The political movement toward free trade coupled with possible elimination of farm program supports are expected to lead to greater cotton price volatility, according to Kings County, Calif., farm advisor Bruce Roberts.

“These changes necessitate a new emphasis on new marketing skills,” said Roberts who has put together a seminar on marketing and risk management for the California cotton industry Dec. 16 at the Holiday Inn, Visalia, Calif.

Scheduled to speak are highly respected cotton economist Carl Anderson, regents fellow and professor at Texas A&M University; Tom Walker, vice president of marketing, New York Board of Trade; Mechel Paggi, director, Center for Agricultural Business, California State University, Fresno, and Roberts.

The program is designed to provide information on risk management, marketing alternatives and issues that can directly affect a cotton producer's profitability.

The seminar is free, but space is limited to 150. The day-long program begins at 9 a.m.

Contact Roberts (559) 582-3211, Ext. 2730 or (559) 582-5166 (fax) to register.