Nature and Economic Implication of Short-Season Cotton Production in Uvalde County, Texas

Abstract

Due to rising cost of inputs and chemical resistant insects, cotton farmers in Texas are faced with increasing economic pressure. It is imperative that new cotton production systems be developed, if Texas cotton farmers are to increase net returns and reduce risk. A short-season cotton production system developed by the United States Department of Agriculture, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, has increased net returns and reduced risk for farmers in several regions of Texas. The system implements the use of a determinant cotton variety, one which tends to fruit over a relatively short time period, instead of a conventional indeterminant variety and stresses integrated pest management. Based on data from a study conducted in Uvalde County, Texas, the economic implications of a short-season cotton production system for the area is evaluated using budgeting and breakeven analysis, a short-season cotton production system is compared to a conventional cotton production system.