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 Hedging with Cotton Options seminar in Raleigh, N.C. Jan. 20.

The information-rich workshop will be held from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, RDU Airport, 1500 RDU Center Drive (Exit 285, off I-40) Morrisville, N.C.

“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 Cotton Incorporated’s Director of Agricultural Research and Ag Division Staff Economist, Jeanne Reeves. “Knowledge of these market-based strategies is critical for increasing the bottom-line of producers, and we encourage them to attend this seminar at no cost.”

Speakers at the conference will include Carl Anderson and John Robinson from Texas A&M University. They 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 counter-cyclical payments and market volatility.

Attendance at this seminar is free, and lunch will be provided. To learn more, contact Jeanne Reeves, Cotton Incorporated, (919) 678-2370 — jreeves@cottoninc.com or Kay Wriedt at (919) 678-2271 — kwriedt@cottoninc.com.