Photo of a field of peanuts being irrigated. — The peanut is not a nut at all. It’s a legume with compound leaves like clover and has yellow, pea-like flowers. Oklahoma is the nation’s 10th-leading producer of peanuts, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services)

Premier Oklahoma peanut educational event going virtual on March 25

Thursday, March 18, 2021

The 2021 Oklahoma Peanut EXPO on March 25 will provide growers with the latest expert advice and insights in a virtual environment this year.

"The EXPO has become the premier educational and training event for peanut producers over the past decade,” said Ron Sholar, Oklahoma Peanut Commission executive director. “As with many traditionally in-person workshops and meetings during the pandemic, we’ve decided to go virtual in order to reduce the chance of coronavirus spread.”

Participants will receive the latest research-based information on variety selection, crop management, marketing strategies and an overall industry outlook. The EXPO will begin at 9:50 a.m. and finish at 1:45 p.m.

The EXPO is a joint effort by the OPC, Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, National Peanut Board and cooperating partners in the peanut industry.

To participate in the virtual event, contact OSU Extension Area Agronomist Josh Bushong by email at josh.bushong@okstate.edu or by phone at 580-237-7677, or Sholar by email at okpeanutcomm@aol.com or by phone at 405-780-0113. A link containing registration and other information will be emailed to participants.

Bushong will lead a session focusing on pesticide applicators. Other featured topics and the experts leading the sessions will include:

The 2021 peanut market outlook – Marshall Lamb, an industry-renowned peanut scientist from Georgia.
How peanut groups can partner to maximize opportunities to grow the industry – Bob Parker, president of the National Peanut Board.
Peanut disease control – Travis Faske, University of Arkansas plant pathologist.
Peanut field weed control – Todd Baughmann, OSU Extension weed and cropping specialist.

Researchers Kelly Chamberlin and Rebecca Bennett of the USDA-ARS Center for Peanut Improvement in Stillwater will lead sessions on high-oleic peanut varieties being developed for the Southwest and disease resistance evaluation of varieties and advanced breeding lines, respectively.

“Growers are excited about new varieties with improved yield, quality and disease resistance from the center’s breeding program,” Bushong said.

Fact sheets detailing research-based information about peanut production and management are available online and through OSU Extension county offices.

MEDIA CONTACT: Donald Stotts | Agricultural Communications Services | 405-744-4079 | donald.stotts@okstate.edu