In general terms, cotton costs about 75 cents per pound, or $360 for a standard sized bale. Prices do fluctuate, so for “an exact price right this minute” you’ll need to check with a commodities broker. This isn’t a clickbait article, that’s a direct answer for students or anyone with a passing curiosity about the price of cotton. For farmers, investors, or anyone else interested in knowing such a thing, the rest of this article will explain how and why cotton is valued as it is.
Standard Sizing
In the United States, a “bale” is defined by volume rather than weight. A bale is 33 inches wide at its bulge, the ties holding the bale together are a bit smaller. The length is about 4-1/2 feet, 54 inches. On average, such volume is going to weigh about 500 pounds, it’s going to require machinery rather than physical labor to effectively move and transport bales as they go from the farm to the manufacturer and eventually to the store as a t-shirt, nice dress, or whatever other end product the cotton is used for.
That is, of course, American standards. There may be some exceptions for the material being exported. American measurements are considered the global standard, but some countries do have local nuances to sizing.
Quality Considerations
It’s important to remember not all cotton is the same quality. Different strains grow well in different climates, so material that is grown in the Caribbean is going to be different from what is grown in Florida, which in turn is different from what is grown in Georgia or South Carolina. It’s important to note how, greenhouses and indoor grow technology, cotton can be grown as far north as Maine, but such plants are typically going to be specialty breeds with a specific purpose rather than what comes from mass production farming.
Quality comes into play when considering the multitude of products made with cotton. Fabrics made with blends don’t require the same type as high end 100% cotton clothing, whereas certain fabrics used for curtains and rugs are made of different quality material. In addition to the standard clothing fabrics, most people associate with the material, it’s also used in bookbinding, certain types of paper, coffee filters, and even car tires. For every 100 pounds of fiber produced there is roughly 155 pounds of seeds, which produces oils that can be used in cooking and food products, or as an eco-friendly substitute for petroleum products.
Value and Purchasing
Another consideration about pricing is how the law of supply and demand comes into play with each year’s harvest. Demand may not change much, but growing conditions and weather can certainly change the amount of supply. Government actions such as farm subsidies can come into play, as can individual farm decisions concerning crop rotations and predictions as to which crops may be more profitable in any given season.
Cotton Harvesting Equipment
Modern cotton production on an industrial scale requires specialty equipment, as do producers on smaller farms which may grow cotton as a side crop. One of the best-known producers of cotton picker equipment replacement parts is Cert-Pik, USA with aftermarket equipment parts which will fit on John Deere and Case/ IH equipment. Our parts are top quality. You can rely on Certi-Pik parts to fulfill the demanding requirements you encounter during your farming operation. Being nestled in a farming community, we realize your need to be able to rely on your equipment and the need to get back to harvesting or maintaining your harvester.
Harvest is no time for your cotton picker machine to have a mechanical failure. You’ve got deadlines to meet, and obligations to pay with the income. Luckily, you know the very company to call for help. They help with all brands of cotton picker machines. Not only do they stock almost every component in the picking units, but they have a great turnaround lead time on part orders. You might just make this harvest on time after all.
How Does A Cotton Picking Machine Work?
The cotton plant enters the front of the machine and is compressed between the pressure plate, and the grid bars in the picking zone. When the plant is compressed and the spindles pass through the grid bars, the multiple spindles turning at high speeds snatch the material from inside the bolls. The spindles have sharp barbs which cause the material to attach to the spindles.
The material clings to the spindles until they reach the doffers which are spinning in the same direction as the spindles but are turning at a higher speed. This higher speed allows the material to be stripped of the spindle. After the material is removed from the spindle, the spindle is cleaned of unwanted sap or debris when passing under the moistener pads allowing it to once again rotate back through the plant for more picking. The material then passes through the air system’s ductwork via suction until it is blown into a huge basket, or module builder. After the material is removed from the harvester, it is then brought to a gin, where it is cleaned and compacted into a standard bale.
Why Do Cotton Picker Parts Fail?
Machines break if their service and maintenance aren’t kept up. Cotton pickers are no different. We at Certi-Pik USA are vitally aware that picker components need to be produced with the utmost precision. With so many components needing to fit together we control our quality in house, and so can assure you of accurately made components. Any other inexperienced machinist cutting components badly is one of the reasons picker components fail. Additionally, using components not designed for your machine or forcing the part to fit something it wasn’t designed for will also make the machine fail.
Regular service and maintenance keeps machinery working at peak capacity. Although many a farmer may have good knowledge in up-keeping their equipment, it is good to contact a Licensed and professional service personnel if need should arise. Someone who regularly maintains this equipment will clean, service, and maintain your machine in order to keep it at peak performance without any question if it is done correctly. Between servicing, cleaning (namely removing debris from around the doffers, and moistener pads) and lubricating your picker should be done regularly and with the proper lubrication and oils.
Which Parts Of A Cotton Picker Need To Be Replaced The Most Often?
Spindles and spindle bushings aren’t the only components that need to be replaced frequently, because they are supported by other components:
Spindles come in close contact with doffers, and moistener pads. Frayed, or worn down moistener pads and doffers are a sign they need replacing.
Cam rollers that follow the cam track need to be maintained to ensure your equipment runs without excess vibration or unwanted interference of parts rotating at close tolerances.
Cam Track. Underlying the picking unit system is the cam track which keeps the drums, spindles, moistener pads, and doffers going strong. The cam track maintains spindle angle and speed, while also making sure the spindles are cleaned while moving beneath the moistener pads. The cam track is vital to the operation of a picker. Getting fouled and/or worn down results in inefficient picking and even fires.
Finally a potentially overlooked important area of your picker is the picking unit cabinet itself. In a harsh abrasive or corrosive environment worn parts due to moisture, and rust, or the inevitable plants or weeds that contact your cabinet can cause the sheet metal to bend, or wear through. An unwanted result of wear in the air suction area can cause an excessive air leak, resulting in a lack of suction, clogs, plugs, and even in worst cases a fire.
Other components to maintain or check periodically should include the various belts that turn the water pump, the engine fan, the A/C compressor, the alternator, and the fan rotor to name a few. Also be sure to keep an eye on the many different roller and needle bearings that keep everything rotating smoothly.
What Can Be Done To Prevent Parts From Failing?
Frequently inspecting and cleaning picker components is the first step to avoiding breakdowns and fires in cotton picking machines. If your picker is leaving too much material in the field, and if adjustments don’t make much difference in picker efficiency, then components need to be replaced.
Poor or no maintenance causes picker components to require replacement as well. Keep in mind that all of this can cause a fire which is bad news for your machine personnel as well as the machine and fields.
The Timing Of Maintenance And Service
Cotton picking machines are used once per year in most areas of the world. It’s important to at least visually check your picker’s components every season, and the doffing area might need to be cleaned every few hours when in use. The earlier you catch potential problems, the more efficient your machine will be next season.
The off season is the ideal time to inspect your machine and replace any components that are weak or worn. Keeping the picker’s components sharp and well maintained is critical to the machine’s operation. You don’t want to have your machine in the shop for service right before the harvest, or you could fall behind schedule.
Whatever the season, be sure to use good quality components from a reputable dealer. Using up to date pieces also ensures your machine will pick material efficiently for many years. Some dealers can also fabricate specific parts you need for your machine or custom make any part you need.
Obviously you can only inspect the parts you can see, so in any season keep your spindles sharp and their bushings running with correct clearances. Keep an eye on the tilt and height of your machine. This prevents leaving material in the fields.
Call upon us for your picker replacement parts and maintenance needs, and we’ll help you keep your machines running at peak performance in season and out.
Cotton products have figuratively become “woven into the fabric of our lives.” It is used in many personal and household items. It is one of the world’s leading agricultural crops because it is plentiful and can be produced economically, making products relatively inexpensive.
Eli Whitney, an American inventor who is credited with inventing the cotton gin said, “I never thought my gin would change history.” Yet it did, and it is now the most often used natural fiber worldwide, averaging about 25 percent of total world fiber use. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture around 20.1 million bales were produced in the United States in 2019. The U.S. industry accounts for more than $21 billion in products and services each year. The material is used in a wide variety of products including t-shirts, dress shirts, dresses, socks, feminine care products, quilting products, cleansing wipes, and diapers.
In clothing, natural material has many advantages versus other materials. It is absorbent. It is good in all weather. It is hypoallergenic. It is durable. Because it is natural, it is less toxic than synthetic fibers. And it is comfortable because it is a breathable material.
Among the types available, one stands out as superior: Supima.
What is Supima?
The name was created from a blend of “superior” and “Pima.” It is a premium material that has extra-long, more durable fibers. The material is trademarked by the American Supima Association indicating that this specific Pima material is 100% grown in the United States and products using it must be sourced through a licensed supply chain. Less than 3 percent of the material grown in the U. S. can be called Supima.
This variety is unique because of its:
Strength and durability. It is about twice as strong as regular material. Due to its longer fiber, it resists pilling, breaking, and tearing apart, so its products are more resilient, keeping their form for a longer time.
Softness. This cotton’s 1.5inch fiber length is 50% longer than regular 1-inch fibers. This added length results in a softer, smoother surface; one that is more resistant to pilling.
Color retention. Its fibers absorb dyes better than regular material, resulting in deeper, longer-lasting, and more vibrant colors.
Today, leading brands utilize its premium quality to craft products that are popular around the world including Banana Republic, Casper, Christy, Levi’s, Macy’s, and many more.
Where is it Grown?
It is grown only in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It is grown on about 500 family-owned farms where the land is their legacy and where great care is taken to nourish and protect the soil and the water resources that they rely on.
The production begins as the crop of bolls (the seed pods of the plant) are harvested from the fields by large stripping machines. John Deere and Case IH produce excellent models for this use. The harvested bolls are fed into a machine called the “gin” where the seed is cleaned of dirt, stems, and leaves and the gin separates the fiber and the seed. The fiber is then compressed into bales and transported to textile mills where they will be processed into fabrics.
What Does Supima Cotton Feel Like?
This material’s fabrics feel smooth, even “silky.” They are soft and breathable because of their long fibers. As well, they are stronger, more colorfast, and easier to maintain. In fact, it is the softest and most durable available.
Does Supima Cotton Need Ironing?
In general, fabrics made of this material, while made of longer and stronger fibers, can wrinkle like other fabrics. However, many of these fabrics today including dress shirts and bedsheets are treated with wrinkle-resistant or no-iron finishes. In some cases, all they may need is a touch up with an iron. Fabric care will depend on the actual fabric construction. It is important to check the product label for care instructions.
Is This Cotton Sustainable?
It is considered 100 percent sustainable because it is responsibly grown using environmentally sensitive processes, transparent and traceable sources. Growers use GPS-navigated tractors to plant and harvest the material, along with satellite technology, soil monitors and other technology advances to ensure that they grow the best material in the world.
Get the Aftermarket Parts You Need for Your Harvesting Equipment
Harvesting premium material calls for using premium equipment. At Certi-Pik, USA, we are proud to offer replacement aftermarket parts, produced almost entirely in the USA, for the leading John Deere and Case IH brands.
Since 1988, we’ve worked with clients around the world to provide the highest quality picker parts available, from fabricated replacement parts to a wide selection of specialty items for use in machine rebuilding. We offer a great service experience and expertise and we’ll make sure you receive only the best every time you order from us.
The Case IH Module Express is a high-performance cotton picker designed to help you streamline the harvest process while reducing equipment and labor investment. This machine picks cotton at great efficiency and builds beginner-friendly modules at the same time, effectively ensuring you spend less time in the fields. Despite the impressive features that the harvesting equipment offers, it is important to be sure it will meet your needs before investing in one. Here is some information to help you:
What are the Engine Specs?
The Case IH Module Express comes with an 8.7-liter, six-cylinder FPT engine. This powerful engine has a rated horsepower of 400 and capable of churning out to 415 horsepower. There is also a high output alternator that delivers 185 amps so that there is sufficient charge to power the different functions of the picker. The engine is paired with a three-range hydrostatic transmission and drive system. These two support a picking speed of 4.2 mph in first gear, a scrapping speed of 5.2 mph in second gear, and a transport speed of 16.5 mph.
What are the Harvesting Specs?
This cotton harvesting equipment features six-row units and automatic electronic height sensing. Each row-unit has two drums; one on each side of the row and 12 bars per drum. Further, there are 18 spindles per bar and 432 spindles per row unit, bringing the total to 2,592 spindles per machine. In addition, the equipment covers narrow row spacings at 30, 32, and 34 inches and wide row spacings at 36, 38, and 40 inches. All of these specifications ensure maximum efficiency when picking cotton.
How Much Does a Used Unit Cost?
While owning a harvester will offer great convenience, buying the equipment is a huge investment. If you do not have enough money to pay for a new one upfront, you can consider buying a used one. A used unit will cost anything from $120,000 to $425,000. The price will depend on factors like the year of manufacture, the machine’s condition, separator hours, and engine hours.
What’s the Price of a Brand New One?
A brand new Module Express will be significantly more expensive than a used one, with prices starting at $500,000. While the price tag may be hefty, you will be sure that the model comes with the latest technology. Depending on the dealer you choose, you may also access financing at a friendly interest rate. The equipment will come with a warranty, allowing you to focus on your harvesting operation in the knowledge that you will enjoy dependable performance.
How Large is the Accumulator?
The six-row wide picker accumulator lets you pick more per hour, per day and per harvesting season. The high-volume accumulator makes it possible to process more material as it is being harvested. This not only helps you spend less time in the fields but also reduces your harvesting costs. The six rows of the accumulator can be in narrow spacings of 30, 32, and 34 inches or wide spacings of 36, 38, and 40 inches.
What’s the Average Baler Amount Per Roll?
The rectangular bale has a volume of 1,024 cubic feet. It produces modules that measure 8 X 8 X 16 feet, each weighing between 4,000 and 10,000 pounds. The large modules are easy to load and transport to the sides of the field, a factor that makes work easier and reduces your labor costs. A single bale can produce between 2.5 and 6.5 standard cotton bales.
What Years are This Model Available in?
When you make the decision to buy this picker, you will have a number of options to choose from in terms of years of manufacture. The Case IH Module Express is available in models from 2011 to 2020. Each subsequent model has significant improvements over its predecessor, with the 2020 model offering the latest technology and features. However, subsequent models are also costlier than the previous ones. You will have to look at the model that fits your needs and budget.
Where Can I Buy Replacement Parts?
When you are looking for replacement components for damaged or worn-out components, you can choose either original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or aftermarket parts.
OEM Parts
When you buy OEM parts, you can be sure of quality and compatibility. OEM replacement parts can be purchased directly from the manufacturer, Case IH.
Aftermarket Parts
Provided you choose a reliable supplier, aftermarket parts will deliver the same quality as OEM parts at a fraction of the cost. Certi-Pik, USA, stocks a wide range of aftermarket parts for this picker.
How Much do Replacement Parts Cost?
Cost is an important consideration when it comes to buying replacement parts. Generally, the cost of replacement parts can reach into the thousands. However, this will depend on the specific components you are looking for. Whether you want to buy OEM or aftermarket parts, you should never compromise on quality in an attempt to save money. Quality parts will keep your machine functioning optimally and save you money in the long run.
Where Can I Buy a New Model?
A new model can be purchased through the company’s licensed dealers. One of the benefits of buying from a dealer is that there will be minimal repairs, and the machine will come with a warranty. The dealership may also offer financing at friendly rates, making it easier for you to own the equipment. Simply visit the manufacturer’s website, select your region, and begin building your new piece of equipment.
Where Can I Buy a Used Model?
Although used models will be cheaper, buying them requires that you do due diligence. With the huge investment that goes into purchasing the equipment, you will want to be sure that it is in good condition. This will help you avoid the costs and headaches associated with frequent repairs and breakdowns. Some of the authorized dealers may also sell used models. In addition, you can consider resale sites such as TractorHouse that are dedicated to this.
What is the Charge Per Acre?
Harvesting is one of the critical and costly operations when it comes to cotton production. When farmers are looking for harvesting equipment, they usually have the option to buy or hire the machines. Each of the options has its advantages and disadvantages. When comparing the cost of the two, you should use this formula:
Breakeven acres = Total annual harvest equipment fixed costs/ Custom rate/ acre – Variable cost/acre
Generally, a producer who owns harvesting equipment will have variable costs of $22.31 per acre. On the other hand, a farmer who hires a custom harvester will spend around $81.26 per acre. It is no wonder that most producers who can afford choose to buy the equipment.
What is the Max Row Unit Sync Speed?
This is a machine that takes performance to a whole new level. With a maximum row-unit sync speed of 5.2 miles per hour, the picker allows you to harvest quickly without compromising picking efficiency. At this speed, the vehicle ground speed, bars, and spindles will be well-synchronized to ensure high performance and maximum output.
What’s the Peak Horsepower?
This model features a powerful Case IH FPT 8.7-liter engine and three-range hydrostatic transmission. With these specifications, the picker has a peak engine horsepower of 400 hp. This power is enough not only to finish the harvesting process quickly but also to enable the machine to work under tough field conditions. All-day power lets you cover large fields in a relatively short period of time, effectively delivering impressive cost-per-acre harvest savings.
What is Case IH’s Automatic Intelligent Auger Packing System?
This is an advanced system of sensors and augers in the bale-building chamber that moves material automatically while the bale is being compressed. The system delivers consistent, rectangular modules that endure exposure to the weather and can be ginned excellently. This system is designed to improve efficiency and save you time during the harvesting process, effectively making your operations seamless.
What are the Bale Dimensions?
Each of the rectangular modules that the machine creates measures 8 X 8 X 16 feet. The large size of the modules makes it possible to manage harvests from large fields. Since you will end up with fewer modules after harvesting, it will also be easy to load and transport material from different fields to a central location.
What is the Bale Weight?
Each of the modules that the machine creates weighs between 4,000 pounds and 10,000 pounds. Considering the power and efficiency of the harvesting equipment, this weight allows you to load and transport the harvested product conveniently. The modules also produce a reasonable number of standard bales.
What are Extenda-Wear Plus Spindles?
Extenda-Wear Plus spindles have a superior barb pattern for increased picking efficiency and 90-micron chrome thickness that delivers maximum durability. This keeps the spindles working even under difficult conditions and allows you to harvest your field all day, day after day and season after season. These spindles are meant to save you time and enhance profitability.
How Many Barbs Does it Have?
The barb pattern on the Extenda-Wear Plus spindles features three rows of fourteen barbs. The first three barbs in every row are at a 30-degree angle to ensure picking efficiency and allow the material to move easily off the spindle when doffing. The last 11 barbs are at a 45-degree angle, a factor that further improves picking efficiency.
Is it Front or Rear-Wheel Drive?
This model has a 4WD system, meaning that all the four wheels are supplied with power from the transmission. Since the front wheels are also supplied with power, they help the rear ones in pulling the machine forward. This ensures that the rear wheels have better traction, leading to less spillage and improved performance. The 4WD system is one of the reasons why this model can work under difficult conditions.
Although the Module Express is a high-quality and durable picker, you will need to replace some of its components at one point or the other. In order to enjoy the same level of performance and reliability that you are used to, you should buy the right replacement parts for this specific model. At Certi-Pik, USA, we sell quality aftermarket parts at affordable prices. Contact us today to place your order.
Over the years, cotton has been grown for food, fiber, and fuel. Today, this versatile fiber can be found in clothes, towels, sheets, and is also used in medical procedures. While cotton has become a part of our daily lives, not many people know where it comes from. Here is part of the information you should know:
The Origins of Cotton
Considering that the world uses it more than any other fiber, this is a widely grown crop. The origin of these plants can be traced to the warm tropical and subtropical regions in the world. These regions are mainly found in Egypt, Africa, India, and the Americas. Today, it is grown on six continents and makes up about half of the global fiber market.
Over the years, India surpassed the U. S. and China to become the world’s top cultivator. China remains the second-largest producer of the crop in the world, with the U.S. coming in third. Some of the other top producers are Brazil and Pakistan. In terms of global trade in its raw form, China is the largest importer in the world, followed by Vietnam and Bangladesh coming in third. Other top importers as a raw material are Indonesia and Pakistan.
The U.S is the largest exporter of the material in the world, commanding over 40 percent of global exports. Brazil, India, and Australia are also top exporters. In Africa, Benin is the largest exporter on the continent.
What Types of Cotton are There?
While there are certain species that grow wild, growing them for sale would not make economic sense. As such, there are specific types that are grown commercially around the world. Here are the five main types:
Egyptian: This type grows in the hot-dry climate of the Nile Valley. It features extra-long fibers and delivers outstanding vibrancy, softness, and performance.
Sea Island: Although this type is relatively rare, it produces soft and luxurious fabric. It traces its origins in Latin America and is named after a group of islands along the coast of South Carolina.
American Pima:This extra-long-staple is considered the finest in the world. The fabric is luxuriously smooth, soft and strong, and resists fading, tearing and wrinkling.
Asiatic: This is an old species that has been cultivated for years. Although other species in China replaced it, it is still grown in India and Pakistan.
American Upland: Characterized by comparatively short fibers, this species is suitable for producing quality but affordable products that a majority of consumers can afford.
Where Does Pima Come From?
Considered the finest quality in the world, Pima was originally cultivated on the Sea Islands of South Carolina as far back as the 1790s. Throughout the 19th century, producers sought to develop extra-long-staple species that would be uniquely American. By doing cross-pollination with Egyptian varieties, the farmers produced American-Egyptian material that featured high-quality fiber that produced soft, luxurious, and strong fabric.
In the early 1900s, the USDA got involved, working in concert with the producers to perfect the variety. Pima was further improved in the 1950s, with advances in seed quality that ensured a superior quality crop.
Considering the desirable characteristics of Pima, there is a high demand for this variety. Some counterfeits have infiltrated the market. As such, always rely on scientific verification to tell if your material is pure Pima.
Where Does Egyptian Cotton Come From?
Egyptian material is another variety that produces quality and durable fabric. While the name may create the notion that this type is only grown in Egypt, the reality is a bit different. In fact, some of the leading producers in the world are India, China, and the U.S. This variety can also be found in Peru, and South America. However, due to Egypt’s climatic conditions, the material that comes from this country has significantly longer fibers.
This means that you should pay attention to the percentage of material and not the country of origin when buying Egyptian bedding or towels. Products that are 100 percent Egyptian material can last for between 40 and 50 years. However, you will need to take care of the fabric properly if it is to be durable.
High Quality Aftermarket Parts for All Harvesting Needs
For producers, harvesting can be a stressful and costly operation. The right harvesting equipment can help make your work easier and help you harvest from large fields in a shorter period of time. However, you will need to buy quality replacement parts for your machines when the components malfunction or wear out. Certi-Pik, USA sells quality and affordable aftermarket parts for John Deere and Case IH cotton pickers. Contact us today to place your order.
