By james art 
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Cotton growers are no longer able to get into their fields to harvest and little cotton is on the ground after widespread soaking rains and some hail hit the Southern Plains this weekend. One grower says while West Texas farmers will take the rain when they can get it, the timing isn’t ideal.
Producer Rex Kennedy says there are small ponds in his cotton fields after several inches of rain fell over the weekend. At the beginning of November, the muddy fields stop the harvest.
“The rain is definitely appreciated. Wish it would come at another time? yes If we were sitting here in early July, you and I would be having a different conversation about what’s going to happen, but we’re taking it when we can get it,” he said.
Kennedy also says the small hail near Meadow left some grains on the ground. The suspension of harvest comes after an already challenging season. It started with farmers and agricultural experts more optimistic about the season, but Kennedy says things have turned around after missing rain in early July, followed by an intensely hot and dry August.
“It was just devastating and it shows in our irrigated and dry lands. The yields are not what we thought they could be with our irrigation,” he said. “And then there’s a lot of that dry land that just won’t be harvested. It’s just not good enough.”
He believes this season is in some ways worse than last year because growers lost their crops in dry areas late. Although manufacturers need time to cooperate, he says their biggest obstacle recently is the cost involved.
“Agriculture is a really capital-intensive business, the machinery, what we have to keep up with and keep our equipment moving and moving and updating, and it’s just gotten so expensive,” Kennedy said.
Cotton growers close the season and go to bankers to refinance for next year. Kennedy says that’s more of a challenge without an updated farm bill.
“If they don’t have a good idea of what the farm bill is going to be, what our insurance coverage is going to be, and you’re behind the eight, that puts them in a position where they might have to ask us to do some things that are pretty uncomfortable,” said he.
On the bright side, Kennedy says the recent rains will help prepare the soil for a better cover crop.
“Since most of us plant cover crops after harvest, wheat or rye, whatever they choose, it’s going to do a lot to get them established, help us establish cover crops, and help us hold all that dirt whenever we the wind is blowing,” Kennedy said.
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