In an effort to promote idea and information exchange among cotton breeders, geneticists and other scientists in the cotton industry, Cotton Incorporated will conduct their 2007 Breeders’ Tour in the Western United States Sunday, September 16 through Thursday, September 20. The event will begin in Phoenix, Arizona and progress to the area between Bakersfield and Fresno, California for the remainder of the tour.

“Breeders seem to really enjoy examining and learning from the work of other industry breeders and researchers, and this is an excellent venue to do just that,” says Cotton Incorporated’s Associate Director of Agricultural Research, Dr. Don Jones.

Points of interests on the tour will include the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) cotton breeding facilities in Maricopa, Arizona and Shafter, California; several cotton seed company research efforts in Arizona and California; a visit to J.G. Boswell; and informative stops at water handling stations, fruit tree production sites and other agricultural related firms in the area. The tour will also make a brief visit to Kings Canyon National Park – home of the giant Sequoia trees.

Participants of the tour will be responsible for hotel costs and reservations, as well as the airfare from Phoenix, Arizona to Burbank, California. All needed information to make these travel arrangements will be included in a registration packet that attendees will receive after signing up for the event. There is no registration fee and bus transportation will be provided.

If you have questions, please contact Cotton Incorporated’s Don Jones at (919) 678-2220 or djones@cotton inc.com

About the Cotton Board:

The Cotton Board administers and oversees the Cotton Research & Promotion Program conducted by Cotton Incorporated and funded by America’s cotton producers and importers. The Program works to increase the demand for and improve the market position of cotton. For more information about the Cotton Board, visit www.cottonboard.org