A study of cotton harvesting in the Mississippi Delta was initiated in the fall of 1988. Data was collected on 104 cotton pickers, 68 module builders, 15 boll buggies and many cotton trailers. Data on each component of harvesting was collected for one full day on each of the 42 farms. Eight farms were revisited for a full day where unique cotton harvesting systems were observed.

Preliminary analysis of data indicates that MAFES/MCES cost of production estimates for harvesting cotton are up to 33 percent too high due to under estimation of cotton picker performance rates. These data indicate that newer 4-row cotton pickers are as efficient or slightly more efficient than two similar age 2-row cotton pickers.

The use of module builders and boll buggies significantly reduces the cost of handling seed cotton when compared with trailers. The use of module builders and boll buggies also improves performance rates of cotton harvesters thus further reducing the cost of harvesting.