Picker Versus Stripper Harvesters on the High Plains of Texas

Picker and stripper harvest systems were compared for harvesting irrigated cotton on the High Plains.  Four varieties of cotton were harvested using a six-row picker harvester and a six-row stripper harvester with and without field cleaning.  A net present value analysis was conducted comparing each harvest system.  Inputs for time in motion and fiber quality were determined based on field data from the 2006 and 2007 harvest seasons.