Contents - Greenmount Press

Preventing contamination in
round modules
■■By Andrew Vanderstock, Australian Cotton Ginners Association
With conventional modules, the key areas to consider
regarding contamination are:
■■
The type of tarp (fitted or Valeron);
■■
The condition of the tarp;
■■
The fitting of the tarp and use of ropes; and,
■■
Inspection and storage of tarps during the off season
Contamination
The important thing to remember is that anything that is
not cotton is contamination, and can cause major problems for
ginners, spinners and to Australia’s reputation as a supplier of
quality cotton.
The main reasons for contamination in traditional cotton
picking and handling systems are:
■■
Carelessness;
■■
Poor housekeeping;
■■
Placement of module builders;
■■
Machine failures such as module builder hydraulics; and,
■■
Disgruntled staff.
TABLe 1: Uptake of round bales
Gin/Season 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
MacIntyre 0% 0% 0% 41% 62%
Mungindi 0% 26% 29% 73%
Ashley 24% 40% 39% 48% 75%
Wathagar 0% 0% 20% 45%
Moomin 0% 0% 0% 28% 69%
Yarraman 0% 26%
Merah 0% 0% 0% 0% 34%
Boggabri 0% 0% 0% 24% 38%
Trangie 0% 0% 65%
Hillston 0% 0% 0% 57% 74%
In brief…
In a very topical session at the Australian Cotton Conference
in August, Andrew Vanderstock, Operations Manager with
Namoi Cotton and current Chair of the Cotton Ginners
Association looked at contamination and quality issues in
Australian cotton. He highlighted the plastic wrap on the
round modules as an area that needs to be carefully managed
so that sections of plastic do not find their way into the ginning
process and contaminate the lint.
The problems caused by contamination throughout the supply
chain can range from annoying to catastrophic. They include:
■■
Downgraded cotton;
■■
Merchant discounts which can cost plenty;
■■
Gin fires;
■■
Gin machinery damage; and,
■■
The international reputation of Australian cotton.
Round bale pickers
The situation has totally changed with the introduction of the
John Deere 7760 Round module picker in 2008. By 2010-11, 35
per cent of the Australian crop was picked with a JD7760. Within
a year (this past season) this had risen to about 70 per cent of the
crop and that figure is expected to increase further next season
(see Table 1).
This massive change in technology has also meant a change
in the contamination threat to Australian cotton. Most of the
problems are now likely to come from contamination by the
polyethylene wrap itself. Everyone involved in the handling,
cartage and storage of round modules needs to ensure that the
integrity of the wrap is not damaged prior to ginning.
Care needs to be taken at each stage of the handling of the
round module from the picker through to the gin stand. Everyone
involved must appreciate the importance of preserving the
integrity of the plastic wrap. The key areas are:
■■
In the field – wrapping and storage of the modules with an
awareness of any problems which may occur;
Some of the more serious contamination from conventional
modules.
Double wrap in round module.
14 — The Australian Cottongrower October–November 2012