Writer Cotton harvest is running a little ahead of last year, and the yields appear to be better, area ginners said. Alamo-Kerley Gin reported 2,355 bales of Upland and 719 bales of pima ginned as of this morning. Gail Fritter said the Coyanosa Co-op has ginned 1,908 bales of Upland. They no longer operate a pima gin. Yields are excellent, Fritter said, with two and three bales per acre reported so far.
Grades are all above last year.
If it will hold out, it looks like we will have a good year. C.W. Roberts, Reeves-Loving County extension agent, agreed that everything is looking better than last yer. Bob Bickley, executive director for the Trans Pecos Cotton Association, said the harvest seems to be moving along rapidly. Yields on much of the cotton are very, very good, particularly on Bt cotton. There was quite a bit of Bt planted.