The 16th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference is set for July 24-26, at the Edgewater Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, Fla. The three-day event will provide farmers with an opportunity to learn more about the industry and issues affecting them, in addition to a relaxing family time at the beach.

The general sessions at this year’s conference will offer farmers an opportunity to learn more about legislative issues, market growth and production issues. In addition to the conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament.

Registration for the meeting will begin on Thursday, July 24, at 1 p.m., lasting until 7:30 p.m. A welcoming reception will be held at 7 p.m. Following the reception, from 7:30 until 10 p.m., will be a welcoming dinner.

On Friday, July 25, Valent will sponsor a prayer breakfast beginning at 7 a.m., and also host the presentation of the Valor Award. This will be followed by General Session I, at 8:15. The theme of the first session – Peanut Markets Long-Term – will feature the following topics: By the Numbers, Exports and China.

General Session II begins at 9:45 a.m. with the theme, Causing Demand to Catch Up with Research. The theme for General Session III, beginning at 1 p.m., is Production Issues. Topics include Weather & Climate, Rotation, and The Direction of Research.

The Southern Peanut Growers Conference continues on Saturday, July 26, with registration opening at 6:45 a.m. and the Farm Press Peanut Profitability Awards Breakfast and Grower Panel sponsored by the National Peanut Board set for 7 a.m. The awards will be presented this year to Owen Yoder, Lower Southeast Region; Isaac, John and George Guenther, Southwest Region; and Billy Bain, Upper Southeast Region.

Sponsors for this year’s Farm Press Peanut Profitability Award include Agri-AFC, AMVAC Chemical Corporation, Arysta LifeScience, BASF, DuPont Crop Protection, Golden Peanut Company, Helena Chemical Company, John Deere, the National Peanut Board, Southeast Farm Press, Delta Farm Press and Southwest Farm Press.

General Session IV will convene at 8:45 a.m., with the theme, Sustaining Farm policy. Topics include the following: Congressional Update and The new Peanut Program.

A golf tournament will be held from 12:30 until 6 p.m., followed by a reception at 7 p.m. Dinner and entertainment – beginning at 7:30 p.m. – will be sponsored by Syngenta.

Conference registration information is available online at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org or farmers should contact their state grower organization for a registration form. Hotel registration must be made separately with Edgewater Beach Resort by calling 1-800-874-8686.

When reserving rooms, be sure to ask for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference rate.

The 2014 Southern Peanut Growers Conference is presented by Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, and Mississippi Peanut Growers Association.