It's a pleasure to be here this afternoon to discuss our topic of Helping Move U.S. Cotton to Markets. One approach toward improving cotton's position in the market place is to provide a product of high quality to our customers through improved bale packaging and reduced sources of contamination.

As a cotton producer, I want my product to be well protected and delivered in good shape. As a ginner, I feel it is my responsibility to provide the beat service and bale protection to my ginning customers.

Decisions regarding cotton bale packaging are mad by the JCIBPC which includes representation from producer-ginner, warehouse-compress, merchant, cooperative and textile mill segments of the industry. The committee is actually a joint committee between cotton textile manufacturing and raw cotton segments. Detailed specifications for packaging materials are established by the committee and are adopted by the Commodity Credit Corporation as part of the USDA Cotton Loan Program Regulations.

Progress in improved bale packaging has accelerated since adoption of net-weight trading for U.S. upland cotton in 1971. Previously, only export cotton and extra-long staple had been sold net weight. At that time, the only approved bale wrap was heavy jute bagging and steel bands with buckles. Net-weight trading allowed industry to test a variety of products. Since 1971 many experimental materials have been tested to determine performance and protection to cotton bales. While most materials have been rejected, several of the best products have been adopted.