Discussions about calcium management in peanut, precision agriculture, as well as economic updates, variety and production updates and more are on the agenda for the 46th Annual South Carolina Peanut Growers Meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 29, at the Santee Conference Center, 1737 Bass Drive, Santee, South Carolina 29142. Registration and the trade show begin at 8:30 a.m., with prize drawings at 9:30 a.m.
The morning session includes a welcome from Richard Rentz, chairman of the South Carolina Peanut Board, followed by an update from Hugh Weathers, South Carolina’s commissioner of agriculture.
Hardeep Singh, cropping systems specialist with the University of Florida, will discuss calcium management in peanut. Calcium is one of the most important nutrients for growth. Singh will discuss fertilizing soil with calcium. He will also provide information on various sources of calcium to use.
Aaron Turner, Clemson associate professor of agricultural mechanization and business, will provide an update on using precision agriculture in peanut research. Cody Simpson, state executive director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), will give an update from his office. A representative from the American Peanut Council will be on hand to provide an update.
The morning session concludes with a presentation on cost outlooks and returns by Nathan Smith, a Clemson Extension economist.
Peanut yield contest awards will be announced during lunch, followed by prize drawings before the afternoon session begins. The KMC Grand Prize is a $5,000 voucher to use toward the purchase of a piece of equipment or parts. To be eligible, growers must visit the Kelley Manufacturing Company booth for entry and be certified as a peanut grower with a Farm Service Agency farm number.
Grand Prize from AMADAS is a certificate good for $15,000 toward the purchase of a new AMADAS self-propelled peanut combine, or $7,500 toward the purchase of a new AMADAS 4-row or 6-row pull-type peanut combine. Other certificate options include $4,500 toward the purchase of a new AMADAS 6-row or 8-row digger, or $1,500 toward the purchase of a new AMADAS peanut dump cart.
A customized Grizzly cooler is included with the certificate. The winner must be a certified peanut grower with an FSA farm number.
To be eligible for all prizes, growers must be commercial peanut growers who intend to plant peanuts in 2026. Growers must be present to win.
The afternoon program includes an update from the National Peanut Board. Additionally, Dan Anco, Clemson Extension peanut specialist, will provide an update on varieties and production.
The meeting will conclude around 2 p.m.
Continuing education and pesticide credits have been applied for. For more information, call Dan Anco at 630-207-4926 or email at danco@clemson.edu.
