Well-Deserved Recognition

Albert Culbreath Honored For Research Contributions

Awell-known scientist in the peanut industry, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences research pathologist Albert Culbreath has been named a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society.

The society grants this honor to members in acknowledgement of distinguished contributions to plant pathology or to the APS. The Fellow recognition is based on significant contributions in original research, teaching, administration, professional and public service, and/or Extension and outreach.

“Being named a Fellow is a scientific society’s greatest honor,” says Sam Pardue, dean and director of CAES.

Impressive Work

A professor of plant pathology at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus, Culbreath is recognized as a leader in the ecology, epidemiology and control of thrips-vectored tomato spotted wilt virus and of early and late leaf spot diseases of peanut. He has authored more than 200 journal articles and book chapters and been a co-developer of five TSWVresistant peanut cultivars.

Culbreath was also a co-developer of the TSWV Risk Index and Peanut Rx educational tools that helped ensure economic viability of peanut production when the disease threatened the industry’s existence in the 1990s. He has been a significant part of the multidisciplinary team that has produced an integrated spotted wilt management program combining multiple suppressive factors to control the disease. Adoption of the integrated system coincided with a dramatic decline in annual losses to TSWV in peanut.

As a part of this work, he documented slower epidemic development in several cultivars and breeding lines than in Florunner, the predominant peanut cultivar at that time. Culbreath characterized the field reaction to TSWV of numerous breeding lines from multiple peanut breeders, several of which have been released.

Continuing Contributions

Culbreath’s work on integrating resistant or tolerant cultivars with suppressive cultural practices is applicable to both organic and conventional production in developing countries as well as the United States.

Most recently, Culbreath reported the synergistic effects of elemental sulfur with sterol biosynthesis inhibiting fungicides for control of late leaf spot in fields where the SBI fungicides alone provided little control. Recently, he and UGA colleague Katherine Stevenson co-authored the chapter on fungicide resistance in peanut pathogens in the second edition of “Fungicide Resistance in North America.”

Culbreath has served as president, councilor and division forum representative of the APS Southern Division. He is a Fellow of the American Peanut Research and Education Society and was previously recognized with the APS Novartis Award, the UGA D.W. Brooks Award for Excellence in Research and the APS Southern Division Outstanding Plant Pathologist Award.

He has served on 41 graduate student committees and been the major professor for seven master’s degree students and four doctoral candidates. He teaches “Introductory Plant Pathology” at UGA Tifton. PG

Watch

Markets Are Quiet As Some Buying Segments Remain Closed

J. Tyron Spearman

Contributing Editor,  e Peanut Grower

The ongoing spread of the coronavirus has become one of the biggest threats to the global economy. The agricultural economy was already suffering from low commodity prices and they remain low as major markets are closed to potential buying. The loss of schools and restaurants has interrupted the food chain on a grand scale. The economy being locked down is not an insignificant matter and will have repercussions for years to come.

As the coronavirus turned into a worldwide pandemic, consumers started stocking up to comply with the stay-athome directive. Half-empty shelves are commonplace now.

Leading Marketing Indicators (April 2, 2020)

2019 Est. Acreage............................................................. 1,391,700 acres

2019 Est. Production (3,949 lbs/A).......................................2,748,043 tons

2020 Est. Acreage (+ 7%) ................................................. 1,529,000 acres

2020 Est. Production (same avg.yield) ............................ 3,019,010 tons

2019 Market Loan (5-7-2020) ............................................ 2,340,990 tons

2019 Market Loan Redemptions ...................................... 1,115,824 tons

2019-20 Domestic Usage (9 Mo.) ............................................ UP + 3.3 %

2019-20 Exports (8 Mo.) ............................................................UP +24.1%

POSTED PRICE (per ton) Runners -$424.13; Spanish - $416.70; Valencia and Virginias - $430.94

Working With Extra Precautions

Peanut buyers have been quiet, and the main concern is getting a consistent flow of peanuts from suppliers. Quality issues from the 2019 crop are hindering timely shipments. The price of available good quality peanuts skyrocketed from the high 40 cents per pound to 90 cents per pound. Many raw shelled peanuts have failed to meet minimum aflatoxin levels and are being stored until they can be recleaned.

Peanut shellers and blanchers have continued to work and follow COVID19 safety regulations. Because of normal food safety regulations, many of these workers are used to wearing hair nets and protective clothing. Visitors to plants are no longer allowed, and truckers must remain outside to collect signatures and bills of laden. The peanut industry is working hard to provide raw material for peanut butter and peanut products to fill grocery shelves again. has been delayed in some areas because of cool, wet weather. Many mornings it has not felt like peanut planting time in the Southeast, much less the VirginiaCarolina region. Some producers have chosen to plant cotton first, which is hard to consider with current prices, but crop rotation is important. Wearing today’s safety gear, a face mask, farmers have been meeting with shellers to sign contracts and secure seed for the 2020 season.

Even with the turmoil and higher prices for a small percentage of the 2019 crop, contracts remain at $400 per ton for runners. Some high-oleic varieties have earned another $25 per ton. Farmer sign-up has been good, but other producers are waiting to see if increased contract prices will be offered.

Acreage Estimate

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service projects 1.529 million acres of peanuts will be planted in 2020, up 7% over last year’s 1.427 million acres. Georgia is projected to plant 740,000 acres, a 10% increase over 2019.

Peanut producers had a choice to plant corn at $3.50 per bushel, cotton at 58 cents per pound, soybeans at $8.50 per bushel or peanuts at $425 per ton with a PLC payment of $123 per ton because of last year’s low prices. With the equipment and a good partnership with their buying point, most farmers will pick peanuts. The 10% acreage increase for Georgia will likely come closer to 20% if seed can be found. Peanut producers report acreage planted to peanuts by July 15.

Some buyers are awaiting the new 2020 crop hoping the quality is better than 2019. Indications on new-crop prices are currently in the mid to upper 50 cents per pound for kernels and mid to upper 60 cents per pound for blanched jumbo runners for 2021 deliveries.

China and Vietnam making major purchases. Lower-quality peanuts for peanut oil have been cheap enough for the Chinese to buy.

Per USDA, the average price received by farmers for farmer-stock peanuts was $412 per ton in March 2020. February’s prices were lower at $410 per ton. Prices have fluctuated from the lowest in history at $384 per ton in November 2019 to a high of $418 per ton in January. The nine-month average is $404 per ton.

Those farmers who signed up for the PLC program will receive a payment in October that is the difference between the average price, now $404 per ton, and the reference price of $535 per ton for $131 per ton. The preliminary estimate from USDA was $125 per ton. This price would be applied to 85% of the peanut base acres on the farm.

Another Disaster Looming

The recent coronavirus stimulus packages provided little assistance to peanut farmers. Only the Market Facilitation Program, a direct payment based on acres planted and not on prices caused by the tariff war with China, was the most recent help.

Congress and USDA continue to create various programs to help farm and ranch groups, such as the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security programs; the Small Business Administration loans; federal and state disaster programs; and their regular farm programs.

Three years ago, peanut farmers busted the market with overproduction. The carryforward remains at about 900,000 tons. It has taken this long to chip away at a seven-figure ending stock tonnage, which has kept prices depressed. Peanut analysts believe we are headed for another oversupply disaster if we plant more than a 10% increase in acres.

‘‘ It has taken three years to chip away at ending stocks that have kept prices depressed.

Being Optimistic

Another crisis on the horizon is a consistent, safe food supply. The peanut industry is poised to help with this. No matter the diet or lifestyle, peanuts and peanut butter should be a part of most every consumers diet from infancy to old age.

We have the product, the natural resources, the farmers, the buying stations, the shellers, the manufacturers and the industry team with a desire to succeed. We must all adjust to a new normal, whatever it is, and make it happen. I am optimistic, so let’s get to work. Stay safe. We’ve got a peanut crop to make. PG