Peanuts may be considered a minor crop when it comes to the agriculture industry as a whole, but its an important one for sponsors of the Southern Peanut Growers Conference like BASF. “We have a good product line for peanuts so we value our relationship with the peanut farmer,” says William Reed with BASF. Last year BASF introduced Priaxor fungicide … Read More
Happy 75th to M&Ms!
The melt-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hand classic candy is 75 years old this year and Mars has been celebrating by targeting the biggest generation in history with modern messaging. “We want to make sure that we’re staying relevant with our consumer base and the largest consumer base is the millennials,” said Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, who serves as strategic sourcing manager for Mars Chocolate North America. … Read More
Ag Colleges Helping #Peanut Farmers Survive
The deans of the colleges of agriculture at three major land grant universities in the southeast presented their views on the importance of research to helping peanut growers survive challenging times. From left to right, Mississippi State dean Dr. George Hopper, Auburn dean Dr. Paul Patterson, and University of Georgia dean Dr. Sam Pardue, all shared their stories of how … Read More
Surviving Production Uncertainty Panel
Entomologists, plant pathologists, and weed scientists from major universities in the southeast peanut growing region talked about the challenges facing growers now and going forward. University of Georgia plant pathologist Dr. Bob Kemerait moderated the panel, which included his university’s colleagues entomologist Dr. Mark Abney and weed scientist Dr. Eric Prostko, as well as University of Florida plant pathologist Dr. … Read More
Bayer Welcome Dinner Sets Mood for #2016SPGC
The welcome reception and dinner/luau at the 2016 Southern Peanut Growers Conference came complete with leis and roasted whole hog to set the mood. Bayer continued its platinum level sponsorship of the SPGC this year, which includes hosting the opening party. “We always look forward to the opportunity to come and visit with the peanut growers in this association,” says … Read More
Marketing Peanuts to Millennials
Southern Peanut Growers Executive Director Leslie Wagner and National Peanut Board Senior VP of Marketing Ryan Lepicier joined forces at the opening session of the 18th Southern Peanut Growers Conference to talk about what they are doing to market peanuts to the important millennial generation. “Those of us who have millennials in their life know that they get their information … Read More
Valent Valor Award Goes to Fletcher
The normally talkative Dr. Stanley Fletcher was left speechless when John Altom of Valent announced that he was the winner of this year’s Valor award at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference. “I was totally surprised,” said Fletcher, an agricultural economist with the National Center for Peanut Competitiveness who has worked on the last five farm bills and is already starting … Read More
#2016SPGC Screens New Ice Cream Flavors
It was a sweet start to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference as attendees had the opportunity to taste and vote for their favorite southern-inspired flavor in the Eat Y’all Ice Cream Contest during the opening social. Eat Y’all, a social media company dedicated to telling the story of southern agriculture, collected nearly 200 dream ice cream flavor suggestions in June … Read More
House Ag Chairman Addresses #2016SPGC
Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) addressed the 2016 Southern Peanut Growers Conference, stressing the importance of preparing now for the 2018 Farm Bill. “My goal is, as is the goal of every ag chairman, is to get it done before the current one expires, not have to have short term extensions and all the drama that goes along with that, said … Read More
Welcome Back to Florida #2016SPGC
The 18th annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference is back on the Gulf Coast of Florida and the theme this year is Survivor: Managing the Challenge. The meeting last year was held at Callaway Gardens in Georgia, after the longtime conference location in Panama City Beach was no longer an option, and those who attended that event were surveyed about potential … Read More