Oklahoma’s premier 2017 peanut event set for March 23

Monday, February 27, 2017

Peanut experts will provide updates on everything from variety and market type selection to industry insights at the 2017 Peanut EXPO on March 23, taking place at the Southwest Technology Center in Altus.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn from and speak with leading experts in the field and to interact with other peanut producers and industry members,” said Ron Sholar, Oklahoma Peanut Commission executive director. “This will be the premier peanut education and training event in the region for 2017.”

Registration and exhibits open at 9 a.m. with the program starting at 9:50 a.m. and finishing at approximately 2:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided thanks to the generosity of industry sponsors.

Oklahoma Peanut EXPO is a joint effort of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission, Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA Risk Management Agency, the National Peanut Board and cooperating partners in the peanut industry.

Marshall Lamb, a renowned peanut scientist from Dawson, Georgia will lead a session of the peanut market outlook for 2017.

“No one knows the peanut industry better than Dr. Lamb,” Sholar said. “He understands the forces affecting the U.S. and global supply, and the demand for peanuts. Anyone growing or who is associated with peanuts in the Southwest should be interested in what he has to share.”

Other session leaders and topics will include:
● Larry Sanders, OSU Cooperative Extension agricultural economist, will provide updates relative to the Ag Policy Outlook.
● John Damicone, OSU Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, will provide the latest information about effective peanut disease control.
● Todd Baughman, OSU Cooperative Extension weed specialist, will share the latest research-based recommendations for weed control in peanut fields.
● Jason Woodward, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension plant pathologist, will provide a primer on research-based best management practices for the growing of peanuts.
● Researchers with the USDA/ARS Center for Peanut Improvement in Stillwater will discuss their work and the latest results. Research biologist Kelly Chamberlin will discuss high-oleic peanut varieties being developed for the Southwest. Research plant pathologist Rebecca Bennett will discuss disease resistance evaluation of varieties and advanced breeding lines.

“The peanut industry is excited about new varieties with improved yield, quality and disease resistance released from Dr. Chamberlin’s breeding program,” Damicone said.

In addition, an Oklahoma Peanut Commission District 1 Election Caucus will be held for producers in southeastern Oklahoma.

“The Peanut EXPO provides an opportunity for attendees to visit with industry representatives who supply the equipment, products and services needed to produce the crop, as well as leading experts in the field and other producers who may have their own insights to provide,” Damicone said. “Think of the EXPO as one-stop shopping. If you’re interested in growing peanuts, it’s where you want to be on March 23.”

Anyone wanting additional information about the March 23 event should contact Damicone by email at john.damicone@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-743-7968, or Sholar by email at okpeanutcomm@aol.com or by phone at 405-780-0113.