TEXAS NEIGHBORS | FALL 2023 Seed Planting Germination Fruit with Seeds Lifecycle of the Cotton Plant Seedling Cotton in Texas Sprout • About 5 million acres are harvested in Texas annually , and over 10 million acres are harvested in the U.S. • Planted mid-March through mid-June • Harvested in August through December Plant with Fruit Flowers #1 crop in Texa s Plant Journey of Cotton through the Gin Step 1: Cotton moisture is measured to determine what amount of heat will be applied to open the fiber. Cotton as a Product • Clothing • Compost • Livestock Feed • Oil • Hulls • Whole Cottonseed Meal Used in Feed: Step 2: Cleaning begins when the cotton runs through the incline cleaner, which removes large sticks and burrs. Step 3: Cottonseed is separated from the lint in the gin stand. The seed drops into an auger and will later be crushed for cotton seed oil or used in feed. ONE BALE OF COTTON CAN MAKE: • 215 pairs of jeans • 690 bath towels • 1,217 t-shirts • 4,321 socks • 313,800 $100 bills Step 4: Cotton is pressed into bales and tested. The lint goes through cleaners where small matter is taken out. It is then pressed into 500 lb. bales and tested to ensure it meets USDA standards.