Producer expertise applied between the rows of a cotton field can go a long way toward making more pounds of lint. But producers shouldn't neglect the other side of the profit equation — price. It can be a huge difference maker.

To educate cotton producers about options and futures contracts, and what they can do to increase their profitability potential for the 2009 crop season, Cotton Incorporated is holding a free seminar in Memphis, on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The information-rich workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Ave.

There is no attendance fee and lunch will be provided.

“The seminar will cover the basics, as well as some of the more intermediate information related to cotton futures and options, specific hedging strategies involving the use of cotton options contracts and real world applications,” says Jeanne Reeves, Cotton Incorporated's director of agricultural research and Ag Division staff economist.

Speakers at the conference will include Carl Anderson and John Robinson from Texas A&M University who will discuss when and how to use a variety of option strategies including: fences, 3-ways and calendar back spreads. O.A. Cleveland, a cotton marketing specialist, will give a cotton market outlook. Robinson will also offer a production cost outlook.

Other topics will include hedging countercyclical payments and market volatility.

The event is sponsored by Cotton Incorporated and Delta Farm Press.

To learn more, contact Jeanne Reeves, Cotton Incorporated, at (919) 678-2370 or [email protected] or Kay Wriedt at (919) 678-2271 or [email protected].