Wilson Faircloth, a research agronomist with the National Peanut Lab, will be the guest speaker at the annual South Carolina State Peanut meeting set for Jan. 27.

The meeting will be held at the Orangeburg, S.C., First Baptist Family Life Center. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served during the meeting, which is scheduled to end at 2 p.m.

Faircloth will provide some of the latest peanut research information from the National Peanut Lab in Camilla, Ga. His topic will be, “Improving Irrigation Efficiency on Peanuts.”

Tyron Spearman, president and owner of The Spearman Agency in Tifton, Ga., will give growers in attendance an update on peanut politics and marketing.

Dell Cotton, executive director of the Virginia Peanut Growers Association will give an over-view of peanut production and pricing across the peanut belt. He will also provide some information on marketing projects under way by the Virginia-Carolina Peanut grower organizations.

Clemson University Professor and Peanut Specialist Jay Chapin will host the meeting and will provide results of peanut research in the Palmetto state. Among his topics will be advancing peanut planting dates, reducing disease risks and the effect of weak stands on peanut yield.

Growers in attendance will get a chance during the meeting to visit with vendors who provide products and services to the peanut industry. The industry exhibits are traditionally a highlight of the meeting.

“The peanut outlook is good this year, and we are expecting a good turnout for our annual meeting,” Chapin concludes.