Cotton Production Regions of Texas

The following regions represent most of the cotton producing areas in Texas.

Panhandle

The Texas Panhandle is the 20 northern most counties in Texas, bordered by New Mexico on the west and Oklahoma on the north and east. Cotton production in this area is relatively recent having begun in earnest in 2004. This area is largely rangeland; and corn, sorghum and wheat have traditionally been the crops of choice. Due to water constraints and fertilizer cost associated with growing corn, there has been significant interest in cotton as a rotational crop with corn. Cotton is used as a rotational crop in areas of dryland wheat production. Elevation in this area ranges from about 2,000 to 4,700 ft and temperatures in this area are cooler than the rest of the state, averaging about 71degrees F (average 83:56 high:low degrees F) for the months of June-October. Because of cooler average temperatures and a shorter growing season, quicker maturing varieties are preferred. High winds are common in this region, particularly in the spring months. Precipitation averages about 20 inches per year in the western Panhandle and occasionally up to 30 inches in the eastern portion; much of it occurs during the months of May-September. Approximately 50% of the cotton is irrigated. Cotton is planted in May and harvested in October through December. Irrigated yields average 500 to 1,000 pounds of lint per acre depending on climate and irrigation capacity; dryland production averages 300 pounds of lint per acre.

South Plains

The South Plains is the largest cotton producing area in the world with acreage exceeding 3 million some years. This area comprises 19 counties north of the Caprock Escarpment and is centered at Lubbock. Much of this area is contiguous cotton production, particularly in the southern areas. In addition to cotton, other agricultural crops include peanuts, corn, grain sorghum and wheat. Temperatures on the South Plains vary with latitude and elevation, but average about 73degrees F (average 85:60 high:low degrees F) for the months of May-October for Lubbock. The South Plains is a transition area between desert conditions to the south and west and more humid conditions to the east and southeast. Precipitation in this area averages about 18 inches per year and occurs primarily from May-September. Much the rain comes from afternoon and evening thunderstorms, sometimes accompanied by large hail. High winds are also prevalent on the South Plains, particularly during March-June. Approximately 60% of the cotton acreage in the South Plains is irrigated, but this varies greatly depending on location. Counties situated in the southeast and western portions of the South Plains tend to be primarily dryland, while counties in the

Major cotton production regions of Texas

southwestern and northern portions tend to have more irrigated acres. Cotton is planted in May and harvested in October through December. Irrigated yields average 500 to 1,000 pounds of lint per acre depending on climate and irrigation capacity; dryland production averages 300 pounds of lint per acre.

Permian Basin

The Permian Basin is comprised of the area east of the Pecos River, is bounded on the north by the South Plains, extends south to Crockett County, and is bordered on the east by the Rolling Plains. This area is a major source of oil and natural gas and the majority of the area is comprised of rangeland. In addition to cotton this area produces grain sorghum. The Midland Basin is a semi-desert environment receiving about 15 inches of rain annually, much of which occurs from May-October. Despite the dry conditions, approximately 48% of the cotton grown in this area is dryland. Temperature for Midland averages about 77 degrees F (average 90:62 high:low degrees F) for the months of May-October. Cotton is planted from mid-April to mid-May and harvested in October through December. Irrigated yields average 500 to 1,000 pounds of lint per acre depending on climate and irrigation capacity; dryland production averages 300 pounds of lint per acre.

Trans-Pecos

The Trans-Pecos is the area west of the Pecos River, and is the only geography of Texas considered mountainous. It is bounded by the Rio Grande River on the south and west, and New Mexico on the north. This area is desert and receives about 10 inches of rainfall annually, primarily occurring during July-September. Because of the limited precipitation, 100% of the cotton in this area is irrigated. Most of the cotton production occurs along the Rio Grande River in El Paso and Hudspeth counties, and in Pecos County. In addition to cotton there are vast areas of rangeland. Vegetables, alfalfa and pecans are also grown. Temperatures for growing cotton are near ideal, averaging about 89 degrees F (average 89:64 high:low degrees F) for the months of May-October. Upland cotton varieties make up the majority of the acerage, although significant acerage of Pima is produced. Cotton is planted from mid-April to mid-May and harvested in October through December. Irrigated yields average 700 to 1,250 pounds of lint per acre depending on climate and irrigation capacity

Rolling Plains

The Rolling Plains of Texas is situated south and west of the Caprock Escarpment and is bounded on the south by the Edwards Plateau and the east by the Cross Timbers. It extends from Hall and Childress counties in the north, to Schleicher to Mason counties in the south and Eastland County to the east. Approximately two-thirds of the area is rangeland. Cotton and wheat are the predominate crops in the area, along with, grain sorghum and hay. Peanuts are an important crop in the northern Rolling Plains. The Rolling Plains receives approximately 21 inches of precipitation per year, much of which occurs from May-October. About 85% of the cotton in the area is dryland. Temperature for growing cotton in the Rolling Plains is good, averaging about 77degrees F (average 87:61 high:low degrees F) for the months of May-October in San Angelo. Cotton is planted from mid-May to mid-June and harvested in October through December. Irrigated yields average 750 to1,300 pounds of lint per acre depending on climate and irrigation capacity; dryland yields average 350 pounds of lint per acre.

Blackland Prairies

The Blacklands consists of an approximate 300 mile belt of tall prairie grasslands bordered on the north by the Red River, west by the Cross Timber Area, east by the Post Oak Savannah., and stretches south to near San Antonio. It extends from Montague to Lamar Counties in the north, Guadalupe County to the south, Coryell and Bell Counties to the west and Brazos County to the east. The area originally consisted of native grassland with clumps of hardwood trees. However, today this area consists primarily of improved pasture and hardwood trees with dense understory brush. Because of the soil and climate, it is ideally suited for agriculture. In addition to cotton, other principle crops include wheat, corn and grain sorghum. Across the area, rainfall average about 33-39 inches annually. Temperature averages about 80 degrees F (average 90:67 high:low degrees F) with 70% relative humidity across the cotton growing season (April-September). Approximately 80% of the cotton is grown under dryland conditions. Most of the cotton produced with irrclimate and irrigation capacity; dryland production averages 400 pounds of lint per acre.

Winter Garden

The Winter Garden is between Laredo and San Antonio, and is centered in Frio County. This area is largely dominated by rangeland for cattle and game ranches, but includes notable corn, wheat, grain sorghum, cotton, vegetable and pecan production. The cotton growing season is from March-September, and temperatures during that time period average about 77degrees F (average 89:65 high:low degrees F). The Winter Garden averages about 30 inches of rain annually, which primarily occurs in the months of April-June, and September. Of the approximately 20,000 acres of cotton planted in this area, 78% of it is irrigated. Cotton is planted during March and harvested in August through October. Irrigated yields average 750 to 1,250 pounds of lint per acre depending on climate and irrigation capacity; dryland production averages 400 pounds of lint per acre.

Coastal Bend

The Coastal Bend stretches along the Gulf Coast from Fort Bend and Brazoria counties through Kleberg County. This area is typified by its flat coastal grasslands, igation capabilities is located along the Brazos River in Robertson, Brazos and Burleson counties. Cotton is planted from late March through April and harvested in August through October. Irrigated yields average 750 to 1,250 pounds of lint per acre depending on making it well suited for agricultural development. The Coastal Bend has a diverse array of agricultural industries including rangeland, improved pasture, rice, corn, grain sorghum, cotton and soybeans. The Coastal Bend averages 27-48 inches of rain annually, with diminishing precipitation north to south. In the northern area of the Coastal Bend, the rainfall distribution is fairly uniform throughout the year, while the southern areas typically see the majority of precipitation in the months of May, June and August-October, with September being the highest due to the frequency of tropical storms. Temperatures during the cotton growing season (March-September) average about 77° F (average 87:69 high:low degrees F). Only 6% of the cotton grown in this area is irrigated with most of that occurring in San Patricio, Bee and Wilson counties. Cotton is planted in late February through April and harvested in August through September. Yields vary widely depending on rainfall, with averages between 450 and 1,200 pounds of lint per acre.

Lower Rio Grande Valley

The Valley is situated at the southern tip of Texas and includes Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties. The area is considered sub-tropical and is made up of flat, rich delta and alluvial soils. It is well suited for extensive agricultural production. Agriculture in the Valley is diverse and includes a variety of vegetables, citrus, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and cotton. Temperatures during the cotton growing months of March-August average about 79 degrees F (average 89:69 high:low degrees F). The annual average rainfall in the Valley is about 27 inches, most of which occurs during May-October, with September being the wettest month. Approximately 40% of the cotton acreage is irrigated; most of it occurring in Cameron and Willacy counties. Cotton is planted in February through March and harvested in August through September. Yields vary widely depending on rainfall, with averages between 450 and 1,200 pounds of lint per acre.