Author
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Valco, Thomas |
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Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2005 Publication Date: 6/20/2005 Citation: Valco, T.D. 2005. Managing Lint Quality, Making a Profit: Harvesting and Ginning. In the Proceedings of the National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. January 4-7, 2005, New Orleans, LA. 2005 CDROM Interpretive Summary: Managing fiber quality, as well as yield potential, is important during every stage of cotton production. Several critical steps must be taken during production, defoliation, harvesting and ginning to help preserve fiber quality. Fiber quality is 'as good as it is going to be' immediately after boll opening and it is up to the producer and ginner to preserve as many quality attributes as possible; however, this is not the easiest task considering environmental and mechanical processes that the fiber must endure. Careful management and some good luck are needed to maintain quality and improve profits. A ginner must deliver high quality lint that brings the producer maximum value, while meeting the demands of the textile mill. The quality of seed cotton arriving at the gin is directly proportional to the quality of the bales leaving the gin. Operating gin machinery in accord with the recommended speeds, adjustments, maintenance, and sequence while ginning the cotton at the optimum moisture level will produce the best possible end product. Technical Abstract: Fiber quality begins with variety selection, but can greatly be altered by management, harvest, field storage, and ginning. Fiber quality is best immediately after boll opening and it is up to the producer and ginner to preserve as many quality attributes as possible. Proper harvest timing, machine operation, field storage and module construction, and gin operation are critical steps in preserving fiber quality and maximizing bale value. Maximizing ginning efficiency means maintaining the highest possible quality at the lowest possible cost. Operating gin machinery in accord with the recommended speeds, adjustments, maintenance, and sequence while ginning the cotton at the optimum moisture level, will produce the best possible end product. Utilizing available resources, such as USDA ARS Gin Laboratories, National Cotton Ginners Association, and other gin associations can help provide the needed expertise |
