| In order to compete with foreign textile manufacturers, the U.S. textile industry has begun using more cost efficient spinning equipment and fiber blending computer software. Textile mills are demanding stronger, finer cotton fibers and more detailed fiber property measurements.; The need for expanded fiber property measurements has been somewhat remedied by the use of HVI cotton classing. The demand for stronger, finer cotton fibers has not been met, due in part to the failure of the CCC loan program to effectively reward the grower for producing the qualities of cotton demanded by textile mills. The National Advisory Committee on Cotton Marketing has recommended that additional quality factors be included in the CCC price support structure.; Economic analysis of the 1988 and 1989 Mississippi cotton crops indicated that alternative loan schedules would have increased the total value of the Mississippi cotton crops by as much as {dollar}21,113.2 million in 1988 and {dollar}466,269.6 million in 1989. |
