Physical cotton standards, used for manual grading and instrument testing of cotton, are utilized by cotton classification facilities around the world for the purpose of providing quality measurement data based on internationally recognized and accepted levels.
USDA cotton standards were fully elevated to become the internationally recognized standards by the Universal Cotton Standards Agreement of 1923. Since this time, the Universal Cotton Standards have been produced and distributed exclusively by the AMS Cotton and Tobacco Program under the auspices of a delegate body made up of U.S. and international signatory delegates.
These Universal Cotton Standards consist of color and leaf grade standards, calibration cottons for length, strength, uniformity index and micronaire, and verification standards for instrument color and trash content.
In addition to producing and providing Universal Cotton Standards, the Standardization & Engineering Division provides:
- Known value cotton materials for routine classification testing verification and for qualification of classification instruments (ASTM 7410).
- Known value cotton samples for international round testing programs including the USDA HVI Check Test Program and the Commercial Standardization of Instrument Testing of Cotton (CSITC) Round Testing Program.
- Cotton Fiber Testing and Standardization Services
- Customized instrument-based cotton classification workshops.
Contact Info:
USDA AMS Cotton and Tobacco Program
Cotton Standards
Steve Grantham or Monte Mutchler, Acting Director
3275 Appling Road
Memphis, TN 38133
Phone: (901) 384-3030
Email: Steve.Grantham@usda.gov or Monte.Mutchler@usda.gov
Billing Questions Email: CTBilling@usda.gov