USDA lowered its estimate for the 2015 U.S. cotton crop – again – in the October Crop Production Report. In years past, that could have set off a rally in nearby cotton futures at the New York Cotton Exchange.

The size of the U.S. crop doesn’t carry the weight it once did. John Robinson, professor and Extension economist/cotton marketing at Texas A&M University, will discuss that development and others at the next University of Arkansas Food and Agribusiness Webinar at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.

The webinar series, which is moderated by Bobby Coats, professor of economics and agribusiness at the University of Arkansas’ Division of Agriculture, continues to examine a number of issues important to U.S. agriculture. To register for the webinar, would-be attendees should go to: https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/register/7b6b9961f0f187ba7c24e00bf0acd2b8.

Besides examining of the possible ramifications of a 13.3-million-bale U.S. crop, Dr. Robinson will discuss the current outlook for key supply, demand, ending stocks, and price outcomes for U.S. cotton. “We will also examine outside market influences like speculative funds, the U.S. dollar, and the general economy,” says Dr. Coats.

At Texas A&M University, Dr. Robinson’s main focus is on cotton economics, marketing, and risk management. Examples of his educational programs can be found online at http://agrilife.org/cottonmarketing/ , on Twitter (https://twitter.com/aggie_prof) and on the Master Marketer Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/AgriLifeMasterMarketer?fref=ts ).

He also writes about cotton marketing for Southwest Farm Press, a sister publication to Delta Farm Press, which helps sponsor the U of A Webinar series.

Dr. Robinson has previously worked in different Extension positions in South Texas and at Mississippi State University.

For more information about the webinar series, visit http://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/economics-marketing/food-agribusiness-webinars/.