Economic Implications of a Regional Uniform Planting Date Cotton Production System: Texas Rolling Plains

Abstract

To control boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, and high costs of production, the delayed uniform planting date (UPD) cotton production system has been recommended by entomologists in the Texas Rolling Plains since 1973. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the UPD cotton production system in the region. Economic analysis of the UPD system in the 27-county area of the region consisted of regression, budgeting, and risk and regional and state impact analysis using data from 1970 to 1981. The estimated cotton yield equation emphasized the importance of the UPD–lint yield increased about 28 kg/ha for counties practicing this production system. Yields increased in the face of dramatically higher cotton hectares. Costs of insecticide, cottonseed, and labor per ha were lower with the UPD as compared to the conventional production system. The resulting increase in net returns for the UPD cotton was 52.78/ha. Coefficients of variation of yields and net returns show that the UPD is associated with less risk in 7 of 9 years compared with the conventional production system. Annual economic impact is between 36 and 192 million for the region and between 57 and 305 million for the state.