2 minute read
A Message from Our 2022 Chairman
from PQ 45
Les Crall
NPB Chairman
By: Les Crall
Dear Fellow Peanut Farmers,
As I begin my tenure as chairman, many are saying that 2021’s crop is the best quality peanut crop they have ever seen. For people like me, who have been in the industry for a while, that’s no small feat. This successful harvest is thanks to an industry-wide effort. Partnered with another record breaking year for peanut consumption, with 7.9-pounds per capita, the peanut industry has a lot to be proud of. Not only are we producing high-quality, high-yield crops, but we also have consumers who want our product.
With larger crops and higher-input costs, growers need to be cost-conscious with their decisions. To date, NPB has allocated more than $37.9 million toward state and industry production research, which has led to breakthroughs that contribute to our increased yields, like varieties that are resistant to disease. Not only does this research result in lower-input costs, but it can also lead to more sustainable practices on the farm.
Back in 2017, the Board set a series of goals for us to fulfill. At that meeting, we decided we were going to shoot for 8-pounds per capita for peanut consumption. At our February Board meeting this year, we looked at those goals to see how close we came to them. While we hit most of our marks, we were especially proud of our efforts here. In 2017, consumption was at 7.4 pounds. To see an increase as we have is astounding and couldn’t have been done without the hard work of our farmers, the investments they’ve made in the National Peanut Board (NPB) and efforts across the industry.
Sustainability is something our consumers are asking for and our trade partners are expecting. Now more than ever, it’s pertinent to record and track our sustainability practices. I encourage you to sign up for the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts initiative you’ll read more about later in this issue.
This crop is one to be proud of, and with the efforts and breakthroughs the industry is making, hopefully, there are more like this harvest to come.
