The 1999 crop year in the Southwest was characterized by erratic weather patterns at planting time and again at harvest. The high and rolling plains started the year with good subsoil moisture and initial planting was timely. Plants emerged and were growing well when major thunderstorms with heavy rain and hail resulted in loss of many acres. Continued rainfall limited replanting to cotton, and many acres were planted to other crops. Most areas had adequate rainfall during June, but July and August were extremely dry, resulting in crop stress and reduced yield and quality. Most irrigated production suffered some loss due to the July and August drought, but many dryland areas were not harvested. A late fall with drought relieving rainfall allowed some additional boll filling. Hurricane Bret hit during harvest in South Texas and damaged cotton waiting to be harvested. In general, cotton fruiting patterns showed normal or slightly higher than normal first fruiting positions. Most irrigated cotton developed on slightly shorter stalk than normal, but plants were well fruited to the top, especially in boll weevil eradication areas.