By Jim Steadman 

As the U.S. cotton crop moves into late summer, it continues to look like one of the better overall crops seen in several years.

According to the USDA Crop Progress report for August 16, 67% of the U.S. crop is now rated good/excellent – up 2 percentage points in the past week. Fair ratings hold steady at 28%, while only 5% of the crop is now considered poor/very poor.

The rest of the report shows that 93% of the total crop is now squaring – up 5 percentage points in the past week, with the biggest percentage increases coming in Oklahoma and Kansas. Boll set is now reported in 75% of crop – up 12 percentage points in the past week, but still 7% off the 5-year average for the week. Five states – Arizona, California, Kansas, Missouri, and South Carolina – are running ahead of average.

Open bolls have been noted in 10% of the crop – up 5 percentage points in the past week and 5 percentage points behind average.