I would like to preface my remarks with somewhat of an overall view of the changes going on throughout agriculture. From the farm through all of the allied industries, control is being concentrated into the hands of fewer and stronger individuals and companies. Many of our farmers of today are going to succumb to the economic stress of the times. The same is true of many cotton gins and oil mills. We are plagued by low margins aggravated by low volume. Only the strongest and most efficient have a chance to survive. Therefore, in my opinion, we will have fewer farmers, fewer cotton gins, and fewer oil mills. We may not like it, and it may not be in our long term interest, but it is happening and will continue to happen at a rapid pace.

Unfortunately, we are probably not going to make the transition gracefully; the battles will be heated and costly for all who care to participate.

I have been asked to discuss the oil mill's role in maximizing returns on cottonseed. It might be more appropriate to discuss the oil mill's changing role in marketing cottonseed.