production practices in the high plains are different than those of other US regions. Harsh weather conditions have historically led to the use of more storm-proof cultivars, and the combination of these tight-locked cultivars and short plant heights have led to the use of stripper harvesters rather than the mechanical picker harvesters used throughout most of the US. However, new germplasm, increased yields and improved irrigation practices have led to the use of picker harvesters on some irrigated cotton on the High Plains.