Cotton farmers in Arkansas are expected this year to plant the fewest acres ever in Arkansas' cotton growing history.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension estimates that cotton acreage could fall below 200,000 for the first time.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated in March that the cotton acreage would drop by more than 30 percent from last year. The previous low in the state was in 2013 with 310,000 acres.
Division economists say 90 percent of the drop in planting is due to falling U.S. per pound cotton prices.
The remaining drop is due to the onslaught of rain that hit the state during the last two months. The resulting flooding of agricultural land prevented some farmers from getting cotton crops planted.
