Provides information on harvesting, transport, threshing, drying, cleaning, packaging, storage and processing. In the United States, cowpea can be harvested at three different stages of maturity: a green snaps, b greenmature, and c dry. Depending on temperature and freshmarket demand, peas are ready for harvest 16 to 17 days after bloom 60 to 90 days after planting. Harvest date for green snap pods is normally specified by the processor. Most domestic cowpea production is mechanically harvested, however, hand harvested cowpeas suffer less damage and the harvest season may continue over a 1 to 3 week period.

Website: http://www.fao.org/inpho/content/compend/text/ch32/ch32_02.htm