The overall quality of the 2001 American Upland cotton crop, one of the largest in history, is described in this paper. Improvements in quality were observed in color grade, extraneous matter, staple length, length uniformity and strength when compared to the 2000 crop for American Upland cotton. Leaf grade remained at the same level as the previous crop. The micronaire average increased significantly and was higher than any of the previous five crop years.

The percentage of official color grades that were 41/32 and higher was 87.8 compared to 85.2 percent for the 2000 crop. Official USDA color grades were determined by HVI measurement instead of by classers again for the 2001 crop. This change in official cotton classing procedures was made by USDA in response to a unanimous request from the U.S. cotton industry for crop year 2000. The classer leaf grade average was at 3.0 in 2001, identical to the 2000 crop. Through December 27, 2001, extraneous matter was identified in less cotton than in 2000. Bark was recorded on 1.9 percent of the cotton classed and grass was 0.7 percent.

Micronaire measurements for the 2001 crop averaged 4.6 units, up considerably from 4.3 in 2000. Strength measurements for U.S. cotton returned to levels found prior to the 2000 crop and averaged 28.3 grams per tex. Average staple length also was slightly longer this season at 34.5 thirty-seconds. This was the longest average since the 1997 crop. Length uniformity was also higher for 2001 at 81.4 after dropping to a six year low in 2000 at 81.1.

The percentage of American Pima which was Grade 3 and higher in the 2001 crop was 97.2 up slightly from the previous year. Average micronaire for Pima was at 4.0 units. Pima length was longer at 45.8 thirty-seconds and strength was significantly higher at 40.9 grams per tex.