7 CFR 27 - COTTON CLASSIFICATION UNDER COTTON FUTURES LEGISLATION

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the procedures for cotton futures quality classification services by using Smith-Doxey classification data in the cotton futures classification process. In addition, references to a separate and optional review of cotton futures certification are being eliminated to reflect current industry practices. These changes in procedures for cotton futures quality classification services, as well as proposed conforming changes, reflect advances in cotton fiber quality measurement and data processing made since the regulations were last updated in 1992.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the procedures for cotton futures quality classification services by using Smith-Doxey classification data in the cotton futures classification process. In addition, references to a separate and optional review of cotton futures certification are being eliminated to reflect current industry practices. These changes in procedures for cotton futures quality classification services, as well as proposed conforming changes, reflect advances in cotton fiber quality measurement and data processing made since the regulations were last updated in 1992.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to revise the procedure for determining the official leaf grade for Upland and Pima cotton. The leaf grade is a part of the official classification which denotes cotton fiber quality used in cotton marketing and manufacturing of cotton products. Currently, the leaf grade is determined by visual examination and comparison to the Official Cotton Standards by qualified cotton classers. This proposed revision would replace the classer's leaf determination with the instrument leaf measurement made by the High Volume Instrument (HVI) system used in official cotton classification for Upland Cotton since 1991.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to update the procedures for cotton futures quality classification services by using Smith-Doxey classification data in the cotton futures classification process. In addition, references to a separate and optional review of cotton futures certification would be eliminated to reflect current industry practices. These proposed changes in procedures for cotton futures quality classification services, as well as proposed conforming changes, reflect advances in cotton fiber quality measurement and data processing made since the regulations were last updated in 1992.