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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 #366640
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: Round module wrap: Components and removal

Author
item Wanjura, John

Submitted to: Plant Management Network
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2019
Publication Date: 7/31/2019
Citation: Wanjura, J.D. 2019. Round module wrap: Components and removal. Plant Management Network. online. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/edcenter/seminars/ cotton/RoundModuleWrap/

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Harvesters that form cotton into cylindrical or round modules wrapped in plastic material were released around 2007. Adoption of these new picker and stripper harvesters continues to increase and recent reports suggest that approximately 50% of the US cotton crop is stored in round modules prior to ginning. Plastic contamination of lint bales has increased dramatically since the introduction of these new harvesting systems and research and education efforts are needed to help reduce the incidence of plastic contamination. The objectives of this presentation are to provide information to cotton growers and ginners related to 1) components that make up round module wrap, 2) how the different wrap components work together to protect the cotton, 3) safe cutting and wrap removal techniques, and 4) additional resources for handling and unwrapping cotton stored in round modules. This presentation provides a unique, clear, and visual explanation of the non-tacky, tacky, and wrap tail segments of Tama RMW module wrap and how these different parts work to protect the cotton. The RFID tag identification system implemented on each module is explained with emphasis on how it can be used to identify proper wrap cut locations using manual and automated wrap removal solutions. Most importantly, and unique to this presentation, the risk of cutting wrap in an improper location is clearly explained in addition to how that risk can be minimized via module handling techniques that produce consistent and proper module orientation prior to cutting the wrap.