“Consumers are from Venus, Farmers are from Mars” was the title of the talk by luncheon speaker Charlie Arnot with the Center for Food Integrity, sponsored by BASF at the SPGC. “There’s a huge disconnect between what consumers think and what farmers think about what’s going on in agriculture,” Arnot said. “We simply aren’t speaking the same language.” Arnot told … Read More
Research Update at SPGC
Researchers from universities in the southern peanut growing region presented updates on the latest R&D to help farmers fight pests and disease and increase production. Agronomist Dr. Scott Tubbs with the University of Georgia talked about the role of peanuts in a cropping system, including the interesting history of how the peanut came to be a commercially produced crop, which … Read More
Spotlight on New Sponsor Colombo North America
Southern peanut farmers got to learn more about the harvesters offered by Colombo North America, as a new sponsor for the conference this year. “We’ve been on the market for 37 years in Brazil and about 8 years ago we decided to move to the US in the peanut market,” said Lee Santos with the company. The Colombo Group is … Read More
Chairman Lucas Speaks to Peanut Growers
At a very critical time during the process of getting a new farm bill passed, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee came and spoke to peanut producers attending the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City Beach. Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK) went through the process of how his committee worked to mark up a farm bill, technically called the … Read More
First Florida Peanut Profitability Winners
Farm Press has been presenting the Peanut Profitability Awards at the SPGC for 13 years, and this year was the first time a winner from the Southeast has come from Florida. Ross, William and James Terry of I.C. Terry Farms in Lake City are this year’s winners based on 2011 average peanut yield of 5800 pounds per acre during a … Read More
Uncontrollables That Peanut Growers Face
Weather, water, fuel and fertilizer are the big four areas that are out of the control of any farmer when it comes to the cost of doing business. Weather is a given, but the other variables can change almost as quickly and have just as devastating an impact on the bottom line. Mark Masters of Albany State University with the … Read More
Case IH/Aimtrac are New SPGC Sponsors
A new name on the sponsor list for the SPGC this year is Case IH/Aimtrac. Bill Greer, Regional Manager with Aimtrac’s Pinehurst, Georgia location, is pleased to be a part of the conference. “This is my first time being here,” he said. “Seems like a really good turnout.” Bill is pictured here on the right with Case IH colleague Richard … Read More
Peanuts Can Put Weight on and Help Take it Off
It’s really a dichotomy that peanuts can help with two of the most pressing health problems in the world today – obesity and hunger. Jim Leek of JLA USA said it’s reached the point where over a third of all U.S. children are considered clinically obese, especially in the south, while children are still starving in Africa. “Peanuts are just … Read More
Bayer Sponsors Opening Night with Rock Comic
Never heard of a “rock comic” before, but that’s what Mark Eddie is and thanks to the sponsorship of Bayer Crop Science for opening night of the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, we were treated to his particular brand of humor featuring songs from the past. With lots of energy and the voice of a gifted mimic, Eddie kept the crowd … Read More
Valor Award Goes to to Jack DeLoney
The annual Valent Valor award this year was presented to much-loved Southern artist Jack DeLoney. When Valent’s John Alton asked the record crowd at the opening prayer breakfast to stand if they had one of DeLoney’s paintings in their home or office, nearly the entire room stood up. That was impressive! I interviewed Jack last year here at SPGC when … Read More