The fiber properties in which growers will receive financial incentives for in 1991 are grade, length, strength, and micronaire. Grade is based on a combination of color and thrash. Color is primarily lost due to weathering but may be impacted by micronaire or insects, such as white flies. Smoothleaf cottons usually produce better grades than those produced from hairy cottons. Any management system which tends to produce excessive vegetative growth tends to increase the thrash content in ginned lint. Fiber length is determinant both by variety and moisture,with severe drought resulting in short fibers. Strength is primarily determined by the variety. Any factor that produces excessive vegetative growth, such as too much nitrogen, and excessive irrigation will result in poor maturity of the crop and low micronaire. Premature defoliation before bolls are 36 days of age or 750 DD60's will result in cessation of cellulose deposition in the fiber and consequently low micronaire.