At Moree, NSW, Auscott Midkin’s marketing manager, Rod Gordon, says extensive trials carried out over two seasons have been a great success.

The work has been necessary because the new picker requires new handling and unwrapping infrastructure – especially when the bumper-sized modules reach the gin.

“After putting the new picker and modules to test in the field, and through the gin, I can see the potential for greater efficiencies, particularly in the field, utilising the round bale technology,” he said.

Interestingly, Mr Gordon says the ginning of the round bales will have a “minimal” effect on growers as the transportation equipment and data required for the computer systems will be similar.

His colleague, ginning manager Craig Gaston said that Auscott’s “walking floor” at the module feeder bay had been designed to ease handling of the new modules for processing.

As well, he said that Auscott Midkin’s six stand gin had the capacity to process a large amount of cotton, priding itself on achieving a superior ginning job whilst maintaining the cotton fibre’s quality.

Mr Gaston believes the new round modules have the potential to minimise the incidence of contamination from field/machinery – provided the wrapping process is handled correctly with Australia’s clean cotton exporting reputation likely to be enhanced.

Australia’s cotton industry contends it is taking a “pro-active” approach in adopting new technologies like the advent of round-style module pickers.

It’s all about accommodating not only increased production costs but also labour shortages as part of a continuing bid to maximise the efficiency of the cotton harvest.