Six Interesting Facts About the Cotton Industry

For millennia, human beings have facilitated the growth and cultivation of the cotton plant. This unique piece of flora is one of the most widely farmed and widely used agricultural products in the world, and continues to be one of the globe’s most significant crops. Cotton and its derivatives played extensive role in the formation of modern society, and the plant continues to shape the way that economies operate. The cotton industry continues to be one of the bedrock trades of civilization, even in today’s technologically advanced era.

The cotton picker spindle, invented in the late 1920s, allows this essential cash crop to be harvested with more efficiency than ever before. Over the past century, the cotton industry has continued to evolve and adapt to shifting technological abilities and changing market demands.

Because of its long history and unique taxonomical attributes, there are a number of interesting facts about the cotton plant and the continuously booming industry surrounding it. Here are just some of the most interesting things about the cotton plant and the related cotton industry:

  • Ancient origins: Cotton is one of the earliest known crops. Cotton seeds dating back to 450 B.C.E. have been found in Peru. It’s thought that cotton has been cultivated in places like India for more than 5,000 years.
  • Traveling plant: Cotton seeds are durable, and are designed to travel long distances! Cotton seeds can blow across oceans, and remain viable for thousands of miles. No matter where it is grown, cotton is cleaned and harvested in a similar manner.
  • Lots of uses: This plant isn’t just for clothing—cotton is also used to fill furniture, automobile upholstery and more! Cotton is also a key component of United States currency.
  • Using the whole plant: During processing, the entire cotton plant is used, not just the fibers. After a cotton picker spindle removes the fluffy bolls, the seeds are processed into cottonseed oil for human and animal consumption, and the stalks are tilled into the soil.
  • Cellulose substance: The fibers in a cotton boll are composed of cellulose, a natural polymer that can actually be digested by animals such as horses and cattle. Humans, however, cannot process cellulose.
  • Stronger with water: Cotton is actually stronger when it is wet, unlike other types of cellulose fibers, such as rayon and wood pulp. This means that it is especially valuable in medical and cleaning applications.

Certi-Pik, USA is the most dependable source of high-quality cotton picker spindle parts in the nation. You can count on us to have reliable components that can help you get your cotton picker spindle up and running in a prompt and effective manner. We are pleased to support the cotton industry, and are proud members of the United States’ agricultural community.

We have been making cotton picker spindle components since 1988. We fabricate a wide range of parts and specialty items for cotton growers of all sizes. If you are looking for a reliable source of supplies, reach out to one of our helpful teammates today!