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SENATE AG COMMITTEE FAVORS HOUSE PROPOSAL - The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) is grateful to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for their efficient and effective work in preparing their version of the text for the budget legislation package. U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman’s proposed legislation is similar to the recently passed U.S. House Agriculture Committee legislation that focuses on Investment in Rural America. The proposed Senate bill contains several important provisions for the U.S. peanut industry, including an increase in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) reference price, an update for base acres, a marketing loan increase, and payment limitations that reflect increased costs of production. This legislation was released by the Committee last week and will soon undergo a parliamentary review process before being considered on the Senate floor. “This bill takes a commonsense approach to reforming SNAP—cutting waste, increasing state accountability, and helping recipients transition to self-sufficiency through work and training. It’s about being good stewards of taxpayer dollars while giving folks the tools to succeed. At the same time, our farmers and ranchers are facing real challenges, which have been unaddressed for too long. This legislation delivers the risk management tools and updated farm bill safety net they need to keep producing the safest, most abundant and affordable food, fuel, and fiber in the world. It’s an investment in rural America and the future of agriculture,” Chairman Boozman said. “The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) is pleased to support the Senate Agriculture Committee’s budget reconciliation text which addresses the current challenging economic times for the U.S. peanut industry. Following the passage of the House Agriculture Committee’s budget legislation, the Senate Agriculture Committee worked diligently to complete their version of the legislation, which includes provisions for our industry’s success. Peanut farmers are struggling financially due to the impacts of rising costs of production and low commodity prices. There have been two extensions of the 2018 Farm Bill which, due to antiquated data, provides little in the form of a safety net for producers in today’s marketplace. The Senate Agriculture Committee’s bill addresses these outdated farm bill provisions, updates key pieces of the farm safety net, and supports commodity export, research, and marketing efforts. This bill assures that growers, agribusinesses, and rural communities can move forward with confidence in farm policy for the foreseeable future,” stated USPF Chairman Jamie Brown. “Peanut growers continue to face challenges as costs of production have long outpaced market prices. Unfortunately, peanut growers have seen no signs of hope for improvement in the 2025 crop nor the 2026 crop year. The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee’s budget package contains our industry’s top policy priorities. We are thankful for the urgency in releasing this legislative text and are pleased to support the Committee’s bill. We encourage the U.S. Senate to pass the full reconciliation package, including the Agriculture Committee’s provisions,” commented Joe Boddiford, Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. Alabama Peanut Producers Association President Carl Sanders stated, “The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee’s proposed budget legislation is very important to Alabama peanut growers. Capitol Hill has listened to the peanut industry’s concerns about the current economic conditions, and we appreciate how the Committee has worked to address them. We believe the peanut provisions included in this budget legislation package are the peanut industry’s best opportunity to address significant financial conditions for growers as soon as possible." AWARDS PRESENTED AT USA PEANUT CONGRESS - The American Peanut Council is proud to announce the recipients of its most prestigious honors for 2025. This year’s honorees represent decades of dedication, innovation and leadership in peanut research, advocacy and industry development. Hall of Fame Award - Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, Mars Wrigley, is honored for her visionary leadership in advancing the cultivation and adoption of high oleic peanuts, a transformation that has significantly enhanced the global competitiveness of U.S. peanuts. A tireless advocate, mentor and strategist, DeLorenzo has served on the APC Board of Director for 15 years, including terms as chairwoman, most recently as APC’s 2025 chair, and has been instrumental in founding APC’s Sustainability Committee and supporting the Peanut Genomics Initiative. Her legacy is one of strategic insight, industry unity and unwavering commitment. The APC Hall of Fame Award recognizes individual contributions to the peanut industry and, specifically, service to the American Peanut Council, which have been significant, substantial and long-standing. Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Dr. Steve Brown is recognized for his lifelong contributions to peanut science and extension. As executive director of The Peanut Research Foundation, Dr. Brown has led groundbreaking initiatives such as the Peanut Genomics Initiative, enabling marker-assisted selection for breeders. With more than 30 years in cooperative extension and leadership roles at Auburn University and the University of Georgia, Brown’s work has significantly advanced pest management, research coordination and education across the peanut sector. Dr. Timothy Branner Brenneman has been a driving force in peanut pathology for nearly four decades. As a University of Georgia professor, his translational research has revolutionized disease management through innovative fungicide programs, seed treatment development and cultivar resistance strategies. From twin-row planting to Peanut-Rx, Dr. Brenneman’s practical, science-based solutions have enhanced yield, sustainability and profitability for growers. A mentor and prolific researcher, he is celebrated nationally and internationally for his enduring impact. Dell Cotton is recognized for a career of steadfast service to Virginia’s peanut growers. As executive director of the Virginia Peanut Growers Association, Cotton’s leadership helped sustain the region's peanut farming community after the loss of the federal quota system. Respected for his deep knowledge, humility and tireless advocacy, Cotton has strengthened the state’s peanut industry through decades of dedicated service on countless boards and committees. APC’s Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who have reached the pinnacle of their careers in the peanut industry. The award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the peanut industry over a lifetime, including a history of involvement and impact on the industry and their communities. “These individuals have helped shape the future of peanuts in the United States and beyond,” said APC President and CEO Richard Owen. “Their leadership, science and service are foundational to the continued success of our industry.” Awards were presented during the 2025 USA Peanut Congress in Nashville, Tenn. SHOW THE WORLD ABOUT YOUR PEANUTS Sustainable U.S. Peanuts (SUSP) has concluded its fourth year with record-breaking participation, highlighting growing momentum behind sustainability efforts across the American peanut industry. A total of 326 peanut growers enrolled in the 2024 crop year, representing 166,338 acres (9.2% of U.S. peanut acreage) across 12 states, the highest levels of grower engagement since the program’s inception. Sustainable U.S. Peanuts is an industry-wide effort to support America’s peanut growers in implementing and documenting sustainable farming practices. Designed to help meet rising marketplace expectations, increase demand for U.S.-grown peanuts and ensure the long-term economic viability of peanut farming, SUSP provides growers with tools and insights to measure and improve the efficiency of their operations. “In just four years, Sustainable U.S. Peanuts has become a powerful platform for both grower engagement and industry leadership in sustainability,” said American Peanut Council Sustainability Committee Chair Dan Ward, a seventh-generation grower from North Carolina. “These record-breaking numbers show that growers are not only willing but eager to demonstrate their stewardship and commitment to the future of peanut farming PEANUT EXPORTS – STRATEGY AND FACTS Peter Viazakis, Vice President of International Programs for the American Peanut Council reported at the Spring Meeting of the American Peanut Shellers that Export Strategy goals the next 4 years are to maintain 25% exports in Mexico while holding to 84% import share. Another goal is to hold import share in Canada, EU, Japan and China. Long range goals are to add 20,000 FST (farmer stock tons) to new markets by 2028. and +100,000 FST in 10 years. Viazakis listed several themes and market facts: - 85% of U.S. peanut exports currently go to mature markets. The need is new categories or new geographic areas. -Growth in total peanut kernel imports by Mexico has slowed, but peanut butter consumption is just beginning to grow. Peanut butter appears to be driving in Europe/UK peanut butter consumption. -The U.S. is NOT seen as a consistent supplier to Europe, which has conditioned for Argentina flavor/texture. Future import share to Europe is limited. - Competitiveness outweighs most marketing factors in the majority of the export destinations. What really differentiates USA peanuts beyond quality! An increasingly complex global regulatory environment means the U.S. peanut industry needs to be fully engaged in dealing with trade and technical threats, including Europe, aflatoxin, CODEX and other issues. GEORGIA PEANUT FARMERS TO INVEST IN RESEARCH The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors has approved $764,189 in research project funding for the 2025-26 research budget year. The research projects approved include 40 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Kennesaw State University, North Carolina State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, as well as pests, weed and disease management. The GPC board of directors approved additional projects focusing on non-food uses of peanuts. The projects aim to provide a new opportunity for growth within the peanut industry. The new projects are looking at utilizing normal-oleic peanuts in poultry feed, an economic feasibility and performance evaluation of pasture-raised broiler chickens in peanut-based farming systems and converting peanut oil from a non-drying oil to a drying oil for timber oils and coatings. Additionally, GPC manages funding for the Southeastern Peanut Research Initiative which includes research funding of $1,460,202 for projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. These projects are funded through the National Peanut Board checkoff dollars from farmers. DID YOU KNOW? -This year Peanut Proud will have shipped over 241,920 jars of peanut butter for domestic humanitarian relief to seven states from January to the end of March, 2025. The peanut butter has gone to humanitarian organizations from small food pantries to large, regional food banks. Donate a pallet today - $1,554 – Peanut Proud, Gregg Grimsley – 229-723- 3641 - [email protected]. CONGRESS PASSES BUDGET RECONSILIATION BILL Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the final version of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in a 218-214 vote. This follows the U.S. Senate passage of the legislation in a in a 51-50 vote Tuesday, with Vice President JD Vance casting the vote required to break the tie. The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) applauds the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives for working diligently to pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk for final approval. The U.S. House Agriculture Committee and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee both prioritized many typical Farm Bill provisions to be included in this budget legislation package, additions which focused on investments in rural America. The final legislation included meaningful provisions for the peanut industry, including an increase in the reference price for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, a voluntary base acres update, a marketing loan increase, and modified payment limitations that reflect increased costs of production. Specifically, this legislation:
USPF commends the efforts of Congressional agricultural leaders for working tirelessly to protect peanut industry provisions and ensure these meaningful policies were included in the final legislation. During the U.S. Senate approval process, the peanut industry and other agriculture commodity industries faced a challenge with an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to restrict payment limits. USPF joined over 40 agriculture groups in signing a letter to Senate leadership to oppose the amendment, and on June 30, Senator Grassley withdrew his amendment. “The peanut industry has struggled over the past several years due to increases in farm inputs, labor shortages, and trade barriers. This inclusion of peanut provisions in the budget legislation package is significant in our efforts to provide producers with the tools and assistance they need to continue to produce our nation’s food, fuel, and fiber. USPF applauds the Members of Congress who supported rural communities by voting to advance this important legislation. We are grateful to U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman for their hard work and leadership in ensuring the much-needed provisions for the peanut industry were included in the final version of this bill,” said Jamie Brown, U.S. Peanut Federation chairman. DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS READY FOR SIGN-UP U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced this week that agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for $16 billion in assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). To expedite the implementation of SDRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is delivering assistance in two stages. This first stage is open to producers with eligible crop losses that received assistance under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program during 2023 and 2024. Stage One sign up will start in person at FSA county offices on July 10 and prefilled applications are being mailed to producers on July 9. SDRP Stage Two signups for eligible shallow or uncovered losses will begin in early fall. This announcement follows Secretary Rollins’ comprehensive plan to deliver the total amount of Congressionally appropriated $30 billion in disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers this year. These programs will complement the forthcoming state block grants that USDA is working with 14 different states to develop. |