ABSTRACT

The USDA, AMS, Cotton Program provides classification services to the cotton industry as authorized by the U.S. Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, the Cotton Standards Act and the U.S. Cotton Futures Act. Practically all cotton grown in the United States is classed by the Cotton Program at the request of producers. The Cotton Program also provides classification services for all cotton tendered for delivery on futures contract at the New York Board of Trade.

The Cotton Program maintains a stringent quality assurance program to ensure accurate classification results are provided to the cotton industry. The utilization of standardized quality assurance procedures in all classing operations ensures that cotton is classed uniformly in all Cotton Program offices across the cotton belt. The Cotton Program actively investigates new techniques and methods to enhance the accuracy and reliability of classification data provided to the domestic and international cotton industries.