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Title: Who, what, and where: Cotton production in the United States 1997-2012

Author
item Duzy, Leah
item REEVES, JEANNE - Cotton, Inc

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2015
Publication Date: 3/16/2015
Citation: Duzy, L.M., Reeves, J. 2015. Who, what, and where: Cotton production in the United States 1997-2012. In: Boyd, S., Huffman, M., editors. Proceedings of the National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference, January 5-7, 2015, San Antonio, Texas. p. 452-460.

Interpretive Summary: The “who, what and where” of cotton production in the United States has changed since 1997. Using Census of Agriculture data from 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012, three general questions are considered: 1) Who are cotton producers; 2) What types of operations are producing cotton; and 3) Where are cotton operations located? In order to make informed research and policy decisions, it is important to understand how cotton production has changed across the Cotton Belt since 1997. The results show that, from 1997 to 2012, cotton farms decreased in number and total operated acreage. Overall, the average size of cotton farms increased and they became more diversified over this time period.

Technical Abstract: The “who, what and where” of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in the United States has changed since 1997. Using Census of Agriculture data from 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012, three general questions are considered: 1) Who are cotton producers; 2) What types of operations are producing cotton; and 3) Where are cotton operations located? In order to make informed research and policy decisions, it is important to understand how cotton production has changed across the Cotton Belt since 1997. The results demonstrate that, from 1997 to 2012, cotton farms decreased in number and total operated acreage. Overall, the average size of cotton farms increased and they became more diversified over this time period.