Arkansas Cotton Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2026
Arkansas Cotton yield is forecast at 1,384.0 lb/acre for 2026 (USDA Oct forecast) — about 594.0 lb/ac above the US average of 790.0 lb/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Cotton yield trend
Arkansas vs the US average, 2020–2026 (7 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Arkansas (lb/ac) | US average (lb/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1179 | 854 |
| 2021 | 1248 | 820 |
| 2022 | 1189 | 953 |
| 2023 | 1295 | 900 |
| 2024 | 1341 | 892 |
| 2025 | 1239 | 852 |
| 2026 | 1384 | 790 |
How Arkansas compares
Top Cotton-producing states, 2026 yield
| State | Yield (lb/ac) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| California | 1666 | +110.9% |
| Missouri | 1385 | +75.3% |
| Arkansas | 1384 | +75.2% |
| Mississippi | 1149 | +45.4% |
| Louisiana | 1091 | +38.1% |
| Tennessee | 1061 | +34.3% |
| North Carolina | 1059 | +34.1% |
| Virginia | 1038 | +31.4% |
What this data means for Arkansas Cotton farmers
Arkansas cotton yield is forecast at 1,384 lb/acre for 2026 in USDA's October forecast, up 145 lb/acre from 1,239 lb/acre in 2025. That is 594 lb/acre above the US average of 790 lb/acre. The forecast is the highest of the seven seasons shown, which previously ranged from 1,179 lb/acre in 2020 to 1,341 lb/acre in 2024. USDA may still revise the forecast before the final estimate.
Precision tools help Arkansas cotton growers protect high yield potential by matching inputs to field variability. Zone-based nitrogen, variable-rate growth regulator and sensor-guided irrigation scheduling are common places to start. At the current national price of $0.667/lb, recovering 50 lb/acre is worth about $33 per acre, or roughly $33,000 on 1,000 acres. Fewer overlapped passes and trimmed input rates add further savings.
Precision ag platforms used by Arkansas Cotton farmers
Overview of major platforms — features and fit for different operation sizes. No sponsored content.
Precision ag ROI calculator
Estimate annual savings for your Arkansas Cotton farm based on acreage and current yield
Estimate the payback on variable-rate seeding, zone-based fertility, and overlap reduction for your farm.
Estimate only — based on industry-average implementation costs (variable-rate seeding $18/ac, zone-based fertility $22/ac, overlap reduction $9/ac; $12,000 fixed + $17/ac ongoing) and USDA yield benchmarks, not a quote.
Frequently asked questions — Arkansas Cotton
Why is Arkansas cotton yield so far above the national average?
The October forecast of 1,384 lb/acre is 594 lb/acre above the US average of 790 lb/acre. Arkansas has stayed between 1,179 and 1,341 lb/acre in the previous six seasons, a consistently strong record.
Is the 1,384 lb/acre figure final?
No. It is USDA's October forecast and can be revised in later reports. The final estimate comes after harvest.
How much can precision agriculture add on Arkansas cotton?
At $0.667/lb, each 50 lb/acre recovered is worth about $33 per acre. Variable-rate inputs and irrigation scheduling are the usual ways to find it.
Can Arkansas cotton farms use EQIP for precision practices?
Yes. EQIP pays about 75% of typical practice cost for most producers and about 90% for historically underserved producers. Nutrient management is a common eligible practice, with applications through the local NRCS Service Center.