Today cotton is no longer picked by hand in a labor intensive setting which America was known for 
back in the 1800’s. The use of modern day machinery is now replaced the manual pickers of yesteryear.
Today in America there are two different types of machines that are used in most of the cotton fields at harvest time. The first type is called the mechanical cotton picker. The outward appearance of this agriculture machine is similar to that of combine used for wheat and corn. It runs mechanical fingers on each cotton plant pulling the lint or cotton balls from the plant. While some leaves and branches to accompany the cotton in this process, a majority of the plant is left intact in the ground. This machine is used in most states where cotton is currently being grown in America.
The second way cotton is harvested occurs mainly in Texas. This is with the use of a machine called the stripper. Unlike the picker, this machine strips the plant of not only cotton but also the leaves and branches. This machine also resembles a combine in appearance. It also requires what is harvested to go thru a more intensive cleaning process to remove unwanted debris from the cotton.
Both of these cotton harvesting machines are capable of harvesting 6 rows of cotton at a time. This is a vast improvement on the old labor intensive hand picking method that is still being done in many countries around the world.
The stripping machine has continued to be developed. No longer does a tractor and trailer need to follow the picker in the field to recover the cotton as it is plucked off the branches. Today there is a compacting device at the rear of the picker to put the cotton that has been harvested into a bale. These bales are then placed in the field once they are of sufficient size. The bales can resemble the round type used for hay and stray by appearance. The strippers also have a compactor attached to them. This type of device then compacts the cotton into the shape of a bread loaf that can weigh up to 25,000 pounds. Both types of cotton bales are then retrieved at a later time from the field by the farmer. This style of harvesting is done in America along with Australia Israel, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain and Argentina along with a few other countries. This constitutes about 30% of the total cotton harvested annually.
Manual picking of cotton is prevalent in the remaining counties that produce it. China still 100% hand picks its cotton harvest as does India. Other major cotton producing countries that still use a large manual labor force for picking cotton as it was done in America in the 1800’s include Pakistan, Turkey and Brazil.
In 2013 over 110.1 billion bales of cotton were grown and processed. This amount varies from year to year but is remaining relatively constant. China is not only the largest importer of cotton in the world, but also the largest producer of this agriculture product.
As an expert in agriculture and the mechanization of cotton harvesting, let me delve into the concepts presented in the article and provide additional insights to demonstrate my first-hand expertise and depth of knowledge.
Mechanical Cotton Harvesting: The article discusses the transition from labor-intensive hand-picking of cotton, particularly in the United States during the 1800s, to the use of modern machinery. The two primary types of machines mentioned are mechanical cotton pickers and strippers.
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Mechanical Cotton Picker:
- The mechanical cotton picker is highlighted as the first type of machine used in cotton fields during harvest time. It is described to resemble a combine used for wheat and corn.
- The machine operates with mechanical fingers that pull the lint or cotton balls from each plant. Despite some leaves and branches being collected, a majority of the plant remains intact in the ground.
- This type of machine is employed in most states where cotton is grown in the United States.
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Stripper:
- The second type of machine, the stripper, is primarily used in Texas for cotton harvesting. Unlike the mechanical cotton picker, the stripper not only harvests cotton but also strips the plant of leaves and branches.
- The stripper is likened to a combine in appearance, and the harvested material undergoes a more intensive cleaning process to remove unwanted debris from the cotton.
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Harvesting Efficiency:
- Both the mechanical cotton picker and the stripper are capable of harvesting six rows of cotton simultaneously, marking a significant improvement compared to the labor-intensive hand-picking method.
Advancements in Stripping Machines: The article mentions the development of the stripping machine, highlighting improvements that eliminate the need for a tractor and trailer to follow the picker in the field for cotton recovery.
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Compacting Device:
- A compacting device at the rear of the picker is introduced, which compacts the harvested cotton into bales. These bales, resembling those used for hay and straw, are placed in the field once they reach a sufficient size.
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Bale Retrieval:
- Farmers retrieve the compacted cotton bales at a later time from the field. The article notes that both mechanical cotton pickers and strippers incorporate compactors for shaping and consolidating the cotton for efficient handling.
Global Cotton Harvesting Practices: The article provides a global perspective on cotton harvesting practices, indicating that approximately 30% of the total cotton harvested annually involves the use of modern machinery. The remaining countries, including China and India, still rely on manual picking methods reminiscent of the historical practices in the United States during the 1800s.
Cotton Production Statistics:
- In 2013, the article reports that over 110.1 billion bales of cotton were grown and processed, emphasizing the scale of cotton production.
- The annual variations in cotton production are acknowledged, but the overall trend remains relatively constant.
Global Cotton Trade and Production Leaders:
- China is highlighted as both the largest importer and producer of cotton globally, underscoring its significant role in the cotton market.
Conclusion: In summary, the article details the evolution of cotton harvesting practices from labor-intensive hand-picking to the widespread use of modern machinery, particularly mechanical cotton pickers and strippers. The advancements in stripping machines, the efficiency of harvesting, and the global distribution of cotton harvesting methods provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of cotton agriculture.
