Peanut Grower March 2019

The

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

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

Herbicide Q & A Varieties From ACI Seeds

Looking For A Market Positive

MARCH 2019

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MARCH 2019

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

MARCH 2019

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

Volume 31 • Number 3 Herbicide Q & A Varieties From ACI Seeds

Looking For A Market Positive

Departments 4

Editor’s Note USDA’s final tally for 2018 shows mixed bag

5

News Briefs Growers commended for working together on Farm Bill

8

Market Watch Past production puts downward pressure on price

13 New Products Grower-installed pivot monitoring system 20 Peanut Pointers Keys to successful weed management

Stay Connected

10 Features

10 Expanded Market Outlook

Prices suffering from years of increased production, slow market movement.

14 Zidua Herbicide Q&A

Alabama Extension Weed Specialist Steve Li explains how this herbicide fits into a weed management plan.

16 A Look At ACI Seeds

Since 2001, Kim Moore has worked to produce high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties.

Pest Management

CornSouth ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

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Southern Production & Marketing Strategies

Supplement

March 2019

A Supplement to Cotton Farming and The Peanut Grower Magazines

Look for the Corn South supplement following page 12 in the Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi versions of The Peanut Grower.

Cover photo by Amanda Huber MARCH 2 019 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

3

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

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Circulation Manager Charlie Beek (847) 559-7324 Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (901) 767-4020 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com

For circulation changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578

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 © 2019 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 OMEDA COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, P.O. BOX 1388, NORTHBROOK, IL 600651388. 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.

Final Numbers Show A Mixed Bag

I

n m i d - Fe b r u a r y, t h e U . S .

Depar tment of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released state-by-state crop and stock reports. This was the first new data available from the department since the 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government.

For some the numbers were better than expected, but for Arkansas producers, it only confirmed that it had been a tough year.

Travis Faske, Extension patholAmanda Huber ogist and peanut agronomist with the Editor, The Peanut Grower University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said poor harvesting conditions and the abandonment of several thousand acres in peanut production led to the lower number, although the average yield “was positive, and among the best, compared to other peanut producing states.”

For Arkansas producers, as U of A’s communications services’ Ryan McGeeny wrote, it was the “harvest that never ended” leading peanut production in the state to drop about 25 percent to 2.2 million pounds.

In other states, the decrease in production was because producers reduced acreage from the beginning. South Carolina producers planted 87,000 acres of peanuts in 2018 compared to the record of 122,000 acres in 2018, said Nathan Smith, Clemson University ag economist.

“The yield for peanuts across the United States is expected to average 4,066 pounds per acre. The yield for South Carolina peanuts is estimated to be 3,500 pounds per acre, down about 10 percent due to the hurricanes and rain.”

Overall, a total of 1.426 million acres were planted in peanuts across the United States in 2018, down 20 percent. While the numbers for domestic use for peanuts seems to be waning a bit, or at least not growing as quickly as it did a few years ago, economists say the key will be exports. About half of the United States peanut exports go to Canada and Mexico.

In addition to the normal “Market Watch” column from Contributing Editor, Tyron Spearman, this month’s Peanut Grower magazine has an expanded look at peanut markets for 2019.

One Grower Publishing, LLC 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 Phone: 901-767-4020

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THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

Fighting For Disaster Relief

Growers Commended

U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) introduced a supplemental disaster relief package to provide critical funding for Georgia and other states recovering from recent hurricane and wildfire damage.

“Farmers in Georgia and other states across the country are hurting from historic hurricanes and devastating wildfires,” said Senator Perdue, member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“We cannot wait around for Congress to complete this year’s government funding. Federal disaster relief should be considered immediately.”

“Georgia farmers are still recovering from natural disasters in 2017 and 2018, and they need all the support they can get,” said Senator Isakson.

“We’ve got to help them and the other farm communities who have had natural disasters change their lives through no fault of their own, and I will keep working to get them the federal aid they need.”

The supplemental funding package will provide about $3 billion for disaster relief across the country, including critical funds for Georgia farmers recovering in the wake of Hurricane Michael. Perdue and Isakson plan to continue raising this issue in the Senate until Congress approves disaster funding.

By mid-February, congressional leaders in Washington D.C. were close to reaching a deal to fund the federal government through the remainder of the fiscal year, but the deal did not include disaster assistance at that time. Many ag groups, such as the Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Peanut Commission, were circulating a petition to bolster support for adding disaster assistance. If disaster assistance was not included in this funding deal, there would be few opportunities in the future to secure these much-needed resources.

At the South Carolina Peanut Growers Meeting in January, Bob Redding of the Redding Firm in Washington D.C. commended growers, buying points and shellers for working as a coalition on the 2018 Farm Bill.

The key priorities: reference price, separate peanut payment limit and storage and handling provisions were all included in the final bill sent to President Trump for signature. In addition, growers have more flexibility for PLC/ARC decisions, opportunities for yield updates and reasonable payment limit rules.

The 2014 Farm Bill contained a peanut program that worked for all peanut segments, Redding said. The 2018 Bill is a continuation of this program with upgrades.

Disaster legislation that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives includes an amendment increasing the agricultural assistance by $1.9 billion offered by House Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Sanford Bishop and Congressman Austin Scott. The peanut industry should focus on top trade issues in the coming months.

Finally, Redding called for South Carolina growers to consider joining the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation (SPFF), which is comprised of Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi growers.

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Funds For Trade Promotion Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced that the U.S. Department of A griculture (USDA) has awarded $200 million to 57 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets.

The ATP is one of three USDA pro-

In Brief: • Senators and ag groups fight for disaster relief bill.

• Farm Bill declared an upgrade for peanuts.

• USDA awards export promotion funds to groups affected by trade talks.

• APC receives $1.3 million for export promotions.

• Study shows adults often misrepresent their food allergy claims.

grams created to mitigate the effects of unjustified trade retaliation against U.S. farmers and exporters. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) accepted ATP applications in the fall from U.S. trade associations, cooperatives and other industry-affiliated organizations.

In addition to the $200 million allocated to the ATP, the package also included the Market Facilitation Program to provide payments to farmers harmed by retaliatory tariffs, and a food purchase and distribution program to assist producers of targeted commodities.

Secretary Perdue said, “This infusion will help us develop other markets and move us away from being dependent on one large customer for our agricultural products. This is seed money, leveraged by hundreds of millions of dollars from the private sector, that will help to increase our agricultural exports.”

FAS evaluated applications according to criteria that included the potential for export growth in the target market, direct injury from the imposed retaliatory tariffs, and the likelihood that the proposed project or activity will have a near-term impact on agricultural exports.

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MARCH 2 019 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

APC Receives ATP Funds The American Peanut Council was successful in their application for Agricultural Trade Promotion Program funds to supporting additional export promotion activities, as mentioned in the prior news brief. These funds were awarded beyond those funded by Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program.

APC received notification that it had been allocated $1,922,015 to be used over the next three years. With input from the Export Board, APC will direct funding toward a nutrition communications campaign in Japan ($1,304,015), trade communication in Colombia ($258,000) and promotions for U.S. peanut butter in the European Union ($270,000). An additional $90,000 will be allocated for administration over the three-year period. All three of the markets were chosen because of their potential for expanding exports of U.S. peanuts and peanut butter.

As announced in the fall of 2018, USDA has agreed to purchase an additional $12 million of peanut products for programs that include school lunch and food-bank assistance. More than $5 million in product was purchased for delivery in April, May and June.

Food Allergy Report The food allergy issue has consistently suffered from mis-information and outright exaggerations. An investigation led by Professor Ruchi Gupta of Northwestern University in Chicago, as reported by the American Peanut Council, attempted to put empirical data to allergy false claims.

Gupta found that about 20 percent of American adults claim to have a food allergy, but after reviewing a sample of 40,400 U.S. adults, only about half that number had signs of true allergy. Even then, most of these allergy claims have 6 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

never been clinically confirmed.

He also found that over-diagnosis by non-specialists, self-diagnosis using over the counter unvalidated testing kits giving false positive results and widespread confusion between intolerance, sensitivity and genuine allergy are among the factors inflating the figures. The result can be needless food exclusions, distorted eating patterns and family stress.

Experts were surprised by this finding and called it a wake-up call for the clinical allergy community. The study only related to adults, not children.

Peanut Proud Festival Celebrate all things peanut at the annual Peanut Proud Festival in Blakely, Georgia, on the town square March 23. The day-long celebration begins with a 5K and Fun Run and ends with a street dance. In between are a parade, more than 100 vendors, a kids’ peanut butter obstacle course, free entertainment, and much more. Come sample specialty products such as fried peanuts and grilled PB&J sandwiches and visit our Peanut Proud store.

Go to peanutproudfestival.com or find us on Facebook for all the details.

Ag Water-Use Partnership Lindsay Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, and Nutrien Ag Solutions, the retail provider of crop inputs and services, recently announced a partnership that will enable Nutrien Ag Solutions crop consultants (the company has over 3,500) to leverage Lindsay’s remote irrigation management and scheduling platform to supplement Nutrien Ag Solutions’ offerings. Through this partnership, Lindsay and Nutrien Ag Solutions will also automate the transfer of as-applied data from Lindsay’s FieldNET Advisor to the Nutrien Ag Solutions digital platform to strengthen growers’ ability to optimize water application amount and timing at every point throughout their fields.

Nutrien Ag Solutions provides crop input products and services that help growers make informed agronomic decisions. This collaboration means that Nutrien Ag Solutions can now add Lindsay’s FieldNET Advisor to its digital and agronomic offerings, enabling growers to better streamline water usage as part of their overall field management plan. The Nutrien Ag Solutions digital platform leverages deep agronomic data science and leading-edge technology to solve real world problems for growers.

The data connection between the Nutrien Ag Solutions digital platform and Lindsay’s FieldNET Advisor will save growers time by streamlining data collection and entry and will further improve the precision of the resulting crop zones, agronomic models and variable rate prescriptions. This data connection is expected to be available later in 2019.

For more information about Nutrien Ag Solutions, visit www.nutrienagsolutions.com. For more information about FieldNET technology, visit www.myfieldnet.com.

UPI Changes Name UPL, a global producer of crop protection products, announced recently that the company had changed the name of its North American operation from United Phosphorus, Inc., to UPL NA Inc. “The new UPL brand name for the North America business more accurately reflects the global corporate identity” according to Manish Sirohi, Director, Strategy and Innovation. “The change aligns our business with our corporate parent and their subsidiaries around the world.”

UPL has a presence in more than 130 countries on six continents. With 33 manufacturing and formulation facilities situated in 11 countries, UPL is a leader in the manufacture of high-quality brands used to protect crops and property.

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

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Past Production And Yield Pressure Prices

T

he 2019 peanut market for farmers was already weak because of a large carry-over from the 2017 and 2018 crops. Production in 2018 was estimated at 5.46 billion pounds, (2,730,800 tons) down 23 percent from 2017. Planted area was estimated at 1.43 million acres, down 24 percent from 2017. Farmers were cutting back, trying to do the right thing to get peanut prices back to a profitable level.

Harvested area was estimated at 1.37 million acres, down 23 percent from 2017. The average yield was estimated at 3,991 pounds per acre, down 16 pounds from 2017. Planted area for peanuts was estimated at its lowest level since 2014.

Harvested area decreased in all states from last year.

Production in 2018 was also down from the previous year in all estimating states. In Georgia, growers realized the lowest production since 2016. Yet, USDA estimates a carry forward of 1,191,000 tons as of February 2019. Production has increased by 39 percent over the past 7 years (2012-2018) and demand by only 10 percent. Eventually, the acreage and yield result in production increases pressuring prices downward.

Selling Old Crop Don’t forget about the 121,684 tons forfeited from the 2017 crop, now in warehouse storage awaiting the Commodity Credit Corporation and USDA to announce their plans for what to do with it.

The 2018 peanut crop is moving from the $355 per-ton loan to the shelling plant. The Market Loan Program has received 2,324,582 tons, that’s 85 percent in the loan. Because of the government shutdown, the final date for placement in the loan was extended to 8 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

J. Tyron Spearman

Contributing Editor, The Peanut Grower

Leading Marketing Indicators (Feb. 13, 2019) 2018 Acreage (USDA) – Down 24%................................ 1,335,000 acres 2018 Est. Production.............................................................2,730,800 tons 2018 Market Loan.................................................................2,324,582 tons 2017 Market Loan (2017 crop).......................................................... 0 tons 2017 Forfeitures (1-2-2019) .................................................... 121,684 tons 2018-19 Domestic Usage (4 Mo.) ............................................. Dn – 1.1 % 2018 Exports (4 Mo.) .............................................................. Up + 3.69 % NATIONAL POSTED PRICE (per ton) Runners -$424.49; Spanish - $415.84; Valencia and Virginias - $429.80

Feb. 28. Since loans can remain in storage for 9 months, calling for a November maturity, storage may become a problem in the 2019 harvest season.

Farmers in the Southeast were being offered $400 per ton for peanuts not contracted with routing through the Market Loan.

Farmers with a peanut base will get some assistance because of lower prices.

USDA projects the 2018 average price received by farmers to be $430 per ton.

The October payment would be the peanut reference price of $535 per ton minus $430 per ton or a payment of $105 per ton. That level would apply to 85 percent of base acres times yield.

Payment Yield Under the new Farm Bill, the landowner can update payment yield on the farm if located in a county affected by drought. If the owner decides to update the payment yield, the new payment yield will be 90 percent of the average yield per planted acre for the crop years 2013-1017. There are some limits to updating opportunity.

Trade Mitigation The United States is serious about helping farmers who have been impacted by unjustified trade tariffs. Although peanut farmers did not get a direct payment like cotton, soybeans and others, peanuts are receiving indirect help that may trickle down to farmers.

The Trade Promotion Program provided $1,922,015 to be utilized in the next three years in Japan, Columbia and Europe to promote exports of peanuts.

The program is being coordinated by the American Peanut Council. USDA approved $12 million in purchases of peanut butter, already buying $5 million of that for delivery to school lunch programs and food banks in April, May and June.

There are disaster bills in Washington D.C. and in Georgia to help farmers and businesses hit with hurricanes.

Distribution may be a problem when trying to be fair and equitable.

2019 Farmer Contracts The first peanut farmer-stock contracts for farmers are being offered at buying points in the Southeast. Other PE ANUTGROWER .COM

regions have yet to receive offers. A limited number of tons are being offered at each buying point. In summary: A peanut farmer would need to sign the first ton of production at a $400 fixed price contract. After the first ton of production, the grower has three options to choose from:1) sign up more tons at $400 fixed price contract, 2) sign up more tons at a $375 pool contract, 3) sign up more tons at a $375 to $450 min/max contract that will be priced from October ’19 until March ’20. Farmers have the opportunity to participate in the markets as the weekly prices will be quoted by the sheller. Other shellers have matched the $400 per ton with limited tonnage.

Peanut Demand At Home The disappointing trend on utilization continues, down over 1 percent from last year. All categories were down for the four-month period with peanut candy down 9.3 percent, snacks down 2.9 per-

cent and even peanut butter down 2.2 percent year to date.

Most reports are indicating an increase in peanuts and peanut butter in snacks; however, Stocks and Processing did not verify those reports. Government purchases will change next month as the Trade Mitigation agreed to buy $5 million in peanut butter.

Many companies are reporting using peanut butter as an ingredient in new products. With the nutritional powerhouse of peanuts and peanut butter, the entire peanut array of products needs advertising. November usage declined only 0.2 percent. It is clear that this slowdown in demand is impacting movement and prices at all levels.

Peanut Demand Abroad Argentina is looking at a great crop for both quantity and quality. With current favorable growing conditions, high temperatures and abundant precipitation,

today it is projected a yield as high as 3,500 to 4,000 kilograms per hectare and possibly more.

China continues to be weak with slow demand and low prices. It is unclear at this time how this will impact the new crop plantings. It seems that at best we will have similar plantings as last year and possibly a decline. Domestic demand would be impacted by the potential economic slowdown.

For the United States, exports are up 3.69 percent January through November.

With all the tariff talk and trade unrest, that is good.

2019 Market Factors I am afraid cotton prices dropping to 72 cents per pound will cause rowcrop farmers to plant peanuts to survive.

However, a 10 percent reduction in peanut acreage next season would reduce the 1.17 million ton carry-forward, and that makes sense. PG

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MARCH 2 019 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

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1/17/19 1:12 PM

Several factors are contributing to the stagnant market, but hope springs eternal that one of these could change.

Looking For A Positive

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THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

By Amanda Huber

A

t the present time, peanut markets are about as exciting as watching paint dry. The hope that another crop may offer a price worthy of creating an acreage shift or that a trade agreement could be reached on one or more of the ongoing negotiations has diminished as planting draws closer. In winter meetings, economists and industry insiders lamented the lack of any bright spot in the market, and that was before the government opened back up and the National Agriculture Statistics Service was able to give a final record of the 2018 crop.

In the final report, NASS said that peanut production was estimated at 5.46 billion pounds, or 2.73 million tons, which was 75,000 tons down from their November estimate and down 23 percent from 2017.

Planted area was estimated at 1.43 million acres, down 24 percent from 2017. Harvested area was estimated at 1.37 million acres, down 23 percent from 2017.

Numbers Tell The Story At the South Carolina peanut growers production meeting earlier this year, speaker Dell Cotton, Executive Director of the Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association, Suffolk, Virginia., reminded producers that the average nation-wide yield passed 4,000 pounds per acre mark in 2012.

“When you compare the seven years since 2012, which is 2012 – 2018, with the five years prior when

What Could Move The Market?

1. Completing some of the trade agreements being negotiated and sorting out the U.S. trade policy.

2. Export markets recovering, particularly exports to China.

3. The rebounding of prices of other crops, especially rotation partners such as cotton.

4. Consumption increasing at a more significant pace.

5. Adjusting acres to account for the increase in average yield.

the national average was in the 3,500 pound per acre range, not only were yields up 17 percent on average but acres planted were up 19 percent as well. A combination of the increases in both acres and yield resulted in a production increase of about 39 percent.”

During this time, Cotton said consumption did increase, but not that much.

Peanut Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2016-2018 State

Area planted

2016 (1,000 acres)

Alabama .......................

Arkansas ......................

Florida ..........................

Georgia ........................

Mississippi ....................

New Mexico ..................

North Carolina ..............

Oklahoma .....................

South Carolina ..............

Texas ...........................

Virginia .........................

175.0 24.0 155.0 720.0 39.0 8.0 101.0 13.0 110.0 305.0 21.0

United States ................

1,671.0

State Alabama .......................

Arkansas ......................

Florida ..........................

Georgia ........................

Mississippi ....................

New Mexico ..................

North Carolina ..............

Oklahoma .....................

South Carolina ..............

Texas ...........................

Virginia .........................

United States ................

T WIT TER : @ PE ANUTGROWER

2016

(pounds)

3,600 4,800 3,800 3,900 4,000 2,800 3,530 3,700 3,200 2,730 3,650 3,634

Area harvested

2017

2018

2016

(1,000 acres)

(1,000 acres)

(1,000 acres)

195.0 30.0 195.0 835.0 44.0 7.6 119.0 22.0 122.0 275.0 27.0

165.0 26.0 155.0 665.0 25.0 5.5 102.0 16.0 87.0 155.0 24.0

172.0 23.0 146.0 706.0 38.0 8.0 99.0 12.0 106.0 205.0 21.0

1,871.6

1,425.5

1,536.0

Yield per acre 2017

(pounds)

3,650 5,300 3,450 4,330 4,000 3,500 4,100 3,780 4,000 3,320 4,440 4,007

2018

(pounds)

3,400 5,000 3,600 4,450 4,000 3,000 3,900 3,100 3,400 3,300 4,200 3,991

2016

(1,000 pounds)

619,200 110,400 554,800 2,753,400 152,000 22,400 349,470 44,400 339,200 559,650 76,650 5,581,570

2017

2018

(1,000 acres)

(1,000 acres)

193.0 29.0 185.0 825.0 43.0 7.6 117.0 21.0 118.0 210.0 27.0

162.0 23.0 140.0 650.0 24.0 5.5 98.0 15.0 82.0 145.0 24.0

1,775.6

1,368.5

Production 2017

(1,000 pounds)

704,450 153,700 638,250 3,572,250 172,000 26,600 479,700 79,380 472,000 697,200 119,880 7,115,410

2018

(1,000 pounds)

550,800 115,000 504,000 2,892,500 96,000 16,500 382,200 46,500 278,800 478,500 100,800 5,461,600

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MARCH 2 019 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

“Consumption does go up, but at most it may be something like 3 percent per year. It is not going up 39 percent in a five or six year period,” he said.

Demand did increase about 10 percent during that timeframe and so the excess helps explain some of the current supply situation.

“What we need are for cotton prices to get stronger,” Cotton said. “They had rebounded a little bit and then fell back some. The higher cotton prices are, the better off peanuts are because it cuts down on the pressure to plant peanut acres and offers a viable, profitable alternative in your rotation.”

Call For Fewer Acres Tyron Spearman, Peanut Grower contributing editor and also the editor of Peanut Farm Market News, who also spoke at the South Carolina meeting, says growers need to plant about 10 percent less acreage next season to get supply and demand more in balance so peanut farming can be profitable at the farm level. Production this year of 2,663,000 tons is about 75,000 tons short of the November estimate.

“USDA’s estimated carry forward is 1,117,500 tons, and those extra peanuts, plus the forfeits, have depressed the entire market for peanuts,” Spearman says.

If production is 2,675,000 tons and with a 1,117,500 ton carry forward, that is 3,792,500 tons. Demand is estimated for domestic and export plus residual at 2,959,000 tons, that leaves a carry forward of 833,500 tons.

“That is a move in the right direction,” he said.

Following basic supply and demand, the volume of peanuts has meant a decline in price. Prices of Georgia peanuts, primarily runners, have been on a steady decline from a peak in 2011 to 2016. While the 2017 harvest saw an increase in price, the record production resulted in contracts for 2018

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THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

harvest at about $400. Those peanuts that were not contracted are in loans at $355 waiting for the market to develop.

Agreements Needed On Trade Nathan Smith, Clemson University Extension ag economist, says the export market and, specifically, what will happen with China is a damper on most commodity markets. “I think if we had some resolutions to some of our trade agreements, it would help clear up some of the uncertainty. If that happens, we’ll likely have some pricing opportunities,” he says. “The market’s looking for some positive news.”

Cotton agrees that the United States government and trade teams need to figure out our trade policy, especially with regard to China.

“One problem now is that it is affecting soybean dramatically, and while soybeans is not a major crop for many of you when it comes to your peanut rotation, it is still part of the overall crop mix that affects acres and prices.

“We need exports to recover, particularly to China. With the 2017 forfeitures and potentially forfeitures from 2018 as well, we will need somewhere to dispose of those somewhere.

They do not need to be in warehouses hanging over your heads going into next year,” he said.

Good, But Flat Consumption Domestic food use of peanuts has been a positive, but the growth in consumption has been slowing to the point that it has been nearly flat for the past three years.

“We have hit a bit of a snag in consumption, and we need that to get back to positive,” Cotton says. “Exports really are the wildcard, but at this point in time I don’t expect exports to increase significantly.”

Until one of these factors changes, markets are expected to remain stagnant and prices depressed. PG

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

Lindsay Announces FieldNET Pivot Watch Lindsay Corporation recently announced the addition of FieldNET Pivot Watch. The patent-pending innovation includes a solar-powered remote telemetry device that mounts onto any center-pivot irrigation system, regardless of pivot age or brand, and a monitor-only subscription to Lindsay’s FieldNET irrigation management platform. FieldNET helps growers optimize water-use efficiency, save time and ultimately improve yields and profit.

Zimmatic dealers will begin offering FieldNET Pivot Watch in early summer 2019.

Pivot Watch is compact, lightweight and attaches directly to the span pipe with a simple aluminum band, without the need to connect to the electric circuitry of the pivot. This means growers will have the ability to install Pivot Watch themselves. Though simple in design and low cost, the device has integrated cellular connectivity, GPS positioning and other embedded sensors, enabling growers to remotely “watch” or monitor their pivot’s functions, such as current position, status, direction and speed, using the FieldNET app. With FieldNET Pivot Watch, growers will be able to monitor their irrigation operations around the clock, enabling seamless functionality, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Pivot Watch expands Lindsay’s aftermarket FieldNET offering, which also includes full remote monitoring and control with FieldNET Pivot Control, and FieldNET Pivot Control Lite, which offers monitoring and a mid-range of control.

At launch, Pivot Watch will be available with or without a pressure transducer to indicate whether water is on or off, and to display end-of-system pressure. Pricing starts at $299, including the first year, monitor-only FieldNET subscription. After the New Features In John Deere Lineup John Deere has strengthened its lineup of 6R tractors by adding two more models, the 6230R and 6250R that bring customers faster, stronger, smarter tractors in the 6 family that excel in hauling, transport and loader work.

Both models are loaded with new levels of power and premium features to make them an ideal choice for hauling hay, forage and slurry, yet versatile enough for loader and PTO work. The 6230R and 6250R tractors expand the upper limits of horsepower available for the 6R lineup, delivering 230 and 250 rated engine horsepower respectively. When power bulge and John Deere Intelligent Power Management (IPM) are factored in, the larger 6250R is capable of up to 300 horsepower.

To ensure quick acceleration, John Deere included an Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) as base equipment on the 6230R and 6250R. Customers have two IVT choices — 25 or 31 miles per hour top speed. Using the stepless IVT, operators can match the exact speed desired for any application ranging from 0.03 mph (.05 kph) up to 25/31 mph (40.23/49.80 kph).

T WIT TER : @ PE ANUTGROWER

first year, the subscription will cost $100 per year.

For more information, visit www.myfieldnet.com.

New Capabilities With MyGrower MyGrower, a mobile and desktop platform from Greenstone Systems, a Cultura company, announced the expansion of its feature set with the inclusion of ACH payment capability, action list functionality, push notifications and biometric security.

With the addition of ACH payment capability, MyGrower can now handle all types of payments. The action list functionality allows growers to submit requests to administrators via the mobile app or desktop portal for items such as settlements, ticket applications and ticket splits.

Administrators can also now send push notifications to users about timely items such as price changes and weather alerts. And finally, with the addition of biometric security login options, users can login to MyGrower quickly and securely with a simple thumbprint or facial scan.

MyGrower was first introduced in 2016 and is the only mobile platform on the market with seamless, real-time workflow into Greenstone’s well-known and widely-used ERP system, AGRIS. Through an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, thousands of Greenstone customers can instantly access pertinent information for their growers such as proof-of-yield reports and ticket ownership reports, and can view pre-pay balances and access real-time account data such as grain tickets, contracts and more.

Additional notable expansions to the MyGrower platform since its inception include electronic signature capability (eSign), PayPal integration and browser updates so growers can see up-tothe-second changes to their accounts.

A factory-installed Generation 4 4200 CommandCenter with an 8.4-inch (21.3 cm) color display is another premium feature included as base equipment, or customers can upgrade to the optional 4600 CommandCenter. Customers can also add Field Documentation with an AutoTrac activation and Section Control and Wireless Data Transfer if desired.

For more details about the 6230R and 6250R tractors or to request a demo, visit JohnDeere.com or see your local dealer.

13

MARCH 2 019 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

Zidua Herbicide Q&A

By Steve Li, Alabama Cooperative Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences

Q

What is Zidua? How does it kill weeds?

A: Zidua (pyrosasulfone) is a Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) group 15 herbicide, which has similar mode of action to Dual Magnum (S-metolachlor), Warrant (acetochlor) and Outlook (S-dimethenamid). It controls weeds by inhibiting production of very long chain fatty acids in cells. Zidua and other group 15 herbicides target susceptible weeds during emergence; therefore, proper incorporation by irrigation or rainfall after application but before weed germination is required. Similar to Dual Magnum, Outlook and Warrant, Zidua will not control large and established weeds because this group of herbicides are absorbed by cotyledon and hypocotyl of susceptible weeds during seedling emergence through treated soil layers.

Q

What weeds does Zidua control in peanut and what are the benefits?

A: Zidua provides control of many problematic weeds such as pigweed, nightshade, Florida pusley, carpetweed, prickly sida, common purslane, crabgrass, crowfootgrass, goosegrass, and barnyardgrass. It can also suppress horseweed (marestail), morningglory, common ragweed, Texas millet and yellow nutsedge, but tankmix or sequential applications are usually required to provide additional control on these species. The greatest benefit is providing residual weed control and delaying the occurrence of new weed resistance, considering that the infestation of glyphosate- and ALS-inhibitor-resistant pigweed in Alabama is very high.

Q

When and how should Zidua be used?

A: According to the label, only early postemergence application at 1.5–2.1 oz./A is allowed. The application window is from first true leaf through beginning of pod development. Zidua up to 3 oz./A preemergence has been tested in research trials without unacceptable peanut injury. However, due to low soil absorption, peanut injury can happen if excessive rainfall occurs during seedling emergence or if seed vigor is low. Therefore, preemergence application of Zidua is not recommended. Sequential applications can be made with a 14-day interval and a maximum combined rate for a year of 5 oz./A. 14 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

Q

Can I tankmix Zidua with other herbicides?

A: Absolutely. Zidua can be tankmixed with Basagran, Gramoxone, Storm, Cadre, Outlook, Poast, Select, Pursuit, Ultra Blazer, Aim, 2,4-DB and Cobra. In 2016 and 2017, tests showed good results on these tankmixes in dryland and irrigated peanut in Alabama: Gramoxone + Storm/Basagran + Zidua; Gramoxone + 2,4-DB + Zidua; Cadre + 2,4-DB + Zidua; Ultra Blazer + 2,4-DB + Zidua; Cobra + 2,4-DB + Zidua; Storm + 2,4-DB + Zidua. Timely application of these treatments will be key to controlling weeds. Nothing can completely control pigweed, sicklepod and coffeeweed when they reach more than 6 inches tall.

Q

What about potential injury caused by Zidua?

A: No significant peanut injury (> 20%) in Zidua treatments have been observed in Alabama Extension trials. Avoid spraying Gramoxone + Zidua on thrips-damaged peanut, weak stand or peanut under intensive stress, such as from drought or disease.

Q

Is carryover a problem?

A: Follow label restrictions about rotational crops.

Pyroxasulfone does not persist in soil for a long time (reported soil half-life of 16 to 34 days, as compared to S-metolachlor half-life of 11 to 30 days). At 2 oz./A rate, corn can be planted after two months, grain sorghum after six months, wheat after one month, cotton after two months, and soybean is tolerant to Zidua preemergence and has no restrictions. Zidua is not expected to cause a similar level of carryover problems as Cadre on cotton and Strongarm on corn. However, planting canola, carinata, grass cover crops and winter vegetables into Zidua-treated fields may cause a negative impact on crop growth; therefore, caution is needed.

Q

How does Zidua work in dryland peanut?

A: Its soil persistence is not expected to be substantially different as compared to Dual Magnum, Warrant and Outlook. Field experiments are being conducted to evaluate the lowest amount of rainfall needed to activate this herbicide and its persistence in dryland as compared to other residual herbicides in peanut. PG PE ANUTGROWER .COM

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MW 1MIR8103-BOOT-AG78 12/18

A Look At ACI Seeds Since 2001, peanut breeder Kim Moore has worked to produce highyielding, disease-resistant varieties.

By Amanda Huber

F

or more than 35 years, Kim Moore has worked to make better yielding and more disease resistant peanut varieties.

He worked with Ernest Harvey, a wellknown peanut breeder and someone Moore considers an important mentor, at AgraTech Seeds.

“When AgraTech closed, I kept going with peanut breeding and licensed from Dow Agrosciences their Flavor Runner breeding program to start my company, AgResearch Consultants Inc. (ACI Seeds),” Moore says.

Since then, Moore and a small team at ACI Seeds have worked in their in-house laboratory and in field to produce peanut varieties adapted to all U.S. peanut regions and in global peanut production

Yield Trials 2016 Entry

2017

Worth

Tift

Hartsville

Worth

Tift

Hartsville

ACI 3321

5358

5200

5699

3839

4900

5413

Georgia-06G

5267

5189

-

2945

4640

-

Georgia-12Y

5011

5113

-

3380

4515

-

Georgia-09B

4358

5063

4980

3067

4283

5054

Georgia-13M

4356

5147

5285

3453

4778

5140

Trials were conducted in Worth and Tift Counties, Georgia, and in Hartsville, South Carolina.

areas.

“We started in 2001 and have now been in business for 17 years, and we are finally getting some high yield, disease resistant peanut varieties that are competitive in the Southeast and other

growing regions,” he says.

Moving Peanut Breeding Forward Moore works alongside Linda Moore, Director of Laboratory services, who has a doctorate from the University of

Starting with an extensive seed germplasm collection, Kim Moore and the ACI Seeds team has developed high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties suitable for U.S. producers.

16 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

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ACI Variety Lineup Runner Market Types  ACI 789 is a high-oleic runner variety with a high percentage of medium kernels. The variety matures in about 135 days in South Georgia and has good resistance to TSWV. This variety has very good peg strength giving flexibility during harvesting when weather conditions delay digging and/or picking. ACI 789 has demonstrated stability and success across many U.S. and international peanut production areas. It was released in 2015 by ACI Seeds under the Plant Variety Protection Act.  ACI 3321 is a large-seeded, high-oleic runner peanut. ACI 3321 is a top-yielding variety for ACI Seeds and in state testing in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. ACI 3321 has a high level of TSWV resistance, best-in-class white mold resistance and very good leaf spot resistance. ACI 3321 has demonstrated stability across diverse peanut production areas. ACI 3321 is well adapted to irrigated and dry-land production.  ACI1c212 is a large-seeded, high-oleic runner peanut. It yields comparable to Georgia-06G. ACI1c212 has a high level of TSWV resistance, good white mold resistance and good leaf spot resistance.  ACI 476 is a very new early maturing high-yielding, high-oleic runner peanut. It has a runner growth habit, dark green foliage and an erect main stem with a moderate canopy. Excellent germination and early vigor is associated with this variety in addition to early row closure promoting moisture conservation and reduction of weed competition in twin-row production systems. Main stems are typically evident at the end of the season to assist in digging operations. Compared to other varieties, ACI-476 produces a higher percentage of medium size kernels having a light pink seed coat color and a smoother surface. ACI trials and seed increases have demonstrated that ACI 476 can produce average yields in excess of 5,000 pounds per acre, when grown under optimum conditions.  ACI 198 is an early maturing, high-oleic runner market-type peanut variety developed in West Texas. In the Southeast, its maturity has ranged from 115 to 125 days after planting. It has runner growth habit with sparse branching and an erect main stem with a moderately dense canopy. Excellent germination and early vigor is associated with this variety. Because of sparse branching, this variety performs well in twin-row planting patterns. It was released in 2015 by ACI Seeds under the Plant Variety Protection Act.

Spanish Market Types  Span 17 is a new high-yielding, high-oleic, Spanish market type that is a Spanish runner hybrid. Span 17 is a runner plant type with Spanish seed and pod characteristics. It has small round Spanish-type kernels with a smooth seed coat. It has a pink seed

Florida in Food Science and Human Nutrition and has extensive experience in laboratory analysis of food and food nutrients. There is also Matt Moore, ACI Operations Manager.

“Matt has been involved with or directed all field projects and is skilled in field operations, seed processing, handling, and specialized field research equipment. He provides consulting services to our peanut production startup clients as well,” Kim Moore says.

ACI Agronomist and Sales and Marketing Manager, Mark Carden, manages commercial seed production, inter18 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

Although the experimental name is listed on the sign, this is the variety ACI 3321, a high-oleic runner peanut with a high level, best-in-its-class, and very good resistance to TSWV, white mold and leaf spot, respectively. coat color and a Spanish pod shape similar to TamSpan90. The seeds per pound range from 750 to 850, depending on the seasonal conditions and production location. ACI trials and seed increase fields demonstrate that this variety is producing average yields at and above 5,500 pounds per acre, when grown under optimum conditions in West Texas. The variety shows moderate resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), and moderate resistance to leaf spot. SPAN 17 is an early maturing Spanish variety that matures between 120-130 days with a seed count of 757 per pound.

Virginia Market Types  ACI 1850 is a high-yielding, high-oleic, large-seeded Virginia variety developed and tested in Georgia. It has moderate to excellent resistance to white mold, TSWV and leaf spot. It is high oleic and has a very high percentage of extra-large kernels and jumbo pods. It also has good pod shape and color. ACI 1850 is very desirable for the in-shell market when grown on appropriate light soils.  ACI 351 is a high-yielding large-seeded Virginia variety developed and tested in West Texas. It is high oleic and has a high percentage of extra-large kernels and jumbo pods. It has good pod shape and color being desirable for the in-shell markets as well.

In ACI trials and grower production it has produced yields of more than 5,500 pounds per acre.

national sales, shipping and regulatory compliance for seed and commercial non-seed peanut products.

With its own extensive seed germplasm collection, the team at ACI currently has a variety that producers might find would fit their needs.

“Currently there are over 10 promising pre-commercial varieties in our pipeline with superior performance characteristics specific to the U.S. market.

ACI Seeds expects commercial quantities of these next generation seeds to be in grower fields within two to three years,” Kim Moore says. Seed availabil-

Seed available ACI 789

yes

ACI 3321

yes

ACI 351

yes

ACI Span17

yes

ACI1c212

yes

ACI 198

yes

ACI 476

limited quantity

ACI 1850

pre release

ity along with variety descriptions are shown above. PG PE ANUTGROWER .COM

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Be In-The-Know On Weeds Although we are still a few months from peanut planting, it is a good time to think about principles for successful weed management. Preplant and at-plant considerations are as follows 1. Know your weeds.

Successful weed management starts with knowing the types of weeds we need to control.

PETER DOTRAY Texas A&M AgriLife Many weeds look similar, but Extension Weed Specialist may respond differently to mechanical and chemical weed control. There are several weed identification references available in print and online.

2. Know what weed control options are available. We generally think of herbicides as the only option for weed control. However, other options include physical (hand pulling and hoeing), mechanical (plowing, cultivation), cultural (seeding date, seed population, row pattern, crop rotation, variety selection), biological (use of insects, mites, and other biological control agents), and prevention (weed seed dissemination by seeding and movement of equipment).

3. Know what your herbicides can and cannot do!

Sometimes we fall into the trap that all herbicides are alike.

In fact, they can be quite different. Differences may include

20 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

water solubility (movement in soil), soil activity, length of soil activity, movement within the plant, and spectrum of weed activity. Knowing what our herbicides can and cannot do will help us make better choices. Always carefully read and follow labeled instructions and pay close attention to rotational crop restrictions, weed size, and the addition of spray additives (crop oil concentrate, fertilizer, non-ionic surfactant, etc.).

4. “Yellow” herbicides are a good foundation for weed control. The dinitroaniline herbicides (Prowl, Sonalan, trifluralin) are effective on annual grass and small seeded broadleaf weeds. The success of these herbicides is based on using appropriate labeled rates for your soil type and thorough and uniform incorporation to ensure germinating weeds come in contact with the herbicide prior to emergence.

5. Start with a clean seedbed. Winter weeds and early emerging summer weeds like Russian thistle (tumbleweed) should not be present at the time peanuts are emerging.

Early season weed competition can slow peanut growth and compete with the crop for water and nutrients. Tillage and/ or burndown herbicides such as paraquat can help us “start clean.”

6. Are additional soil-applied herbicides needed? The yellow herbicides are effective on annual grasses and several small seeded broadleaf weeds, but larger seeded broadleaf weeds such as annual morningglory and wild sunflower will not be effectively controlled. At-plant herbicides such as Valor (flumioxazin) are effective for early season weed control. The most critical time for weed control is the first 4 to 6 weeks after peanut emergence.

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

Plan Before Planting The 2019 planting season is approaching, and many growers are still dealing with the aftermath of 2018. It was a tough year, especially for cotton and pecan growers, but peanuts fared well with an average yield of 4,450 pounds per acre. This was a pleasant surprise as I had our state average estimated at around 4,000 pounds per acre SCOTT MONFORT University of Georgia because of disease and nemaExtension Agronomist tode problems. The increase in yield means that the industry does not need an increase in peanut acreage in 2019.

The problem for most growers is that low commodity prices for other crops puts pressure to plant a few more acres of peanut. It is still early but I am hopeful cotton prices will go back up, allowing growers to plant more cotton and thus improve their current rotation.

If we remain at the current acreage level or increase slightly, growers need to start preparing for the crop year. In all of the peanut production meetings this winter, growers were encouraged to take care of the basic necessities to make a high-yielding but profitable peanut crop. Growers do not need to spend top dollar to make the crop, but do need to make every dollar count.

First, growers should take soil samples and address any fertility and/or pH issues before the first seed is planted. It is hard to recover from most fertility deficiencies after planting. To reduce the chance of a nitrogen deficiency, growers are recommended to apply an inoculant (Bradyrhizobium) in fields out of peanut for more than three years. I consider an inoculant to be a good investment, typically $6 to $10 per acre and double that on twin rows, even in shorter rotation.

Other important items to consider before planting:  Buy Quality Seed! Know your percent germination of the seed so you can properly adjust seeding rates.  Make sure soil temperatures are 68 degrees F in the top 4 inches for at least three days with no chance of a cold snap in the week following planting.  Use Thimet to control thrips if you are planting early.

Thimet is the only insecticide that suppresses TSWV.  Plant 6 seed per foot to obtain a uniform 4 plants or better per foot of row.  Plant seed in good moisture: Not too dry or too wet!  Do not plant into dry, hot soils and then water afterwards. This can lead to erratic germination and emergence.

Irrigate 0.25 to 0.5 inches and then plant.  Calibrate your planter and in-furrow applicators.

T WIT TER : @ PE ANUTGROWER

 Plant at a safe speed. Planting too fast can cause erratic stands.

Call your county agent if you have any questions regarding this information or if you need further information.

Spread The Risk What a ride the 2018 crop season gave us. We went from the highest of expectations to some of the lowest of lows.

We needed moisture and heat units this past fall to finish the late-planted crop, which was because of excessive rainfall in mid-May — the optimum planting date. Fortunately, KRIS BALKCOM it looks like we will average Auburn University around 3,500 pounds per Extension Specialist acre on 163,000 acres. This excludes the tonnage that came from across state lines.

This 2018 harvest season will not be easily forgotten.

Beginning with Hurricane Michael, we then had continuous pounding rains every three to four days that made harvest a struggle. We received 20-30 inches of rainfall after Hurricane Michael in some locations. Based on the experiences of this past year and the uncertainty of what is around the corner, take advantage of the earliest opportunities, along with the capabilities of these new varieties, and start planting a little sooner.

This past year was the acid test for disease packages in the newest varieties. Producers need to spread their risk, and one way to do this is variety selection. Currently, a very high percentage of the crop is in Georgia-06G. History has shown us 21

MARCH 2 019 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

doesn’t dry down to harvest like the other varieties. I believe this is not because of the amount of vines, other varieties grow just as much vines, but the limbs seem to be larger in diameter and hold more moisture delaying dry down.

Timeliness Is Key

that varieties generally last around 10 years, and we have had this one for 13 years now. At this stage, we could see a downturn, and we have had some cases where 06G has let us down in virus resistance and yield. Variety trials over the past few years have proven that breeders have done their due diligence to provide varieties that will carry us into the next era.

Let’s look at a few of the newest varieties:  Georgia-16HO is a high oleic variety that responds to more intensive management and will stand out on well-rotated land with a “Cadillac” fungicide program.  FloRun ‘331’ a high oleic variety has shown some of the highest yield potential of the newer releases with more disease resistance than 511 and 297.  AU-NPL 17, which is another high oleic variety, may not be at the top of every variety test at every location, but does have one of the most disease resistance packages of any high oleic variety out currently and that alone makes it a great fit in several different regimes across the peanut belt.  ACI 3321 is a new release from Dr. Kim Moore. I haven’t seen this variety as much but it looks and performs similar to AUNPL17.  TifNV-HighO/L, a nematode-resistant variety with high oleic oil chemistry from USDA peanut breeder Dr. Corley Holbrook, demonstrated a lot of merit last year. It was planted all over the state and performed respectably even in areas without peanut root-knot nematode pressure.  Georgia-12Y has normal oil chemistry and continues to have a place in a producer’s tool box, whether it is to cover the ground in vines, spread out the harvest interval, or just trying to make the best yield possible in some tough ground from heavy disease pressure or deep sand. I have seen it rise to the top in several different circumstances. The biggest drawback with this variety that I have seen is that it 22 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MARCH 2 019

Many growers are deciding whether or not to continue with their historical plantings or decrease in anticipation of lower contract prices this spring. Those arrangements are made directly by individual growers and shellers. In the V-C region, peanut yield as a whole was off, though not by much, from what we consider the new DAVID JORDAN North Carolina State average of 2 tons per acre.

University We had a decent crop even Extension Agronomist with the challenges during the growing season and at harvest.

This has resulted in significant inventory. With lower than hoped for prices, many growers are looking closely at production costs.

Typically, I might say this is a good year to cut back on production in fields that may not yield the best, especially when considering risk and lower prices. This approach would also lead to gains down the road with improved rotations as well in decreasing inventory. The challenge is limited alternatives to peanuts. At the current time prices are depressed for just about every other crop, and production costs have increased significantly. We encourage growers look at their realistic yield potential and pick the best fields in their rotation plan that will maximize income per acre and minimize overall risk.

With respect to risk, there are corners we simply cannot cut in the production budget. Getting pH to the right level and controlling pests almost always pays a dividend. One can look closely at the options that are available and shop around, but the basics need to be in place to ensure efficient production. All states have production budgets and the elements listed in those are essential. In grower surveys, we often find that their “keys to success” include timeliness of practices. In a year with concerns about price and profit margins, being as precise and timely with the practices we know are essential may be the key.

While digging is a long way off, being on time with digging is one of the best examples of how timeliness pays.

Being timely with all pesticide applications and other inputs can set the stage for greater yields with similar input costs.

While I have been known to point out the obvious, “timeliness makes a big difference over the growing season.”

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

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