Usually prod early. And then comes a quarry and stoneworks (maybe Mausoleum too) - what do you want with that cotton now? Even though gold is more sparse in BNW I still feel like Cotton as of simply a slightly better farm.
It's turn 5 definitely production.
Same on t 20, 50, 100 if that choice is still there. Which it won't be of course, but to make bit simple food>production>gold as default. In case situations warrant I will switch for awhile.
how do people rate initial food vs initial production?
what do you want to see in your initial 'cross'?