Cotton fiber strength measurements are affected by moisture content, A moisture measurement taken during High Volume Instrument (HVI) testing of cotton samples could be used to reduce the moisture effects on strength measurement. A new approach to the resistance moisture meter which is fast, reasonably priced, and accurate has been developed by the U.S. Cotton Ginning Laboratory. This meter has been evaluated for use on HVI systems. Fiber strength varied directly by 2.5 g/tex per percent moisture content (wet basis). Moisture content of over 96% of the 3631 samples being classed for producers by Cotton Division, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) was within the range of 6.3% to 7.6% wet basis. There was a strong correlation between measured moisture content and HVI strength. Under the current Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) loan program, variation in per bale value of between $4 and $8 would occur as a result of the effect of moisture on fiber strength.