Closer examination of lint quality characteristics early in variety testing as well as yield is essential in determining the best varieties to plant for sustainable cotton production. General high volume instrument (HVI) measurements for fiber quality do examine micronaire, length, strength, length uniformity index and color grade but cannot focus as succinctly on short fiber content, neps and seed coat fragments, fabric barre or reduced maintenance as is needed to confirm a high quality cotton fiber for mills. Further examination of cotton varieties through the use of the advanced fiber information system (AFIS) is essential in early variety testing through breeder as well as farmer trials in order to confirm cotton quality and its potential at being sold as premium cotton. AFIS and HVI testing along with yield confirms how well the cotton performed within the environment and management of the field as well as the latitude or adaptation of each particular variety to the region. Further use of AFIS will help in narrowing top variety choices to growth regions by providing fiber length by weight and number, length coefficient of variation by weight and number, upper quartile length, short fiber content by weight and number, net count and size, trash and dust count and size, visible foreign matter, fineness and maturity which will all provide a snapshot of variety consistency, performance and quality during the season.