Cotton Testing Procedures

1. Cotton Testing Procedures

2. Cotton Testing Procedures Production & Modules

3. Cotton Testing Procedures Production & Modules

4. Cotton Testing Procedures Cotton Gin

5. Cotton Testing Procedures • Samples are drawn from each bale at gins and warehouses licensed by USDA • Samples from each bale consist of two portion, one portion cut from each side of the bale • Samples are cut from space between wires or ties of bale Bale Sampling

6. Cotton Testing Procedures Bale Sampling

7. Cotton Testing Procedures • Each portion is approximately 154 mm wide and 305 mm long • Each portion must weigh 114 grams for a total sample weight of 228 grams • A Permanent Bale Identification coupon is placed between the two portions of the sample Bale Sampling

8. Cotton Testing Procedures Bale Sampling

9. Cotton Testing Procedures • The sample is placed immediately in a sample sack which is provided by USDA • The samples are transported to USDA Classing Offices by carriers contracted by USDA Bale Sampling

10. Cotton Testing Procedures • Licensed samplers are under the supervision of USDA • USDA employees perform random sampling inspections at all gins and warehouses that are licensed to sample cotton to ensure sampling procedures are followed • Samplers that do not comply with established procedures are subject to the loss of sampling privileges Bale Sampling

11. Cotton Testing Procedures Receiving Samples

12. Cotton Testing Procedures Traying Samples

13. Cotton Testing Procedures • Sample Conditioning: • USDA requirement: • 21°±1° C and 65%±2% RH • 6.75% - 8.25% moisture content (dry basis) • Methods: Passive (48 hour) or Rapid Conditioning (10 – 15 minutes) Rapid Conditioning Passive Conditioning

14. Cotton Testing Procedures Moisture checking • 6.75% - 8.25% moisture content (dry basis)

15. Cotton Testing Procedures Instrument Testing

16. Cotton Testing Procedures Instrument Fiber Property Measurements: • Micronaire – fineness of fibers • Strength – grams per tex • Length – upper half mean length • Length Uniformity – uniformity of fiber lengths • Trash – percent area non-lint • Rd – degree of brightness • +b – degree of color • Official Color Grade

17. Cotton Testing Procedures Instrument Fiber Property Measurements: • Micronaire – single test • Strength, length, length uniformity – two comb test • Rd, +b, trash – four image test

18. Cotton Testing Procedures Manual Classer Determinations: • Official Leaf grade • determined in accordance with the Universal Grade Standards • Extraneous Matter

19. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training • All USDA employees receive standardized training including: • HVI Operators • HVI Supervisors • HVI Technicians

20. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators • All new HVI operators must complete a two week training program • The training program covers the established procedures for instrument calibration and operation • New HVI operators must demonstrate their ability to perform all tasks and meet certain volume requirement

21. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, First Week • Training program orientation • Instrument orientation • Instrument calibration • Reference level checks • Instrument operation • Evaluation/examination

22. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, Evaluation • HVI operators must demonstrate their ability to complete tasks associated with the operation of the instrument • Their abilities are documented on a HVI Skills Evaluation Checklist which must be certified by the HVI operator, HVI Supervisor, and Area Director

23. Cotton Testing Procedures

24. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, Examination • HVI Operators will operate instrument in a production setting and must test an established number of samples

25. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, Second Week • Continue the operation of instruments to demonstrate proficiency of operations • Supervisors closely monitor HVI operator performance and provide additional training, if needed

26. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, Examination • HVI Operators will operate instrument during second week in a production setting and must test an established number of samples

27. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Supervisors • Receive training on the following: • Supervision of Calibration illustrating leadership ability • Analysis of reference level check data • Temperature and humidity monitoring • Correction of routine problems encountered on instruments • Workplace efficiency

28. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Technicians • All new HVI Technicians must complete a two week training program • The training program covers all aspect of instrument operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair

29. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Technicians • HVI Technician Training areas: • Instrument operation • Calibration • Instrument setup • Operation of each component • Instrument evaluation

30. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Technicians • HVI Technician Training Areas: • Data analysis • Proper instrument maintenance • Identification of instrument problems • Instrument repair

31. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Technicians • HVI technician must successfully pass a practical and written examination at the conclusion of the training to be certified