The 47th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference was held on Thursday at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. The event was hosted by the Georgia Peanut Commission and the conference featured over 100 big names in the Agriculture sector, including ABAC. In addition, two seminars, a luncheon, and a Blood Drive took place.
Conference-goers had an hour before the event to walk around the center and talk with various businesses and organizations about the newest developments in the peanut industry and were presented with the opportunity to earn pesticide applicator certification.
During that time, a blood drive hosted by OneBlood took place, with donors receiving a $20 gift card, a long sleeve t shirt, and a free wellness checkup. At noon, a luncheon was hosted, complete with an awards ceremony in which several of the state’s top growers were recognized.
Farmers were admitted into the conference for free and were given the chance to attend back-to-back seminars on peanut production and seed quality. The first seminar was hosted by UGA and was opened by Donald Chase, the Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission Research Committee. Speaking were UGA Professors Dr. Scott Monfort, Dr. Eric Prostko, Dr Bob Kemerait, and Dr. Taylor Singleton, who gave speeches on the 2023 crop yield and how this year’s may look, as well as weed management, disease mitigation and prevention, and sustainable production, respectively.
Following that seminar, conference-goers listened to a joint seminar hosted by the American Peanut Shellers Association, the Georgia Peanut Commission, the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, and the US Peanut Farmers Federation. Caleb Weaver, the Chairman of the Committee on Variety and Seed Development for APSA opened the second seminar.
Billy Skaggs of the Georgia Crop Improvement Association gave a speech updating conference-goers on the quality and quantity of various seeds. Providing more info about specific seed varieties were Drs. Bill branch from the University of Georgia, Barry Tillman from the University of Florida, Corley Holbrook from the Department of Agriculture, and Charles Chen from Auburn University.
In addition to seminars, farmers who were Certified Peanut growers in compliance with Farming Service Agency standards were also admitted into two drawings in which they could win a prize, sponsored by KMC and Amadas. The Kelley Manufacturing CO. provided the winner with $5,000 and the usage of a brand new combine for the 2024 growing season, with the option to buy it at a discounted price. Alternatively, the winner was offered 10% off any other KMC produced equipment.
Amadas Industries offered a variety of certificates ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 to spend on various Amdas produced equipment. In addition, the winner received a custom Grizzly cooler. Amadas also provided a second drawing in which the winner received a custom Grizzly cooler and a certificate for $1,500 worth of parts.