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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 #309690
Title: Harvesting

Author
item Wanjura, John
item BARNES, EDWARD - Cotton, Inc
item KELLEY, MARK - Texas Agrilife Extension
item BOWMAN, RANDAL - Oklahoma State University

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/24/2014
Publication Date: 5/15/2015
Citation: Wanjura, J.D., Barnes, E.M., Kelley, M.S., Bowman, R.K. 2015. Harvesting. In: Fang, D.D., Percy, R. G., editors. Cotton, Agronomy Monograph 57. 2nd Edition. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy, Inc., Crop Science Society of America, Inc., and Soil Science Society of America, Inc. DOI: 10.2134/agronmonogr57.2013.0047.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Since the introduction of the first successful mechanical harvester, mechanized cotton harvest has continued to decrease the cost and man hours required to produce a bale of cotton. Cotton harvesting in the US is completely mechanized and is accomplished by two primary machines, the spindle picker and the brush-roll stripper. Significant advances with regard to harvesting and in-field storage systems have occurred over the last 40 years which have resulted in substantial increases in harvest productivity. State of the art cotton harvesters are able to harvest at a rate exceeding 4 ha/hr (10 ac/hr). Harvesting efficiency of pickers and strippers is influenced by a host of production, environmental, design, and operating factors. Thus, adoption of each type of harvester varies by geographic region across the US cotton belt. Careful attention to harvester configuration and operation on the part of cotton producers has helped to develop the reputation of the US as a dependable source of high quality contaminant free cotton.