2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): The objective of this cooperative research project is to provide ginning and testing services to the cotton industry. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will provide small-scale and large-scale ginning services to the cotton industry to expand and expedite public and private research programs. Scientific evaluation of ginning characteristics and fiber properties will be provided to establish optimum cotton production practices and ginning procedures. 3.Progress Report: The unit provided a limited amount of support to companies interested in bringing new equipment to the U.S. cotton industry who needed ginning services. They wanted to try different approaches or to test the material they had processed to assure themselves that they had not adversely affected the cotton. They did not feel that the need for support required a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, but only a short term limited support effort.