Investigating the variability of cotton production in the U.S.A

Abstract

Cotton is a global commodity that is either grown or used in virtually every country in the world and is traded in the form of fiber, yarn, fabric or finished goods (Van der Sluijs and Hunter, 2016). The U. S. is an important player in the production and sale of cotton worldwide. In 2015, about 12 million bales of cotton were produced (National Cotton Council, Statistica, USDA-ERS, 2019). Since then, there has been a steady increase in cotton production. The U.S. cotton production for the past two years (2017 and 2018) totaled 37.6 million bales (20 million in 2017 and 17.6 in 2018). It shows a strong production increase compared to 2015. The value of the crop was approximately 7 billion dollars in 2017 and 5 billion in 2018. Statistics show that in 2018, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas and California were the top producing cotton states. Texas produced 6,935,000standard bales of lint (480-Lb), Georgia 1,950,000 Mississippi 1,430,000 Arkansas 1,150,000 and California 902,000 (National Cotton Council, Statistica, USDA-ERS, 2019). Evaluation of cotton fibers is always significant to spinners. United States cotton bales are evaluated at regional cotton classing offices. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) constantly monitor and assesses bales of cotton for the industry. Testing of cotton bales for commercial and research purposes are done differently. Therefore, results can be affected when data from either area are used for analysis. However, if consistency is maintained during either testing method, and a general protocol is followed for all data in different growing regions, then the final data produced can be used and manipulated for both commercial and research purposes.