By Clint Thompson
Peanut research is vital to the industry remaining sustainable amid challenging economic times. Much of that research was discussed during Wednesday’s Research Report Day, hosted by the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC).
University of Georgia (UGA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists presented research that will help growers navigate production challenges, such as pest and disease issues, tomato spotted wilt virus and seed quality. Donald Chase, research chairman at the Georgia Peanut Commission, discussed the day’s importance.
“We all face some very real challenges right now. To me, the one bright spot is that we have some research that hopefully is coming that gives us hope for at least reducing some costs or maybe increasing yields,” Chase said. “We don’t have a lot of control over outside things, but we do have control over, as farmers, how we spend our money and how we make inputs and decisions. It’s always good to have better information.”
The commission awarded $791,139 to peanut research facilities in Georgia in 2024, including 40 projects from the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
The GPC Research Report Day was held at the UGA Tifton Campus.