Mississippi Cotton Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2026
Mississippi Cotton yield is forecast at 1,149.0 lb/acre for 2026 (USDA Oct forecast) — about 359.0 lb/ac above the US average of 790.0 lb/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Cotton yield trend
Mississippi vs the US average, 2020–2026 (7 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Mississippi (lb/ac) | US average (lb/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1079 | 854 |
| 2021 | 997 | 820 |
| 2022 | 1084 | 953 |
| 2023 | 1083 | 900 |
| 2024 | 1157 | 892 |
| 2025 | 1167 | 852 |
| 2026 | 1149 | 790 |
How Mississippi 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 Mississippi Cotton farmers
Mississippi cotton yield is forecast at 1,149 lb/acre for 2026 in USDA's Oct forecast, down 18 lb/acre from the 2025 result of 1,167 lb/acre. That puts the state 359 lb/acre above the US average of 790 lb/acre. Over the last seven seasons yields have ranged from 997 lb/acre in 2021 to 1,167 lb/acre in 2025. The forecast is close to the 2024 and 2025 results and well above the 997 lb/acre of 2021. Because this is a forecast, USDA can revise it before the final estimate.
Precision tools help Mississippi cotton growers hold yield steady across variable soils. Zone-based nitrogen, targeted growth regulator use and moisture sensing show where inputs return more and where they can be trimmed. At the latest national price of $0.733/lb, each extra 50 lb/acre protected or gained is worth about $37 per acre, or roughly $36,650 across 1,000 acres. Because lint is priced by the pound, small per-acre gains scale quickly across large fields.
Precision ag platforms used by Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 — Mississippi Cotton
Why is Mississippi cotton yield above the US average?
The Oct forecast of 1,149 lb/acre is 359 lb/acre above the US average of 790 lb/acre. Mississippi cotton has stayed between 997 and 1,167 lb/acre over seven seasons, well above the national figure, helped by fertile Delta soils and management.
Is the 2026 Mississippi cotton yield final?
No. The 1,149 lb/acre figure is USDA's Oct forecast and can change in later reports. Treat it as an estimate until USDA publishes the final number.
How can precision agriculture pay off for Mississippi cotton?
Zone-based nitrogen, growth regulator timing and moisture sensing help hold yield across variable soils. At $0.733/lb, each 50 lb/acre gained or protected is worth about $37 per acre.
Are there USDA programs that help Mississippi cotton growers adopt precision tools?
Yes. EQIP offers cost-share, about 75% of typical practice cost for most producers and about 90% for historically underserved producers. Practices such as nutrient management can support variable-rate application, and applications go through the local NRCS Service Center.