Author
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Boykin Jr, James |
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Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2006 Publication Date: 12/1/2006 Citation: Boykin Jr, J.C. 2006. Gross monetary returns for conventionly processed cotton cultivars from mississippi. Journal of Cotton Science. Vol. 10: 284-299. Interpretive Summary: U.S. cotton production approaches 20 million bales annually, most of which is exported. The quality of this cotton must meet both domestic and foreign market requirements. Numerous varieties are available for cotton farmers and each of these produces fiber with unique quality characteristics. However, farmers need additional information regarding profitability of different varieties after commercial ginning. To answer this question, cotton from the Mississippi Regional Cotton Variety Trials was processed with standard gin equipment to determine monetary value and fiber properties. Cotton yield was the major influence on gross monetary returns. Cultivars with the highest gross return were found with both low and high fiber quality. Cotton had a negative association with fiber length and strength, so these properties need to be improved in the higher yielding varieties. When fiber properties were compared to domestic mill needs, 93% of the cultivars met these requirements. Foreign mills demand higher quality fiber, and only 31% of the cultivars met these requirements. Most cultivars fell short of these requirements due to color and length. Since most of the U.S. cotton is exported, it will become increasingly important for U.S. farmers to produce higher quality lint. This research shows the need for improvement in modern cotton cultivars which will increase the marketability of U.S. cotton. Technical Abstract: The Mississippi Regional Cotton Variety Trials (RCVT) from one location in 2002 and two locations in 2003 were machine harvested and ginned in the microgin in Stoneville, MS, utilizing a standard machine sequence. This allowed cultivars to be evaluated in a manner very similar to commercial practice. Lint yields were determined and HVI measurements were used to determine the value of the lint and the gross monetary return. Gross monetary return was closely tied to lint yield, and there were large differences in these factors between cultivars and test environments. The variation in lint value was much larger between cultivars than between environments. Gross monetary return was calculated from lint yield and lint value, but there was no correlation between lint value and gross return. Increased lint yield was associated with decreased length and fiber strength. Fiber quality determined for these cultivars were compared to the typical needs of both domestic and foreign markets. For fiber length, color, leaf, and uniformity, 93% of the cultivars met the fiber quality demanded by the domestic market, but only 31% met the requirements of foreign mills. |
