Cotton ginning equipment at most research institutions consists of a 10-saw table-top gin. This ginning equipment does not have drying, pre-cleaning or lint cleaning capabilities. It is well documented that ginning cotton will impact fiber quality and that different ginning equipment and ginning sequences will impact fiber quality differently. The 10-saw gins currently in use by many research institutions do not produce fiber qualities that are consistent with those of commercial gin plants. Thus, applicable conclusions from both basic and applied research programs can not be drawn with this cotton ginning equipment.

The University of Georgia erected a cotton microgin that contains the same equipment found in a commercial gin plant, only more narrow (i.e. one foot wide as opposed to 8 feet wide) to facilitate ginning of small samples obtained from research plots. The equipment in this $2 million facility was partially constructed with clear lexan polycarbonate siding where appropriate for viewing and instructional purposes. The microgin facility is envisioned as an education and research tool to further enhance profitability of the United States cotton industry.

This slide show illustrates the construction, equipment installation and inspection phases of the facility as well as the ribbon cutting ceremony on August 12, 2004. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and University of Georgia President Michael Adams were just a few of the distinguished guests present at this ceremony. The slide show requires about 90 seconds for viewing. We hope you like it.