Earlier Timing Can Reduce Rainfall Losses

The analysis of grades of upland cotton picked before and after a 29 October rainfall at Waddell in 1987 reveals significant financial losses for growers. Early harvesters in the area harvested over two thirds of the crop in October; over 98.0% of grades 21 and 31 were harvested before the rainfall. A Buckeye operation also accounted for a difference of $98.60 per acre between an early and a late harvested pima field the same season. The survey indicates that important losses can be reduced by a harvest begun 10 to 15 days earlier than mid- October