ABSTRACT

The measurement and control of moisture during cotton harvest, ginning, and textile processing is a very important quality consideration. Research has long shown that, in general, cotton should be harvested below 12% moisture, cleaned, and ginned between 6 to 8% moisture to preserve cotton-fiber quality during the ginning process. It has also been industry practice to try to maintain the 6 to 8% fiber-moisture level at baling for ease of press operation and to maintain fiber quality during long-term bale storage. Recent moisture-addition-equipment developments have made it possible to bale cotton at moisture contents higher than the old recommended 6 to 8% range. There were concerns by some segments of the cotton industry that baling cotton at the higher moisture levels would lead to fiber-quality degradation during bale storage. Recent research has shown that baled cotton fiber does significantly change color during 6 months’ storage at moisture levels above 8%. These results have led the National Cotton Council to recommend that the moisture content of U. S. cotton bales be kept at or below 7.5%.