Quality Preservation

Keep your cotton neat and clean by choosing the right module cover and preventing lint contamination.

(Contamination) Extraneous Matter Code for 2018 and Beyond
The USDA AMS Cotton and Tobacco Program (C&T) will implement two new extraneous matter codes for samples containing plastic contaminants. This change is being implemented beginning July 1, 2018 in response to industry requests and concerns.

(Contamination) A Very Serious Matter
Cotton's Agenda article in August 3, 2017 edition of Cotton Farming. As the 2017 harvest and ginning season approaches, National Cotton Council President Gary Adams urges its members to continue giving top priority to lint contamination prevention.

December 2016 NCC Gin Survey of Harvest Transport Practices
436 cotton ginning operations were surveyed in an effort to determine current transport practices of harvested seed cotton from fields to gins.  A total of 152 responses were received encompassing responses across all four production regions of the U.S.

Module Averaging Program
Module averaging is a voluntary program offered by the USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program since 1991... It started as an effort between the USDA and an industry task group on quality to address a problem with the accuracy of the strength measurement.  The success of the initial program led to the inclusion of micronaire, length, and length uniformity.

Opinions Vary On 'Ground' Cotton
Cotton Farming magazine's Western Region Edition (October 2013) noted that "...cotton roods gather a great deal of cotton, they also pick up almost everything else they encounter in the field – dirt, rocks, tarp, plastic bags, sticks, etc. ..."

NCC Bale Moisture Fact Sheet
Because NCC policy recommends moisture levels in cotton bales at the gin not exceed 7.5%, the NCC's Quality Task Force urges diligence be exercised to minimize the possibility of fiber quality deterioration due to excessive water and concentrated wet spots; this is a special concern with gins that use liquid spraying systems.

Recommendations for Handling Seed cotton Exposed To Excessive Rainfall
Widespread extended rainy and wet conditions periodically impact the U.S. cotton crop. Almost every year, some growing areas experience significant yield and quality losses due to inclement weather. Wet weather negatively impacts lint color and seed quality.

Contamination-Free Cotton

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This page contains resources for help in preventing seed cotton and lint contamination. Most of these resources previously were available on this Quality Preservation page.

Cotton Incorporated's Harvest Systems Web Pages

Cotton harvest systems publications from Cotton Incorporated covering:
1) Spindle-type cotton harvesters,
2) Stripper-type harvesters,
3) Handling and storage of seed cotton, and
4) Economic decision aids (cotton harvest equipment investment analysis)