Aventis Crop Science will release new stripper FiberMax cotton varieties in 2001, including FM 5013, tested as AVS9444. This variety began initial development in the former SeedCo breeding program, and was selected as an elite strain by Aventis Cottonseed Research, at the Lubbock, TX, breeding station. FM 5013 will be the first Aventis variety introduction in the stripper market and is targeted to very early season production in the northern High Plains. This variety provides adaptability to shorter season production management combined with excellent yield potential