Cost comparison of alternative stripper and picker cotton harvesting systems

This study provides cost estimates of alternative cotton harvesting methods, including four-, six-, eight-, and two individual four-row strippers and equipment combinations without and with bur-extractors and two-, four-, and six-row picker and equipment combinations. The least cost harvesting systems for strippers without and with bur-extractors and pickers, by size of operation in Texas, were determined by comparing the corresponding estimated average harvesting costs and custom harvesting charges. For stripper and equipment combinations without bur-extractors, the four-row stripper had the minimum harvesting cost until about 486 ha (1,200 ac), followed by the six-row stripper for farm sizes ranging between about 526 and 607 ha (1,300 and 1,500 ac) and the eight-row stripper starting at about 648 ha (1,600 ac). In the case of stripper and equipment combinations with bur-extractors, the four-row stripper was the least expensive alternative until about 364 ha (900 ac), followed by the six-row stripper for farm sizes ranging between 405 and 486 ha (1,000 and 1,200 ac), and the eight-row stripper starting at about 526 ha (1,300 ac). The average harvesting cost associated with the two individual four-row strippers and equipment combination were consistently higher than the eight-row stripper and equipment combination. For picker and equipment combinations, the average harvesting cost was minimized by the two-row picker and equipment combination up to 243 ha (600 ac). The four- and six-row picker and equipment combinations became optimum between 283 and 486 ha (700 and 1,200 ac) and at about 526 ha (1,300 ac), respectively.