Dateline: October 20, 2005

Robinson brings in county's first 2005 bale

By Roger  Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

It took him 55 seasons, but Don Robinson of Clarendon finally managed to bring in the year’s first bale of cotton this month.

The bale weighed 472 pounds and was ginned at the Donley County Gin, where manager Earl Shields says things are looking good for producers this year.

Robinson’s crop north of Clarendon will likely bring 2½ bales per acre; and Shields says while most farmers won’t do that well, they should do as well or better than last year. And producers will need a good crop to help them cope with the high costs of fuel and fertilizer.

“If farmers can get $300 per bale, they won’t make a lot of money, but they won’t lose much either,” he said. “I’ve got farmers that have $350 - $400 per acre in their crop.”

Most cotton should bring between 45 and 50 cents per pound, Shields said.