ARS labs update to California Cotton Ginners and Growers

Authors: Funk, Paul; Armijo, Carlos; Delhom, Christopher; Hardin Iv, Robert; Holt, Gregory; Pelletier, Mathew; Wanjura, John; Whitelock, Derek

Submitted to: California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2017
Publication Date: 6/1/2017
Citation: Funk, P.A., Armijo, C.B., Delhom, C.D., Hardin IV, R.G., Holt, G.A., Pelletier, M.G., Wanjura, J.D., Whitelock, D.P. 2017. ARS labs update to California Cotton Ginners and Growers. Joint annual meeting of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, 2 May 2017, Monterey, CA. Presentation only.

Interpretive Summary: There are four USDA-ARS labs involved in cotton harvesting, processing & fiber quality research; The Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory (Mesilla Park, NM); The Cotton Production and Processing Unit (Lubbock, TX); The Cotton Ginning Research Unit (Stoneville, MS); and The Cotton Structure & Quality Research Unit (New Orleans, LA). These labs work together to address issues important to U.S. cotton producers and processors including: • Detecting stickiness caused by late-season sucking insects • Quantifying stickiness caused by late-season sucking insects • Removing stickiness caused by late-season sucking insects • Preventing tears and tails that cause plastic contamination of cotton lint • Detecting plastic in cotton fields before or during harvest • Detecting and removing plastic in the ginning process • Audits quantifying drying system energy use to elucidate best practices • Improving process control automation to reduce conveying energy use • Managing cotton module logistics with wireless devices and RFID tag readers • Reducing particulate emissions from cotton ginning facilities • Developing accurate models to predict emissions dispersion • Adding value to cotton gin byproducts by developing acoustic absorbers • Mechanical alternative to acid delinting so cotton seed flows in planting machines • Testing cryogenic metallurgy for improved gin saw longevity • Testing cotton gin dust to avoid unnecessary precautions and expenses associated with combustible and explosion hazard ratings • Improving fiber length uniformity for better spinning mill performance

Technical Abstract: There are four USDA-ARS labs involved in cotton harvesting, processing & fiber quality research; The Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory (Mesilla Park, NM); The Cotton Production and Processing Unit (Lubbock, TX); The Cotton Ginning Research Unit (Stoneville, MS); and The Cotton Structure & Quality Research Unit (New Orleans, LA). These labs work together to address issues important to U.S. cotton producers and processors including: • Detecting stickiness caused by late-season sucking insects • Quantifying stickiness caused by late-season sucking insects • Removing stickiness caused by late-season sucking insects • Preventing tears and tails that cause plastic contamination of cotton lint • Detecting plastic in cotton fields before or during harvest • Detecting and removing plastic in the ginning process • Audits quantifying drying system energy use to elucidate best practices • Improving process control automation to reduce conveying energy use • Managing cotton module logistics with wireless devices and RFID tag readers • Reducing particulate emissions from cotton ginning facilities • Developing accurate models to predict emissions dispersion • Adding value to cotton gin byproducts by developing acoustic absorbers • Mechanical alternative to acid delinting so cotton seed flows in planting machines • Testing cryogenic metallurgy for improved gin saw longevity • Testing cotton gin dust to avoid unnecessary precautions and expenses associated with combustible and explosion hazard ratings • Improving fiber length uniformity for better spinning mill performance