Studying the Impact of Harvesting with Round Bale Modules on Cotton Quality

Two different cotton varieties were grown in 20 acre subplots in the midsouth.  Harvesting was carried out for each of the cottons using either John Deere conventional or its new Pinnacle harvester working alternating series of rows in the same field plots.  Seed cottons from the conventional picker were stored in conventional modules whereas those from the Pinnacle^® were automatically collected in the new round modules.  The cottons from both modules were ginned concurrently at the same gin.  Approximately two thousand bales were harvested in the study.  Classing data indicated measurable increases in length, strength, and uniformity.  One hundred bales from each of the module types were purchased for in depth study.  Several hundred AFIS samples indicated there were measurable reductions in total neps and short fibers and improvements in UQL lengths with the cottons picked with the Pinnacle^® versus the conventional harvester.  Results with commercially produced rotor yarns were consistent showing improvements in yarn strength, elongation, and toughness when comparing cottons picked with the Pinnacle^® versus the conventional harvester.