Keith Edmisten and Guy Collins

Extension Cotton Specialists, NC State University

A small percentage of our crop has been planted at this point as many growers have been concentrating on getting peanuts planted. As peanut planting concludes in the next few days we should see a rapid increase in cotton planting.

Temperatures for the 10 day forecast look good, so we are not worried about temperatures at this point. If that changes we will send out an update but NOAH is predicting that warm weather will continue in the 8-14 day forecast.

What is concerning is the lack of moisture which NOAH had predicted. We have some fairly good predictions for rain in the next few days. Additionally, the new 8-14 day precipitation forecast has us at a little above average. We advise that if you are planting in dry soils that you do not plant too deep. It is usually better to plant shallow and let a rain bring the crop up.