But unusually heavy rainfall during the first weekend in September may have dashed these hopes, at least among producers farming near the west Lauderdale County community of Oakland. Producers in the area received more than 6 inches of rainfall over the weekend, reducing most cotton bolls to soggy sponges.

"One farmer reported that when you squeeze the bolls, they’re mushy," says Ronny Lane, Lauderdale County coordinator. "That doesn’t sound good."

Ironically, what cotton producers fervently hoped and prayed for last year during one of the worst droughts on record has turned out to be too much of a good thing this year.

Rainfall, in critically short supply last year, has returned ample amounts this year – too ample, as far as some growers are concerned.

While conditions remain too wet for producers to make a close inspection, some west Lauderdale farmers already have braced for the worst.

"I talked with one producer this morning who says if it’s as bad as he thinks it is, he’s not even going to bother cranking his harvester," Lane says.

Despite the bad turn of events in west Lauderdale County, cotton experts farther east in Limestone and Madison counties are still upbeat.

"The good news is that most of our cotton bolls aren’t opening yet," says Charles Burmester, an area Extension cotton agronomist based at Belle Mina. "On the other hand, while the bolls have not opened entirely, they’re opened just enough to let in moisture, and as long as the rains continue, this moisture will sit in the bolls and threaten boll rot."

Burmester also expects the moisture will cause some staining in cotton fiber – a factor that will affect grading and, ultimately, prices.

Nevertheless, if rain slacks off soon, Burmester believes boll-rot problems will decrease.

Even so, the unusually heavy rainfall has been surprising, he says, especially considering that only last year, many producers were suffering from a chronic lack of moisture.

"September usually is a dry month, averaging about 3 inches of rainfall the entire month," he says. "We got a little over 3 inches this weekend, which means that we got a whole month’s share of rainfall in only a couple of days."

"We don’t want this heavy rain for much longer," he says.

While conceding boll rot is always a risk late in the season following heavy rain, Limestone County Extension Coordinator Curtis Grissom is also expecting a good crop despite excessive rainfall. But, like Burmester, he’s hoping dry weather will return quickly. Cotton defoliation, which occurs after growers spray to remove leaves prior to harvest, will also help.

"What we need now is more dry air circulating around the cotton bolls," Grissom says. "With defoliation and enough dry weather, the problems associated with boll rot will drop off.

Mark Hall, Grissom’s counterpart in neighboring Madison County, remains equally upbeat.

Excellent weather conditions throughout most of the growing season, coupled with minimal pest problems will lead to good yields, despite the drenching rains, he believes.

"True, if it continues raining through September and October, the bolls will rot and we’ll have problems, but for now, things look good," Hall says.

(Sources: Charles Burmester, Extension area agronomist, (256) 353-8702; Ronny Lane, Lauderdale County Extension coordinator, (256) 760-5860; Curtis Grissom, Limestone County Extension coordinator, (256) 230-0015; Mark Hall, Madison County Extension coordinator, (256) 532-1578.)