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Additional details about how NPB works for peanut growers can be found in the About Us section. Still have questions? Contact us.
NPB Grower Communications
The National Peanut Board keeps in regular contact with growers through the bi-weekly email newsletter News in a Nutshell (NIN), Peanut Quarterly (PQ), which is mailed to growers several times each year, and an Annual Report, which is mailed to growers at the end of the fiscal year. If you do not receive NIN, PQ or the Annual Report or your email or mailing address has changed, please contact us.
Grower Resources and Updates
- USDA NASS
Today's Peanut Prices and Crop Production reports from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, past reports and other NASS publications can be found here. Find the most recent Peanut Stocks and Processing report from NASS here.
- USDA AMS
You can find the most recent edition of USDA's "AMS Fruit and Vegetable Programs News" and more information about their webinar series here.
- Peanut Exports
U.S. peanut exports accounted for 20 percent of the 2010 crop, with a growing demand of high-quality USA-grown peanuts and peanut products. The National Peanut Board works collaboratively with the industry export cooperator, the American Peanut Council, to help create strategic goals and implement export initiatives and programs through the United Export Strategy. NPB is the largest industry source of funding, which helps leverage approximately $2 million from the USDA for the export program. Canada, Mexico, Europe and Japan are the top export markets, accounting for more than 80 percent of USA-grown peanut exports.
- Genomics
In 2007, the peanut industry determined genomic research was vital for the peanut farmer. Through a state- and industry-wide initiative, The Peanut Foundation (part of the American Peanut Council) was asked to lead the industry effort on genomic research. NPB, all state grower organizations and other industry organizations are collectively funding the $10-million effort for the seven-year program.
Based on an update at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show in Albany, The Peanut Foundation’s most important genomic goal is to complete the genetic mapping of peanuts. Genetic mapping helps researchers better understand how to control the genes of a crop. In theory, once researchers know how to control the genes, they can change them to improve specific traits like improved resistance to diseases and pests.
Other goals include:
- Reducing the cost of crop management and production
- Improving the quality of the crop
- Improving disease and pest resistance and management
Darlene Cowart, chairman of The Peanut Foundation believes genomics will help greatly improve the future of the peanut industry. Cowart explains, “From a competitive standpoint alone, our industry needs genomics to compete within the agricultural industry. Other crops, like cotton, corn and soybeans are much further along in their genomic research.”
In just three years, the Foundation has made much progress. Using transformation technology, they have developed peanuts with resistance to Sclerotinia blight and elevated folate levels. While these developments need further research, the initial findings are significant. They are currently working on determining the molecular markers for other peanut diseases and pests including nematode, sclerotinia, insect, herbicide, leaf spot, TSWV, white mold and CBR resistance, a marker for drought tolerance and nutritional markers like high oleic, folate and arginine.
Cowart notes, “The continuation of genomics will help to provide a more economically managed and higher value crop to the farmer and a safer, more nutritious food for the consumer.” Genomic researchers hope to have new varieties available to farmers within the next five to 10 years.
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