A Harvester Based Calibration System for Cotton Yield Monitors

The objective of this work is to develop and characterize the performance of a system used onboard a cotton harvester for obtaining seed cotton weight data. This system can be used to measure seed cotton weight on a load by load basis, thereby enhancing the ability for a producer to conduct on-farm research to evaluate the yield influence of various treatments applied on a small-plot basis (e.g. variety, tillage, irrigation, chemical, etc.) Further, seed cotton weight data can be used to calibrate yield monitor systems on a semi-continuous basis as crop conditions or varieties change throughout a field.