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PhytoGen / Cotton Agronomy / 2025 Cotton Harvest Roundup: Regional Insights & Outlook

2025 Cotton Harvest Roundup: Regional Insights & Outlook

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This cotton harvest season has brought a mix of strong yields, weather challenges, and economic uncertainty across the Southeast, Midsouth, and Southwest. With varied progress and quality, and standout performance from several PhytoGen® brand varieties, growers remain focused on finishing harvest and weighing their options as they look ahead to the next season.

Southeast

Todd Rowe
Senior Commercial Product Agronomy Manager

Photo of Todd Rowe

This season has certainly been interesting for local cotton growers. With about 20% of acres harvested so far, progress is running right on schedule. Yields have been impressive, averaging 1,100 to 1,300 pounds per acre—an improvement over last year’s crop. Although detailed quality data isn’t available just yet, early signs suggest the fiber will be about average. New PhytoGen® brand varieties, particularly PhytoGen® brand PHY 357 W3FE and PHY 433 W3FE, are showing strong potential in the field, and early performance from PHY 357 W3FE, PHY 411 W3FE, PHY 415 W3FE, and PHY 433 W3FE has been encouraging for future planting decisions.

Favorable harvest weather has enabled good defoliation and kept pickers moving with minimal downtime, as rains have mostly held off. As the season moves forward, growers are most concerned with crop marketing amid tough price conditions. Deciding whether to sell now or wait is proving challenging, and the uncertainty around cotton prices remains a top concern as the remainder of the harvest progresses.

Midsouth

Chism Craig, Ph.D.
Agronomy Lead – North Delta

Photo of Craig Chism

The 2025 season tested the resilience of cotton growers across the Midsouth with significant weather and market challenges which is a good reminder of the importance of strong, solid genetics and sound agronomic management under stress.

Approximately 65–70% of the crop is harvested, with progress slightly ahead of the typical pace. Favorable weather is forecasted, which should allow for a timely completion of the remaining acres. As anticipated following a growing season with extreme weather challenges, performance varied significantly by region and variety, providing a clear picture of which genetics hold up best under adversity. A bright spot has emerged in the South Delta, where a large, albeit late, crop is being harvested.

Even in a difficult season, several PhytoGen brand varieties demonstrated strong performance, giving us confidence for 2026. PhytoGen® brand PHY 357 W3FE and PHY 433 W3FE showed strong and consistent performance in the South Delta, proving their value in that environment. Likewise, PhytoGen® brand PHY 411 W3FE stood out as a top performer in the Clarksdale area, demonstrating excellent localized adaptation.

"We understand the significant financial pressure growers are facing due to current market conditions. The uncertainty around cotton prices makes maximizing the return on every single acre essential. Our focus for 2026 is on helping maximize your ROI for improved grower profitability." Chism Craig, Ph.D.

Southwest

Jonathan Siebert, Ph.D. 
Agronomy Lead – South Delta/Southwest

Photo of Jonathan Siebert

If this cotton season had to be summed up in one word, it would be long. Delays at planting, largely due to regulatory uncertainty and economic questions, stretched the season out. Rainfall—normally a blessing—also slowed planting in the Southwest, contributing to the drawn-out feel.

Harvest is about halfway complete across the region. Southern areas are nearly finished, while in the north, especially above Lubbock, the harvest is just beginning. Overall, progress is on schedule compared to previous years.

Yields are above average this year, with standout results from the Valley up through the central Blacklands into Oklahoma. Irrigated cotton in West Texas looks strong, and even dryland crops are performing, despite having fewer acres than last year. Quality is also high, with very good grades and excellent staple length across most regions. Issues with foreign matter have been minimal.

"Looking ahead, the main concerns are marketing and farm economics, as a price rally will be important to secure acres for 2026. As the season wraps up, focus will shift to ginning, marketing, and preparing fields for next year."  Jonathan Siebert, Ph.D.

2025 Harvest Photos Across the Cotton Belt

Oklahoma

Texas

Midsouth