The goal of this ongoing project is enabling cotton producers to make fiber quality maps and consider field input and other management practices with respect to fiber quality.

In the first year, a TexasA&MUniversity researcher identified a system of hardware and software that can integrate fiber quality data between gin and farm. The data could be downloaded through the Internet and introduced into the farm GIS, after which fiber quality maps could be generated.

In 2006, work will focus on building a wireless communication system that maintains records between harvest area, basket load and module. Software will be developed to facilitate GIS-compatible input and storage of pertinent field data and USDA-AMS fiber quality data.

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station research is aimed at decreasing costs associated with post production handling, storage and ginning of seed cotton.

Results from 2005 testing, showed that vinyl and film module covers showed no to minimal average water penetration while woven poly covers allowed minimal to high average water penetration. The study also indicated increased ginning costs from poorly protected seed cotton, with preliminary analyses, for example, showing that poorly shaped modules with poor covers can result in the ginning rate (bales/hr.) being cut by a third of that for well protected modules.

Investigators continue to develop tools and systems that will maintain cotton lint and seed quality during module building, transport and extended storage periods. Knowledge gained from this project will used to support the development of a performance standard for cotton module covers.