USDA Cotton Classing

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) process of describing cotton quality so that its value can be determined. The USDA tests every bale of staple cotton produced by U.S. cotton gins with a high volume instrument that measures fiber properties including fiber strength, length uniformity, micronaire, trash, and color. All of these values are attached to each bale, and fiber is purchased based on these properties.

General
Pre-Planting
Planting/Early Growing
Growth
Harvesting
Ginning
Classing