Approximately 300 peanut producers and affiliated industry met in Panama City Beach, Fla., for the 2022 Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 21-24. Conference attendees gathered over the three days to exchange information about peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions.

Speakers touched on topics including school nutrition, ag labor, carbon credits, the importance of land grant universities and farm policy. Representative Michael Cloud, R-Texas, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, discussed the upcoming farm bill and the need for industry input.

See, PEA winners share long heritage of successfully growing peanuts

"Right now, we are at such a critical time in our nation," Cloud said. "We have some real needs that we have to address and a need to look in the short term at some of the challenges we face because of some of the policies we've seen advocated."

He noted that the U.S. will probably manage through the difficulties, but in some of the poor, less advantaged countries food shortages and related turmoil may take place.

The regional 2022 Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Awards were presented on Saturday morning to Ben Cowin of Williamston, N.C., Wayne Hobbs, Irwin County, Ga., Mitchell Rogers, Covington County, Miss., and Karl Stutzman, Weatherford, Okla.

See PEA awards video, 2022 Peanut Efficiency Awards highlight high yields, effective inputs

"This was by far the closest contest that we have ever been associated with," said Marshall Lamb peanut research leader, USDA National Peanut Research and primary advisor for the program. "We spent hours trying to get down to an actual winner because it was such a close contest."

See, Farm Press praises 2022 PEA winners at annual breakfast

Entertainment for both days of the contest was provided by bluegrass gospel band the Baileys, the ladies program included a cookie decorating class and FMC hosted entertainment on a pirate ship on Friday night.