NASHVILLE (RFD-TV) — Cotton harvest is in full swing, and growers across the country are closely monitoring production and exports as the market navigates seasonal trends.
“As we look at this U.S. crop, if we make upwards of 14 million barrels, that looks like we could have a 5 million bale carryout and -- you know, that’s going to keep us in the middle-to-low 60s as we go. You know, last week’s exports were 86,000 bales, which were down 54% from the previous week,” explained Market analyst Kevin Huddleston.
Huddleston told RFD-TV News that any news of trade deals could make the difference in how prices move through the fall.
“You just got to keep in mind China’s the driver here,” Huddleston said. “I know we sell like a broken record player, but we need a trade deal with China to get this thing turned around. We can get a trade deal. This thing could spark back up into the low 70s, maybe middle 70s.”
He said producers need to be ready to secure bookings when the time arrives.
“Producers really need to be ready that if we do get up into the low 70s, we need to be prepared to strike contracts,” he said.
Cotton Harvest Progress
In Texas, harvest is stretching west and south, while in Oklahoma, growers are juggling cotton with winter wheat planting.
Arkansas is seeing harvest speed up. Along the East Coast, states like North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia are keeping the harvest moving steadily.
“A government shutdown impacts all Americans and has serious consequences, including for farmers. It just adds additional uncertainty, disrupts critical services.”
October 06, 2025 11:23 AM
·
Agricultural exports continue to be a key contributor to rural employment. However, rural businesses still struggle to fill numerous job openings.
October 06, 2025 10:46 AM
·
Consumer demand for regional food systems is strong, but the challenge lies in scaling production and infrastructure to meet that growing need.
October 03, 2025 02:57 PM
·
Dave Kestel, a farmer from Will County and member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, joins us to share a boots-on-the-ground update on the 2025 corn harvest.
October 03, 2025 02:30 PM
·
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated this week that the government will intervene to help, following China’s withdrawal from the U.S. soybean market. One trader says the industry will remain in a holding pattern until Tuesday.
October 03, 2025 01:04 PM
·
University of Illinois Ag Economist Gary Schnitker says early projections indicate soybeans will be more profitable than corn in 2026.
October 03, 2025 11:53 AM
·
Approximately 42,000 birds were affected in the outbreak, officials said.
October 03, 2025 10:50 AM
·
Trump’s upcoming talks raise hopes for U.S. soybeans, but China’s record purchases from Brazil and Argentina show America’s market share remains under heavy pressure.
October 02, 2025 10:27 AM
·
Farmers face tighter barge capacity and higher freight costs during peak harvest.
October 01, 2025 04:06 PM
·