ABSTRACT
The cost/price squeeze is causing cotton producers to scramble for technologies and management systems which will reduce production costs. Ultra narrow row (UNR) cotton produced in 7.5-10 inch rows at plant populations about 125,000/acre has improved yields at some traditional spindle picked locations while maintaining or reducing production costs. Until recently, insufficient attention was given to ginning, marketing, and textile utilization. A survey of ginners in machine picked areas who processed UNR cotton indicated that they reduced their processing rate 20-50 percent, most experienced trash handling system overload, grades were lower, and bales classified as barky were very common. If UNR cotton becomes common, gins can be equipped to process the trashier seed cotton for a reasonable investment, but producers must plan to pay increased ginning charges.
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