Project Number: 6402-41440-005-06
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Dec 18, 2007
End Date: Jun 14, 2009

Objective:
To examine a commercially available microwave-based bale moisture meter for accuracy while it is operating in a commercial gin.

Approach:
The Cotton Ginning Research Unit is examining cotton bale moisture content meters for accuracy and suitability. This data will assist in the program to monitor and control the cotton lint moisture content in the gin and as it leaves the gin. This work will examine one commercially available cotton bale moisture meter which is not available at the lab. In the first phase several bales of different varieties of cotton, harvested on different days will be prepared at the gin lab at different moisture contents. Samples of lint will be taken for moisture content analysis by the oven method. The bales will be transported to the commercial gin and measured several times. The data will be compared. Then during the ginning season, on several days lint samples will be taken from bales being produced at the gin and returned to the lab for analysis by the oven method. These results will be compared and analyzed statistically to the readings with the commercial meter. A report will be written.