The 2015 Oklahoma Peanut Expo and Conference March 26 features a varied agenda, including an update on how the new farm program will affect peanuts. The annual event, held at the Quartz Mountain Resort near Lone Wolf, Okla., also will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission.

Tyrone Spearman, Peanut Farm Market News, Tifton, Ga., will be the conference moderator and will start the session with a market outlook for 2015.

Production updates will include disease management by John Damicone, OSU Extension plant pathologist; field trial evaluations by USDA pathologist Rebecca Bennett; a new Virginia type variety release update by Kelly Chamberlin, USDA/ARS Center for Peanut Improvement at Stillwater; and Todd Baughman, OSU Institute for Ag Biosciences, will offer tips on weed control.

Bart Fischer, chief economist for the House Ag Committee, has been invited to discuss “year one of peanuts in the farm bill.”

Mike Kubicek, executive director, Oklahoma Peanut Commission, will close the program with “Fifty Years – A Quick Look Back.”

For the latest on southwest agriculture, please check out Southwest Farm Press Daily and receive the latest news right to your inbox.

Gayle White, Oklahoma delegate to the National Peanut Board, and Ryan Lepicier, NPB senior vice president for marketing  and communications, Atlanta,  will offer an update on “The Perfectly POWERFUL Peanut” promotion during the lunch break.

Following the conference the commission will hold an election caucus for producers from Beckham, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills, Tillman, and Washita counties.

For more information, contact: [email protected]