Covered in Cotton

What could be more beautiful than a field of cotton and a perfect October Day?

This cotton was grown in South Dallas County.

 The picture was taken by Olivia Watts and was originally posted

 to Facebook where it is drawing lots of likes and comments. 

Linking to Scenic Weekends and City Daily Photo Blogs

Moon over Cotton

This may not be an official harvest moon, but it's a full moon over cotton.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Cotton 2009

While U.S. cotton production is expected to be slightly up this year, success of the Southeast crop depends on when the rain stops.

This field appears almost ready for harvest, but the weather is too wet, and it's been that way for weeks. Cotton needs plenty of dry weather in the fall to mature. Read more about the 2009 outlook for Central Alabama cotton and other crops HERE.

Photo by guest photographer Christine Weerts

Cotton Harvest

October is cotton harvest time in Dallas County, and these bountiful fields were captured on camera in 2008 by guest photographer Christine Weerts.

This year, we have lots of rain that has hindered farming as a whole. But next week, the weather is finally supposed to be cool and dry.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Cotton Blossom

Cotton is blossoming all over Dallas County, at least where it's still planted.
Last year, only 7,100 bales were produced compared to 11,600 bales in 2000 and 17,800 bales in 1990.

Planted acreage fell from 16,800 in 1990 to 3,900 in 2008. Price the farmer receives per pound is still around 63 cents, the same as 1989.

In 2007, the year of the Great Drought, a mere 2,000 bales were harvested, and farmers decided to plant even less of the crop.

Statistics courtesy the National Cotton Council

Photo by Christine Weerts