January 5, 2007
Contact:
Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030
MEMPHIS – Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns will deliver the keynote address at the 2007 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC) to be held at the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton New Orleans hotels January 9-12.
The Secretary is scheduled to address the forum’s Cotton Production Conference on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the Sheraton Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
“Equipping for Excellence” is the theme of the conferences, which is annually coordinated by the Memphis-based National Cotton Council. More than 3,000 will attend.
The conferences bring together those with a stake in a healthy U.S. cotton production sector, including cotton industry members, university and USDA researchers, Extension personnel, consultants, and service providers, to share timely information. The programming is designed to update U.S. cotton producers on innovative and effective methods for use in the upcoming growing season and help them plan for long-term viability.
“The goal is to make the forum highly useful for U.S. cotton producers and all other conferees,” Beltwide Cotton Conferences Steering Committee Chairman Bill Lovelady said. The El Paso cotton producer noted, “I am excited to be returning to New Orleans for this world-class information share forum.”
Among other key Cotton Production Conference presentations will be: 1) a joint report by National Cotton Council Vice Chairman John Pucheu and Memphis cotton merchant John Mitchell on a recent U.S. cotton leadership orientation trip to China, 2) an update on key cotton industry issues by NCC Chairman Allen Helms, 3) “Focus on Sustainability” by Cotton Incorporated President/CEO Berrye Worsham and 4) presentations on cotton’s role in U.S. energy supply and cottonseed oil as a bio-fuel. More information is at http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/faqs.cfm.