ABSTRACT

The USDA, AMS, Cotton Program currently determines leaf grade and extraneous matter manually. The Program recently initiated studies to determine the potential of replacing manual leaf grade measurements with HVI measurements. The preliminary analysis from the study indicates that the movement to an HVI leaf measurement has the potential of producing results as good as or better than the current manual system.

In addition to the HVI leaf grade initiative, the Program is responding to cotton industry requests by developing classer guides for bark and grass extraneous matter. Currently, only narrative definitions serve to guide manual classers in visually determining extraneous matter for bark and grass. The visual guides will contain digital images of cotton samples depicting the different quantity levels of bark and grass that are acceptable within each established level. This technology has the potential of reducing the level of subjectivity inherent in the current process. The Cotton Program is also developing improved written definitions for extraneous matter in conjunction with these images.