Lubbock Hosts Cotton Marketing Course in April

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-6101, email: t-mcalavy@tamu.edu
Contact: Jackie Smith, (806) 746-6101, email: j-smith34@tamu.edu
 
LUBBOCK – Do you need help developing a cotton marketing plan? How about some advice on
updating/refining an existing marketing plan? If you answered yes to either question, make plans now to attend
Texas A&M’s April 10-11 Advanced Topic Series course for “Developing This Year’s Cotton Marketing Plan.”

The course will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Texas A&M’s Agricultural Research and Extension
Center at Lubbock. To reach the center, drive north on Interstate Highway 27 past Lubbock International Airport
– take Exit 11 (Shallowater) and drive ½ mile east on FM 1294.

“We will focus on market fundamentals; technical signals; seasonal trends in cash; basis, and contracts for
cotton. We will also discuss different marketing strategies and how to apply them in pre- and post-harvest
marketing situations,” said Jackie Smith, Texas Cooperative Extension economist-management based at
Lubbock. “We want you to leave here with a written marketing plan for your operation for the coming year.”

Smith and Carl Anderson, Extension cotton marketing economist, will teach this course at a highly applied level,
using a combination of lectures, small group work, and simulation exercises – much like Extension’s popular
Master Marketer training.

Smith focuses his Extension programs on farm and ranch management and production economics, with emphasis
on cotton marketing and budgeting. Anderson has developed numerous educational programs and materials on
cotton marketing and policy. He served on the board of managers of the New York Cotton Exchange from 1986
to 1993.

Registration for this course costs $150 per person, and includes the cost of materials, breaks and lunches. Pre-
registration is required. The deadline is April 3rd. Registration forms are available at county Extension offices, or
from Smith. His number at the Lubbock center is (806) 746-6101.

This course is part of Texas Cooperative Extension’s Advanced Topics Series in agricultural marketing; a slate
of 10, two-day workshops offered this year at several locations statewide. Partial funding for this year's
Advanced Topic Series is provided by the Southern Region Risk Management Education Center. The Advanced
Topics Series is also underwritten by sponsors of the Master Marketer Educational System; Texas Wheat
Producers Board; Texas Corn Producers Board; Texas Farm Bureau; State Cotton Support Committee; and the
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.