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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366636
Research Project: Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Upland Cotton, Cottonseed, and Agricultural Byproducts through Improvements in Pre- and Post-Harvest Processing

Location: Cotton Production and Processing Research

Title: Cotton harvesting

Author
item Wanjura, John

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2019
Publication Date: 7/31/2019
Citation: Wanjura, J.D. 2019. Cotton harvesting. Meeting Abstract. 1-43.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cotton harvesting in the US is carried out using either a spindle picker or brush-roll stripper. This presentation discusses the environmental, economic, geographic, and cultivar specific reasons behind a grower's choice to use either machine. The development of each machine system is discussed. A basic description of how the harvesting units function on each machine is presented as well as an operational description of ancillary equipment used onboard the harvesters to convey, clean, and package seed cotton for infield storage. Key setup and maintenance items are reviewed from the standpoint of maximizing harvesting efficiency, productivity, and fiber quality. Lastly, a multi-year study comparing picker and stripper based harvest systems under commercial conditions is presented. The findings of this Southern High Plains study indicated improved fiber quality for picker-based systems but higher harvesting efficiency and lower harvesting costs for stripper-based systems resulted in a higher overall net revenue for stripper-based harvesting systems.