One of the functions of the USDA AMS Classing Office is to maintain the world wide accepted standards for cotton quality. Although all cotton in the US is classed using the HVI instruments, the quality standards are based on physical samples of cotton maintained at the USDA. Those physical standards for leaf, and grade are maintained in refrigerated storage at the USDA headquarters lab in Memphis. A duplicate (reserve) is maintained in locked storage at the National Cotton Council.

From time to time those standards are reviewed and agreed upon by all segments of the US industry as well as representatives from a number of other countries that have treaties with the US on the maintenance of cotton standards. This Universal Standards Conference was held the last week of June this year.

Southeastern Cotton Ginners President, Ben Evans, was among the ginners that reviewed the standards and was the spokesperson for the Producer / Ginner segment.

Thanks to the hard work of the USDA staff and the planning that went in to the conference, it went very smoothly. We would like to express our appreciation to the USDA AMS for organizing the conference celebrating 100 years of cotton classing.

More information on the conference can be found at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/30th-universal-cotton-standards-conference