Field to Gin-Seed Cotton Hauling Cost Estimator

Reduction in cotton acreage in the Mississippi Delta region over the past 10 years has led to a sharp reduction in the number of cotton gins in the area. As a result, some producers are forced to transport seed cotton over much longer distances. This paper describes the development of a decision support aid to calculate the cost of transporting seed cotton. Simulated results indicate that with round modules and the hauling capacity of drop-bed or lowboy trailers, seed cotton transportation costs are dramatically reduced relative to conventional modules transported with module trucks at ranges of 50 to 100 miles.