Page 11 - 01 Cotton SA May 2013

Technical advice • Tegniese wenke

<< p10 • Modules should only be made on the rota buck pad if it
is known that they will be removed quickly as rainfall in this
situation could make for very difficult and messy removal.
Tarps should be checked for holes, tears and fraying edges pre-season,
and repaired. They should be kept in a dry, vermin free store to ensure
their quality and long life. Tarp type, whether it be fitted or valeron is of
lesser concern than badly fitted or secured tarps.
Most growers have their own individual preference about the way they
tie their tarps on, the number of ropes, and configuration. The main
issue, however is to ensure that the tarp stays on. Locate module tickets
in the same location on each tarp, this will help when loading and allow
for easy checking that each module has been tagged.
Source: Facts on Friday

Growers’ influences on gin quality - 2

Striving to produce the best potential cotton crop begins even before the seed touches the soil. Planting is a critical
time for cotton production and careful evaluation of all factors can help in establishing a healthy, uniform cotton
stand. Understanding seed quality parameters can also help in making planting decisions.

moDule moiSture coNteNt moisture above 13% require the ginner to work harder to ensure a
odule moisture plays good quality sample and also lend themselves to an increased risk of
a vital role in the fire. At this moisture content, the fibre can be further degraded by
preservation of the micro-organisms and lead to colour down grades, light spotted cotton
quality of the cotton and reduced strength.
M and the ginning pro- tHere are tHree factorS wHicH caN iNflueNce
cess. Ideally a module should have tHe moiSture coNteNt of a moDule
a moisture content ranging from 6-
10%. At this percentage, little heat • Defoliation: this is critical in the presentation of a quality sample
is required to condition the seed to the gin. The amount of green leaf still present will add moisture
cotton as it goes into the gin. As the to a module as well as cause green stain in severe cases
moisture content increases, more heat • Picking times: picking should only occur when conditions are
is required. This can affect the fibres suitable. Trouble arises when picking is recommended too soon
especially fibre length. Modules with after rainfall events or is pushed into the night after dews >> p19

Katoen sa Cotton 11 Jan - Mei/May 2013