Throughout West Texas agriculture producers will be attending the first ever Organic Cotton/Peanut Production Seminar, Wednesday, January 26, 2022 in Seminole, Texas. Organic production has continued to increase in West Texas and demand by consumers for organic peanuts and cotton is at an all-time high.
The West Texas area has developed a great reputation for their peanuts and cotton and both organic peanuts and cotton from this area are known world-wide for their outstanding quality in the organic market. Increasing demand, high producer prices and good growing conditions are improving farmer prospects in organic agriculture.
The increasing demand and high prices has more and more peanut and cotton growers interested in learning about organic production. Texas A&M AgriLife specialists, agents and researchers recognized the need for more education and has worked to put together this seminar to educate growers about production practices, marketing and organic rules.”
The Organic Peanut Production Seminar will be held at the Seminole Community Center, 801 N. Main, Seminole, Texas. The seminar will be held on Wednesday, January 26 starting at 8:30 A.M. and lasting till mid-afternoon. All peanut and cotton growers with an interest in organic production are invited to attend as well as allied peanut industry representatives. Four (4) Continuing Education Credits will be offered to pesticide applicators who attend. To reserve a spot or for more information call me at 979.571.2086 or email me at bob.whitney@ag.tamu.edu. Download Agenda Here
The seminar will feature several well-known speakers in the organic peanut industry. Dr. Emi Kimura, Extension Agronomist will discuss organic cotton varieties and production. Dr. John Cason, AgriLife Peanut Researcher and Dr. Dylan Wann, IPG Peanut Breeder will discuss organic peanut varieties and production. Dr. Cecilia Monclova, Extension Plant Pathologist will discuss organic seedling diseases and the problems with cotton FOV 4 disease. These speakers will then form a panel to discuss organic cotton and peanut production issues with growers. This will be followed by Dr. Katie Lewis, AgriLife Researcher discussing soil organic matter, carbon, cover crops and overall soil health.
After a sponsored lunch the program will switch to “Organic Certification Issues and How to Avoid Them,” by Brandi Chandler, Organic Certification Program Coordinator at TDA. Dr. Pancho Abello and Will Keeling, AgriLife Ag Economists will follow with organic crop budgets to use in crop planning. Dr. Justin Tuggle, Crop Consultant will address the common agronomic issues in organic crops in 2021 followed by Dr. Pancho Abello, Extension Economist giving farmers an Organic Crop Outlook for 2022.
Sponsors for the Organic Cotton/Peanut Production Seminar include the Texas Peanut Producers Board, Certis Bio, South Plains Compost, IPG Seed, Trico Peanut, Helena Agri-Enterprises, Algrano Peanut Shelling, Valent USA, Aqua-Yield & Texas Earth, New Deal Grain, Kunafin “the Insectary”, Viatrac Fertilizer, Wilco Peanut, BH Genetics, Marrone Bio Innovations, Mesa Irrigation, Advancing Eco Agriculture, and American Plant Food.
Texas A&M AgriLife Organic 