2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): The objective is to develop and test a non-contract, online method of predicting the moisture content of seed cotton in the overhead section of the ginning plant. Having an accurate measure of seed cotton moisture content would greatly aid the ginning plant in managing dryer temperatures. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Knowing the moisture content of the seed cotton as it comes off the trailer or module would help the ginner manage dryer temperatures more efficiently. Using insufficent heat may not adequately dry the seed cotton, resulting in poor cleaning and ginning in the worst case, may cause choke-ups and possibly damage the machinery. Using too much heat can cause static problems that also may cause choke-ups, and it can make pressing a bale more difficult. But more importantly, too much heat damages the fiber, making it brittle and more prone to breakage. The aim is to use only enough heat to obtain a seed cotton moisture content of 6-7% prior to ginning. 3.Progress Report: A mathematical model that predicts moisture content of cotton as it enters the ginning plant was previously tested at the Glenbar Gin in Pima, AZ. It was not possible to properly calibrate the model due to a lack of wet cotton resulting from the recent drought. Instrumentation was installed at the Silver Creek Gin, Holly Bluff, MS, in the unloading section of the gin to test the model. Silver Creek typically receives some cotton with high moisture content. Data was collected during the 2011-12 ginning season. The model did not perform well due to variability in mass flow rate of air and seed cotton, low drying air temperature, and lack of synchronization between the moisture samples taken at the module with the temperature data taken at mixpoint. Instrumentation and procedural changes will be made and data collected during the 2012-13 ginning season. The results of the study at Silver Creek were presented at the 2012 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) International Meeting. This research will be the basis for a future journal publication. Communication between the Glenbar Gin and the ADODR occurred at industry functions such as the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, the Western Cotton Ginners School, and various state ginners meetings.