News Releases and other News Material/Number 01194/0007
Release No. 0007.94
Bruce Merkle (202) 720-8206
USDA ANNOUNCES FINAL 1994 UPLAND COTTON ACREAGE REDUCTION
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4--Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy today announced that the acreage reduction percentage for 1994-crop upland cotton will be 11 percent. This is a 6.5 percentage point reduction from the preliminary level announced on November 1 and reflects tightened 1993-crop supplies resulting from a reduction in estimated U.S. and foreign cotton production in 1993. Espy said that the 11 percent acreage reduction for 1994 is projected by USDA to be the level which most closely conforms with applicable statutory requirements regarding the maintenance of a desirable end-of-year stock level.
The announced upland cotton acreage reduction percentage is lower than the preliminary level, so upland cotton producers in 'early planting areas' will not be unfairly disadvantaged by the change. Producers in those areas will be required to comply with today's announced reduction in 1994 in order to be eligible for 1994 program benefits.
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