Cotton producers can learn specific market-based strategies on managing price risk for the 2008 season at the Cotton Price Risk Management and Pricing Strategies Seminar at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 13.

“Teaching will be the focus of this year's marketing seminar. Growers will receive expert instruction on how to improve their marketing skills,” according to Jeanne Reeves with Cotton Incorporated, a sponsor of the event.

Experts will discuss why options on cotton futures are critical to their businesses and outline hedging strategies based on various price scenarios. Instruction includes basic and intermediate workshops on using options on futures to manage price risk.

Instructors Carl Anderson, Texas A&M University, and Mike Stevens, Swiss Financial Services, will discuss when and how to use a variety of option strategies including fences, three-ways and calendar back spreads.

The seminar will include a production cost outlook by John Robinson, Texas A&M University economist; a market outlook by cotton marketing specialist O.A. Cleveland; and information on hedging counter-cyclical payments by Kelli Merritt, CropMark, Inc., Lamesa, Texas.

To register, contact Kay Wriedt at (919) 678-2271 or kwriedt@cottoninc.com.

There is no attendance fee. Lunch will be provided.

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