WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Cotton growers now have a fresh benchmark for comparing fertilizer, pesticide, and pest management practices across major producing states. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service surveyed producers in 13 states (PDF Version) that accounted for 97 percent of U.S. cotton acres in 2025.
The survey covered 9.3 million planted acres. Texas accounted for the largest share, at 5.321 million acres, or 57.3 percent of the U.S. total, followed by Georgia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
USDA says nitrogen was applied to 58 percent of cotton acres, averaging 81 pounds per acre. Phosphate was applied to 34 percent, potash to 35 percent, and sulfur to 21 percent.
Herbicides remained the most common pesticide category, applied to 88 percent of planted acres. Glyphosate was the top herbicide ingredient, used on 55 percent of acres, followed by glufosinate-ammonium and paraquat.
USDA also found that growers widely used pest prevention and scouting practices. Cleaning equipment after field work covered 67 percent of the acres, while crop scouting covered 57 percent.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Cotton growers can use the survey to compare nutrient, herbicide, and pest-management practices against national production benchmarks.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
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