What is cotton picking?

Cotton picking is the process of harvesting mature cotton bolls from the cotton plant. It is typically done by hand or by using machines like cotton pickers or strippers.

Handpicking involves workers walking through the fields and picking cotton bolls from the plant by hand. It is a labor-intensive process that requires skilled labor and can be very difficult and tiring work. Handpicking was the traditional method of cotton picking for many years, but it has become less common as modern technology has made mechanical harvesting more efficient.

Mechanical cotton picking involves the use of specially designed machines that can pick cotton quickly and efficiently. Cotton pickers use a series of spindles that rotate at high speeds and grab the cotton bolls from the plant. The cotton bolls are then stripped from the spindles and placed into a container, typically pulled behind the picker.

Cotton picking is an important part of the cotton industry, with millions of bales of cotton harvested every year around the world. It is a crucial step in the production of cotton, which is used to make a wide range of products, including clothing, bedding, and industrial products.