Good Year for Mississippi Cotton Farmers

By: The Associated Press

Posted: Sat 2:16 PM, Oct 13, 2012

Mississippi appears headed for its second-best cotton yield ever and might get close to record levels.

In neighboring Louisiana, the harvest also is looking good.

Prices, however, are low, especially compared to the record set two winters ago.

With about one-third of Mississippi's crop harvested, U.S. Department of Agriculture figures forecast a yield of 1,012 pounds per acre, seven pounds below the state record.

Mississippi State University Agricultural Extension Service cotton expert Darrin Dodds says a record could be possible if the weather stays dry for the next few weeks.

USDA's forecast of 960 pounds per acre in Louisiana would be the state's third-highest yield.

But prices are 70 to 80 cents a pound. In February 2011, the price hit a record of more than $2 per pound.

Alabama Legislature Responds to Caylee Anthony Case