This report discusses economic analyses of two general approaches to promote earliness: early season insect control and the use of harvest aid materials for once over harvests. Data are from a 1986 thrips control study and a 1987 crop termination study in Marianna, Arkansas. A description of the economic consequences of severe thrips damage is presented in terms of yield losses, fiber properties and crop delays. Weight loss and deterioration of fiber properties due to weather exposure of open bolls is examined. The loss of value associated with weather exposure to open bolls is calculated to be three and one half percent per week. Crop termination strategies using the uppermost white bloom and accumulated heat units are ranked by yield, gross revenue per acre and price per pound related to fiber quality.