Cottonseed Market: It might be difficult at this point to remember the last time the cottonseed trading market felt active. What were the “holiday doldrums” have morphed into a winter hibernation. Trading remained slow for the month of February, with no major changes across the complex price-wise. The largest shift was the jump in cottonseed meal throughout the South as the plant in Valdosta closed temporarily. As it is now up and running again that artificial spread can be expected to narrow once again.
Across the country in the seed markets, though traded thinly, the ranges seem to have narrowed slightly. Instead of trading $30-$40 ranges between bid/ask (or even traded values) most regions seem to have returned to a more manageable $10-$15 per ton range (even if no trading occurred). Dairy interest has remained weak over the past few months, without noticeable interest nearby, for April – Sep, for Oct – Mar, or for clock. One question to consider is how long dairies delay coming into the market. Are they delaying because of high prices or have rations just lasted longer than expected? The National Cotton Council’s annual meeting was held in New Orleans the second weekend of February, giving market participants a bit of a distraction during the month’s quiet.
Features of Cotton Seed
Cotton plants are perennials, but almost always grown as annuals. Growing as an annual, and rotating the crop each year, helps to minimize disease problems. They require a long growing season. It has pretty yellow flowers appearing about 45 (or so) days after planting. As the flower withers and dies, a seed pod forms, called “bolls”. When he bolls mature, they break open, exposing real, fluffy cotton.
Cotton plants are grown from seeds. Seeds can be directly seeded into your garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. Soil temperatures should be warm, prior to planting. An early, indoor start is required for growing in colder northern regions. Sow seeds 4 – 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Cover lightly with 1/4″ of fine garden or seed starting soil. Keep soil temperatures at least 65-70 degrees for sprouting, For indoor starts, try a seedling germination mat. Transplant seedlings, only after the temperatures reach at least 65 degrees. Seedlings are sensitive to cold and frost.
Specification
| COTTON SEEDS | CRE 411 |
| TYPE | OIL SEEDS |
| OIL CONTENT | 18-20% |
| PROTEIN | 18% |
| MOISTURE | 10% |
| ASH CONTENT | 4% |
| SAND SILICA | 0.25% |
| MOLDY SILICA | NIL |
| INSPECTION | SGS |
| PACKING | 50KG,60KG |
Prices of Cotton Seed
$500.00 – $520.00/ Ton