Peanut grower may 2018

The

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

MAY 2018

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



Using A Plant Growth Regulator



Insect Scouting Tips

Two Dryland Herbicide Options

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we seed success

We know you work hard, which is why we offer peanut seed products that help convert your hard work into success. How? By quality-testing every seed that goes out our doors. Our high-quality products help optimize planting—and ROI—success so you can feel confident this growing season.

See the value that comes in every seed by visiting Grower Resources at goldenpeanut.com to find your local buying location or calling 229-336-0785.

Serving NUTrition to the World™

The

MAY 2018

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC



MAY 2018

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

Using A Plant Growth Regulator

 Insect

Volume 30 • Number 5

Scouting Tips

Two Dryland Herbicide Options

Departments 4

Editor’s Note It’s a weed’s world

6

News Briefs The Farm Bill is introduced

10 Market Watch Contracting trend takes a year off 20 New Products Helmstar Plus SC fungicide 21 Peanut Pointers Negative effects of planting and watering up

12 Features

12 Two Herbicide Options For Dryland Production

Plus Zidua offers a residual postemergence herbicide with the benefit of a reduced rate.

14 Economically Important Arthropod Pests

Stay Connected

A list of common insects, conditions that favor their development and scouting tips.

16 Using A Plant Growth Regulator Make decisions weighing the cost against potential benefits.

18 Planting Intentions

USDA NASS survey shows 1.54 million acres, down 18 percent from 2017.

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Cover photo by Amanda Huber T WIT TER : @PE ANUTGROWER

MAY 2018 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

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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 © 2018 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.

It’s A Weed’s World

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eed management is the focus of the lead story in this issue. The primary article provides herbicide options for dryland peanut production, as researched by Steve Li, A labama Cooperative Extension weed specialist.

The side story is an overview of the impact and importance weeds have on different aspects of the world in which we live by Joyce Tredaway, Extension specialist and assistant professor with Auburn University’s Department of Amanda Huber Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences.

Editor, The Peanut Grower Tredaway’s article got me thinking about the fight against weeds in everything from your fields to my flower beds. I am convinced that the center of the universe is not molten lava, but instead a giant cat’s claw tuber. No matter how hard I try, cat’s claw cannot be eliminated. The same goes for your fields. If you let the field go, peanuts have no chance. Weeds will take over and choke out the crop. It’s a weed’s world, so to speak.

Man has been cursed with weeds, and not disease, insects or other malady, since the beginning. When Adam and Eve were cast from the Garden of Eden, the woman’s curse was pain during childbirth. Man’s torment was farming and weeds.

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it…It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground…”

Your fight against weeds is biblical. Fortunately, since then iron has been forged, chemicals have been created, and weeds have been and continue to be thoroughly studied. Use the newest research, information and herbicide recommendations, plus the sweat of your brow, to keep weeds at bay this season.

One Grower Publishing, LLC, also publishes Cotton Farming, Rice Farming, Soybean South and Corn South.

One Grower Publishing, LLC 6515 Goodman Rd., Box 360, Olive Branch, MS 38654 Phone: 901-767-4020

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THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

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DON’T JUST APPLY A HERBICIDE. UNLEASH A STORM.

For peanut growers, it’s a powerful part of any resistance management program.

Resistant weeds can spell disaster in your fields. Which is why now more than ever, you need Storm herbicide from UPI. Storm is proven to control a wide spectrum of broadleaf weeds. And with its dual mode of action, it is especially effective on glyphosate and ALS resistant Palmer amaranth. Storm is prominent in State Extension herbicide programs.

And it’s a critical part of your weed management program, too. So, this season, protect your peanuts with the power of Storm. To learn more, contact your UPI distributor or sales representative or visit www.upi-usa.com.

Always read and follow label directions and precautions. Storm and UPI logo are trademarks of United Phosphorus, Inc. ©April, 2018. UPI, 630 Freedom Business Center, King of Prussia, PA 19406. www.upi-usa.com.

Farm Bill Introduced In mid-April, House Agriculture C om m it te e C h a i r m a n M ic h a e l Conaway (R-Texas) introduced the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 — legislation to address the economic challenges facing the nation’s farmers and ranchers, while making historic investments in opportunities for SNAP recipients.

Up o n i nt r o d u c i n g t h e b i l l , Chairman Conaway said, “Rural America is hurting. Over the last five years, net farm income has been cut in half. Natural disasters and global markets distorted by predatory trade practices of foreign countries, including high and rising foreign subsidies, tariffs and non-tariff barriers, have resulted in huge production losses and chronically depressed prices that are today jeopardizing the future of America’s farm and ranch families.

“The Farm Bill keeps faith with our nation’s farmers and ranchers through the current agriculture recession by providing certainty and helping producers manage the enormous risks that are inherent in agriculture. The Farm Bill also remains faithful to the American taxpayer and consumer.

Under the bill, consumers will continue to enjoy the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world, and taxpayers will reap the more than $112 billion in budget savings projected under the current law.

Conaway a lso address the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which accounts for the greatest percentage of the Farm Bill and is also the most contested portion.

“SNAP, which is reauthorized under the Farm Bill, is essential to helping many Americans feed themselves and their families. The bill also keeps faith with these families by not only maintaining SNAP benefits but by offering SNAP beneficiaries a springboard out of poverty to a good paying job, and opportunity for a better way of life for 6 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

themselves and their families."

Conaway said he was looking forward to quickly moving the Farm Bill through the House and working with the Senate to deliver it to the president’s desk.

For more information on the bill, visit agriculture.house.gov/farmbill.

Minority Farm Bill Statement House A griculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson made a statement after Chairman Conaway's release of the Farm Bill.

“It makes no sense to put the farmers and rural communities who rely on the Farm Bill’s safety net programs at risk in pursuit of partisan ideology on SNAP. Between record low farm incomes and the escalating threat of a trade war and other market disruptions, farmers have enough to worry about.

Breaking up the long-standing, bipartisan, urban-rural Farm Bill alliance is a dangerous and unproductive step that will only sow division and jeopardize both this and future Farm Bills.

Peterson a lso sa id, “This bill attempts to change SNAP from a feeding program to a work program."

He further said, “The bill also fails to make needed improvements to the farm safety net. American farmers are suffering from the largest drop in farm income since the Great Depression but the farm safety net in this bill is inadequate and won’t help farmers.

Our farmers need a safety net that will address their current reality.”

Statement From Sec. Perdue U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement on the release of the 2018 Farm Bill: “I applaud Chairman Conaway and the House Agriculture Committee for their diligence and hard work in crafting the 2018 Farm Bill. The trend of low commodity prices over recent years and headlines about trade disputes have caused anxiety among agri-

In Brief: • Farm Bill language is introduced; SNAP work plan likely sticking point • Peanuts not on tarriff list; tree nuts included • Export promotion funds more important than ever • GPC increases funding for research • Former NPB chairman memorialized at new Atlanta-area allergy center

cultural producers these days, so this legislation is critically important to give them some much-needed reassurance.

In my travels across the country, I have found that farmers have confidence in President Trump’s ability to negotiate strong trade deals with other nations, but they also want a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that puts their needs above Washington, D.C. politics.

"While there is still much work to be done, I am pleased that this Farm Bill aligns with many of the principles USDA released in January. I look forward to working with the Agriculture Committees and members of Congress from both sides to pass a comprehensive Farm Bill in a timely fashion to provide the needed support and certainty to our farmers. The Trump Administration has made rural prosperity a priority for the country, and a Farm Bill that works for agriculture is a key component of the agenda.”

Peanuts Not On Tariff List, Yet

Peanuts were not included on a list of products that will be tariffed by China in retaliation for the United States imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs from China. However, tree nuts are included and will be subject to an additional 15 percent tariff.

The United States has said it will levy PE ANUTGROWER .COM

another $50 to $60 billion in tariffs on other Chinese goods because of alleged theft of intellectual property. This will likely trigger another list of U.S. products for retaliation. The American Peanut Council is monitoring the situation closely.

More Funds To Promote Exports The peanut industry is supporting efforts in Congress to increase funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) in the new Farm Bill.

USDA export development programs like M AP and FMD have helped American farmers create, expand and maintain access to foreign markets.

This successful public-private partnership has cultivated hundreds of billions of dollars in exports and created millions of American jobs, both in the agriculture sector and in support

Calendar • June 23-27 - USA Peanut Congress, Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, Fla. For more information, visit peanut-shellers.org or call 229888-2508.

• July 10-12 - American Peanut Research Education Society Annual Meeting, Doubletree Hotel, Williamsburg, W.V. For more information, visit www.apresinc.com.

• July 19-21 - Southern Peanut Growers Conference, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, Fla. For more information, visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org or call 229-386-3470.

industries. Funds have been eroded because of inflation and administrative costs. Private contributions, which

G et off to a

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T WIT TER : @PE ANUTGROWER

• July 24 - Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day, Moultrie, Ga. For more information, visit www.sunbeltexpo. com or call 229-985-1968.

• Aug. 7-8 - American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association Pre-Harvest Meeting, Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club, Cordele, Ga. For information, go to www.peanut-shellers.org.

• Oct. 16-18 - Sunbelt Ag Expo, Moultrie, Ga. For more information, go online to www.sunbelt expo.com.

in some years amounts up to 70 percent, shows the private sector’s resolve to support export programs.

Excellent broad spectrum residual weed control in peanuts.

Can be applied as a broadcast surface application or through chemigation.

Get your peanuts off to the best start without early season weed competition and with good crop safety.

Fungicide NEW lower price for 2018 Preventative & curative leaf spot control.

Can be tank mixed with reduced rates of chlorothalonil to stretch your supply across more acres.

Can be applied as a standalone fungicide, or reduce the rate of Domark and tank mix with other fungicides.

Sonalan® is a registered trademark of Gowan Company, L.L.C. Domark® is a registered trademark of Isagro USA Always read and follow label directions.

MAY 2018 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

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Even so, the United States is being outspent nearly 4 to 1 by European Union countries and the EU central government. While other governments are investing more in global food and agricultural markets, inflation, sequestration and administrative costs are chipping away at U.S. funding.

The peanut export promotion program is managed by the American Peanut Council with matching funds from growers and shellers. The total amounts to $3.1 million from public and private funds to promote U.S. peanuts abroad.

GPC Increases Research Funding The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors has approved $581,896 in research project funding for the 2018-19 research budget year. The research projects approved include 34 proposals submitted from the University of Georgia and USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Dona ld Chase, GPC Research Committee chairman, says he is proud to invest in the future of the peanut industry by supporting research that continues to demonstrate a return on our investment.

“We are proud of our partnership with research institutions in the state and are excited about the potential benefits of these projects for farmers in the state and the entire peanut industry.”

Georgia’s peanut growers invest $2 per ton annually toward GPC programs, which includes research, promotion and education. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, as well as, pests, weed and disease management. Additionally, GPC manages the Southeastern Peanut Research Initiative—research funding of $1,238,996 for projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. These projects are funded through the National Peanut Board.

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

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THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

Former NPB Chairman Honored At Food Allergy Center Former National Peanut Board chairman and Texas member Bob White, who passed away in October 2016, was honored recently at a ceremony establishing the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Emory Food Allergy Center.

The NPB made a donation to the center in White’s memory.

“There’s a huge gap in the Southern United States in that it is without a world-class food allergy and treatment center. Georgia being the largest producer of peanuts, it’s fitting that a worldclass university like Emory has started this program and brought in solid leadership in Dr. Brian Vickery,” said NPB President and CEO Bob Parker.

“Like other peanut farmers, Bob White took great pride in growing a nutritious and wholesome food. That anyone could be harmed by eating the product he grew bothered him. During his NPB tenure, Bob embraced efforts to prevent, treat and find a cure for peanut allergy. He would have been excited to know that NPB played a role in bringing a food allergy research center to a prestigious institution like Emory University,” he said.

Many NPB staff, former board members and Texas peanut leaders attended the event along with White’s wife Pat and daughter Mandi Gay.

Cold Temps Delay Planting T h e Un i v e r s i t y o f G e o r g i a Agricultural Climatologist, Pam Knox, says that in terms of heat, February in the Southeastern United States set records, so the swing to lower-than-normal temperatures in March and early April came as a shock to many.

“That colder March air slowed the growth of some crops and delayed planting of others due to low soil temperatures,” she says. “Dry soils also contributed to planting delays in some parts of the state.”

Precipitation in most of the state was also below normal, which led to an increase in drought, particularly in the southeastern part of the state.

Overall, 50 percent of the state was in drought by the end of March.

For more information, visit the Climate and Agriculture in the South East blog at https://site.extension. uga.edu/climate/, the Southeast Ag Climate Facebook page or @SE _ AgClimate on Twitter. PG

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No nut has a better sustainability story than peanuts

Water Use

Chemical Use

Resource Use

Peanuts use less water than comparable sources of nutrition.

Peanuts are hardy, nitrogen-ďŹ xing plants, meaning they need less fertilizer and pesticides.

Less water, fertilizers and pesticides mean that peanut production has a reduced carbon footprint.

To view the full report, visit 360.NationalPeanutBoard.org

The Contracting Trend Takes A Year Off Going Into Planting

I

t’s planting time and decisions on what to plant have been made by now. The decision was easy for some producers, especially contract growers, who plant for rotation and pray for a good crop. But for many, it’s the market price that dictates planted acres.

USDA predicts an acreage decline of 18 percent for peanuts. Most industry insiders agree that unless prices for farmer-stock peanuts increases, the estimate is right on target and could even be lower if cotton prices increase to more than 80 cents per pound by planting time. With the seed cotton program now eligible for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, cotton acreage should increase. Meanwhile, prices for farmer-stock peanuts have not changed as of early planting time.

“

Keeping the farmer optimistic through hope for a good year is what makes agriculture a great profession. But, all these uncertainties in the peanut world are dimming their enthusiasm for 2018.

Uncertainties In The Market Other uncertainties have also stalled any market movement. Issues include the severe drought in Argentina and the threat of tariff caused by the near trade-war between the United States and China. Delays in the Farm Bill, with a one-year extension in the discussion, and excess peanuts in the loan from the 2017 crop are on the mind of key traders.

Shellers have offered $400 per ton for 10 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

J. Tyron Spearman

Contributing Editor, The Peanut Grower

Leading Marketing Indicators (April 10, 2018) 2017 Acreage Planted Up 12%....................................... 1,870,000 acres 2018 Acreage Planting Est. Down 18%.......................... 1,536,500 acres 2017 Production (4,074 lbs/A)............................................. 3,616,800 tons 2017 FSIS Inspections (4-4-18) ............................................3,535,806 tons 2017 Market Loan Redeemed ........................................... 2,734,773 tons 2017 Remaining In Loan ..................................................... 1,742,534 tons 2017-18 Domestic Usage (7 Mo.).............................................. Up + 3.3 % 2017-18 Exports (6 Mo.).............................................................Down 7.4 % NATIONAL POSTED PRICE (per ton) Runners - $424.43; Spanish - $409.00; Valencia/Virginias - $429.97

2018 farmer stock, with some contracts lower at $380 per ton and some as high as $500 per ton for high oleic peanuts and seed premiums. Recently, the price for 2017 peanuts increased from $375 per ton to $400 per ton. With all the uncertainties, farmers did not respond much, and shellers are probably the least contracted for the next season this close to planting.

Cool Start The kick-off for the new crop has not been favorable weather wise. The Southwest peanut region, which is also known for its cotton production, recently received its first rain since last Christmas. The Southeast has been under a moderate drought, but has received more rain recently, which has allowed for land preparation. However, temperatures in the Southeast have remained on the cool side. The V/C region has experienced extreme cold and wet conditions. Planting time is critica l for this northern growing

region.

Shelled market prices have stayed low with no pressure from manufacturers and a little response from farmers.

Manufacturers saw no need to forward contract as they eyed the heavy volume in the government loan program that will have to be sold to shellers to avoid forfeitures to the government.

Peanut Stand Off T he pe a nut m a rket i s st a l led.

What will be the catalyst for change?

Depending on the deliveries of shelled peanuts under European Union (EU) specifications from Argentina, EU customers should be looking to the United States for quality-approved supplies.

China is still a player and has emerged as a major buyer. Strong domestic demand in China is expected to continue in shipments from the United States.

China already charges 15 percent import duty and 13 percent Value Added Tax to peanut shipments, but so far, peanuts have not been targeted with more tariffs.

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

Three Decades Of Consolidation Agricultural production in the United States has been shifting to larger farms for many years. However, such consolidation has become more complex since the 1980s, with major consolidation in cropland offset by shifts in grazing and pastureland away from the largest farms and ranches—and with episodes of dramatic change in some livestock sectors, even as we count more small farms. An analysis of farm-level records from USDA’s Census of Agriculture and its Agricultural Resource Management Survey allows us to see how consolidation has unfolded.

In 1987, more than half (57 percent) of all U.S. cropland was operated by midsize farms that had between 100 and 999 acres of cropland, while 15 percent was operated by large farms with at least 2,000 acres. Over the next 25 years, cropland shifted away from midsize and toward larger operations. By 2012, farms with 100-999 acres held 36 percent of cropland, the same share as that held by large farms.

That shift occurred persistently over time, as the share held by large farms increased in each Census of Agriculture after 1987—in 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012—while the share held by farms with 100-999 acres fell in each census. Note that the share of cropland held by the smallest farms (with less than 100 acres) changed little over time, at about 8 percent of all cropland.

Consolidation can occur through shifts in ownership, as operators of large farms purchase land from retiring operators of midsize farms. However, most cropland is rented, and farms frequently expand by renting more cropland, often from retired farmers and their relatives, but sometimes from absentee investors in farmland.

Shifts of crop acreage to larger farms occurred in almost all crops. To track consolidation in specific crops, we measured the midpoint acreage for selected crops in each census year. At the midpoint, half of all harvested acres of the crop are on larger operations and half are on smaller. In 1987, for example, the midpoint for corn was 200 acres—half of all harvested corn acres was on farms that harvested at least 200 acres of corn, and half was on farms that harvested no more than 200 acres. The corn midpoint increased in every census after 1987. By 2012, it stood at 600 acres. Four other major field crops (cotton, rice, soybeans, and wheat) showed a very similar pattern: the midpoint for harvested acreage more than doubled for each crop between 1987 and 2012, and the midpoints increased persistently in each census year (with the single exception of a decline in cotton in 2007-12).

Cropland accounted for 43 percent of all U.S. farmland in 2012, while pasture and rangeland accounted for another 45 percent.

While cropland consolidated into larger farms between 1987 and 2012, pasture and rangeland did not, but instead shifted away from

Importance Of Exports Canada, at 26 percent, and Mexico, at 23 percent, continue as major buyers of U.S. peanuts. The continuous rhetoric concerning renegotiation of the North America Free Trade Agreement also adds uncertainty to the market. Farmers have to realize export of peanuts is approaching 30 percent of the production, and demand is growing.

T WIT TER : @PE ANUTGROWER

the largest farms and ranches and toward smaller operations.

In 1987, farms and ranches with at least 10,000 acres of pasture and rangeland operated more than half (51 percent) of all pasture and rangeland, while those with less than 1,000 acres held 15 percent. By 2012, the share operated by the largest acreage class had fallen to 44 percent, while farms and ranches with less than 1,000 acres of pasture and rangeland operated 22 percent.

U.S. farmland shows very little consolidation since the 1980s.

However, that seeming stability reflects two diverging underlying trends: considerable consolidation in cropland and in crop and livestock production, set against shifts of pasture and rangeland toward smaller operations.

For more information or to read the complete study, go to the USDA ERS website at www.ers.usda.gov.

Study Highlights: • Agricultural production has shifted to larger farms over the last three decades.

• Technology has been the primary driver of this shift, which has been large and widespread across crop and livestock commodities.

• Despite the shift to larger operations, family businesses still dominate U.S. agriculture: consolidation has shifted acreage and production to larger family farms.

Domestica lly, ma rkets continue strong. According to USDA, peanut usage is up again 3.3 percent for the first 7 months of this marketing year with peanut candy and snacks leading the way. Marketing plans targeting millennials, consumers aged 18-38, appear to be working as peanut consumption is rising. Per capita peanut consumption exceeded 7.19 pounds last year…the

only nut showing consistent gains in per capita consumption since 2012.

Show Time It all starts on the farm. Keeping the farmer optimistic through hope for a good year is what makes agriculture a great profession. But, all these uncertainties in the peanut world are dimming their enthusiasm for 2018. PG 11

MAY 2018 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

Two Herbicide Options For Dryland Production Plus Zidua offers a residual postemergence herbicide with the benefit of a reduced rate.

By Amanda Huber

W

hen it comes to weed c ont rol i n pe a nut s, producers have a few options. In the past couple of years, Steve Li, Alabama Cooperative Extension weed specialist, has conducted weed management trials on two programs for dryland peanut production. One is a Gramoxone-based program and the other is based on Valor herbicide.

Always Start Clean Weed control needs to start with residual herbicides, Li says, no matter which program option is followed.

“Starting with residual herbicides is very beneficial in peanut production,” he says. Residual herbicide options for this preemergence time period are Prowl H2O or Strongarm for the Gramoxonebased system, and then Valor if the producer is going with that system. Valor + Strongarm, Valor + Prowl H2O and Strongarm + Warrant are also viable options for dryland peanut.

Postemergence Options On the Gramoxone-based system, the first postemergence treatment is critical, Li says.

“It is performed at 20 to 30 days after planting, and if timely, it should be able to burn off most small weeds in the field that have emerged,” he says.

“However, tankmixes with Bentazon or 12 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

2,4-DB may be needed to increase the control of smallf lower morningglory, pigweed and sicklepod.”

For the Valor program, Li says, the first post application at 20 to 30 days after planting is optional.

“It may still look relatively clean at 20 to 30 days after planting after using Valor or a Valor-based treatment.”

The second round of postemergence herbicide applications in both systems calls for applications of Cadre, Cobra, Ultra Blazer or Storm, plus 2,4-DB, plus another residual herbicide such as Dual Magnum, Zidua, Warrant or Outlook.

The second postemergence application for the Gramoxone-based system should be scheduled about 40 to 60 days after

planting. For the Valor-based system, it is usually applied 30 to 40 days after planting, depending on field scouting.

Later Residual Herbicides Options for the additional residual herbicide after the crop is growing include Warrant, Dual Magnum, Outlook or Zidua.

“If you don’t fill in the gaps or blanks in the system, you may think everything looks OK initially, but then more weeds will emerge and you will need some type of late-season weed control, which may or may not work well,” Li says. “That’s why you should include a residual herbicide, such as Warrant, Dual Magnum, Zidua or Outlook, in PE ANUTGROWER .COM

that last postemergence spray to extend the weed-control period and reduce the chances of evolving weed resistance.”

Similar Yield Achieved In the Gramoxone system, the second postemergence application is made at 40 to 60 days after planting. In the Valorbased system, it is made at 30 to 40 days after planting and will likely depend on weed pressure, environmental conditions and herbicides used in the previous treatment.

For t he t wo dif ferent systems, Li found no significant difference in yield with multiple treatments achieving yields of 5,000 pounds per acre or more in dryland. Additionally, Li has not found a significant reduction in yield because of injury or stunting from Valor-based treatments in six field trials, but he is continuing to look at this.

Among the 14 Gramoxone-based treatments evaluated at three different locations in Alabama, significant foliage burn and visual injury were observed. But, only one treatment with Gramoxone at 12 ounces per acre reduced yield by 7 percent at one location compared to the untreated check.

Georgia-06G, Georgia-09B, Georgia-

Two Herbicide Systems For Dryland Peanut Production Gramoxone-Based Program

Valor-Based Program

PRE: Prowl H2O/Strongarm at Planting

PRE: Prowl H2O + Strongarm + Valor at planting

POST 1: Gramoxone + Storm/Basagran + ________(A) at 15-30 DAP

POST 1: Gramoxone + Storm/Basagran (Optional)

POST 2: Cadre/Cobra/Storm + 2,4-DB + ________(B) at 40-60 DAP

POST 2 (or 1 depending on whether first post application was needed): Cadre/ Cobra/Storm + 2,4-DB + __________(C) at 30-40 DAP

A, B & C: Use one of the following: Warrant, Dual Magnum, Outlook, Zidua

14N and TUFRunner-‘511’ were evaluated for tolerance to these two systems, and none exhibited greater sensitivity than the other varieties in these field trials.

Zidua Herbicide Registered for use in peanuts since 2017, Zidua (pyroxasulfone) from BASF is a postemergence herbicide with the same mode of action as Dual Magnum and Warrant. Zidua offers a lower-use rate of 1.5 to 2.1 ounces per acre for residual control of Palmer amaranth, annual grasses and other broadleaf weeds such as Florida beggarweed.

“Pyroxasulfone is not a new product,” Li says. “It has been used in crops for several years and is in the same family as Dual Magnum and Warrant.”

Zidua should only be applied after peanuts have emerged and can be tankmixed with paraquat, Cobra, Cadre, Storm, 2,4-DB or Ultra Blazer. It is not considered to cause a significant carryover problem to other rotational crops in the following season.

For more information on the use of Zidua in peanut, go to AlabamaCrops. com, click on “Alabama Weeds” and then on “Zidua Label And Usage In Peanut.” PG

The Impact Of Weeds Joyce Tredaway, Extension specialist and assistant professor with Auburn University’s Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, says that wherever she is, whether at home in Alabama or traveling in California, Alaska, Texas or even overseas, when someone hears that she is a weed scientist, the next statement is, inevitably, “I could surely use your help!”

Everyone has an interest in controlling weeds, she says, but few understand the real impact weeds have on their daily lives and why weed management is so important. In a post on “Crops Blog” from the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Tredaway outlines the impact that weeds have on the different aspects of the world in which we live. She also outlines why weed management is so important not only aesthetically and for better yields but also economically to growers and the general public. A portion of that post, which pertains to crop production, follows.

What is the impact of weeds?

• Weeds compete for light, water and nutrients with the cultivated crop plants. Normally they are better competitors because they are better adapted to the environment, particularly if they are indigenous to the area, thus causing reduced crop productivity.

• Weeds harbor pests such as insects, diseases and pathogens, making them available to invade the crop plants. This results in higher costs for insect and disease control, which increases production costs.

• Weeds increase crop production costs. In order to increase yields by reducing competition, weeds must be controlled by herbiT WIT TER : @PE ANUTGROWER

cides, cover crops, tillage or even hand weeding, which increases the cost to produce the crop.

• Weeds interfere with harvesting, and any seed being harvested can become contaminated with weed seed. Some weed seed is very small and cannot be separated during harvesting. When this occurs, seed quality is reduced, which means a reduced market value for the crop seed. This results in poorer quality products.

Tredaway continues to outline the impact of weeds in livestock production, in aquatic areas and water systems, and in terms of human safety and efficiency. To read the complete article, “Weeds: They Are Important To Everyone! Here Is Why,” by Joyce Tredaway, go to AlabamaCrops.com and look under the heading “Row Crop News.” PG

13

MAY 2018 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

Economically Important Arthropod Pests

I

nsects and mites can cause severe economic loss, but not every field will be infested with damaging populations every year. Pest species also vary from year to year and field to field within a year.

Understanding the risk factors that contribute to pest outbreaks and weekly scouting are the foundations of successful insect management. Below are some of the most common and economically important arthropod pests, conditions that favor their development and scouting tips.  Thrips: Found in most fields, but early planting, conventional tillage, single-row pattern and no at-plant insecticide increase the injury risk.

– Scouting Tips: Look for adult and immature thrips in the first three to four weeks after emergence. Immature thrips are usually found in folded terminal leaflets.  Lesser Cornstalk Borer: Found in hot, dry, well-drained sandy soils and open crop canopy.

14 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

– Scouting Tips: Look for wilted stems and silk tubes, remove plants and check tap root, pods and stems for feeding injury and larvae. Moths are a good sign of LCB infestation. Plants in a “skip” or at the ends of rows with bare soil around them will usually be attacked first.  Three Cornered Alfalfa Hopper: Found in most fields, but densities are highest in adequate soil moisture.

Populations increase as the summer progresses.

– Scouting Tips: Adults f ly when disturbed and are easily collected in sweep nets. Nymphs, responsible for much of the injury, are difficult to see.

Beat sheet sampling or careful examination of vines is required to find nymphs.

For treatment decisions, consider the relative abundance of adults, nymphs and stem injury and the risk of flaring secondary pests.  Southern Corn Rootworm: In heavy-textured soils with good moisture. Larvae cannot survive in dry soil.

– Scouting Tips: Larvae live entirely

below ground. Dig adjacent to peanut rows or remove plants to examine pods for damage and check the soil for larvae.  Potato Leafhopper: Found sporadically in peanut fields. Infestations often begin along field margins.

– Scouting Tips: Adults fly when disturbed; nymphs are similar in appearance to adults but cannot fly. Look for hopperburn (V-shaped yellowing of leaflet tips), especially near field edges.

Hopperburn will persist after the insects have left the field, so it is important to determine if infestations are active before making a treatment decision.  Velvetbean Caterpillar: Does not overwinter in Georgia. The first moths are often detected in South Georgia in June, but infestations do not typically reach threshold until later in the summer.

– Scouting Tips: Vigorously shake vines to dislodge the insects onto the ground or a beat sheet. Sampling three feet of row at 10 locations is sufficient for a typical 40- to 80-acre field. All caterpillars should be identified, counted and their size noted.  Two Spotted Spider Mite: Found when conditions are hot and dry. Nonirrigated corners of irrigated fields are often severely injured while the irrigated portion has few or no mites. Field margins, especially near dirt roads, are usually infested first. Mowing infested weedy vegetation adjacent to fields can result in mites migrating to the crop in large numbers.

– Scouting Tips: Check field edges.

Small patches of yellowing peanuts are an early indication of infestations. At low densities, mites are difficult to see and are usually found on the lower surface of leaves. Early detection is important. PG In f o r m a t i o n f r o m M a r k A b n e y , University of Georgia Extension and research entomologist.

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

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EPA PA Approval for In-Furrow on Peanuts, plus New Rates and Timings in FL and GA.

E H T L L A S E K MA E C N E DIFFER Labeled for the following applications:

Foliar

In-Furrow

ÂŽ

Applied foliar or in-furrow, Radiate strengthens young plants’ roots to promote bigger, higher-quality yields.

RadiateÂŽ is a patented formulation of IBA and Kinetin that helps crops develop longer, healthier, stronger roots to improve nutrient uptake, stress resistance and plant health.

In many soil types or application systems, the root force of Radiate may enhance yields and crop quality, so ask your CPS dealer about it today.

This year, put the root force of Radiate in your crops.

See how other growers are making a difference this season with stronger results at LovelandProducts.com/ Radiate.

Text Radiate to 31313 for more information. Š 2017 Loveland Products Inc. Radiate is a registered trademark of Loveland Products, Inc. Radiate is not registered in California and is not approved or intended to be used or sold in California. Always read and follow label directions.

7245/2017

“I think Radiate is a great product. It gave me a

Roy Ward – Jay, Florida

Using A Plant Growth Regulator Make decisions on an individual field basis, weighing the cost against potential benefits.

By Amanda Huber

P

lant growth regulators are used more extensively in other crops, such as cotton. But what about using a plant growth regulator in peanuts? Are there conditions in which a plant growth regulator could be used? What would be the effect?

Prohexadione calcium is the only plant growth regulator currently registered for use on peanuts. It is sold as Apogee or Kudos and is formulated as a 27.5 percent wettable granule.

Research on the use of prohexadione calcium in peanut has been conducted by both David Jordan, North Carolina State University Extension agronomist, and Scott Monfort, University of Georgia Extension agronomist.

Timing Is Critical For the most part, researchers have found that prohexadione calcium will reduce vine growth, create better row definition, which allows for more accurate digging, and may reduce pod shed. In turn, this reduces digging losses, speeds drying time and promotes harvest efficiency. However, research has also shown that applying prohexadione calcium at the wrong time or rate can cause harm to the crop, and achieving a yield benefit is inconsistent.

Use Prohexadione Calcium: ü On irrigated peanuts where vine growth is excessive ü When greater than 50 percent of lateral vines are touching in the row middles, make the first application ü With a second application 14 to 21 days after first application ü Include a crop oil concentrate and nitrogen solution (UAN) or ammonium sulfate ü Requires eight hours for absorption by the peanut foliage to be effective ü Under careful consideration because of cost and lack of consistent yield benefit

Do Not Use Prohexadione Calcium: ✗ On non-irrigated peanuts or in irrigated fields where vine growth is not an issue as this can lead to stunting and yield loss ✗ When peanuts are at 50 percent lapped, which is too early ✗ When peanuts are under stress from lack of moisture, disease pressure or other conditions ✗ Expecting a significant yield benefit consistently

Prohexadione calcium small-plot trials.

16 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

It is critical to know when prohexadione calcium should be applied in peanut and when it should not, Monfort says.

“Prohexadione calcium should be applied when 50 percent of lateral vines from adjacent rows are touching. It should also only be used in irrigated fields where vine growth is excessive,” he says.

Applied to non-irrigated fields or in irrigated fields where vine growth is not an issue, it can lead to stunted growth and potential yield loss, Monfort says.

Rate Studies For Virginia-type cultivars, sequential applications of 7.2 ounces per acre spaced two to three weeks apart are generally needed, Jordan says. Include a crop oil concentrate and nitrogen solution (UAN) or ammonium sulfate with prohexadione calcium to help with plant uptake and consistency of performance.

Monfort says that unlike results on Virginia-type peanuts, his research has found that using the labeled rate of 7.25 ounces per acre applied twice has shown some negative impacts on yield and grade in runner cultivars.

“Using a rate of half or three-fourths, 3.63 ounces per acre to 5.44 ounces per acre, of the labeled rate has shown positive yield increases while continuing to manage vine growth in runner cultivars,” he says. He is continuing to study the optimum rate of prohexadione calcium in runner peanut.

Thus far in his research, Monfort says the greatest benefit of using prohexadione calcium has been reduced vine growth of newer, more vigorous runner-type varieties on irrigated peanut fields with high levels of residual soil fertility. However, even under these conditions, use of the PGR may not be economically justified.

Make any decision to use prohexadione calcium applications on a fieldby-field basis under the conditions of potentially excessive vine growth.

Inconsistent Yield Benefit For his research data, Jordan says, “When pooled over 121 trials from 1997 to 2014, yields following two applications of prohexadione calcium were 96 pounds per acre higher than yields from non-treated peanut (4,223 T WIT TER : @PE ANUTGROWER

(Above) Peanuts are 50 percent lapped. Do not apply prohexadione calcium (PC).

Apply PC when 50 percent of lateral vines are touching in row middles (below).

pounds per acre versus 4,319 pounds per acre). However, environmental conditions and subsequent vine growth were not excessive in some trials in this data set, suggesting that yield difference may be underestimated.

“In general, about 20 percent of the time we would see a yield increase,” he says. “But it's not always consistent.”

Varietal Differences Within a type, variety and environmental conditions are key factors in determining growth pattern and amount of vegetation.

For example, the variety Bailey has more robust foliage growth than the newer, high-oleic variety Sullivan.

“With the variety Bailey, very few differences in yield with prohexadione calcium have been noted over the past few years. Improved row visibility does not always translate into yield increase,” Jordan says.

“Research from many years ago

demonstrated that reducing pod shed was one way prohexadione calcium protected yield.

Studying Various Scenarios "In a trial this past year, there was a modest increase in yield when peanut was dug on time," he says. "When digging took place about two weeks after the optimum digging date, yield was considerably greater when the plant growth regulator was applied. In this particular trial we had significant leaf spot pressure."

Jordan says, "There may be value in using prohexadione calcium when digging is delayed and significant leaf defoliation occurs. We plan to look at this in more detail in 2018. But the product is expensive.”

Overall, both researchers agree that a decision to use prohexadione calcium must be made on an individual field basis, weighing the costs against the potential benefit. PG 17

MAY 2018 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

Planting Intentions

A

ccording to USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service, U.S. peanut growers intend to plant 1.54 million acres in 2018, down 18 percent from 2017.

USDA reported that the expectation of higher prices for competing commodities is contributing to the expected decrease in peanut acres compared with last year.

In Georgia, expected planted area is down 14 percent from 2017 as producers intend to plant 720,000 acres. If realized, the planted area would be the least amount since 2014 when producers planted 1,309,000 acres.

Survey Parameters The acreage estimates are based primarily on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March. The Prospective Plantings report is a probability survey that includes a sample of approximately 83,300 farm operators selected from a list of producers that ensures all operations in the United States have a chance to be selected. Data from operators was collected by mail, internet, telephone or personal interview to obtain information on crop acreage intentions for the 2018 crop year. The estimates are intended to reflect grower intentions as of the survey period.

New acreage estimates will be made based on surveys conducted in June when crop acreages have been established or planting intentions are firm.

These new estimates will be published in a Planted Acreage report scheduled for June 30, 2018.

Dialing It In In Arkansas A ll states except A rk a nsa s a nd Oklahoma intend to plant fewer acres of peanuts this year, with most states reducing acreage by about 15 percent.

Travis Faske, Extension plant pathologist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, who also serves as the peanut specialist for the state’s producers, explains why Arkansas’ peanut growers intend to hold 18 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

Peanuts: Area Planted by State and U.S. USDA Estimate of Area Planted — March 29, 2018 State

Area Planted (1,000 acres) 2016

2017

2018

Percent

175.0

195.0

160.0

82%

24.0

30.0

30.0

100%

Florida

155.0

195.0

150.0

77%

Georgia

720.0

835.0

720.0

86%

Mississippi

39.0

44.0

30.0

68%

New Mexico

8.0

7.6

7.5

99%

101.0

119.0

105.0

88%

13.0

21.0

21.0

100%

South Carolina

110.0

122.0

100.0

82%

Texas

305.0

275.0

190.0

69%

21.0

27.0

23.0

85%

1,671.0

1,870.6

1,536.5

82%

Alabama Arkansas

North Carolina Oklahoma

Virginia U.S. Total

steady at 30,000 acres.

“We came off a record-high year of 5,040 pounds per acre across the state, which was the highest among all peanut-producing states. Although the generic cotton base revision has some states predicting fewer acres in 2018, this revision has not had a major impact in the interest of peanut production in Arkansas.”

Cotton Is The Buzz Growers across the Cotton Belt are expecting to increase all cotton planted acreage, with the exception of Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia.

Both Georgia and Texas, the largest cotton-producing states, expect to plant the highest upland cotton acreage since 2011. Kansas upland planted area is expected to be a record high, if realized, and Oklahoma planted area is expected to be the highest since 1961.

Overall, producers intend to plant

13.5 million acres in 2018, up 7 percent from last year. Upland area is expected to total 13.2 million acres, up 7 percent from 2017.

Other Major Crops Corn planted area for all purposes in 2018 is estimated at 88 million acres, down 2 percent or 2.14 million acres from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is expected to be down or unchanged in 33 of the 48 estimating states.

Soybean planted area for 2018 is estimated at 89.0 million acres, down 1 percent from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage intentions are down or unchanged in 20 of the 31 estimating states.

All wheat planted area for 2018 is estimated at 47.3 million acres, up 3 percent from 2017. This represents the second lowest all wheat planted area on record since records began in 1919. PG PE ANUTGROWER .COM

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Verdesian Renews Focus Verdesian Life Sciences new mission statement focuses on the grower customer and is supported by the core values that guide the behavior of all Verdesian team members.

The new mission statement reads: At Verdesian Life Sciences, we enable a sustainable future for farmers through nutrient-use efficiency.

“Growers are deeply committed to greater sustainable efficiency and less waste in nutrient use, while growing healthier, more robust crops,” says Paul Beck, VP of Global Marketing at Verdesian.

New products from Verdesian include the following: • Take Off LS – A nitrogen utilization and carbon assimilation technology that optimizes efficient plant nutrient acquisition • Avail HV – A phosphorus efficiency technology for high volume fertilizer applications designed to provide better nutrient access during early plant development • MicroSync – A micronutrient and sulfur technology designed to improve micronutrient efficiency and soil fertility programs in row crops and vegetables • FlexConnect – An inoculant applicator technology designed to reduce waste and cross contamination and improve efficiency when mixing inoculant products Further information about Verdesian is available at www. vlsci.com.

Helmstar Plus SC Fungicide Helmstar Plus SC offers simultaneous movement of preventative and curative activity within the plant. It will quickly knock down diseases and provide a residual barrier inhibiting any newly forming diseases from occurring. Containing both tebuconazole and azoxystrobin, Helmstar Plus SC is

Introducing ProfilerPlus Do you know how thirsty your plants are? A new product from Servi-Tech can tell you that and more about your fields. ProfilerPlus is a soil moisture monitoring system that can provide real-time access to your field data, including information on when to irrigate your fields. It is a platform to get intelligence off of a field and into a grower’s hands.

“Using a hand probe throughout the season is still a valid way to get a snapshot of your soil moisture in the field,” said Austin Bontrager, Agronomic Support Specialist for Servi-Tech. “But ProfilerPlus is able to constantly keep an eye on your soil moisture, day and night. It can give you up to the hour information and even send you an alert if it’s time to turn on the pivot.”

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THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

labeled for control of the most important plant diseases in peanuts.

Both active ingredients provide systemic activity, with one moving upward, while the other is fully mobile in the plant.

One active ingredient stays present in the cuticle, providing very strong spore control. The other is readily absorbed by the fungi. The two active ingredients offer protection across several disease life-cycle stages and reduce the potential for resistant fungi to develop.

In peanuts, Helmstar fungicide offers activity against southern stem rot (white mold), Rhizotonia limb rot, leaf spot and rust. At a rate of 13 ounces per acre, Helmstar Plus SC is applied at 35 to 40 days after planting.

In recent field trials, Helmstar Plus SC performed equal to or better than leading triazole and chlorothalonil fungicides.

All products included in the studies were applied according to label guidelines under a four-spray (four block) white mold disease management program.

Helmstar Plus SC is also approved for use in corn, soybeans, barley, wheat and pecans.

For more information, visit helmagro.com.

Some key benefits of ProfilerPlus include: • Multiple soil moisture locations in each field • Quick and simple installation • Three-year lease with no equipment to own • Expandable with other sensors including our wireless rain station When investing in ProfilerPlus, a grower can quickly and easily check on their fields using a computer or smartphone. A grower can view rain and irrigation events; soil temperature; the soil moisture profile in percent field capacity, inches depleted, and plant available water; and much more.

For more information about ProfilerPlus, contact ServiTech at 620-801-4158 or visit servitech.com.

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

Soil Temperature, Planting Depth Planting has begun in the High Plains, but some producers have held out for precipitation. Adequate soil moisture is required for uniform germination. As the seed imbibes water, cell division and elongation occurs, resulting in the embryo rupturing the seed coat, and the seedling emergJASON WOODWARD es. Once this process begins, it Texas Agri-Life Extension is important that it continues Plant Pathologist because plants are sensitive to desiccation at this time.

Some producers apply pre-plant irrigation to ensure adequate moisture. Others plant into dry soil conditions and “water up.” Although this may be an option, there are potential negative consequences. Peanut seed will germinate under a wide range of temperatures, but a minimum average soil temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit at the 4-inch depth is advised, followed by a favorable forecast.

Peanuts should crack the ground in seven to 14 days.

Frequent use of irrigation can reduce the soil temperature, slowing germination and emergence. These conditions favor the development of soilborne fungi that cause seedling disease. Peanut seedlings also can emerge from deeper planting depths. However, the deeper planting depth increases the amount of time tender seedlings are exposed to disease fungi in the soil.

Plant roots develop rapidly, growing at a rate of 1 inch per day as long as soil moisture is adequate. Roots will not grow through dry soil, and failure to meet stored subsurface water will result in a shallow-rooted crop. This can be detrimental to achieving optimal yield and quality as water use increases with peak demand, approximately 1.5 to 2

T WIT TER : @PE ANUTGROWER

inches per week, being required for flowering and pegging through pod development.

Significant yield loss can occur if rainfall is limited or irrigation capacity declines in the latter part of the season and adequate moisture isn’t available in the lower soil profile. Soil moisture is also important to ensure the survival of Rhizobia after planting, facilitate the movement of pegs into the soil and absorption of calcium during pod development. For more information about water requirements, contact your county Extension office.

Acreage And Disease Risk The 2018 growing season is underway with planting as early as April 10 in South Georgia.

Be mindful of the weather and moisture before planting.

Planting into subpar conditions will only guarantee poor stands and/or the purchase and replanting of seed to get an adequate stand. This will cost SCOTT MONFORT more time and money comUniversity of Georgia pared to waiting until condiExtension Agronomist tions are suitable initially.

Another key growers need to remember during planting is that peanut seed is a living organism, and storage can make a difference in maintaining the percentage germination and vigor over time. Peanut seed stored in a place that has extreme temperature swings, like an enclosed trailer, for an extended period can reduce seed quality and cause problems with stand establishment.

Remember to plant seed in the order in which it was picked up from the peanut buying point (first in, first out).

During production meetings, someone asked, “Will the decrease in peanut acreage help with reducing potential disease?” The answer is, “Not in the short term.” It will take several years of acres below 700,000 before rotations will be corrected. With peanut rotations continuing to be stretched in some areas, many acres remain at a moderate to high risk for disease development.

Determine disease risk by evaluating your production practices using Peanut Disease Rx at the following link https://t.uga.edu/43C. This is an important step in determining how aggressive a grower needs to be in managing potential disease issues based on risk.

Growers with high-risk fields need to consider using a premium fungicide program to manage disease potential rather than a more basic fungicide program. Talk with your county agent regarding the different fungicide programs and how they might benefit you.

21

MAY 2018 • THE PE ANUT GROWER /

Early Weed Control Measures May brings many early sea son ma nagement decisions. Making sure weeds are controlled is one of the most important. The majority of peanut in the V-C region are planted in conventional tillage systems, and it is always a good practice to incorporate some herbicide prior to planting. It takes time to incorporate herDAVID JORDAN North Carolina State bicides uniformly, but this University investment will be well worth Extension Agronomist the effort. At least some weed control will be obtained with incorporated herbicides even under dry conditions.

A DNA herbicide, one that contains pendimethalin or ethalfluralin, is a good start for control of pigweed, other broadleaf weeds and annual grasses – especially Texas millet, also called Texas panicum. Chloroacetamide herbicides, which are products that contain metolachlor, acetochlor, or dimethenamid, can be incorporated, but make sure the rate matches the soil texture/organic matter content. For some growers, the time required to till and incorporate is simply not there.

For those in conservation tillage, the ability to incorporate is challenging. In these cases, apply residual herbicides, such as the chloroacetamide herbicides, at several timings early in the year. This increases the likelihood of catching a rain for activation. Preplant, preemergence, at cracking and early postemergence timings, all within the first few weeks after peanut emergence, are good times to get herbicides with residual activity in the field.

A new chloroacetamide herbicide, Zidua, fits in the postemergence timing quite well. Of course, if some weeds are up, applying these herbicides with an appropriate contact herbicide, such as paraquat, is critical. The extra money spent early in the season on weed management will often pay for itself through protection of peanut from weed interference and by reducing the need for extra postemergence sprays later in the season.

As these applications are being made, it is generally OK to apply acephate to control thrips with these herbicides if systemic insecticides applied in the seed furrow did not perform well. Be careful not to apply paraquat if peanut injury from thrips is excessive. In most instances, if a systemic insecticide was applied in the seed furrow at planting, there will be enough protection from thrips to allow paraquat to be applied with no concern of excessive injury. But, if there is considerable thrips injury, applying paraquat will reduce yields.

From a resistance management standpoint, the herbicides 22 /

THE PE ANUT GROWER • MAY 2018

I have focused on here have held up quite well in terms of evolved resistance in weeds. Although the DNA and chloroacetamide herbicides do not have significant post-emergence activity and paraquat (with Basagran) needs to be applied when weeds are small, these herbicides serve as good tools to reduce selection pressure on ALS inhibitors (imazapic and diclosulam) and PPO inhibitors (acifluorfen, flumioxazin, and lactofen).

Label Change In Alabama Because of cool soil temperatures in April, planting is just now getting into full swing.

Producers need to be aware of the label change for Strongarm use in Alabama peanuts.

Alabama received a Section 24(c) label for Strongarm in June 2017 for an over-the-top treatment. Before, it could only KRIS BALKCOM be used as a pre-emergence herAuburn University bicide treatment. This will give Extension Specialist you some herbicide options at planting for the 2018 crop.

The change is mainly because of tropical spiderwort (bengal day flower). If you have this weed in your field, I encourage you to use Valor behind the planter as a pre-emergence herbicide for pigweed and spiderwort control. Then you could use Gramoxone, Cobra or Ultra Blazer as a burndown spray for escaped weeds. At this time, you could add Strongarm for control of spiderwort, morningglory, bristly starbur and Florida beggarweed, and add Dual Magnum for spiderwort and pigweed residual control. This will stretch out your residual herbicides for a longer period of protection against this troublesome weed.

I hope this will be helpful information to those of you who have this weed and may be unaware of the label changes with this herbicide. PG

PE ANUTGROWER .COM

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ELAST is a registered trademark of Aceto Agricultural Chemicals Corporation. Always read and follow label instructions. © 2018 Aceto Agricultural Chemicals Corporation