Discussion Topics. Brief History of Cotton Classification in USDA. ICAC First Open Session: Trading Cotton on an Instrument Based Testing System

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1 ICAC First Open Session: Trading Cotton on an Instrument Based Testing System James L. Knowlton USDA, AMS, Cotton Program Memphis, TN, USA Discussion Topics USDA Cotton Classification System Role and Importance of International Standardization Challenges to Large Scale Cotton Classification Systems Brief History of Cotton Classification in USDA 1908: Original Committee to Establish USDA Standards 1909: First Standards Established by USDA Early USDA Interest in Work Started in 1930 s Colorimeter Color Grades 1

2 Early USDA Interest in Early USDA Implementation of 1970 s Measurement Integration Classing Office Evaluations Trash Length Strength Micronaire Early USDA Implementation of 1980 First Full Scale USDA Classing Office Operation 1991: All USDA Classing Offices Implement Instrument Classification - Lamesa, Texas - 10 HVI s Magnitude of USDA Instrument Classing Since 1991 USDA Classification Progress Average crop size of ~ 17 million bales Over 220 million bales classed since

3 USDA Cotton Classing Facilities USDA Cotton Classification Today Visalia Phoenix USDA Facilities Washington DC Memphis Lubbock Florence Abilene Dumas Macon Lamesa Rayville Birmingham Corpus Christi Washington Headquarters Memphis Field Operations / Classing Office Classing Facilities USDA Cotton Classification Today ~ 290 Instruments ~ 2000 Instrument Operators ~ 300 Cotton Classers USDA Cotton Classification Today Qualities Measured: Classer: Leaf Grade, Extraneous Matter Instrument: Micronaire, Strength, Length, Length Uniformity Index, Color Rd, Color +b, Color Grade, Percent Area Trash Achieving Success in an Instrument Based Classification System Integration of Key Functions: Classification Standardization Quality Assurance Data Dissemination Research & Development The USDA Cotton Classification Process 3

4 The Classification Process Bale Sampling: The Classification Process Receiving Traying Conditioning Data Dissemination Classing Instrument Testing Classification Data Dissemination Textile Manufacturers Other Gov t Agencies Cotton Merchants Abilene National Database Visalia Standardization of Cotton Classification by Instrument Birmingham Rayville Corpus Christi Memphis, TN Phoenix Dumas Florence Lamesa Lubbock Macon Memphis The Universal Cotton Standards Internationally Accepted Solidly Established Micronaire Strength, Length, Uniformity Index The Universal Cotton Standards Used by Over 50 Countries Worldwide Major Users: Australia China Uzbekistan India Indonesia Japan Thailand Korea Turkey S. Africa Greece Pakistan France Brazil Israel England Portugal Argentina Spain Taiwan Zimbabwe Ghana Italy Switzerland U.S. Procedures Rd/+b Color (effective July 1, 2006) Grade 4

5 The Universal Cotton Standards Agreement Established in 1923 Agreement Between U.S. Cotton Industry, 23 Associations from 21 Countries & USDA Signatories to the Agreement govern the Universal Standards Program 27 th Universal Cotton Standards Conference Held in Memphis, TN, USA on June 8 10, 2005 Rd/+b cotton color standards adopted during conference CSITC Initiative Model: USDA Cotton Classification System Instrument Calibration: Universal Standards Development of CSITC Round Test Program Challenges/Requirements to Establishing & Maintaining a Successful Large Scale Cotton Classification System Challenges/Requirements Earn & Maintain Industry Trust Must provide accurate & unbiased classification that will be accepted by all segments of the cotton industry Adopt Industry Accepted & Governed Cotton Classification Standards Ensures acceptance & trust from all cotton industry segments Challenges/Requirements Requirements for Instrument Testing Skilled Workforce Reliable service industry for equipment servicing Reliable & stable electric power Reliable & accurate HVAC systems 5

6 Sample Moisture Conditioning Conditioning Standard: All USDA testing laboratories are required to maintain conditions of 21 ±1 C and 65%±2% RH Challenges/Requirements Quality Assurance of Testing Ensuring adherence to standards (calibration & procedures) Importance of maintaining testing consistency in multiple classification locations Instrument Maintenance Trained on-site technicians Rapid Conditioning Unit Moisture Checking Benefits of Instrument Classification Optimized mill utilization of cotton More accurate & fairer valuation of cotton Improve cottons competitiveness with synthetic fibers Benefits of International Standardization Marketing consistency: One common language for defining cotton quality Provides opportunities for expanded instrument classification Conclusion USDA Support of CSITC Task Force Objective Support & actively participate in process Promote Universal Cotton Standards Offer experience & knowledge in instrument classification for the development of Task Force objectives ICAC First Open Session: Trading Cotton on an Instrument Based Testing System James L. Knowlton USDA, AMS, Cotton Program Memphis, TN, USA 6