Peanut Grower June 2015

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PEANUTGROWER The

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

JUNE 2015

THE PEANUT PRODUCER'S MARKETING & PRODUCTION MAGAZINE www.peanutgrower.com

Irrigation Scheduling Calculating PLC Payment Rate Need For HighOleic Varieties

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Pending PA A Approval Ap EPA for in-furrow peanut applications

“The Scales Don’t Lie.”

To find your local Crop Production Services store, go to www.lovelandproducts.com. © 2014 Loveland Products, Inc. Always read and follow label directions. Radiate is a registered trademark of Loveland Products, Inc.

6822_D0115

Total Yield Increase ....................... +932 lbs/ac

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JUNE 2015

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PEANUTGROWER The

Volume 27 • Number 6

Departments

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4 Editor’s Note Kudos Weed Science Society of America for your effort.

5 News Briefs More efficient and economical grading system sought.

6 Market Watch Markets remain quiet until actual acreage is known.

Features

20 New Products Irrigation technology, integration figures prominently.

10 Farm Bill Decision Aids

21 Peanut Pointers Conditions are just right for an early hit of white mold.

How to determine the Price Loss Coverage payment rate.

12 Irrigation Scheduling In a comparison of five scheduling methods in four varieties, which method worked best?

16 A Growing Commitment Mars Chocolate reached a sustainability milestone and works to increase production of high-oleic varieties.

18 Peanut Management Calendar From the Virginia Peanut Production Guide, production management from planting to 110 days.

Cover photo by Amanda Huber

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EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Copy Editor Carroll Smith csmith@onegrower.com Art Director Carol Watson

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Editorial Director Tommy Horton (901) 767-4020 thorton@onegrower.com Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Circulation Manager Charlie Beek (615) 377-3322 Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (800) 888-9784 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com

For circulation changes or change of address, call (800) 888-9784

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD John Beasley Extension Agronomist Auburn University Dell Cotton Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Assn., Franklin, VA Kris Balkcom Agri-Program Associate Auburn University Craig Kvien Coastal Plain Experiment Station,Tifton, GA

Jason Woodward Extension Plant Pathologist Texas A & M University David Jordan Extension Agronomist North Carolina State University Glen Harris Extension Agronomist University of Georgia Jason Ferrell Extension Weed Specialist University of Florida

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf PRESIDENT/TREASURER Lia Guthrie PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT The Peanut Grower (ISSN 1042-9379) is an agribusiness magazine for U.S. peanut producers. Published in eight monthly issues, January through July and November.

Annual subscriptions are $40.00. Single Copy price is $5.00. Annual overseas subscriptions are $70.00, including Canada/Mexico. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, TN. Copyright © 2015 One Grower Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved except where otherwise noted. The Peanut Grower ® is a registered trademark, which reserves all rights granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in association with the registration.

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO SUNBELT FULFILLMENT SERVICES, 307 SOUTHGATE COURT, Brentwood, TN 37027-7987. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claim as its own, and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Printed in the USA. One Grower Publishing, LLC, also publishes Cotton Farming, Rice Farming, Soybean South and Corn South.

One Grower Publishing, LLC 1010 June Rd., Suite 102, Memphis, Tennessee, 38119 Phone: 901-767-4020

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THE PEANUT GROWER • JUNE 2015

Kudos To The WSSA On Their Effort Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superweed!

Alright, that’s not what you were expecting, but I doubt the serious-minded researchers that comprise the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) never expected to have to define a word intentionally crafted to be sensational and exaggerated either.

As the WSSA points out, the use of superweed has snowballed in recent years along with considerable misinformation that isn’t supported by scientific facts. Most online dictionaries, for example, associate superweeds with herbicide resistance caused by the suspected transfer of resistance genes from crops to weeds. To date, there is no scientific evidence to indicate that crop to weed gene transfer is contributing to the herbicide resistance issues faced by farmers.

“Since superweed is now clearly part of the public vernacular, we decided to offer a definition that more clearly reflects the true source of herbicide resistance,” says Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., WSSA science policy director.

My thoughts, unfortunately, run along the lines of, “Good luck with that.”

I can’t blame them for trying, but when the primary purpose is to be attention-grabbing with outrageous and overly dramatic phrasing, will an actual definition register with potential users? Still, the WSSA is to be commended for attempting such a feat when the typical response is to just let it continue.

Here’s the WSSA definition, “Superweed: Slang used to describe a weed that has evolved characteristics that make it more difficult to manage due to repeated use of the same management tactic. Over-dependence on a single tactic as opposed to using diverse approaches can lead to such adaptations.”

And, if one of these superweeds pops up in your fields this spring, have no fear. You can always be like Thor and bring the hammer down on them!

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Graders Seek Better System The Georgia Federal Station Inspection Service has initiated a project with the goal of improving and enhancing grading equipment and procedures that have been in use for the past 70 years while continuing to achieve the same end result. Officials say they believe a more efficient and economical method for grading farmer-stock peanuts can be found.

A committee of 10 individuals has been appointed by James Sutton, Georgia FSIS chairman, with John Harrell being named chairman of the New Grading Equipment and Procedures Committee. The committee represents all aspects of the peanut industry and will oversee and administer the project.

Mills Named President Of ADM’s Golden Archer Daniels Midland Company has announced that Greg Mills has been named president of Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts. Mills will be responsible for all Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts operations, business development, sales, marketing and distribution activities.

“During his time as president of ADM Crop Risk Services, we saw how Greg’s focus on strong relationships, great customer service and innovative thinking could grow a business,” said Matt Jansen, ADM senior vice president and president, Oilseeds. “His experience across businesses at ADM and his drive and enthusiasm for great service and great results will serve him well as Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts continues to look for opportunities to grow their portfolio and expand their geographic reach.”

Mills joined ADM in 1993 and has held a wide variety of leadership positions throughout the business. Prior to this appointment, he served as president of ADM Crop Risk Services, where he was responsible for overseeing all crop insurance-related aspects of ADM’s risk management platform for U.S. farmers.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricul-

tural Business from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.

Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts, a subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland Company, is a leading handler, processor and exporter of peanuts and tree nuts. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga., the company has 13 processing facilities in the U.S., one in Argentina and three in South Africa.

APC Group On Trade Mission To China A group of industry representatives including Bob Parker of the National Peanut Board, Jeff Johnson of Birdsong Peanuts, Tony Gunter of Golden Peanut and Tree Nut Company, John Powell of the American Peanut Shellers Association and Don Koehler of the Georgia Peanut Commission visited China in April on a trade mission organized by the American Peanut Council.

The group visited with the Beijing Chamber of Commerce to learn more about what the organization is doing to promote peanut nutrition inside China.

They also stopped by the agricultural trade office at the U.S. embassy in Beijing. The peanut ambassadors flew to Qingdao in Shandong province where they visited peanut processors and growers and met with members of the Qingdoa Peanut Association. The purpose of the trip was to gather information about the potential for China as a long-term trading partner.

U.S. peanut exports to China grew to more than 81,000 tons in 2013 from just 793 tons the year before, accounting for 16 percent of all U.S. peanut exports that year and about $101 million in sales, according to the APC. U.S. peanut exports to China dropped to about 23,000 tons in 2014.

Long-Term Weather Outlook The spring weather pattern brought wetter-than-normal conditions, which weather officials say is because of the current El Nino influence. The National

In Brief: • Georgia Federal State Inspection Service seeks more efficient and economical peanut grading system.

• American Peanut Council group goes on trade mission to China, works to improve export potential.

• NOAA predicts above-normal temperatures and fewer tropical weather events.

• Georgia Peanut Commission reaffirmed by producers; board approves increased research funding and purchase of tractor for UGA Peanut Team.

• Alabama Peanut Producers’ Peanut Team marches on behalf of babies.

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center indicates that the rainfall prediction for summer indicates no trend towards above- or below-normal values, but long-term trends indicate slightly increased chances of above normal temperatures through the peak growing season.

If the El Nino continues, climatologist said we expect a lower number of tropical storms than usual in the Atlantic, which could lead to dryness in late summer and fall when tropical storms often provide timely moisture to Southeastern fields.

For more information, visit the website http://gaclimate.com. Pam Knox, University of Georgia agricultural climatologist, offers the blog, “Climate and Agriculture in the Southeast” through the University of Georgia Crop and Soil Sciences Department as a service to Extension agents and agricultural producers across the Southeast U.S. The blog can be found at http://blog.extension.uga.edu/climate.

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A delegation visits China, while Russia issues import ban. he peanut market seems to be singing the same song, second verse, and will likely remain quiet until the industry has a better handle on acreage. Until then, sunshine has arrived, and while producers feel the season is late, researchers and Extension specialists assure them the delay is okay.

Most planting decisions have been made to determine the best planting ratio to maximize Farm Bill participation.

Ideally, there would have been competition from other crops. However, corn acreage has been reduced in the Southeast because of low prices and wet fields.

Cotton is another story. As one marketer said, “For the 2015 crop, the market has gone nowhere. The five-cent band from 62 to 67 cents per pound seems firmly entrenched for now.” Farmers were hoping for 70 cents per pound before planting, and prices only improved to about 66 cents per pound, but that’s a loser. The lack of profitable prices for alternate crops will favor more peanut planting this season.

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Planting Deadline The industry is stuck with the estimate of a nine percent increase in peanut acreage until June 30, when USDA issues an actual planting report. In the meantime, the job is to plant and get a good stand, being careful of seed issues.

The final planting date is the last date a peanut producer may plant and the acreage be eligible for full crop insurance coverage or to receive 100 percent of the production or revenue guarantee.

The farmer is not required to plant after the date but may do so at a reduced coverage of one percent per day through the late-planting period.

In Georgia, the final planting date was May 31 in Jefferson, Johnson, Lau-

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PEANUT GROWER • JUNE 2015

Leading Market Indicators ( May 7, 2015) •2015 - USDA Acreage estimate up 9% - 1,481,000 acres •2015 - Production estimate on 4,000 lb/A yield - 2,960,000 tons •2014 - Market Loan - 2,122,304 tons in storage •2014 - Market Loan - 1,032,597 tons redeemed •2014-15 Domestic Usage (8 mo.) - up 5.8% •2014-15 Exports (Aug.-Mar.) up - 3% •National Posted Price (per ton): Runners $424.86, Spanish $403.91, Virginia/Valencia $427.79.

rens, Montgomery, Richmond, Treutlen, Washington and Wilkinson Counties.

All other counties have a final planting date of June 5.

The late-planting period can continue until June 15 for all areas. During the late-planting period, coverage is reduced one percent per day. Farmers can still plant peanuts after June 15, but the guarantee drops to 50 percent for peanuts and cotton. If the farmer is unable to plant by the final planting date, the farmer may file for “prevented planting” and must do so within 72 hours after the final planting date.

Plotting The Numbers There is no change in the carryforward from March to April. The U.S. peanut crop for 2014/15 is estimated at 2,605,959 tons based on harvesting 1,325,000 acres averaging 3,932 pounds per acre. Ending stocks are 922,000 tons, the same as last month. If USDA NASS is on the mark, a nine percent increase in acreage means 1.481 million acres.

J. Tyron Spearman

Contributing Editor, The Peanut Grower

At a yield of 3,932 pounds per acre, that would produce a 2,912 million-ton crop.

Total demand for 2014/15 is predicted at 2,644,500 tons. Domestic food use for peanuts is projected to increase 3.2 percent. USDA reports a 5.8 percent increase in peanut usage for the first seven months.

Exports are estimated to be up four percent for the year; however, March 2015 exports totaled 44,401 short tons, farmer-stock basis, and were up only 1.15 percent from March 2014 totals.

From August 2014 through March 2015, U.S. peanut exports are up 3.05 percent from same period a year ago.

March may have been National Peanut Month, but peanut usage was down 2.1 percent. Peanut butter posted the first decline of the year, but total usage is up 5.8 percent for the marketing year. Peanut candy posted a positive gain, up 9.7 percent for the month, but is still down 3.6 percent for the year. Maybe inshells will come back as baseball season starts. For the year, total peanut usage, per USDA, is up 5.8 percent, still a positive market.

Help From The Peanut Program The projected price loss coverage payment for 2014, which comes in October to the base holders, will be important to bankers and financial companies.

USDA has its own system of calculating the annual average price of peanuts, but this is a fair explanation or guess. This estimate is before sequestration (if applied) and the 85 percent factor.

Looking at published weekly prices of peanuts since Aug. 1, 2014, the marketing year average of peanuts is $438 per ton. Remember to subtract the marketing year average from the statutory reference price to get PLC payment rate

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or $535 – $438.15 = $96.85. That figure, $96.85 per ton, is the current estimated PLC payment for peanuts. The final payment rate for 2014 will not be determined until after July 31, 2015.

Payments for the 2014 production year will not be paid until October 2015.

Export Markets Russia’s agriculture watchdog organization, Rosselkhoznadzor, introduced a ban on the import of peanuts from the United States starting May 1, 2015, because of the perceived excessive content of cadmium. Peanuts shipped before May 1 can be imported only after laboratory tests confirm the compliance of each single batch of the product, according to the group.

The American Peanut Council responded with the following, “U.S. peanuts meet all food quality standards.

Cadmium has not been a health concern in the United States and there is no established standard.” The APC says they had not received any official notification, but the U.S. peanut industry

values Russia as an export market. In 2014, the United States exported approximately 15,000 metric tons, or three percent of total peanut exports, to Russia.

Argentina still reports a good crop and is competing with U.S. peanuts in the European market.

A U.S. peanut industry delegation has just returned from China. Exports to China leapt to more than 81,000 tons in 2013 from just 793 tons the year before, accounting for 16 percent of all U.S. peanut exports that year and about $101 million in sales, according to data compiled by the American Peanut Council. The sudden jump was because of a major drought in India, China’s primary supplier, in 2012. U.S. peanut exports to China dropped to about 23,000 tons in 2014 as Indian exports resumed, al-

though at a slower pace than before.

Let’s Get Going Farmers are always excited and optimistic this time of the year. He/she is hoping for a good growing season with moisture, a good stand and a market anxiously awaiting a top quality product.

He/she is thankful when all the work yields a profit for the farm. With the Good Lord’s help, hopefully 2015 will be a good year for peanuts. PG

Long-Lasting, Residual Protection.

Quality Peanuts. Better Yields.

For more information visit your nearest Agri-AFC or Alabama Farmers Cooperative location.

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Producers Reaffirm Commission

GPC Increases Research Funding

Georgia peanut farmers reaffirmed the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) by a vote of 92.41 percent during the recent referendum held in March and April.

“I appreciate the farmer’s confidence in the commission, and we are committed to continue earning that confidence,” says Armond Morris, peanut farmer from Ocilla, Ga., and GPC chairman. “The commission continues to work together as a partnership between Georgia’s peanut farmers, the commission board and staff, in funding research projects to assist with increasing yield, promoting peanuts and working on the farmers’ behalf in Washington, D.C.” As required by Georgia state law, the state’s peanut farmers vote on the commission every three years. The ballots were mailed to peanut growers in March, and the Certified Public Accounting firm of Allen, Pritchett and Bassett counted the ballots on April 28.

Georgia’s peanut farmers invest $2 per ton each year to the commission to be used for research, education, promotion and communication.

The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors approved $357,570 in research project funding for the 2015-16 research budget year for 29 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia and USDA Agricultural Research Service.

“Donald Chase, GPC research committee chairman, says, “Peanut growers are pleased to invest in the future by providing monetary support for research and education that has continued to demonstrate a return on our investment.

Due to the continuing success enjoyed

by Georgia peanut farmers over the past few years, we were able to increase research funding again for 2015.”

The GPC board approved additional funding this year to provide a tractor for the UGA Peanut Team. The tractor is compatible to 4-row equipment and is equipped with GPS guidance.

“We would like to thank the Georgia Peanut Commission and the peanut growers in Georgia for providing the needed funds for purchasing a John Deere 6125R tractor for use in research and Extension efforts to advance the production capabilities of Georgia producers,” says UGA peanut agronomist, Scott Monfort, on behalf of the UGA Peanut Team. “The purchase of this tractor will allow the peanut team to begin to evaluate new tillage, planting, pest management and harvest technologies in the future.”

The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding for higher yield and improved quality; economics; conservation methods; irrigation and water management; pests, weed and disease management; and peanut allergy research. The GPC is also funding research focusing on the development and evaluation of new cultivars with an emphasis on disease resistant genetic markers and using long range internet connectivity and other newer technologies to improve management on the farm.

For a complete list of the research projects, visit www.gapeanuts.com.

Alabama Team Marches For Babies Members of the 2015 Alabama Peanut Producers Association’s “Peanut Team” participated in the March of Dimes’ “March for Babies” walk in April.

This year’s event was held at the Geri Moulton Children’s Park, located in front of USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Mobile.

This was the sixth year the APPA has sponsorsed the kids activities tent where children of all ages enjoyed playing games, making peanut arts and crafts and received packets of Alabama peanuts along with educational brochures on the health benefits of peanuts.

March for Babies is a yearly event in more than 1,100 communities nationwide. Since 1970, the event has raised over $2 billion for research that focuses on the prevention of premature births, birth defects and infant mortality.

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THE PEANUT GROWER • JUNE 2015

Calendar: • June 13-17 - USA Peanut Congress, Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, N.C. For more information on reservations or meeting registration, go to www.peanut-shellers.org.

• July 8 - Stripling Irrigation Research Park Field Day, Hwy. 37, between Camilla and Newton, Ga. For information, visit striplingpark.org or call 229-522-3623.

• July 9 - Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day, at the Darrell Williams Research Farm, on the Expo Show Site. Registration at 7:15 a.m., trams depart at 8:00 a.m.

• July 14-16 - American Peanut Research and Education Society Annual Meeting, Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston, S.C. For more information, visit www.apresinc.com.

• July 23-25 - 17th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga. For more information, go to the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation website at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org.

• Aug. 4-5 - American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association Pre-Harvest Joint Convention, Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club, Cordele, Ga. For information, call 229-8882508 or 229-386-1716 or visit www peanut-shellers.org.

• Aug. 12 - Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center Field Day, Midville, Ga. Hear from researchers and Extension personnel on their findings for various crops grown at the research center. For information, call 478-589-7472.

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Join The Peanut Proud Buying Point Challenge Peanut Proud

By The Numbers: t the annual meeting of the National Peanut Buying Point Association, the NPBPA adopted a Peanut Proud Challenge for peanut buying points. The purpose of the challenge is to broaden and increase support for Peanut Proud, the organization that spearheads the peanut industry’s humanitarian efforts.

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Meet The Challenge The Peanut Buying Point Challenge hopes to have every buying point in the United States donate enough money to purchase one pallet of Peanut Proud peanut butter. A buying point can donate $1,440 or producers can contribute to the buying points’ donation. If a buying point would like to donate in honor of all the farmers they service, simply provide their names and addresses and they will be informed of the contribution in their honor.

If producers contribute individually, the average buying point with 32 farmers can donate only $45 each with a taxdeductible check made payable to Peanut Proud, Inc.

Peanut Proud, Inc. P.O. Box 650 Blakely, GA 39823

Whether it’s together or individually, $45 or $1,440 altogether, the donation will help buy peanut butter that will go to help feed families. If 200 of America’s peanut buying points donate one pallet each, that’s 288,000 jars of peanut butter spread all over America.

• A pallet contains 1,440 jars • 1,440 jars provides over 23,000 servings • The cost of one pallet is $1,440 • That’s only $1 per jar Proud To Help Those In Need Peanut Proud is the industry’s humanitarian arm reaching out with nutritious food to families through churches, food banks and crisis centers in their time of need. Peanut Proud provides and delivers the product, and food banks and churches in our communities plead for these deliveries of non-perishable, protein rich, universally loved peanut butter.

To sign up for the 2015 Peanut Buying Point Challenge, mail your contribution to Peanut Proud, Inc. at P.O. Box 650, Blakely, GA. 39823. By doing so, you will help the industry you work in and help people in need, some of whom may live in your community. PG

YES, we will PURCHASE one pallet of Peanut Proud Peanut Butter, which is 1,440 jars for $1,440 to help feed the hungry in America in 2015.

Buying Point: _________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: _________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________ State: _________ Zip: __________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Check for $1,440 Invoice me for $1,440 Method off Payment: 3 Payments: $500 NOW (enclosed), $500 October, $440 December ( Octoberr & December to be invoiced)

Honoring my Farmers (please provide list of names and addresses on separate sheet of paper) Will ask my farmers to donate $45 each Make Tax Deductible Checks Payable to: Peanut Proud, Inc., P.O. Box 650, Blakely, GA 39823

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Farm Bill Decision Aids How to determine the Price Loss Coverage payment rate.

Editor’s Note: In response to questions about Price Loss Coverage payments, Bulloch County Extension agent, Bill Tyson, wrote the following explanation on his blog for how the payment is determined. he Marketing Year Average (MYA) price for peanuts is calculated from Aug. 1 – July 31 using USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) prices.

Currently, we are about 75 percent of the way through the 2014 marketing year.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a “Projected 2014 PLC Coverage Payment Rate” on their ARC/PLC website, which is located at www.fsa.usda.gov under the heading “Programs and Services,” click on ARC/PLC Program. The MYA price for peanuts from this source has the price at $430 per ton for peanuts and has not changed since November.

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Finding The Right Price Another source to get the MYA price for peanuts is NASS’s “Quick Stats” database, which has the current MYA price at $426 per ton. However, this average only includes August through December prices for peanuts.

NASS publishes weekly peanut prices in their Peanut Prices report, but this should not to be confused with FSA Weekly Posted Price for peanuts. Looking at published weekly prices of peanuts since Aug. 1, 2014 through last week brings the MYA of peanuts to $438 per ton. The only peanut prices from this source that are not included for each week are those values not published due to individual buyer disclosure concerns.

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THE PEANUT GROWER • JUNE 2015

Estimating The Payment University of Georgia Extension economist for peanuts, Nathan Smith, put together a spreadsheet that includes the published peanut values for each week since August 2014. This spreadsheet will be fairly close to the value FSA will use to determine PLC peanut payments for 2014.

The only values not included in spreadsheet are those that are not published.

To find this spreadsheet, go to the UGA Agricultural and Applied Economics: Extension and Outreach webpage of Decision Aids. The various entries and spreadsheets were developed to assist farmers and ranchers, agribusinesses, lenders and others with calculations and analysis of income, costs and net returns from important decisions. It can be found at www.agecon.uga.edu/extension/decisionaids, then click on “2014 Peanut Season Average Price Calculator” to get the latest MYA price for peanuts.

Final Determination And Payment Remember, to get the PLC payment rate, subtract the MYA from the Statutory Reference Price. At this time, it is $535 – $438.15 = $96.85, or the current estimated PLC payment for peanuts is $96.85 per ton.

The final payment rate for 2014 will not be determined until after July 31, 2015. Payments for the 2014 production year will not be paid by FSA until October 2015. PG To read Tyson’s blog, go to blog.extension.uga.edu/bullochag.

To find the 2014 Peanut Season Average Price in spreadsheet form, as created by UGA ag economist, Nathan Smith, go to www.agecon.uga.edu/extension/decisionaids, then click on “2014 Peanut Season Average Price.” The spreadsheet includes the published peanut values for each week since August 2014.

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ARC/PLC Definitions Acreage report: An annual report for each insured crop in the county in which the producer has an ownership share. It indicates the crop planted, acreage prevented from planting, the producer’s share in those crops, acres planted, the dates planted and other information. Acreage reporting dates vary from crop to crop based on the production cycle. For example, the crop insurance acreage reporting date for many counties is November 15 for winter wheat.

Base acres: A farm’s crop-specific acreage of wheat, feed grains, rice, oilseeds, pulse crops or peanuts eligible to be used for FSA program purposes. Base acres do not necessarily align with current plantings. Upland cotton base acres on the farm are renamed “generic” base acres.

Benchmark price: The higher of the reference price or the respective market year average price for the covered commodity. The benchmark price is used to compute annual ARC-Individual Coverage and ARC-County Coverage benchmark revenues.

Covered commodities: Includes wheat, oats, barley, corn, grain sorghum, rice, soybeans, sunflower seed, rapeseed, canola, safflower, flaxseed, mustard seed, crambe and sesame seed, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, large chickpeas and peanuts.

Effective price: For the specific covered commodity, the higher of the market year average price or the national average loan rate.

Generic base acres: Former upland cotton base acres. Generic base acres are not involved in, or subject to, base acre reallocation. If generic base acres are planted to a covered commodity in a given year, then those acres are considered base acres for that planted covered commodity in that crop year. For example, if a farm with 500 generic base acres plants 250 of those generic base acres to corn, and the farm elected ARC-County Coverage for corn, then those 250 generic base acres are treated as corn base in that crop year and receive an ARC-County Coverage payment if one is triggered.

Limited resource producer: Limited resource producer status may be determined using the USDA Limited Resource Farmer and Rancher Online Self Determination Tool located on the Limited Resource Farmer and Rancher page at www.lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov. The automated system calculates and displays adjusted gross farm sales per year and the higher of the national poverty level or county median household income.

Market year average (MYA) price: Reflects the average price received by farmers across the nation at the point of first sale, across all grades and qualities of the crop. USDA publishes MYA price projections in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.

Reference price: Prices for covered commodities set in Title I of the 2014 Farm Bill that apply for 2014-2018 crops and are used in the PLC and ARC programs. For example, the reference price for wheat is $5.50 per bushel for 2014-2018 crops.

Socially disadvantaged producer: Includes American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Asians or Asian Americans, Blacks or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and women.

Supplemental Coverage Option: A county level revenue-based or yield-based insurance optional endorsement that covers a portion of losses not covered by the deductible of the same crop’s underlying insurance policy.

Find other tools and information on the FSA ARC/PLC program, such as the Base Reallocation Tool; Yield Update Tool; Program Schematic for CTP/ARC/PLC Programs; Projected 2014 Crop Reference Prices; National Average Loan Rates; PLC Payment Rates; PLC maximum payment rates; and Irrigated/Non-Irrigated County Designations. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can also be found.

Source: www.fsa.usda.gov

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Irrigation Scheduling In a comparison of five scheduling methods in four varieties, which method worked best?

he weather can never be predicted, but has a huge impact on crop production and final yield. So, we must adapt to changing conditions and manage our crop to adapt to these conditions. 2014 was a prime example of variable weather conditions with a very wet early season.

This was good to build soil moisture, but heavy rains in late April and early May caused split plantings in the peanut crop, which caused a major problem because the crop had to be managed for two maturity levels. It was also a problem from the stand point of irrigation scheduling.

Since peanut water use is very dependent on maturity, see the weekly water-use chart, split maturity levels means that the crop has to be managed separately for optimum irrigation throughout the season.

Another issue that arose during the 2014 production season was that even though we had plenty of soil moisture built up from the very wet spring, it quickly turned very hot and dry. Looking at rainfall data, there was not a significant rainfall event from June until early September, which caused the dryland peanut crop to suffer tremendously.

Yields from the dryland crop were very low to none as the research results below will show. However, irrigated peanuts performed very well and had some very high yields of 6,000-plus pounds in some cases.

T

Irrigation Scheduling Producers have many options available to determine when and how much to irrigate their peanuts. Some of these methods include the UGA checkbook method, the UGA Easy Pan, online scheduling 12

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tools and soil and/or crop sensors. In some instances, such as checkbook method, it is up to the producer to monitor rainfall and subtract that amount from the total amount required by the crop for each week. The total amount required minus rainfall would be the crop requirement.

The UGA Easy Pan, which can be found at extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.cfm?number=B1201, is a simple cheap method to estimate in-field evapotranspiration. Look online for detailed information on construction and use of the UGA Easy Pan. Online Options Online irrigation scheduling tools are also available. One such tool that works well in both Georgia and Florida is the University of Florida’s Peanut Field Agronomic Resource Manager (PeanutFARM) at agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutfarm.

PeanutFARM uses local weather stations to estimate peanut maturity, track rainfall and evapotranspiration and estimate irrigation requirements.

More advanced irrigation scheduling methods include soil and plant sensors.

For example, in a research trial performed this past season, the UGA Smart Sensor Array (UGA SSA), which uses Irrometer’s Watermark sensors and SmartField’s SmartCrop canopy temperature sensors, was used. A wide variety of sensor options that could be easily integrated into producer practices are available.

Table 1 - Irrigation Scheduling Results From Georgia-06G

Irrigation Treatment

Rainfall (inches)

Irrigation (inches)

Yield (lb/A)

Dryland

12.33

0.40

481.3

UGA SSA

12.33

9.40

6662.5

SmartCrop

12.33

6.40

5926.8

UGA EasyPan

12.33

11.65

6255.5

UGA Checkbook

12.33

15.02

5509.8

UF Peanut Farm

12.33

7.90

4988.8

Table 2 - Irrigation Scheduling Results From Georgia 12-Y

Irrigation Treatment

Rainfall (inches)

Irrigation (inches)

Yield (lb/A)

Dryland

12.33

0.40

498.3

UGA SSA

12.33

9.40

5833.0

SmartCrop

12.33

6.40

5344.5

UGA EasyPan

12.33

11.65

5698.5

UGA Checkbook

12.33

15.02

5345.3

UF Peanut Farm

12.33

7.90

4418.5

pending on variety, either the SmartCrop or the UGA Easy Pan was the next highest yielding.

UF PeanutFARM tended to under apply irrigation, only 7.9 inches, while the

UGA Checkbook method tended to over apply, 15.02 inches. In this case, it seems that over watering from the UGA Checkbook method may have reduced yield, at least when compared to the other treat-

Testing These Methods An irrigation scheduling trial was conducted at Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla, Ga., this past year that compared five different irrigation scheduling methods to dryland or rain-fed peanuts. The treatments tested were UGA SSA, SmartCrop, UGA Easy Pan, UGA Checkbook and UF PeanutFARM. Each of these methods can be employed by producers and are relatively easy to use and determine irrigation requirements.

Conclusions And Recommendations Georgia-06G was the overall highest yielding variety followed by TUFRunnerTM ‘511,’ Georgia-12Y and TUFRunnerTM ‘727.’ Within the treatments, generally the UGA Smart Sensor Array, which only recommended 9.4 inches of water, provided the highest yield level. DeJUNE 2015 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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ments that were a little more conservative with water and recommendations based on environmental conditions.

Table 3 - Irrigation Scheduling Results From TUFRunnerTM ‘511’

Irrigation Treatment

Rainfall (inches)

Irrigation (inches)

Yield (lb/A)

Dryland

12.33

0.40

413.3

UGA SSA

12.33

9.40

6261.5

SmartCrop

12.33

6.40

6276.5

UGA EasyPan

12.33

11.65

5842.5

UGA Checkbook

12.33

15.02

4867.5

UF Peanut Farm

12.33

7.90

5184.8

UGA Easy

In some cases it would be economically feasible to use the UGA SSA, but in other cases, it would pay to use the cheaper method of the UGA Easy Pan. The type of scheduling strategy to choose really depends on each producer’s specific operation and management style. It is always easier to start simple and work more advanced. PG Article by Wesley Porter, Extension irrigation specialist, in the 2015 UGA Peanut Update.

Table 4 - Irrigation Scheduling Results From TUFRunnerTM ‘727’

Irrigation Treatment

Rainfall (inches)

Irrigation (inches)

Yield (lb/A)

Dryland

12.33

0.40

468.0

UGA SSA

12.33

9.40

5452.3

SmartCrop

12.33

6.40

5020.3

UGA EasyPan

12.33

11.65

5103.5

UGA Checkbook

12.33

15.02

4379.5

UF Peanut Farm

12.33

7.90

4618.0

Test For Irrigation Application Uniformity ter Conservation Commission, Resource Conservation and DeIt is important to know that irrigation systems are applying water uniformly in order to achieve maximum benefit. When irrigation velopment agencies, your county Extension agent or crop consultant may also have access to computer software to perform the systems are used to apply fertilizers and pesticides, application uniformity becomes even more critical. Consequently, it is important calculations to determine the coefficient of uniformity.

For more information on evaluating center-pivot uniformity, go for center-pivot owners and operators to periodically check the unito the University of Georgia’s publication search website at exformity of their systems.

The uniformity of water application under a center pivot is de- tension.uga.edu/publications and search for “Evaluating and Intermined by setting out cans or rain gauges along the length of the terpreting Application Uniformity of Center Pivot Irrigation Syspivot, bringing the irrigation system up to proper operating pressure tems” by Calvin Perry and Kerry Harrison. For other irrigation-related topics, go to striplingpark.org. and letting the system pass over the gauges. Rain gauges make it easy to record the amount in inches.

Record the distance from the center of the Possible Causes Of Poor Uniformity pivot and the amount of water collected for Correction Measures Common Problems each can or gauge.

Clogged nozzles

Remove and clean nozzles.

Uniformity Of Application Aids In Uniformity of Maturity

Sprinklers not turning

Repair sprinklers. Could also be caused by inadequate pressure.

With this information, a number of methods/formulas can be used for determining application uniformity, and certain methods are preferred for different types of irrigation systems. However, you may decide to simply plot the data along a line to reveal places along the pivot where “more” or “less” application amounts occur. With this graph, you can likely see that only a few sprinklers may need to replaced or, if more than a few sprinklers are involved, the whole system may need to be renozzled.

Other sources such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Soil and Wa-

Inadequate system pressure**

Increase pressure if possible.

Elevation differences

Pressure regulators may be required.

Sprinkler in wrong order**

Obtain printout from manufacturer and install sprinklers correctly.

End gun not adjusted properly

Adjust part circle stops on end gun.

Wrong end gun nozzle**

Place correct nozzle on end gun.

Worn nozzles

Replace sprinkler nozzles.

Excessive wind*

Check uniformity while wind velocity is low.

Excessive water in cup

Look for possibility of water “channeling” down pivot support structure or a leak at that location.

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* It is not recommended to conduct a uniformity catch can test when wind velocities exceed 10 mph.

Winds should be less than 5 mph to obtain representative results. ** These items may need irrigation dealer input.

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A Growing Commitment Mars Chocolate reached a sustainability milestone and works to increase production of high-oleic varieties.

By Amanda Huber

ars Chocolate reached a significant benchmark last year in ensuring the sustainability of edible peanuts for their consumers, a benchmark that had a lot to do with peanut producers. In 2014, 51 percent of the peanuts used for the company’s U.S. products

M

Pictured, at left, is Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, Strategic Sourcing Manager of Peanuts, with Katie Johnson, Research Manager, for Mars Chocolate North America.

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THE PEANUT GROWER • JUNE 2015

were high-oleic acid peanuts. The company strongly believes that high-oleic peanuts will help them keep pace with increasing product demand.

“We are seeing more and more U.S. peanut farmers committing themselves to ensuring the sustainability of edible

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peanuts by planting high-oleic acid peanuts, and we are encouraged by it,” says Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, Strategic Sourcing Manager of Peanuts for Mars Chocolate North America, who is a past chairperson for the American Peanut Council. “Higholeic acid peanuts are more likely to stay fresh while also possessing all of the qualities that have made peanuts an attractive crop for U.S. farmers for years.”

threats. Improving practices around the world will help mitigate these problems while helping farmers overall. PG

A Projection For Triple Demand Edible peanuts are one of Mars Chocolate’s foundational ingredients and are a critical component to two of the company’s most popular products worldwide – M&M’S Peanut Chocolate Candies and Snickers. As a result of the growing global demand for these billion-dollar brands, Mars – one of the top global buyers of high-quality edible peanuts – projects that its need for high-quality whole peanuts will triple by 2025.

“The majority of consumers do not know where peanuts come from,” says DeLorenzo. “But, when they bite into one that tastes bad, they are less likely to want to eat that product again.”

The peanut industry faces a challenge today to make sure that it is growing enough high-quality, edible peanuts to meet growing demand. “That’s why we are working to get high-oleic peanuts because of the improvement in reducing the potential for rancidity,” she says.

Mars Chocolate, which began in 1911 with Frank C. Mars making candies in his Tacoma, Wash., kitchen, has committed to using 100 percent high-oleic acid peanuts in its products by 2017, working with peanut farmers, shellers and the industry as a whole to support the production of a sustainable supply of quality peanuts by investing in science, creating more advanced breeding approaches, mitigating disease and encouraging greater agricultural efficiencies.

Mars Chocolate’s initiative to improve peanut sustainability contains the three main elements as follows: • Support of crop improvement and breeding; • Expansion of the supply and the use of high-oleics in places where peanuts are grown; • Development in quality and food safety, especially in managing aflatoxin contamination.

In addition, the company has invested more than $1.4 million to support the efforts of the International Peanut Genome Initiative to map the peanut genome with the aim of developing high-oleic acid peanuts that are disease resistant and provide a better quality alternative for standard edible nuts.

In April 2014, the group of scientists reached a significant milestone when it was announced that they had mapped a wild peanut genome sequence, which is now available to researchers around the world to assist in the breeding of more productive peanut varieties that are resistant to diseases.

The industry, as a whole, says DeLorenzo, is beginning to see a need to produce edible peanuts that reflect consumers’ desire for a high-quality, shelf-stable nut, so that peanuts remain a competitive crop for farmers in many origin countries to grow.

What Is Mars’ Plan?

Investing In Advanced Breeding “The industry recognizes a need to work with farmers to grow peanut varieties that will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the crop by keeping peanuts competitive, free of disease and satisfying to consumers,” says DeLorenzo. “Consumers know that peanuts have many healthy components.

High-oleic acid peanuts take this a step further by further boosting the natural healthfulness of the crop.

“We have every expectation we will meet our 2017 goal of utilizing 100 percent of high-oleic acid peanuts in our products.

We are also pleased to see more members of the industry and farmers excited about the growth and use of high-oleic acid peanuts.”

Overcoming The Challenges Even now, peanuts are a high yielding, lower cost and healthy nut that require less agriculture inputs, giving them a natural advantage as a crop. However, there are challenges that peanut farmers face in growing high quality edible whole peanuts, including lower investment in peanuts research as compared to other competitive crops. Peanuts can also be contaminated during drought conditions or as a result of improper post-harvest handling.

As the world continues to experience more drought, manufacturers and growers of peanuts can expect to face persistent JUNE 2015 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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Peanut Management Calendar Date If Planted On May 1 (DAP)

Growth Stage

Management Components

7–28 May (7-28) Seedling

-Apply Gramoxone (plus Basagran or Storm) when needed to control first weed flush from cracking through seedling stage.

-If thrips injury/stunting occurs after emergence, a foliar Orthene treatment is recommended.

14 June (45)

Bloom (R1)

-Land plaster applied at bloom 40 DAP (early better than late).

-Typical Cadre appl. timing is about 35 DAP (no later as it may damage peanuts if vines are too big and the herbicide reaches them).

-If two Gramoxone applications are used instead of Cadre, the second application must be made within 28 days after cracking (about 35 DAP).

24 June (55)

Beginning Peg (R2)

-Boron and manganese can be tank-mixed with the first herbicide or fungicide if indicated by soil test (<0.4 lb).

-Water is needed to move gypsum into the pegging zone and sustain pod development: irrigate if it is needed and you can.

-Check to see that the taproot has active nodules if inoculation problems are suspected (yellow plants).

-Cutworms can defoliate in late June – early July.

-Start weekly spot check for hopperburn on field edges.

9 July (70)

Beginning Pod (R3)

-First fungicide application for leaf spot and stem rot control (Provost, Abound, etc.) applied at beginning pod stage for peanuts in 2- or 3-yr rotation; delay until beginning seed stage (R5) for peanut in rotations of four years or longer. Apply subsequent leaf spot sprays according to Virginia Peanut Leaf Spot Advisory and Sclerotinia Blight Advisory Programs at Peanut/Cotton InfoNet (http://webipm.ento.vt.edu/cgi-bin/infonet1.cgi) or Peanut Hotline at 1-800-795-0700.

-Use Storm, Basagran or Select if needed for grass control. It usually takes a minimum of 60 DAP to close the canopy.

-If Lorsban 15G is used to prevent soil insects, it should be applied during pegging (about the first week of July).

-Tankmix Mn with 70 DAP fungicide application if required by soil test.

14 July (75)

Full Size Pod (R4)

-Check Peanut/Cotton InfoNet and Peanut Hotline for last effective spray dates for leaf spot and Sclerotinia blight control.

-Spot spray escaped grasses with Select or Poast Plus -Critical water-use period begins; apply 1.0–1.5inches/week minus rain 60110 DAP. -Apogee growth regulator at 50 percent vines touching first application, and second application at 100 percent row closure.

19 July (80)

Beginning Seed (R5)

-First fungicide application for leaf spot, stem rot should be applied no later than beginning seed stage in fields with 4-yr or longer rotation.

-Check last effective spray date for control of leaf spot and Sclerotinia blight.

Scout fields weekly for early detection of disease problems.

-Check weekly for corn earworm and fall armyworm starting Aug. 1.

29 July (90)

Full Size Seed (R6)

-Under severe drought stress watch for spider mite in late August to September, particularly where Lorsban is used.

18 Aug. (110)

Oldest Pods Show Internal Hull Color (R7)

-Continue fungicide sprays according problems found when scouting and last effective spray dates on the Peanut/Cotton InfoNet and Peanut Hotline.

From the 2015 Virginia Peanut Production Guide, Agronomic Recommendations and Procedures planting to 110 DAP. For the full calendar, go to http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/AREC/AREC-117/AREC-117-PDF.pdf.

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PEANUT GROWER • JUNE 2015

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We catch all the dirt for you... no good info is left behind.

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Trimble Enhances Irrigate-IQ Trimble has launched a new fully scalable version of its Irrigate-IQ precision irrigation solution that also works with a wide range of irrigation equipment. Growers can now affordably purchase a basic system to remotely monitor and control their pivots. As their irrigation needs grow and evolve, they can upgrade to partial or full variable-rate irrigation (VRI) capabilities using the same base hardware.

In addition to integrating with computerized pivot control panels, the Irrigate-IQ solution is compatible with basic control panels from several manufacturers. As a result, the IrrigateIQ solution can be used on the majority of pivots currently installed in North America.

With the Irrigate-IQ solution, growers can remotely monitor and control their pivots via Trimble’s Connected Farm using their desktop, mobile devices or Trimble’s TMX-2050 display. For example, if a weather event occurs, growers can react to what is happening in the field in real time and turn their pivots off or turn down the application depth in order to apply the proper input amount as well as save time and fuel costs by eliminating the need to drive to each field daily and manually control each pivot.

Growers using VRI capabilities of Irrigate-IQ can also benefit from minimized nutrient and chemical runoff because the solution allows them to apply the right amount of water, fertigation or effluent in the right place.

To learn more about Trimble’s Irrigate-IQ solution, visit: www.trimble.com/Agriculture/irrigate-iq.

AgSense Combines Control And Monitoring AgSense, LLC, specialists in remotely managed pivot hardware and software, announced its release of the Field Commander Ultimate precision irrigation package. The package combines the industry’s most installed controller, the Field Commander, with AgSense Crop Link telemetry units and is available through AgSense’s worldwide distribution and irrigation dealer network.

The affordable package provides unmatched versatility in remote monitoring and management of virtually all irrigation equipment, regardless of brand, age or current capabilities.

The Field Commander Ultimate package allows growers to remotely monitor and precisely control center pivots and pumps, along with monitoring flow, 20/

THE PEANUT GROWER • JUNE 2015

Helena Introduces Receptor Plant Growth Regulator Helena Chemical Company introduces Receptor, an EPA-registered plant growth regulator. As an advanced nutrient catalyst, it is labeled for increased fertilizer uptake and efficiency. It features a unique combination of three well-known plant growth regulators – IBA, gibberellic acid and kinetin. When applied with liquid fertilizers, Receptor enhances root system development and contributes to a stronger, faster-growing plant.

This results in increased nutrient and moisture uptake, which can improve tolerance of early season growing stresses. Receptor also works well with dry granular fertilizer.

Three years of field research has shown that Receptor provides specific and unique benefits when blended with many fertilizer elements, either separately or together. With nitrogen, Receptor reduces nitrate leaching and increases plant uptake, while buffering the effects of salts. With phosphorus, or phosphorous blends, Receptor increases availability by protecting phosphorus from binding with calcium, aluminum and iron. Receptor can also solubilize soil-bound phosphorus and buffer the salt effects of starter fertilizers. Receptor can be applied at low use rates on a variety and wide range of plant species and grasses with liquid fertilizers and plant nutritional products.

For more information and availability by state, contact a Helena representative or visit www.helenachemical.com.

pressure and weather. Capabilities include variable-rate irrigation and custom prescription programming by growers or their agronomists. Soil moisture can also be added by adding the AgSense Aqua Trac Pro or Aqua Trac Lite soil moisture monitoring device.

For more information, visit www.agsense.net or contact an AgSense dealer.

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When To Spot Plant

Conditions For White Mold

Don’t give up on peanut emergence. Heavy rains fell across much of the Southwestern production region in early May. Some fields were planted before the rains came; however, many growers were waiting for a “planting rain” in hopes to reduce the need to irrigate. The planting rain quickly turned to flash floodJASON WOODWARD ing with some areas receiving Texas Agri-Life Extension more than five inches in a 24Plant Pathologist hour period. Although the rain was welcome, some producers were forced to rework ground in order to plant or replant where initial plantings may have washed out.

In addition to providing precipitation, the weather systems that moved through the region were also responsible for cool temperatures. Soil temperatures warmed up following these conditions, but peanut emergence may have slowed somewhat. The heavy rainfall after planting may have also caused the seed to settle well below where it was initially planted.

Regardless of the scenario, final peanut emergence should be unaffected, assuming that a high-quality seed lot was planted and seedling disease pressure was low. Much like cotton, peanut plants have an amazing ability to compensate when stand reductions occur. Peanut is different than cotton in that seed are larger, thus they have more energy to break through the ground and come up from deeper depths.

Large areas void of plants after final stands have established may need to be spot planted; however, final plant populations of approximately two and a half plants per foot (uniformly spaced) will not negatively affect yield. In conclusion, don’t give up on peanuts fully emerging without closely inspecting the situation as we all know they can surprise you.

What does an increase in acreage, reduced rotation and warmer-than-normal early season temperatures mean for many Southeastern peanut growers? Elevated disease risk.

The disease growers need to be concerned with is white mold caused by Sclerotium rolfsii (pictured below). With many areas of the state already seeing temperatures in the SCOTT MONFORT University of Georgia 90s, white mold has the Extension Agronomist potential to develop early and cause significant damage.

There are several key things growers can do to reduce this threat: 1) Scout peanut fields weekly; 2) Start your soilborne fungicide program early, at 30 to 45 days after planting (DAP) versus 60 DAP; and 3) Be timely with every fungicide application. This will be extremely important for the growers planting peanut in fields with a short rotation sequence between peanut.

Although the early warm conditions can prove to be a problem for white mold, growers need to make sure not to forget about early and late leafspot disease. There has been some indications of a short supply of chlorothalanil (Bravo etc.). With this in mind, growers might need to find an alternative fungicide to provide the needed early season protection against leafspot.

JUNE 2015 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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Be Timely In This Busy Month

Check That Final Stand

In June, most growers in the Virginia-Carolina region are applying gypsum on Virginia types. Jumbo runners also need gypsum. In many cases, gypsum is applied earlier than needed and this creates some risk if we get heavy rains and soil washes from the fruiting zone at the tops of beds.

Having a significant amount of peanut foliage will soften the DAVID JORDAN rain and reduce movement of North Carolina State University soil and gypsum from the tops Extension Agronomist of rows.

Many growers will be making key decisions on herbicides this month. Keep in mind that fields often have ALS-resistant Palmer amaranth, and mixtures of imazapic (several formulations) with Ultra Blazer or Cobra need to be applied to match the PPO herbicides to make sure all of the Palmer amaranth is controlled (small weeds, less than four inches).

While injury from thrips will decrease with time, especially if we have good growing conditions, leaf hoppers can be an issue in many fields given that growers have moved away from chlorpyrifos to control root worms. A well-timed pyrethroid application will control this insect Make sure you treat active populations and not “the visible injury” from previous outbreaks. Growers are also determining whether or not chlorpyrifos is needed for Southern corn rootworm. And while it won’t be needed in many of our fields, using the risk index for this pest, which entomologists in the region developed as an effective tool to help with this decision, can help make sure risky fields are treated. Keep in mind that application of chlorpyrifos under hot and dry conditions, and especially in fields that are at low risk for rootworm damage, can flare spider mites.

The variety Bailey has been planted on close to 80 percent of the Virginia-market type acreage in the region and this variety has a strong disease package. For this reason, in many fields we do not need to start fungicide programs until the R3 stage of peanut growth and maybe even later in some situations. Your Cooperative Extension agent and university pathologist can help with more detail of fungicide programs when we get to early July. In the upper V-C, we have had good success with four-spray programs.

With all that’s going on in June with peanuts, be as timely as possible and anticipate what will happen when you introduce a management practice.

We seemed to have planted a large percentage of the peanut crop at the same time this year because of early rains, which has the crop a little later with fewer April-planted peanuts.

Many producers made good progress in early May, quickly catching up only to be slowed again by the dry weather. As I am typing this article, there is some beneficial rainfall around KRIS BALKCOM the area, but we still have sevAuburn University Agri-Program Associate eral thousand acres to plant. It will be necessary to examine our stands and make sure we have a good stand. If not, there is still time to replant if necessary.

Try to have four plants per foot as a final stand, but research has shown us that with irrigation or good rainfall a stand as low as 2.5 plants per foot has been adequate to make respectable yields. Check your stands quickly, especially since we have planted later, and make sure they are adequate.

Also, with the talk of chlorothalonil being in short supply again, I recommend banding that first and even second application to help stretch that supply out further while the peanuts have a smaller canopy with not much foliage.

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THE PEANUT GROWER • JUNE 2015

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th

17 Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 23 25, 2015 Callaway Gardens

Pine Mountain, Georgia

Registration opens March 1. Visit southernpeanutfarmers.org to register!

For hotel reservations, call 844-532-7325 or visit http://www.callawaygardens. com/ASPGC2015.

For more information on activities at Callaway and area towns, as well as sponsorship of the conference, visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org Brought to you by the family farmers of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation

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