Baling slower after record season last year

From Staff Reports

The 2022 cotton harvest and baling season has been under way since October, but baling so far is not as high as the record setting numbers set last year.

As of press time Tuesday (Dec. 6), the total count was at 149,815, behind from 401,331 the same week last year.

Drought and other factors affected the growing season this year.

The year has also seen a merging of two gins. Acuff was bought by Texas Star Co-op Gin, who also has a plant in Union.

The six gins have been ginning the past few months. Wes-Tex Co-op Gin, Acuff-McClung, Texas Star Co-op, Idalou, and New Home started in October. Lubbock Cotton Growers ginned a couple of bails in October, but started their regular season in early November.

As of press time Tuesday (Dec. 6), current bale counts are: WesTex, 26,887 Acuff-McClung/Texas Star Co-op Gin, 27,238, New Home Co-op Gin, 15,911, Lubbock Cotton Growers, 27,165, and Idalou, 26,531.

Last year’s season shattered the 2016 record of 631,181 bales, totalling 741,556 bales in 2021.

For more information, please read the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.