Cotton is primarily machine-harvested in the United States, with the timing and method varying depending on the region.
Harvesting Timeframe
The cotton harvesting season in the U.S. begins as early as July in southern Texas and continues through October in more northern cotton-growing areas of the Cotton Belt. The specific timing depends on factors like planting date, weather conditions, and the cotton variety.
Harvesting Methods
The primary method for harvesting cotton in the U.S. is through mechanical means. Two main types of harvesting machines are used:
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Stripper Harvesters: These machines are predominantly used in Texas and Oklahoma. Stripper harvesters use rollers or mechanical brushes to remove the entire boll (the seed pod containing the cotton) from the plant, along with some plant material. This method is suitable for areas where cotton plants are shorter and the bolls open uniformly.
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Picker Harvesters (Spindle Pickers): These machines use rotating spindles to twist and pull the cotton fibers from the open bolls, leaving the bur (the outer shell of the boll) on the plant. Picker harvesters are more common in areas where cotton plants are taller and the bolls don't all open at the same time. This method typically results in cleaner cotton than stripper harvesters, because it reduces the amount of plant material harvested along with the cotton.
Summary
Cotton harvesting in the U.S. is largely mechanized, taking place from July to October depending on the region. The two main harvesting methods involve stripper harvesters, which remove the entire boll, and picker harvesters, which selectively pick the cotton fiber from the boll.
