Reports CTRM for Agricultural and Soft Commodities

CTRM for Ags & Softs measurements. Module averaging does not require a new sampling procedure; it uses the measurements made through the current procedure of obtaining a sample from each side of every bale. With module averaging, all of the individual bale measurements of fiber quality within a module or trailer are averaged, and that average value is assigned to every bale in the module. For example, the individual strength readings for all of the bales in the module are added together and divided by the number of bales in the module to determine the module average for strength, and that value is then assigned as the strength reading for each bale in the module unit. This average serves as the final quality measurement value. Cotton Classification procedures for American Pima cotton are similar to those for American Upland cotton, including the use of high volume instrument measurements. The most significant difference is that the American Pima color grade chart differs from the American Upland color grade chart. Different grade standards are used because American Pima cotton is a deeper yellow than American Upland cotton. In addition, the ginning processes for American Pima cotton and Upland cotton are not the same; Pima cotton is roller ginned, and Upland cotton is saw ginned. Roller ginning results in a less smooth appearance than that obtained with saw ginning. Also, the conversion of fiber length from 100 ths to 32nds of an inch differs for American Pima cotton. After Ginning Growers usually sell their cotton to a local buyer or merchant after it has been ginned and baled, but if they decide against immediate sale, they can store it and borrow money against it. Since it is a non-perishable crop, cotton stored in a government-approved warehouse provides a secure basis for a monetary loan. Properly handling cotton is vitally important. As a natural fiber, cotton requires strict handling and logistics procedures to ensure that fibers are not damaged or contaminated. Contamination from non-cotton fibers is a major problem for mills as it affects their processing and dyeing requirements. Cotton actually is two crops: fiber and seed. About one-third of the cottonseed produced from a typical crop is crushed for oil and meal used in food products and in livestock and poultry feed. Spinning mills that blend various qualities of cotton and then spin the cotton fiber into cotton yarn purchase bales of cotton. The yarn is then knitted or woven into fabrics that are then cut and sewn into finished goods. The process from yarn to finished goods can be in one integrated fabric mill or in many different mills that each performs different steps in the fabrication process. Modernization efforts have brought major changes to the U.S. textile industry. Equipment has been streamlined, and many operations have been fully automated with computers. Machine speeds have greatly increased. At most mills, the opening of cotton bales is fully automated. Cotton is a very soft, cool and comfortable fabric.That is why it is particularly suited to underwear and garments worn close to the skin. The ends of cotton fibers are spun very tightly into the yarn so that the fabric doesn't irritate skin or cause static electricity. Its versatility is what makes it the most popular clothing fiber across the world. Other issues to bear in mind in cotton is that there is increasing pressure from the retail industry to be able to trace the cotton it used back to the farm and to ensure that no one has been exploited in its production, that best practices have been followed, for example. The Better Cotton initiative (www.bettercotton.org) is an example of this. Types of Entities Involved in Cotton Trading     Producers Agents Brokers Banks     Insurers Ginners Cooperatives Spinners © Commodity Technology Advisory LLC, 2016, All Right Reserved   Traders and merchants Inspectors 25

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