By The Associated Press

(AP) - Cotton prices are falling on concerns that mills may cut back purchases because of persistently high prices and tight supplies.

Cotton for May delivery lost 7 cents Monday to settle at $1.9749 a pound.

Cotton prices have risen about 36 percent this year, partly on hopes that demand will remain strong.

A trade group says some mills are switching to synthetic fibers in part because they cannot absorb the high prices or they haven't been able to fill orders.

Other agricultural commodities are mixed ahead of a highly anticipated crop planting forecast from the government due out Thursday.