Cotton growers are seeking cost-effective production practices that increase income. Because cotton harvesting operations account for almost one-third of production costs, growers are closely evaluating the costs associated with harvest aid treatments, harvest operations and ginning. With intense international competition and low prices, managing harvest aid applications to allow timely harvest and maintain fiber quality is a valuable contribution to having a more marketable crop that enhances income. Price discounts for reductions in quality due to delayed harvest and field weathering can be substantial. Also, excessive expenditures for harvest aids can increase costs and provide little or no improvement in economic returns. By considering the crop yield potential, expected prices for cotton, harvest method, treatment efficacy and cost and potential treatment effects on fiber quality, the economically optimal expenditures for harvest aid programs can be estimated. This can be done prior to harvest and for specific farms or fields in a given crop year. The end results can be more effective use of harvest aid treatments that result in earlier, structured harvest and better quality cotton that can more than offset the cost of a well managed crop termination program.