Cotton Council international： Haturally Color Your Life--First Introduction of COTTON USA ＂Des
国际棉花协会合作委员会致全球棉花和纺织产业的一封信
·17·２０２０．２行业动态中国棉麻产业经济研究Chinese Cotton & Linen Industry Econcomic Research JournalCOTTON AND JUTE OF CHINA的目标，不应任由莫须有的指控伤害产业链长期以来赖以运转的信任与合作，影响全球棉纺织产业链的复苏，将中美纺织服装经贸合作关系置于危险境地。
我们坚决反对美方对中国新疆纺织服装供应链及其相关产品实施任何限制，强烈敦促美方停止错误做法，坚决支持中国政府对美方的无理行径采取必要措施，做出强有力反制，维护中国企业的合法权益。
中国棉纺织行业的发展与开放、中美纺织服装行业的长期伙伴关系不会因为反华、反疆势力的打压而终止。
我们相信，信任与合作才是渡过难关的桥梁；历经考验，才能收获真正值得信赖的伙伴。
我们愿从中美两国业界共同利益出发，与美国相关行业组织和业界加强沟通交流，力争维护中美纺织服装领域经贸关系的稳定。
中国棉花协会 中国纺织品进出口商会二〇二〇年八月十一日国际棉花协会合作委员会致全球棉花和纺织产业的一封信亲爱的棉业同仁，致所有涉棉及纺织品供应链人士：众所周知，新冠病毒疫情的影响范围波及全球和所有领域。
在这个充满挑战的时期，对于全球所有受到疫情影响的人们，国际棉花协会合作委员会（CICCA）感同身受。
我们向全球所有受到病毒以及经济影响的人们致以最良好的祝愿。
新冠病毒疫情的迅速传播带来了前所未有，且不可预测的全球贸易环境，我们所有人将要面临着极端的商业条件。
我们都深感焦虑，不知道未来几周或几个月将如何发展，但我们必须关注目前的情况并且共同努力，以确保我们为全球棉花贸易中的所有利益相关者取得尽可能好的结果。
CICCA成立于1975年，旨在促进棉花生产国与消费国之间的安全贸易与合作，而其宗旨从未像今天这样重要。
我们致力于巩固安全交易和合同神圣化原则–以各方之间的信任与合作为基础，对详细的合同条款进行调整以满足各方的需求，以确保双方执行原始合同。
国家棉花产业联盟：打造自己的国棉品牌
国家棉花产业联盟：打造自己的国棉品牌作者：易芳来源：《中国纺织》 2018年第12期我国是世界棉花大国，棉花生产和棉花消费均居世界第一。
随着我国宏观经济形势的变化，棉花行业也随之发生深刻变革。
当下，品质依然是棉花产业面临的最大问题，2017 年，我国中高端原棉自给率仅为33%，中高端原棉的生产严重不足，大部分需要进口澳棉美棉。
近日，国家棉花产业联盟与上海永澳纺织科技有限公司CCIA 品牌成人服装类产品推广授牌签字仪式在上海举行。
这标志着我国棉花产业从原料到生产从此开始拥有了属于自己的国家棉花品牌。
“今天我们终于有了能够代表产棉大国的国家棉花品牌，代表棉花产业大国的棉纺织服装品牌——CCIA 品牌，这对赢得市场话语权具有重要的意义。
”中国棉联盟理事长、中国农业科学院棉花研究所所长李付广表示，这次参照美棉COTTON USA 和澳棉等棉花品牌，提出了将“CCIA”作为中国棉花国家品牌培育打造。
此次发布不仅是推进我国棉花产业转型升级的重大举措，也是借助上海进入全球产业链一个重要机遇，让CCIA 品牌之花绽放中华大地，走向国际大市场指日可待。
国棉联盟成立两年来，始终致力于培育和打造CCIA 品牌在于提升我国棉花产业的质量，提升国产棉花的高附加值，提升CCIA 品牌的市场影响力，满足人民日益增长的高质量需求。
为此，国棉联盟用绿色化的先进理念制定了《CCIA生产技术指南》，按照《指南》指导棉花生产，在高品质棉花生产过程中不断实现减少化肥、农药使用，节省灌溉水，推进生产的可持续，以更好地服务棉花产业的高质量发展，把科技与生产和纺织打造成更优势的联合体，这就是国棉联盟服务市场目的。
目前，国棉联盟已与河南永安纺织公司等10 多家大型或上市棉企签订协议，建设了10 多家“CCIA”品牌棉花品种、生产、加工、纺织、服装、家纺等基地。
对此，中国农业科学院科技管理局副局长文学表示，棉花产业联盟正是坚持以中高端棉花为抓手，以纺织企业需求为导向，努力打通产业链各环节，在新疆等地陆续建立高品质棉花生产基地，瞄准超越澳棉的高品质棉花，为需求方提供持续稳定的高品质棉花供给，全面助力棉花供给侧结构性改革。
发现棉之卓越——美国国际棉花协会和美国棉花公司携手参加2015中国国际纺织面料及辅料(秋冬)博览会
发现棉之卓越——美国国际棉花协会和美国棉花公司携手参加2015中国国际纺织面料及辅料(秋冬)博览会赵永霞【期刊名称】《纺织导报》【年(卷),期】2015(000)011【总页数】2页(P22-23)【作者】赵永霞【作者单位】【正文语种】中文10月13 — 15日，美国国际棉花协会(Cotton Council International，简称CCI）和美国棉花公司(Cotton Incorporated，简称CI）在中国国际纺织面料及辅料(秋冬）博览会上，携手共同推广美国棉花。
前者负责推广由美国棉花生产的优质纺织产品，体现美国棉农对品质保证的执着及其产业精神；后者则致力于研发革新技术使棉花重生为一种真正性能卓越的纤维。
两家公司亦继续紧密合作推广负责任的棉花种植及采购项目Cotton LEADSTM。
自2013年10月在全球启动以来，Cotton LEADSTM项目广泛并迅速得到了超过330家业内合作伙伴的认可，其中在中国的合作伙伴超过200家，包括鲁泰、魏桥等领先纺织企业以及美特斯邦威、七匹狼和好孩子等著名品牌商。
该项目表明，不同于世界上其他国家的棉花种植，美国和澳大利亚棉花种植是在可监管环境下进行的。
值得一提的是，Cotton LEADSTM项目由棉农自发投资改善棉花种植，通过真实、可评估的方式不断完善，无需供应链额外增加成本。
美国棉花公司高级副总裁Mark Messura先生在接受本刊记者采访时表示：“我们欢迎更多的纺纱厂、纺织和服装生产商、零售商及品牌商加入，因为该项目是解决所有人面临挑战的真正解决方案。
”根据美国棉花公司的调查，尽管中国运动服市场由化纤主导，但每3个中国消费者中就有2个表示他们很可能购买由天然纤维制成的运动服；如果棉制运动服可以吸湿、防紫外线、控温、防水，每4个中国消费者中就有3个以上愿意选择棉制运动服而不是化纤运动服，且大部分消费者愿意为这些棉制品的功能性创新支付更多。
美国棉花分级手册
美国棉花分级手册
美国棉花公司由美国棉花种植者、棉花及棉制品进口商资 助，通过在全球进行的研究和推广活动增加棉花的需求和 盈利能力。
国内外主要机构中英文对照
国内外主要机构组织中英文名称国务院组成部门Ministries and Commissions under the State Council中华人民共和国外交部Ministry of Foreign Affairs中华人民共和国国防部Ministry of National Defense中华人民共和国国家发展和改革委员会National Development and Reform Commission中华人民共和国教育部Ministry of Education中华人民共和国科学技术部Ministry of Science and Technology中华人民共和国工业和信息化部Ministry of Industry and Information Technology中华人民共和国国家民族事务委员会State Ethnic Affairs Commission中华人民共和国公安部Ministry of Public Security中华人民共和国国家安全部Ministry of State Security* 中华人民共和国监察部Ministry of Supervision中华人民共和国民政部Ministry of Civil Affairs中华人民共和国司法部Ministry of Justice中华人民共和国财政部Ministry of Finance中华人民共和国人力资源和社会保障部Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security中华人民共和国国土资源部Ministry of Land and Resources中华人民共和国环境保护部Ministry of Environmental Protection中华人民共和国住房和城乡建设部Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development中华人民共和国交通运输部Ministry of Transport中华人民共和国铁道部Ministry of Railways中华人民共和国水利部Ministry of Water Resources中华人民共和国农业部Ministry of Agriculture中华人民共和国商务部Ministry of Commerce中华人民共和国文化部Ministry of Culture中华人民共和国卫生部Ministry of Health中华人民共和国国家人口和计划生育委员会National Population and Family Planning Commission中国人民银行People's Bank of China中华人民共和国审计署National Audit Office（* 监察部与中共中央纪律检查委员会机关合署办公，机构列入国务院序列，编制列入中共中央直属机构。
乌兹别克的棉花出口体制及投资乌棉纺织业的利弊分析
乌兹别克的棉花出口体制及投资乌棉纺织业的利弊分析乌兹别克是世界主要产棉国之一。
近150年以来，棉花产业一直是乌兹别克的支柱产业，原苏联时期（1970-1985年）乌棉花曾达到过年产500万吨籽棉的历史最高水平。
独立以来的籽棉产量维持在每年300～360万吨左右，去籽加工出的皮棉年产量约为100～120万吨，约占世界棉花总产量的5%，在世界上排名第5-6位（依每年巴西棉产量的大小而略有变动）。
年出口量约为70～90万吨，约占世界棉花总出口量的11%，仅次于美国，占世界第二位。
余下的20-30%（约为30万吨左右）部分供国内纺织工业用。
2001-2006年乌兹别克棉花产量与出口量见下表：2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 籽棉（万吨） 328 316 286 354 378 363 皮棉（万吨） 102 101 95 98 119 117 出口量（万吨） 76 77 75 84 92 88.3 资料来源：乌兹别克国家统计委员会一、乌兹别克棉花出口体制乌兹别克的棉花出口共有两个渠道：外经贸部下属的四大棉花公司（其中一个以出口棉短绒为主）和“乌兹别克原料商品交易所”。
另外，近年来每年一度举行的“乌兹别克国际棉花交易会”也成为了乌对外展示棉花产业成就的重要场所。
（一）乌棉花收购体制棉花生产在乌兹别克仍属“统购统销”的计划经济体制。
由原乌“棉花部”改制而来的“乌兹别克棉花工业协会”（下称“棉协”，网址：paxta.uz）负责全国棉花的生产、加工、收购和运输。
“棉协”通过其在各州的“棉花协会分会”向个体农民和私人农场主下发棉花生产任务，负责调配资金、种子、化肥、杀虫剂和水资源。
棉花采收后，棉农要按国家“指令性价格”向棉协交售生产定额内的籽棉；轧花厂按照与棉协签订的协议将籽棉加工成皮棉，然后统一送交到国家在各地建立的22个棉花集散中心（又称“储备库”）等待装运出口，或送往纺织厂进行下一步的深加工。
COTTON USA参加中国国际纺织面料及辅料(秋冬)博览会
资讯News22纺织导报 China Textile Leader · 2018 No.109 月11日，中国农业发展银行新疆分行与江苏金昇实业股份有限公司（以下简称“金昇实业”）268亿元“深化产融结合，助力乡村振兴，创新绿色发展”战略合作协议签约仪式在库尔勒经济技术开发区举行。
巴音郭楞蒙古自治州党委书记李刚，州党委副书记、州长图格杰加甫，州政协主席贾春林，州党委常委库尔班江·胡土勒克出席签约仪式。
中国农业发展银行新疆分行党委书记、行长杜彦坤与金昇实业董事长兼CEO 潘雪平分别代表双方进行签约。
双方合作的领域包括棉花采购、土地流转及土地规模经营、南疆高质量纺织园区及绿色农业项目等。
金昇实业是一家以高端制造为主、致力于绿色、创新发展的产业集团。
金昇旗下拥有德国埃马克机床、德国科普费尔齿轮、卓郎智能、瑞士赫伯陶瓷以及利泰纺织等多家百年企业，旗下利泰丝路是国内棉纺行业龙头企业和最大的针织服装企业供应商之一。
潘雪平表示，金昇实业在未来10年里将紧紧围绕国家战略，顺势而为服务发展大局，结合国家“一带一路”倡议和企业发展愿景目标，以智能制造、数字技术、绿色循环为抓手，为纺织行业提供绿色、智能解决方案，助力行业转型升级，并为新疆的发展做出更大贡献。
中国农业发展银行新疆分行与金昇实业签订战略合作协议Groz-Beckert 携缝纫产品部门参加IFAI 展览会IFAI Expo （美国国际产业用纺织品展览会）是美国德克萨斯州最重要的区域贸易展览会之一，展品主要包括服装成衣和技术纺织品。
在将于 10 月 15 — 18 日在达拉斯的Kay Bailey Hutchinson 会议中心举办的IFAI Expo 2018上，Groz-Beckert （格罗茨－贝克特）将携缝纫产品部门参展（2016 号展台）。
日益复杂的应用和多样化的材料是缝纫行业面临的主要挑战。
格罗茨－贝克特提供一系列特殊应用织针（SAN ®）以应对这一挑战。
COTTONUSA携手草莓音乐节打造环保互动新体验
090 中国纺织 2016F ocus Fabric | 面料一线文｜本刊记者 苏珍珍美国国际棉花协会携手草莓音乐节及Modernsky LAB 于6月中下旬在草莓音乐节重庆站现场举办 “棉力量，玩出色” 环保主题活动。
继今年3月成功举办了“COTTON USA — 棉力量主题展”后，美国国际棉花协会继续释放“棉力量”，呼吁减少音乐节现场一次性消耗品的使用与丢弃，引导大家支持环保健康的生活方式的同时, 感受可循环使用的棉 —— 这一天然纤维的无穷趣味和力量。
在本次活动上，COTTON USA 特别邀请了主办方摩登天空签约艺术家李创作了“棉星人”，并采用香港冠华有限公司赞助提供的优质针织面料制作而成，吸引更多人体验棉的力量。
COTTON»USA 携手草莓音乐节»打造环保互动新体验倡导大家在音乐节期间，以可降解、可再生的天然环保材质代替一次性消耗品的使用，从而减少对环境的污染。
美国国际棉花协会中国和东北亚区总监毛凯琳女士介绍：“美国国际棉花协会从1956年创立以来，一直倡导环保和对生态环境负责任的理念。
作为可再生、可持续的天然纤维，美国棉业坚持可持续的农业生产，在经济发展，环境保护与社会责任之间力求达到平衡。
同时，现代化的美国农业技术，也在棉花的生产上最大限度地减少了对环境的影响，高效利用有限的土壤、水、空气和其他环境资源。
”毛女士表示，此次COTTON USA 与草莓音乐节重庆站合作的主题活动，是希望大家在尽情享受美国棉花这一来自泥土的天然美好纤维的同时，体验COTTON USA 所传递的自然环保、健康舒适的时尚生活方式。
在草莓音乐节活动现场，COTTON USA 特别引入了“棉部落”的概念，让每一位热爱环保的人获得归属感。
在“棉部落印记”的DIY 区域，参与互动的观众可以表达对于环保的态度，用艺术家李设计的印章，定制个性化的棉布环保袋及手帕。
用于订制环保袋的牛仔布及棉手帕的梭织面料，分别由COTTON USA 的认证面料企业前进牛仔布有限公司及华纺股份有限公司赞助提供，以表达纺织供应链上游企业对于环保理念的大力支持。
Cotton on the Internet
American Cotton Shippers Association The American Cotton Shippers Association was organized on July 8, 1924to provide a united voice for the cotton merchandising trade of the United States. ACSA is comprised of Merchants, Primary Buyers and Mill Service Agents who are members of four Federated Associations, locatedthroughout the cotton belt.National Cotton Council The National Cotton Council of America's mission is to ensure the ability of all U.S. cotton industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad. Cotton Council International Cotton USA is the export promotions program managed by Cotton Council International designed to promote U.S. cotton fiber and manufactured cotton products in markets around the world.Cotton Board The Cotton Board, based in Memphis, TN, oversees the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This includes setting broad policy for the Program, reviewing and approving Cotton Incorporated‟s an nual plan and budget, collecting the per-bale assessment that funds the program, serving as industry liaison with USDA, and informing growers and importers of Program results.The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966 established the Cotton Board as a quasi-governmental, non-profit entity. The Act directed the Cotton Board to contract with an organization to conduct the actual research and promotion projects. The original contracting organization was called the Cotton Producer‟s Institute. It had operated as a subsidiary of the National Cotton Council since 1961. In 1970, however, the Cotton Producer‟s Institute was separated from the Council and became an individual, non-profit entity, renamed Cotton Incorporated.Cotton Incorporated From agricultural, fiber and textile research, market information and technical services, to the “Fabric Of Our Lives” television advertising campaign, fashion forecasts and retail promotions, we keep one goal in mind: To ensure that cotton remains the first choice among consumers of apparel and home products.Supima The name "Supima" is a licensed trademark owned by Supima and its members. It is used to promote textile and apparel products made of 100% America Pima cotton, but is strictly controlled by the grower organization. The name "Supima" is an abbreviation for Superior Pima.USDA The United States Department of Agriculture∙USDA S&D Report/oce/commodity/wasde/index.htmAgricultural Marketing Service /cotton The Cotton Program promotes the orderly and efficient marketing of cotton by preparing, distributing, and encouraging the use of universal cotton classification standards, and by providing cotton classification and market news that meets the needs and expectations of the cotton and textile industries.Foreign Agricultural Service The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. FAS operates programs designed to build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace.∙Export Sales Report/export-sales/cottfax.htmIntercontinental Exchange (ICE) ∙Futures Report Center/marketdata/reports/ReportCenter.shtml?reportId=10INTERNATIONALInternational Cotton Association (ICA) The ICA is the world‟s leading international cotton trade association and regulatory / arbitral body.Established more than 160 years ago, the ICA provides a worldwide service for the international sale, purchase and movement of raw cotton between producers, traders and consumers.The majority of the world‟s raw cotton is traded u nder ICA Bylaws and Rulesand the ICA has more than 200 members, including some of the world‟s major cotton companies and affiliate industry firms.International Cotton Advisory Committee The ICA‟s miss ion is to:• protect the interests of producers, consumers, and traders,• reduce the risks inherent in the buying and selling of cotton and• uphold equitable trading practices and the sanctity of contracts worldwideWe will do this by providing, updating and supporting globally accepted impartial cotton trading rules and arbitration facilities and by means of education, training, promotion, standardisation and cooperation with other arbitral bodies.Bremen Cotton Exchange http://www.baumwollboerse.de The Bremer Baumwollboerse was founded in 1872 and was created to maintain and to promote the interests of all those connected with the international cotton trade. Today the membership of the Bremen Cotton E xchange consists of 225 members residing in Germany, Europe and overseas.Cotton Corporation of India Single largest Indian government undertaking for cotton marketing in the country (except Maharashtra). Assisting cotton growers in ensuring remunerative prices for their produce from the day one of arrivals till the end of the season.Central Institue for Cotton Research, Multan Pakistan .in The Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan was established by the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee in 1970, with the objectives to conduct fundamental aswell as applied research on cotton to provide basic information and to solve production problems with a coordinated approach between different disciplines to increase substantially overall cotton production and quality of fiber in Pakistan. National Bureau of Statistics of China/english/index.htmInternational Textile Manufacturers Federation The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) is an international association for the world's textile industries, dedicated to keeping its world-wide membership constantly informed through surveys, studies and publications and through the organization of annual conferences, participating in the evolution of the industry's basic raw materials and their application, through specialized committees, with the overall objective of creating growth and prosperity in all aspects of the industry.CONTROLLERSWakefield Inspection Services Wakefield Inspection Services mission is to be the worldwide leader in the independent quality assessment, inspection and controlling industry by setting incomparable standards for accurate, objective and quality verification and reporting services.SGS /At SGS Agricultural Services, the philosophy is to make unrivaled experience and expertise available to clients, acting not only as a qualified advisor but also as a concerned partner who shares the risks involved. Working in partnership with its clients, SGS strives to ensure their success in today's fast-moving on-line and global agricultural markets.Transglobal Inspections TransGlobal Inspections, LLC is an internationally-known and respected specialist in raw cotton inspection. Our management team and world-wide network of independent inspection companies provides our clients with the highest quality inspection services.PAY/MEMBERSHIP SITESThe Seam The Seam is an entirely online e-marketplace for cotton. As a totally neutral enterprise, The Seam provides its user‟s access to the largest community of buyers and sellers in the world. The Seam also provides a community with a completely secure electronic environment that is tailored for marketing and e-procurement services.Cotton Outlook Cotton Outlook is published by Cotlook Limited, an independent Merseyside-based company that has been engaged in publishing cotton news for over 75 years.Globecot Globecot is a premium pay news service offering several different …Channels‟ and newsletters. The varying services cater to all aspects of the global cotton industry. GENERAL NEWS SITESBBC British Broadcasting CorporationReuters Reuters is a global information company, providing indispensable information tailored for the professionals in the financial services, media and corporate markets.Bloomberg Bloomberg is among the top 5 visited websites in the U.S. for financial news and information.Wall Street Journal /home-pageThe Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, adivision of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal. The Journal is the largest newspaper in the United States, by circulation.。
美国棉花标准术语解释(全英文)
Understanding Standardization CottonsFiber testing instruments are used extensively in the selection of cotton for standards. This method ensures uniformity and accuracy in duplicating the standards in each set from year to year as long as the standard remains in effect.The Cotton Program conducts crop surveys and other special studies to determine if any changes are needed in grade or other standards to accurately describe the cotton currently being produced or marketed. When a revision or change in standards becomes necessary, the Program notifies the overseas Signatory Associations and all major U.S. cotton industry groups of the proposed changes. After giving final consideration to the proposed standards at the next Universal Cotton Standards Conference, the Advisory Committee on Cotton Standards recommends action on the proposals to the Secretary. If the Secretary adopts the proposed standards, they become effective in one year as required by the U.S. Cotton Standards Act.The USDA's official color and leaf grade standards for American Upland cotton have also been the Universal Cotton Standards since 1924. USDA is signatory to the Universal Cotton Standards Agreement with 24 cotton merchant and spinners associations in 21 countries in Europe, South America, and Asia. The agreement provides for (1) the adoption, use, and observance of the Universal Standards in the classification of U.S. Upland cotton, and (2) the preparation, distribution, and protection of copies of the Universal Standards. Conferences are held every three years in the United States to ensure accurate reproduction of the standards and to consider any revisions needed in the standards. In addition to representatives from the overseas signatory associations, representatives of producers, ginners, shippers, exchanges, and other segments of the cotton industry in the United States attend and participate in the work of these conferences and the Advisory Committee on Cotton Standards.In response to a USDA proposal considered at the triennial conference in 1995, USDA's calibration standards for HVI measurements were incorporated into the Universal Standards Agreement. The proposal had broad support from the U.S. cotton industry because all U.S. cotton is classed by USDA's High Volume Instruments (HVI), and most sales by growers are based on this HVI classification data. The overseas signatory associations overwhelmingly supported the proposal also. While the pace of movement of the cotton industry in changing official cotton standards is conservative, the commitment to adopt to more efficient technology appears to be strong in the U.S. and abroad.Official measurements for Fiber Length, Length Uniformity Index, Fiber Strength, Micronaire, Color, and Trash are performed by High Volume Instruments. Official classer determinations are made for leaf grade, and extraneous matter.The cotton standards and other materials used for classing cotton, are listed below:(1) Color Grade of American Upland Cotton - Color Grade describes the color of cotton lint. There are standards for 25 color grades of upland cotton and five categories of "below grade" color. Fifteen of these grades are represented in physical form by boxes of cotton representing the full range of each standard, while the remaining 10 grades and five below grade categories are descriptions based on the physical color grade standards.(2) Leaf Grade of American Upland Cotton - Leaf grade describes the leaf or trash content in the cotton. There are seven leaf grades designated as leaf grade A1" through A7" , and all are represented by physical standards. In addition, there is a descriptive Abelow grade@ (leaf grade 8) designation.The current reserve set of the Universal Standards for Color and Leaf Grades of American Upland Cotton is sealed and deposited in a vault in Memphis, TN. Copies of these standards, containing six samples or biscuits, known as practical forms, are prepared and sold for $125f.o.b. Memphis, or $130 domestic delivery. The utmost care is taken to keep the range of color and leaf in all copies of each grade standard as nearly the same as possible. The standards for the seven White color grades contain the leaf content of the respective leaf grades. For example, the standard for Good Middling White (11) color contains the standard leaf content for Leaf Grade "l" and the standard for Low Middling White contains the standard leaf content of Leaf Grade "5".The color of cotton deepens with age more in the high grades than in the low grades. The color of the cotton in the standards may differ considerably as time goes by, especially when the standards are stored under extreme conditions of temperature and/or relative humidity. Because of this natural propensity for change, copies of the grade standards must be freshly prepared annually and are effective for one year beginning each July 1.(3) Grades of American Pima Cotton - There are six official grades (Grades A1" through A6") for American Pima cotton, all represented by physical standards. In addition, there is a descriptive "below grade" designation. Copies of the American Pima Grade Standards are sold for $160 f.o.b. Memphis, or $165, surface delivery.(4) Fiber Length, Length Uniformity Index, and Fiber Strength - The Cotton Program uses High Volume Instruments for the classification of all Upland and American Pima cotton. There are Universal HVI Calibration Standards for American Upland cotton for calibrating length, length uniformity index, and strength. The present official standards for fiber or staple length provide for various lengths in terms of inches and fractions of an inch ranging from 13/16 inches upward, generally in graduations of one thirty-seconds of an inch. The upper half mean length of fiber is measured by the HVI system in hundredths of an inch and length is converted to thirty-seconds of an inch. Length uniformity index is the ratio between the mean length and the upper half mean length expressed as a percentage. Fiber strength is measured in grams per tex and represents the force in grams to break a bundle of fibers one tex unit in size. Both the Universal HVI Calibration Standards for Upland cotton and the USDA HVI Calibration Cottons for American Pima cotton are available, in 5-pound boxes, for $95 f.o.b. Memphis, TN or $100 domestic delivery. Two such cottons, which span a range in length and strength, are required for instrument calibration.(5) Micronaire - Official cotton standards for micronaire or fiber fineness and maturity are described as the measure of such qualities provided by air flow instrument tests in terms of micronaire readings in accordance with established procedures. These procedures include descriptions of approved weighing and testing equipment and standard operating instructions for the equipment. Mike readings are expressed in units to the nearest one tenth, (e.g. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4); however, common practice within the industry is to drop the decimal point when reporting "mike" readings (e.g. 31, 32, 33, 34). Mike readings of American Upland cotton range from 2.4 to 6.0. About 75 percent of the cotton crop falls in the 3.5 to 4.9 range.The Cotton Program participates and manages the International Calibration Cotton Standards (ICCS) Program which, under the guidance of the ICCS Committee, establishes standard valuesfor International Calibration Cottons. Currently, there are six International Calibration Cotton Standards for Micronaire Only that span the range of micronaire scale from 2.6 to 5.5. The price for a 1-pound roll of the micronaire-only calibration cotton standards is $28 f.o.b. Memphis, or $31 domestic delivery. This price also includes the cost of a semiannual check test program which aids in achieving a common test level on a global basis. Each laboratory that purchases calibration cottons receives two samples for check tests each six-month period, and upon return of data, receives a report on its results compared to other participants. These standards have been purchased by more than 500 laboratories worldwide, and about 250 of the laboratories participated in the most recent semiannual check test. In addition to the semiannual check test, a quarterly check test for micronaire equipment is available to overseas arbitration laboratories. This program, which ensures a common level of test results, is available for a fee of $21 per quarter per laboratory.(6) Trash - The trash measurement is made by the HVI video trashmeter which measures the percentage area and particle count of trash on the sample's surface. A trashmeter calibration tile and cotton trash level samples, mounted under glass, are available for calibration and verification of the trash measurements. The cost of the trash tile is $30 f.o.b. Memphis, TN or $33 domestic delivery. The cost of the trash level samples is $40 f.o.b. Memphis, TN ($240 for full set of six) or $44 domestic delivery ($264 for full set of six). The range of trash levels usually encountered is included in a set of six samples.(7) Color - The HVI colormeter measures reflectance (Rd) and yellowness (+b). The Rd indicates the sample's degree of grayness and +b indicates how much yellow color is in the sample. Ceramic color calibration tiles for the HVI colormeter are distributed by the Cotton Program. The cost for a five tile set is $125 f.o.b. Memphis, TN or $130 domestic delivery. (8) Other Standards - There are also Universal Standards for descriptions of laboratory atmospheric conditions and conditioning practices and procedures. In addition, a brochure entitled "Guidelines for HVI Testing" has been prepared that contains standardized procedures for HVI testing which will enable users of HVI systems to achieve a common test results level for each measured property.Programs for Checking HVI Measurements - An HVI Check Test Program is conducted to ensure a standard level of testing. Two samples are sent to participants each month for testing. The returned data are summarized and each participant receives a report comparing their results to established values for the samples. The annual cost of the HVI check test program is $168 domestic and $324 overseas. An HVI Level Assessment Program was initiated in 1993 in response to the worldwide proliferation in the use of HVI measurements in trading Upland cotton in the world markets. Participants submit check samples that have been tested by HVI for retesting by the Quality Assurance Unit in much the same manner as the Cotton Programs internal supervisory procedures. The participant receives a report showing how well the results of the two tests compare. This program has been beneficial in achieving a common test level worldwide. Cost for this program is $4 per sample in lots of 10 samples.Summary - USDA's cotton standards are used almost exclusively within the U.S. and are broadly accepted in the foreign marketing of Upland-type cotton, especially that grown in the United States. The standards provide a sound base for establishing market values that gain more acceptance with each year's crop. International trading disputes are settled by utilizing U.S. standards. The check test programs contribute to the growing confidence in USDA's cotton standards and also ensure a common level of test results for all users.。