Jarret Paige is a new breed of intern working for the Georgia Peanut Commission this summer – he’s an engineering student.

“Our biggest thing is collaboration between the (UGA) College of Engineering and the Peanut Commission,” said Paige at #2018SPGC. His job this summer is engineering project development, or coming up with a list of projects of interest to the peanut commission that the college could involved different disciplines of engineering to accomplish.

Learn more in this interview –
Interview with Jarret Paige, GA Peanut Commission intern

2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

Peanuts are a great source of protein and they offer a number of other health benefits. In addition to supplying peanuts to the world, growers are also helping to solve the challenge of peanut allergies that affect so many people. Through the National Peanut Board, peanut farmers have funded more than $21 million worth of research on the peanut allergy issue to try to figure out a solution.

“This year in January, based on some long-term research that’s been done on introducing peanuts very early. It can significantly help reduce the incidence of peanut allergy among your highest risk kids,” said Leslie Wagner, executive director of the Southern Peanut Growers, a non-profit trade association which receives funds through a self-assessed checkoff made by peanut farmers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.

Research shows an 86 percent reduction in the incidence of peanut allergy in high risk kids who have already displayed allergies to other foods or have parents with food allergies. New product developments in the peanut industry over the last decade include peanut powder, which is very accessible from a number of companies. That has made it much easier to introduce peanuts as early as four to six months of age.

General nutrition research that has been done on nuts shows that about 67 percent of all nuts eaten are actually peanuts. And eating a handful of any kind of nuts each days offers many health benefits.

“The truth is peanuts, almonds, walnuts… nutritionally are so similar,” said Wagner. “Peanuts have the most protein of any nut. Almonds have just a little bit more of the monounsaturated fat, but it’s so close that it’s not really a significant difference.”

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Leslie Wagner here:
Interview with Leslie Wagner, Southern Peanut Growers

2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

Peanut industry lobbyist Bob Redding spoke with those gathered at this year’s Southern Peanut Growers Conference about key provisions in this year’s farm bill. Important items Redding discussed included a $535 reference price and $355 marketing loan, as well as a separate peanut payment limit. Redding also spoke about storage and handling provisions, which he called a target in this year’s bill. He told those in attendance that timing is critical with mid-cycle elections again on the horizon.

“Getting a five-year farm bill done and in the bank is important for our business. Very, very important,” said Redding, noting that an extension would complicate things for peanut producers.

Listen to Redding’s entire farm bill presentation here:
SPGC18 presentation by Bob Redding, peanut industry lobbyist

2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

The panel of experts in all types of challenges facing peanut farmers is always a highlight of the Southern Peanut Growers Conference. From agronomics to weather, conservation and soil fertility, insect and disease management, the experts from Georgia, Florida and Alabama land grant universities provide their insights on this season’s crop. Listen to them all here:

SPGC Presentation by Dr. Scott Monfort, UGA

SPGC18 Presentation by Kris Balkcom, Auburn

SPGC18 Presentation by Dr. Barry Tillman, UF

SPGC18 Presentation by Dr. Audrey Gamble, Auburn

SPGC18 Presentation by Dr. Mark Abney, UGA

SPGC18 Presentation by Dr. Steve Li, Auburn

SPGC18 Presentation by Dr. Bob Kemerait, UGA

2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album