For the first time since we have been covering this event, I left before the final dinner and entertainment this year and it looks like I missed one of the best ever! Sponsored as always by our good friends at Syngenta, the entertainment featured a blast from the past with Rocky & the Rollers who kept everyone bopping as they … Read More
Peanuts and Pirates
A special event sponsored by DuPont at the 2014 Southern Peanut Growers Conference let the little peanuts be pirates while the old salts enjoyed time on the high seas. The “Sea Dragon” Pirate Cruise is one of Panama City Beach’s premier attractions that includes an exceptional sightseeing experience of the waters, shoreline and wildlife near the entrance to St. Andrews … Read More
Thanks to Blog Sponsor AgTechnologies/Trimble
AgTechnologies/Trimble has been the sponsor of the Southern Peanut Growers Conference blog here since the beginning in 2008. “AgTechnologies is a full service precision ag provider,” said representative Robbie Tabb (pictured here, center). They are a Trimble retailer and offer a full line of precision products including guidance and variable rate systems for seed and fertilizer. “We also offer irrigation … Read More
Gridlock, Regulations and Spending
Now that a new farm bill has been passed and is in the process of being implemented, attention in Washington for peanut growers has been more focused on regulations than legislation. “We’ve had gridlock now for most of President Obama’s administration and we’re seeing the administration working more through the regulatory process in moving policy,” said Bob Redding, The Redding … Read More
Peanut Genomes and Research Direction
Earlier this year, the International Peanut Genome Initiative successfully sequenced the genomes of two ancestral parents of the modern cultivated peanut. “Those two added together are very similar to the peanut genome,” said Dr. David Bertioli who explained how this provides researchers access to 96 percent of all peanut genes in their genomic context that can result in faster breeding … Read More
Ag Leader Takes Peanut Growers to AgFiniti
This was the fifth year that Ag Leader Technology was a sponsor and exhibitor at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference and the best so far, according to representative Tre Hammontree. “This is the best turnout and the best traffic we’ve had,” said Tre. “Mainly they are interested in steering and they know we can go on any brand.” Ag Leader’s … Read More
Addressing Peanut Allergy Concerns with Facts
Less than one percent of the overall population have peanut allergies but sometimes the concerns about the issue override the facts and that is something the National Peanut Board (NPB) is working to address. Sherry Coleman Collins is a registered dietitian nutritionist consultant with the NPB who discussed how they are doing that. “We really have a well-rounded approach to … Read More
New Bayer Nematicide Coming in 2015
Bayer CropScience is excited about the anticipated launch of a new nematicide in 2015 called Velum Total for cotton and peanuts. “It’s kind of a Temik replacement,” said Keith Rucker with Bayer at the SPGC. “It’s going to be a liquid in-furrow application you make at planting time. We’ve just had really good research results with this in our trials … Read More
Hormel Skips into Peanut Butter Market
Hormel is mainly known for its meat products – like Spam, for example – but last year they jumped into the peanut butter market with the acquisition of the Skippy brand from Unilever. “Skippy peanut butter is the largest acquisition we ever made,” said Mike Guanella, Hormel Senior Product Manager, who spoke at the SPGC. “We actually were in the … Read More
New from Syngenta for Peanuts
Syngenta is one of the companies that has been a sponsor of the Southern Peanut Growers Conference since the very beginning, and for good reason. “We live and die by peanuts,” says Syngenta’s Lyle Stewart who has been handling the southeastern district for the company nearly two decades. “We’ve always have a tremendous portfolio for peanuts and we continue to.” … Read More