The Perfectly Powerful Peanut
Markets, farm policy, production tips, variety updates, and more than a little bit of catching up with colleagues are part and parcel of the annual Oklahoma Peanut Expo, held recently in Altus, Okla.
Oklahoma Peanut Commission Executive Director Ron Sholar opened the annual conference with some upbeat news for peanuts.
He said the industry has rebounded from low prices and low spirits. “We saw a lot of storm clouds over the peanut industry last year,” he said. “We still see some clouds, and we still face some challenges, but things are better.”
He says Oklahoma farmers will plant 16,000 acres of peanuts in 2017, a significant increase from last year’s 11,000 planted acres. “We need the acreage,” he adds, “to maintain a critical mass of production to retain the industry. I’d like to see us get to 20,000 acres.”
Sholar says “an excellent crop in 2016 and better contract prices for 2017,” encouraged farmers to plant more peanuts.
Other reports detailed an improving U.S. economy, good news about peanuts as a healthy food choice, opportunities for increased exports, and recommendations on production and variety options.
Above are a few photos from the 2017 Expo.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like