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MARKING YOUR FEBRUARY PEANUT MEETINGS
AG AMERICA PREDICTS 2026 FARM INCOME FORECAST Margins will stay tight. Crop producers will face the most significant pressure, with more operations likely needing working capital support or debt restructuring. While the $12 billion government aid package offers short-term relief, stable farm income over the next few years will depend on market-driven returns. Credit conditions will lower borrowing options. Elevated rates are expected to persist. Proactive planning, repayment capacity, and financial discipline will continue to be central to successful farm operations. Trade is the wildcard. Farm income for grain and oilseed in 2026 will largely be determined by global trade activity. Livestock and dairy are better positioned, but global competition will affect pricing power across the board. UGA AG FORECAST FOR PEANUTS
CHASE TO HEAD GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION Donald Chase of Oglethorpe, Georgia, has been elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission.. This is Chase’s first term serving as chairman. He previously served as vice chairman and succeeds Joe Boddiford of Sylvania, Georgia.“I am honored and humbled to serve as the board chairman this year. While the commission organization is changing, rest assured that the mission remains the same,” Chase says. “We must deliver value to every one of the peanut farmers of Georgia. This board, senior management and this staff are all committed to that goal. As fellow farmers we understand the challenges all too well, and pledge to you our commitment to making your investment in the Georgia Peanut Commission pay dividends.” Other officers elected during the board meeting include Joe Boddiford, Sylvania, Georgia, as vice chairman, and Rodney Dawson, Hawkinsville, Georgia, as treasurer. Additional board members include Tim Burch, Newton, Georgia, representing district 1 and Ross Kendrick, Sycamore, Georgia, representing district 2. PEANUT BUYING POINTS CONFERENCE We look forward to seeing you Wednesday, Feb. 12 through Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 for the 60th National Farm Machinery Show and the Buying Points Conference. The National Farm Machinery Show has offered the most complete selection of cutting-edge agricultural products, equipment and services available in the farming industry. Business professionals from around the world gain knowledge and hands-on access to various technological advancements needed for the upcoming farming season during the four-day show. The Kentucky Exposition Center is completely sold out with more than 1.2m sq. ft. activated, making it the country’s largest indoor farm show. Nearly every major line of farming equipment will be on display allowing attendees to compare products side by side. The most innovative technology and new product launches are available to agribusiness professionals, as well as alternative energy information and solutions to the challenges facing today’s agribusiness industry. In addition to seeing the newest products on the market, visitors can attend free seminars led by industry experts. Admission to the show is free. Tickets required to the Truck and Tractor Pulls on Feb 13 at 7 PM, Feb. 14 at Noon and 7 PM. The Peanut Buying Points Conference begins Thursday, Feb. 12 at 4:30 PM with the President’s Reception. KOEHLER INDUCTED INTO GEORGIA PEANUT HALL OF FAME The Georgia Peanut Commission has inducted Don Koehler of Tifton as the eighth member of the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame. Koehler, senior executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC), has served as executive director of GPC since 1986. Throughout his 40 years of service to Georgia’s peanut farmers, he has represented their interests on initiatives such as farm bills, disaster assistance, and appropriations requests. A portrait of Koehler was unveiled at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show last week and is being displayed at GPC headquarters in Tifton. "I was surprised, honored, and humbled to receive this recognition in the presence of the very people who have made me what I was able to be: My wife and family, my work family, my board, and my farmers. Praise most of all for guiding my path goes to God," Koehler said. Koehler is currently serving as senior executive director until his retirement on July 31. The GPC has hired Taylor Arnold to succeed Koehler as executive director. Arnold began his role on Jan. 1 AMERICAN PEANUT COUNCIL ANNOUNCES REORGANIZATION (Alexandria, VA} The American Peanut Council (APC) has announced a reorganization under the leadership of President and CEO Lucas "Luke" Blaustein. The changes are designed to strengthen alignment with APC’s mission and enhance its capacity to support the U.S. peanut industry across both domestic and international programs. Since assuming leadership in August 2025, Blaustein conducted a comprehensive review of APC’s structure, programs, and operations. That assessment concluded that organizational changes were necessary to meet stakeholder expectations and position the Council for future growth. The new structure increases resources and coordination across all program areas, including export market development, sustainability, and research. “This reorganization positions the American Peanut Council to better serve our partners and pursue new opportunities for U.S. peanuts,” said Lucas Blaustein, President and CEO. “As we look ahead, this structure will allow us to do more - explore new ideas, new export markets, while continuing to deliver exceptional value for our peanut industry here at home and all over the world.” The American Peanut Council appreciates the continued engagement and support of its members and partners as it moves forward into this next phase of growth. GEORGIA PEANUT SHOW BIG SUCCESS Peanut growers from around Georgia gathered Thursday at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. More than 800 participants had the opportunity to learn about research, products and the latest trends in the peanut industry. During the show, the Georgia Peanut Commission presented several awards to those who have contributed to the advancement of the peanut industry. Awards presented include:
EXPANDING FARMER ASSISTANCE More than 55 agriculture organizations, led by the American Farm Bureau Federation, are urging Congress to deliver additional farm assistance amid growing financial strain in rural communities. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Agriculture Appropriations Committee Chairman John Hoeven (R-ND) are answering that call and advocating expanded aid in the upcoming continuing resolution. “This assistance will provide additional support for row crops, specialty crops, sugar beets, prevent plant, and better account for basis and cost of production concerns. We also increase farm ownership and operating loan limits so producers can access capital to help with higher costs. Our goal is to ensure that farmers and ranchers can make it through this challenging period and continue their operations now and into the future.” Key components include:Expanded coverage for the FBA program. Additional funds would cover a greater share of producer losses, allowing farmers to receive bankable and timely assistance. Include acres that were prevented from being planted as eligible acres under the FBA program. (1)Align payment limitations with improvements included in the One Big Beautiful Bill to ensure assistance better covers the level of losses farmers are experiencing. (2)Additional assistance for losses that exceed national averages. (3) Providing separate funds for producers who were forced to sell at depressed prices or experienced higher costs of production would help further target the available assistance while allowing the FBA and expanded FBA funds to reach farmers. (4)Expanded support for specialty crop producers. Providing USDA the funding and flexibility to implement a program that addresses the unique challenges of specialty crops. (5)Assistance for sugar beet and cane growers. Providing sugar farmers needed relief in a time of record losses in an oversupplied market. (6)Increased Farm Ownership and Operating Loan limits. Increasing loan limits would improve access to credit that meets current producer demand. BRIDGE PAYMENTS U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced per acre payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, with eligible peanut producers expected to receive $55.65 per acre by February 28, 2026. President Trump announced the FBA on December 8, 2025 as an $11 billion agricultural economic assistance package for row crop producers, including peanuts. According to the Georgia Peanut Commission, the announcement strengthens the farm safety net and provides confidence for producers to continue their farming operations. FBA payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report. Double crop acres are eligible, while prevent plant acres are not. All intended row crop uses qualify except grazing, volunteer stands, experimental uses, green manure, crops left standing and abandoned, or cover crops. A $155,000 payment limit applies, along with a $900,000 adjusted gross income test. Rollins said, “President Trump committed to increase certainty in the farm economy, and farmers can count on these payment rate calculations when going to the bank as they plan for the spring planting season.” |