LUBBOCK (May 27, 2009)--Cotton producers in the world's largest growing patch are hoping for rain as the Texas South Plains planting deadlines approach.

Some growers were lamenting how threatening clouds Tuesday night failed to drop much widespread rain, because spring rains are needed to give cottonseeds a chance to germinate.

Growers in the Lubbock area have until June 5 and counties farther south have until June 10 to plant to be eligible for crop insurance.

U.S. farmers expect to plant 8.8 million acres of cotton this year, the least since 1983.

Growers in Texas, the nation's leading producer, were forecast to plant 4.72 million acres.