Adoption of new John Deere picker and stripper harvesters that form round or cylindrical modules onboard continues to increase, and recent reports suggest that approximately 50% of the US cotton crop is stored in round modules prior to ginning. Plastic contamination of lint bales has increased since the introduction of these new harvesting systems and research and education efforts are needed to help reduce the incidence of plastic contamination. The objectives of this presentation are to provide information to cotton growers and ginners related to 1) components that make up round module wrap, 2) how the different wrap components work together to protect and identify the cotton, 3) safe cutting and wrap removal techniques, and 4) additional resources for handling and unwrapping cotton stored in round modules. This presentation provides a unique, clear, and visual explanation of the non-tacky, tacky, and wrap tail segments of Tama RMW module wrap and how these different parts work to protect the cotton. The RFID tag identification system implemented on each module is explained with emphasis on how it can be used to identify proper wrap cut locations using manual and automated wrap removal solutions. Most importantly, and unique to this presentation, the risk of cutting wrap in an improper location is clearly explained in addition to how that risk can be minimized via module handling techniques that produce consistent and proper module orientation prior to cutting the wrap.
