some coastal growers to refinance or reschedule loans. Area yields were exceptional in 2017, with plenty of 3.5-bale yields and some fields over 4 bales per acre, Bob Reed says: “This is so tough to swallow, but we’ll put the pieces back together. Nothing heals fast and it may take years to recover. It’s truly disheartening, but Texas farmers will recover. When you put a seed in the ground and cover it up, you just accept the risk.”
Eyes wide open
The 2017 cotton crop initially appeared to be a lifeline, particularly after a relatively poor crop in 2016 forced some coastal growers to refinance or reschedule loans. Area yields were exceptional in 2017, with plenty of 3.5-bale yields and some fields over 4 bales per acre, Bob Reed says: “This is so tough to swallow, but we’ll put the pieces back together. Nothing heals fast and it may take years to recover. It’s truly disheartening, but Texas farmers will recover. When you put a seed in the ground and cover it up, you just accept the risk.”
As the puzzle pieces of the cotton market fall into place, Robinson recommends growers stay alert: “If you are going to plant cotton, keep your eyes wide open and watch the expected per unit costs of production you’ll have to cover,” he explains. “In addition, don’t discount the risk of holding on to unsold 2017 bales.”
Hedging or pricing 2018 cotton earlier than usual may be an option prior to a possible midwinter drop, Robinson adds: “I think the futures market will weaken between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, so I would encourage folks to think about early hedging of the 2018 crop.”