Effects of Gin Machinery on Cotton Quality

Ginning practices affect both the economic returns to cotton producers and the quality of fiber produced for textile mills and, ultimately, consumers. Because of the recent shift from a primarily domestic to an export market for U.S. cotton and the loss of textile market share to synthetic fibers, production of high-quality cotton is critical to maintaining the competitiveness of the U.S. cotton industry. The objectives of this review were to summarize the effects of ginning on cotton quality and provide best practices for gin managers to maximize bale value and fiber quality. This review focused on recent research, with fiber properties measured using HVI and AFIS, which are currently used by industry. Higher fiber moisture content at the gin stand, with an optimum of 6-7%, better preserves fiber length and strength, but this moisture level reduces both seed cotton and lint cleaning efficiency; therefore, a fiber moisture content of 5-6% may be needed for efficient cleaning. Seed cotton cleaners are effective at removing larger foreign matter particles and cause minimal fiber damage. Lint cleaners are efficient cleaners and necessary for removing seed coat fragments and other small particles created in the gin stand. However, lint cleaners break some fibers, create neps, and remove some good quality fiber with the foreign matter. To maximize fiber quality, gins should encourage producers to grow high-quality cultivars and follow recommended harvesting practices. Modules need to be stored and handled properly. Gins should use the minimum amount of drying and lint cleaning that maximizes bale value. Avoiding contamination is vitally important to upholding the U.S. cotton industry’s reputation as a supplier of high-quality cotton.