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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Structure and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301690

Title: Fiber quality challenges facing the cotton industry

Author
item Delhom, Christopher - Chris

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2014
Publication Date: 4/27/2014
Citation: Delhom, C.D. 2014. Fiber quality challenges facing the cotton industry. Proceedings of the National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. January 6-8,2014, New Orleans, Louisiana. p. 590-592.

Interpretive Summary: The cotton industry is in the midst of an exciting time with increased domestic consumption, but also facing pressure from other crops and the global marketplace. In order to ensure the US cotton crop remains the fiber of choice for the world it is important to keep an eye on the challenges to fiber quality. High micronaire values, contamination, increased bark and the ever-present threat of stickiness are very real challenges. The industry can rise to meet these challenges, but only if the industry is aware of them and the appropriate ways to manage, minimize or eliminate them.

Technical Abstract: The cotton industry is in the midst of an exciting time with increased domestic consumption, but also facing pressure from other crops and the global marketplace. In order to ensure the US cotton crop remains the fiber of choice for the world it is important to keep an eye on the challenges to fiber quality. High micronaire values, contamination, increased bark and the ever-present threat of stickiness are very real challenges. The industry can rise to meet these challenges, but only if the industry is aware of them and the appropriate ways to manage, minimize or eliminate them.