With a few days before there could be an increase in cotton prices, farmers can expect prices to range between 65 cents and 78 cents over the next few months, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service cotton economist at College Station.

Overall, there is a weak demand, said Dr. John Robinson, cotton economist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, who spoke during the Ag Market Network’s roundtable at the New York Stock Exchange recently.

Over the last 30 days, the Texas cotton crop has been hit hard with excessive hot, dry weather. Harvest projections for Texas are 7 million bales on the higher side, Robinson claimed. The low side would be the five-year average for Texas excluding the 2011 result of about 5.5 million bales, Robinson said.

Robinson said the Blacklands region has a few areas that could surprise a lot of folks once harvest activities begin in another month.

Harvest activity in South Central Texas will begin in another 30 days or so. Robinson said timely rains will help boost yields leading to harvest.