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Texas Cotton Plantings Expected To Drop

COLLEGE STATION (AP) - State agriculture officials say cotton plantings this year may drop by as much as 25 percent.

They say a survey by the National Cotton Council revealed Texas farmers intend to plant about 4.9 million acres this year. There were 6.5 million acres planted in 2012.

Texas A&M state cotton specialist Gaylon Morgan said last week there's been more rainfall this year than expected, which will affect just how much farmers intend to plant. With the added rainfall, some farmers may opt to plant other crops, such as wheat.

Morgan says West Texas has seen higher levels of precipitation, while the Rio Grande Valley and other southern sections remain under extreme drought conditions.

The council survey predicts about 9 million acres of cotton plantings nationwide, down from 12 million last year.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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