TIFTON — The Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, put on by the Georgia Peanut Commission, was held in Tifton on Jan. 18 at the University of Georgia Conference Center.

Assistant Dean for the UGA Tifton Campus Joe West said that the farm show is a way to bring farmers and researchers together.

“Georgia is producing right at half of the peanuts to supply the United States,” he said.

“We have educational sessions where our peanut researcher and extension specialists give farmers the latest and greatest information. It’s also a clearing house for a lot of the different technologies. We have equipment dealers, genetics companies, chemical companies. A farmer can come here and talk to people from across a broad cross-section of the industry.

“It’s about as complete a cross-section of the peanut industry as you could have in one place in one day.”

The show opened at 8:30 a.m. with approximately 1,200 attendees were able to look at exhibits, equipment and the latest research.

Attendees were also able to listen in to seminars on peanut production and seeds, with topics ranging from seed quality and quantity for the 2018 planting season, irrigation management, insects, fertility, disease and nematodes to varieties currently in production and growing advice.

At the luncheon and program, awards were given out to various guests.

Jeff Johnson with Birdsong Peanuts was given the Distinguished Service Award, Dr. Albert Culbreath from The University of Georgia received the Research and Education Award, Craig Harney with WTOC received the Media Award, and professional bullfighter Matt Baldwin received a special award.

Outstanding farmers from five districts in Georgia were recognized as well.

Ike Newberry from Arlington, Chip Dorminy from Ben Hill County, Charles Smith, Jr. from Wadley, James “Roy” Malone, Sr., of Dexter and Marvin and Dania DeVane from Cuthbert were recognized for “life-long devotion to peanut farming.”

Follow Eve Guevara on Twitter @EveGuevaraTTG.