Texas Poised To Lead The Way

TCGA Annual Meeting & Trade show

BY TONY WILLIAMS
TCGA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

As cotton planters prepare to roll across Texas, a feeling of anticipation is in the air — and for good reason.
Most areas experienced an exceptional crop in 2016, soil moisture is good, the market is looking up, and plans to build a large gin in the Texas Panhandle are in the works. Another factor generating a lot of excitement is farmers having access to cotton varieties that produce outstanding yields and quality if we get a little help from Mother Nature.

Expansion in the Texas Panhandle in terms of the new gin being built and more cotton acres being planted is contributing to industry providers looking for a big year. Everything is very positive right now.

An acreage increase also means producers will have more cotton to bring to market. If prices hold up, this will have a positive affect on their bottom line. In addition, ginners will have more volume to process, which creates economic activity in other areas as well. For example, cotton has to be hauled from the field to the gin, more bales are stored at warehouses, and more cottonseed goes on the market to be traded and crushed.

Benefits Of Acreage Increase
The theme for this year’s Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show is “Texas Cotton Leads the Way.”

Texas continues to plant a large amount of cotton acres, and based on early surveys, the state potentially will have more than 6 million acres planted in 2017. Texas is pressing forward as the U.S. cotton leader.

Our show is the largest gathering of cotton gin equipment manufacturers and other businesses that provide parts or services to the ginning industry. Visitors from all regions of the Cotton Belt and around the world attend the event to learn about the latest developments in cotton ginning and to purchase equipment or services they need at their facilities.

As the show week begins, full-time gin employees can gain additional knowledge — especially regarding safety — and see the latest industry developments by attending the Southwest Ginners School. Many gin managers allow their employees to go to the school and then attend the show at the end of the week.

TCGA also will host its annual golf tournament at Meadowbrook Golf Course on Wednesday, April 5.

Trade Show Plus Special Activities
The trade show starts at 9 a.m., Thursday, April 6, and is held at the Lubbock Civic Center where more than 130 exhibitors will be on hand to inform you about their products or services. The day’s show concludes with a “Taste of Lubbock Party” that is open to all show attendees.

On Friday, show hours are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During this time, Plains Cotton Growers Inc. also holds its annual meeting. The day concludes with TCGA’s Awards Dinner and Vegas Night Celebration at the Overton Hotel.

Tickets for the awards dinner may be purchased at the show registration booth. Everyone is invited to the Vegas Night Celebration, and no ticket is required. For more information, visit our website at www.tcga.org.

Contact Tony Williams at tony.tcga.org or 512-476-8388.

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