Cotton Planting Forecast
May 1- 5
By Tom Barber
Arkansas Extension Cotton Specialist
May 1, 2008 - The comments in this
planting forecast are meant to be used as a guide. Weather
forecasts are subject to change and errors. The comments included
below provide no guarantee and are meant only as a guide.
Northeast Arkansas
Historic DD60s – 36
Predicted DD60s – 20
Precipitation – 80% Chance of rain Friday,
20-30% for the rest of the 5 day forecast.
Planting Forecast – MARGINAL – A cool front will
move through the state Thursday night into Friday. The amount of
rainfall we receive will depend on whether or not the front will
stall out over Eastern Arkansas. If it does we could possibly see 1
to 2 inches. The temperatures will also decrease with lows into the
40’s over the weekend. Planting before the front would be risky.
Central Arkansas
Historic DD60s – 46.5
Predicted DD60s – 23
Precipitation – 80% Chance of rain Friday,
20-30% for the rest of the 5 day forecast.
Planting Forecast – MARGINAL – The safest
bet would be to wait until this cool front passes. 
Southeast Arkansas
Historic DD60s – 56.5
Predicted DD60s – 37.5
Precipitation – 60% Chance of rain Friday,
20-30% for the rest of the 5 day forecast.
Planting Forecast – GOOD – Temperatures will be
warmer in the Southeast but conditions for rapid cotton emergence
are not favorable with the cooler temperatures and heavy rain in the
forecast.
|
Predicted DD60 accumulation for five days following planting |
Outlook for planting |
|
< 10 |
Very Poor |
|
11-15 |
Poor |
|
16-25 |
Marginal |
|
25-50 |
Good |
|
>50 |
Very Good |
