How is cotton harvested?

Cotton is typically harvested using a machine called a cotton picker or cotton harvester. These machines are equipped with rotating spindles that pick the cotton from the plants and deposit it into a hopper. The cotton is then transferred to a module builder, which compresses the cotton into large rectangular bales for transport.

Before the cotton can be harvested, the plants must be defoliated to remove the leaves and other debris. This can be done using chemical defoliants or by natural defoliation methods such as freezing temperatures or drought conditions.

Once the cotton is harvested and baled, it is transported to a cotton gin where the seeds are removed from the cotton fibers. The cleaned cotton fibers are then pressed into bales and shipped to textile mills for processing into various products.