The cost of harvesting alone can easily exceed $100 an acre (Rutz, 1984, Zelinski and Olson, 1984). Seed cotton storage adds more to the cost. High capacity gins that can keep pace with the harvesters are another cost item. The total can easily reach $150 a bale. That is clearly a reflection of the amount of money cotton growers are willing to pay to ensure that the risk of losing their crop at harvest time is minimized. It is a reflection of the importance that they place on being able to harvest when weather and crop conditions are right. The issues discussed here have a bearing on enhancing the cost effectiveness of risk management at harvest time. The concept of "management" is important because the risk element cannot be reduced to zero. A plan that permits a grower to harvest a crop with an acceptable amount of risk is what is needed.