April 2015 - Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Sod-based rotation for peanuts Disease & Insect Guidebook Martin family wins national award

A communication service of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

Contents April 2015

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Joy Carter Crosby Editor joycrosby@gapeanuts.com 229-386-3690

University of Florida studies continue to show the many benefits to peanuts from sod-based crop rotation. Researchers says crop rotation may determine the profitability of peanuts in 2015 and high yields from good rotations may be the only way to return a profit.

Contributing Writers John Leidner johnleidner@bellsouth.net Teresa Mays Teresa2@alpeanuts.com Jessie Bland jessie@gapeanuts.com Southeastern Peanut Farmer P.O. Box 706, Tifton, Ga. 31793 445 Fulwood Blvd., Tifton, Ga. 31794 ISSN: 0038-3694 Southeastern Peanut Farmer is published six times a year (Jan./Feb., March, April, May/June, July/Aug., and Oct./Nov.) by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

The publisher is not responsible for copy omission, typographical errors, or any unintentional errors that may occur, other than to correct it in the following issue. Any erroneous reflection which may occur in the columns of Southeastern Peanut Farmer will be corrected upon brought to the attention of the editor. (Phone 229-3863690.)

Postmaster: Send address changes (Form 3579) to Southeastern Peanut Farmer, P.O. Box 706, Tifton, Georgia, 31793.

Circulation is free to qualified peanut growers and others allied to the industry. Periodical postage paid at Tifton, Georgia and additional mailing office.

Editorial Content: Editorial copy from sources outside of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for the information and interest of our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Southern Peanut Farmers Federation policies.

Publication of material does not necessarily imply its endorsement by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

For editorial concerns call 229-386-3690. No portion of this or past issues of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the written consent of the editor. By-lined articles appearing in this publication represent views of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.

Advertising: The Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Corrections to advertisements must be made after the first run. All billing offers subject to credit review. Advertisements contained in this publication do not represent an endorsement by the Southeastern Peanut Farmer or the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation. Use of trade names in this publication is for the purpose of providing specific information and is not a guarantee nor warranty of products named. For advertising concerns call 229-386-3690.

Sod-based rotation great for peanuts

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2015 Disease Guidebook The 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer’s Disease Guidebook features information on the new Peanut Rx app, management of leaf and southern blight and info on a new fungicide and nematicide for farmers to use in 2015.

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Martin family wins National Outstanding Young Farmer Award Christopher Martin, Hawkinsville, Georgia, recently won the National Outstanding Young Farmer award at a ceremony held in New Jersey. Learn more about the Martin family in this article.

Departments: Checkoff Report .................................................................................. 8 Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission and Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

Washington Outlook ............................................................................ 20 Southern Peanut Growers Update ........................................................ 22 Cover Photo: Martin family named national winners in the Outstanding Young Farmer Award.

Pictured left to right: Wellsley, Grantson, Ginger and Christopher Martin of Hawkinsville, Georgia.

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Editorial

Calendar of Events

2015 - International Year of Soils e have all played with dirt at one time in our life as children, whether it was making mud pies or playing farm with our toy tractors. Even though we enjoyed the dirt as children; now as adults we know the dirt or soil is vastly more important than what we may have ever imagined. Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource which is valuable to farmers across the U.S. and abroad. In fact soils are so important that 2015 is being recognized as the International Year of Soils.

As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount importance. So much so that the Naitonal Resources Conservation Service believes improving the health of our nation’s soil is one of the most important conservation endeavors of our time.

Healthy soils are the foundation of the food system. Our soils are the basis for agriculture and the medium in which nearly all food-producing plants grow. Healthy soils produce healthy crops that in turn nourish people and animals. Indeed, soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity.

With a global population that is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, compounded by competition for land and water resources and the impact of climate change, our current and future food security hinges on our ability to increase yields and food quality using the soils that are already under production today.

Many farmers today follow conservation agriculture methods that help maintain and improve their soil. Conservation agriculture methods follow three principles (minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop rotations) to improve soil conditions, reduce land degradation and boost yields.

Throughout 2015, you can learn more about soil health awareness on the NRCS website. The resources on the website are designed to help visitors understand the basics and benefits of soil health and to learn more about soil health management systems Joy Carter Crosby from farmers across the U.S. t Editor

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Soils maintain a diverse community of organisms that: n help control insect and weed pests and plant disease n form beneficial symbiotic associations with plant roots n recycle essential plant nutrients n improve soil structure n Ninety-five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils. n Sustainable soil management could produce up to 58 percent more food. n Soils serve as a buffer to protect delicate plant roots from drastic fluctuations in temperature.

Learn more online at nrcs.usda.gov

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

u USA Peanut Congress, June 13-17, 2015, Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, N.C. For more information visit peanut-shellers.org or call 229-888-2508. u Stripling Irrigation Research Park Field Day, July 8, 2015, Camilla, Ga. For more information visit striplingpark.org or call 229-522-3623. u Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day, July 9, 2015, Moultrie, Ga. For more information visit sunbeltagexpo.com or call 229-985-1968. u American Peanut Research & Education Society Annual Meeting, July 14-16, 2015, Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston, S.C. For more information visit apresinc.com or call 229-329-2949. u Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 23-25, 2015, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga. For more information visit southernpeanutfarmers.org or call 229-386-3470. u American Peanut Shellers Association Pre-Harvest Meeting, Aug. 4-5, 2015, Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club, Cordele, Ga. For more information, call 229-888-2508 or visit www.peanut-shellers.org. u Brooklet Peanut Festival, Aug. 15, 2015. For more information visit the festival’s website at brookletpeanutfestival.com. u Georgia Peanut Tour, Sept. 15-17, 2015, Thomasville, Ga. and surrounding area. For more information visit the tour blog at gapeanuttour.wordpress.com. u Plains Peanut Festival, Sept. 26, 2015.

For more information visit plainsgeorgia.com. u Sunbelt Ag Expo, Oct. 20-22, 2015. For more information visit sunbeltagexpo.com or call 229-985-1968. u Georgia Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Dec. 6-8, 2015, Jekyll Island, Ga. For more information visit gfb.org. u American Peanut Council Winter Conference, Dec. 8-10, 2015, Atlanta, Ga. (Let us know about your event. Please send details to the editor at joycrosby@gapeanuts.com.

Sod-based rotation still great for peanuts niversity of Florida studies continue to show the many benefits to peanuts from sod-based crop rotation.

Jim Marois, University of Florida plant pathologist, recently reported on crop rotation research he conducted with University of Florida agronomist David Wright. Their studies took place at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida.

In the test, a 160-acre field was divided into quadrants of about 40 acres each.

The rotation featured two years of bahiagrass, followed by a year of peanuts and then a year of cotton.

In similar trials at Quincy, Florida, scientists planted continuous peanuts for four years to establish high levels of disease for fungicide research trials. These trials are on the same Dothan sandy loam soil as the crop rotation studies.

The sod-based rotation featured peanuts grown once every four years after a year of cotton and two years of bahiagrass. The Quincy site also had a conventional rotation of two years of cotton followed by peanuts.

Peanut yields were low, only 1,600 pounds per acre where continuous peanuts were grown with no fungicides. Adding a standard fungicide program to the continuous peanuts increased peanut yields to 3,800 pounds per acre. And when a nematicide such as Velum from Bayer

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University of Florida studies continue to show the many benefits to peanuts from sod-based crop rotation. The sod-based rotation featured peanuts grown once every four years after a year of cotton and two years of bahiagrass.

CropSciences was added, the continuous peanuts yielded 4,900 pounds per acre.

The peanuts in the conventional rotation with two years of cotton followed by a year of peanuts yielded 6,500 pounds per acre without irrigation and 7,000 pounds per acre with irrigation.

Peanuts in the non-irrigated sodbased rotation yielded 7,000 pounds per acre, while those in the irrigated sodbased rotation yielded 8,000 pounds per acre.

Marois says the take-home lesson is

that crop rotations work, but sod rotations work better. He adds that continuous peanuts set the stage for declining yields along with a buildup of disease organisms such as those that cause white mold.

Crop rotation may determine the profitability of peanuts in 2015, according to Marois. He says during years when crop prices are down, high yields from good rotations may be the only way to return a profit. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Secretary Vilsack Appoints Peanut Standards Board Members Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed three producers and four industry representatives to serve on the Peanut Standards Board. Six members will serve on the board through June 30, 2017. A seventh member will fill a current vacancy through June, 2015.

The Peanut Standards Board is made up of 18 members representing the Southeast Region, which covers Alabama, Georgia and Florida; the Southwest Region, covering Texas, Oklahoma and

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New Mexico; and the Virginia-North Carolina Region. One-third of the board is appointed each year.

Selected were producer Marty McLendon of Leary, Georgia, and industry representative Elizabeth Kaye Smith of Cumming, Georgia, to represent the Southeast Region and producer Marshall Wayne Baker of Portales, New Mexico, and industry representative Byron Charles Warnken of Pleasanton, Texas to represent the Southwest Region. Producer James

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

Wilson Mason of Harrellsville, North Carolina, and industry representative Kathryn Olivia Swinson of Mount Olive, North Carolina, will represent the Virginia-North Carolina Region. James Carlton Gray, Jr. of Courtland, Virginia, was selected to fill an industry representative vacancy for the Virginia-North Carolina Region, which ends June 30.

The Peanut Standards Board is authorized under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. t

Florida Peanut Producers Association holds 40th Annual Membership Meeting pproximately 300 peanut farmers and their families attended the Florida Peanut Producers Association Annual Membership Meeting held March 19 in Marianna, Florida.

During the evening’s events, two members were elected to serve three-year terms on the FPPA Board of Directors: Jeffrey Pittman of Bascom and Michael Davis of Graceville. They replace the two positions vacated by Steve Jordan of Bascom and Henry McCrone of Blountstown due to term limits.

New officers elected during the meeting include Andy Robinson, president from Williston, Nick Marshall, vice president from Baker, and David DeFelix, sec-

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Florida Peanut Producers Association board members retire at annual meeting. Pictured left to right: Henry McCrone of Blountstown, Ken Barton, FPPA executive director, and Steve Jordan of Bascom. McCrone and Jordan received plaques in recognition of their dedicated service while serving on the FPPA Board of Directors for the past six years.

retary/treasurer from Campbellton.

The Farm Credit/FPPA Young Peanut Farmer Award was presented to 5th generation farmer Travis Smith of Jay, Florida. Smith started his farming career as a youngster when he could barely see over the steering wheel of his father’s tractor.

Several years ago, he was a recipient of a scholarship from the Florida Peanut Producers Ken Barton, (left) Florida Peanut Producers Association executive Association, which is director, presents the Farm Credit/FPPA Young Peanut Farmer indicative that when a per- Award to Travis Smith of Jay, Fla., during FPPA’s annual meeting.

Pictured left to right: Barton, Smith, Leah, Lexie, Brittany, Tate son is successful at winand Mike Digmon, Farm Credit of Northwest Florida. ning an honor early in life, they go on to be successful Young Farmers and Ranchers program. in other things.

He and his family are members of the Today, he still assists his father while Century Church of Christ. In his spare farming more than 200 acres of his own time, Smith loves to hunt, fish and bow in which he manages to do quite well. fish.

Last year, he averaged more than 4,500 The evening’s program also consisted lbs. per acre with his peanuts. of promotional highlights from Leslie This year, Smith will have more than Wagner, executive director of Southern 230 acres of row crops along with manag- Peanut Growers. Cathy Johnson, commuing a small herd of cattle. nications specialist of the National Peanut Smith is married to Brittany and they Board, discussed some of the new markethave three children: Leah, Lexie and Tate. ing initiatives underway at the NPB. t Smith is a member of the Florida Peanut Producers Association and is active in the

BY JOY CROSBY

2015 FPPA Board of Directors President- Andy Robinson, Williston Vice President- Nick Marshall, Baker Sec./Treas. - David DeFelix, Campbellton Jeffrey Pittman, Bascom Michael Davis, Graceville Chuck Hatch, Branford Steven Godwin, Jay Bud Baggett, Marianna Jerry Mills, Jr., Morriston Check out the new FPPA website at: flpeanuts.com.

Members of the Florida Peanut Producers Association board. Pictured left to right: Jeffrey Pittman, Bascom; Michael Davis, Graceville; Nick Marshall, Baker; Chuck Hatch, Branford; Andy Robinson, Williston; David DeFelix, Campbellton, and Ken Barton, FPPA executive director. Not pictured are: Steven Godwin, Jay; Bud Baggett, Marianna; and Jerry Mills, Jr., Morriston.

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Checkoff Report Investments Made by Growers for the Future of the Peanut Industry.

Florida peanuts at health fair The Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee held their 26th annual Health Fair for State Hospital employees. The Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) was one of 55 exhibitors to attend the event. The heart healthy peanut was popular with employees and other Health Fair exhibitors. The FPPA focused on the heart Sherry Saunders and health benefits of Roberta Stewart present peanuts and peanut an employee of the Florida products while proState Hospital with a viding complimentary peanut gift basket door prize. bags of Florida Roasted Peanuts that display the Heart Healthy Check from the American Heart Association. Heart health information and recipe brochures were also provided to attendees.

Georgia Peanut Commission partners with CBS46 in Atlanta The Georgia Peanut Commission has partnered with CBS46 in Atlanta through television shows, health fair and digital advertising on the website. The promotion is part of the co-promotion project with the Naitonal Peanut Board.

In Feburary, hundreds visited the Georgia Peanut Commission booth at the Parents: Be Smart, Georgia Peanut Be Healthy Atlanta Commission project coordinator Jessie Bland visits Expo at Cumberland with consumers during the Mall. The GPC staff health expo at Cumberland distributed peanut sam- Mall in Atlanta, Georgia. ples, pb spreaders, nutritional information and recipes to all attendees.

Several segments have also aired on CBS46’s Atlanta Plugged In show featuring grilling dishes

by Don Koehler and heart healthy and toddler meals by Sherry Coleman Collins, registred dieti-

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

Alabama Peanut Producers Association exhibits at Alabama Food Service and Nutrition Expo The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) exhibited at the Sherry Coleman Collins (left), 37th annual Alabama Food Service and National Peanut Nutrition Expo, which is sponsored by Board consultant, the Alabama Association of Nutrition & visits with an Foodservice Professionals, Alabama attendee during the Alabama Food Dietetic Association and Alabama Service and School Nutrition Association. As part of Nutrition Expo. this year’s participation, APPA hosted a break-out session entitled “Peanuts - The Truth.” Sherry Coleman Collins, registered dietitian nutritionist and consultant for the National Peanut Board gave a standing room only educational seminar concerning food allergies, which included an in-depth look at peanut allergy concerns.

Baldwin promotes Georgia peanuts at rodeos across the U.S. Matt Baldwin, bullfighter, promotes Georgia peanuts at rodeos across the U.S. Baldwin promotes peanuts by wearing the Georgia peanuts logo on his clothing, signing autograph sheets with a peanut recipe and handing out sample packs of peanuts at rodeos. The Championship Bull Riding (CBR) events are also televised on Fox Sports One network reaching 68 million households. More info is available online at cbrbull.com.

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association promotes peanuts at Diabetes Foundation Super Conference The Mississippi Diabetes Foundation Super Conference was held Feb. 21, 2015, in Jackson, Mississippi. This conference is held annually for those with diabetes so they can learn more by hearing from highly recognized specialists in the field of diabetic education and visiting with participants at industry booths in the trade show. The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association had an educational booth and provided copies of a Peanuts and Diabetes publication for attendees. There were nearly 400 attendees at the conference and many stopped by the MPGA booth asking about how peanuts grow and why peanuts were important to those with diabetes. For the past five years, MPGA has been an active sponsor of the diabetes walks. Since the first walk in 2010 until now, MPGA has made some contact with about 20,000 participants in this program, hopefully getting them to see the value of peanut products in their life.

tian nutritionist and consultant to the National Peanut Board.

Digital banner ads are also airing on the CBS46 website and the Weather Channel’s website.

Don Koehler, (right) Georgia Peanut Commission executive director, demonstrates grilling recipes using peanut butter, with Annalee Penny, host of Atlanta Plugged In.

Reports from the: Alabama Peanut Producers Association Florida Peanut Producers Association Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

March - National Peanut Month promotions across the Southeast Alabama Peanut Producers Association

Georgia Peanut Commission

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) celebrated National Peanut Month by expanding promotional efforts to several media outlets across the state including Dothan, Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville.

The first appearance was on Dothan’s WDHN-TV 18 Top of the Morning Show with host Charlie Platt.

APPA’s Caleb Bristow and Jim Cravey demonstrated how to grill unique peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and pepper jelly roll-ups. A record number of staff interviews and appearances were also documented including six television station appearances, live interviews on eight radio stations and numerous newspaper articles. Peanut gift baskets and peanut butter cookie trays were also delivered to each media location by APPA staff members.

In addition to the media efforts, APPA exhibited at the Taste of Alabama legislative reception, March 4, 2015, at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s home office in Montgomery. One of the items sampled during the event was grilled PB&Js.

The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) promoted peanuts throughout the month of March by sponsoring the #34 car at the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 NASCAR race, hosting the annual PB&J Day at the state capitol, participating in the Georgia Ag Day and Peanut Proud and distributing peanuts at the state’s welcome centers.

The GPC kicked off the month long Caleb Bristow, (center) celebration by sponsoring Joe Nemechek APPA executive director, in the NASCAR race held March 1 at the presents a peanut gift basAtlanta Motor Speedway. The Georgia ket to radio brodcasters at WOOF 997 in Dothan, Ala. Peanuts logo was on display on both sides of the rear panel of the car.

The annual Georgia PB&J Day was Joe Nemechek samples Georgia peanuts prior to held March 3, at the Georgia State the NASCAR race.

Capitol in Atlanta. Exhibitors from the peanut industry served PB&Js, grilled PB&Js, country-fried peanuts, boiled Teresa Mays, (left) APPA peanuts and more. During the special proinformation specialist, gram celebrating National Peanut Month, presents a peanut gift Sen. John Wilkinson, chairman of the basket to Tonya Terry, Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs WSFA 12 News anchor.

Committee, and Rep. Buddy Harden, vice chairman of the House Agriculture and Georgia PB&J Day attendees with Gov. Nathan Consumer Affairs Committee, presented resolutions highlighting the importance of Deal and Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black. peanuts to Georgia’s economy.

The GPC and Peanut Proud donated more than 10,000 jars of peanut butter to APPA staff members the Atlanta Community Food Bank to celattending the Taste of ebrate National Peanut Month and Alabama include (left to National Nutrition Month during the right) Jim Cravey, Caleb annual PB&J Day. Bristow and Carole Granger.

Tourists traveling throughout Georgia were able to learn more about the Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and Peanut Proud donated importance of peanuts to Georgia’s econ- more than 10,000 jars of March National Peanut Month television promotions – omy by stopping by one of the 11 visitor peanut butter to the Atlanta MPGA prepared “peanut goody baskets” that got Malcolm information centers entering the state.

Community Food Bank.

Broome, MPGA Executive Director live interviews at 5 TV staThe GPC provided the visitor information tions across the State during first week of March. The baskets centers with peanuts and recipes to give were used as talking points since they contained all kinds of to tourists as they stopped to learn more peanuts and peanut products and peanut facts. Each interview about Georgia.

The GPC also exhibited at the was at least 5 minutes plus one station even allowed time for 3 Georgia Ag Awareness Day at the State peanut breakfast items to be prepared on their kitchen set. Two Capitol and the Peanut Proud Festival in other stations taped additional interview footage to be shown Blakely, Georgia. View photos from all Peanut exhbit at the through the month. For a very small cost, we get quite a bang Ringgold visitor informaNational Peanut Month events at for the buck as the saying goes and even received positive tion center on Interstate gapeanuts.com. responses from viewers!

75 in Georgia.

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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DISEASE GUIDEBOOK

Peanut Rx smart phone app he new Peanut Rx smart phone app is available for iPhone and Android phones. The idea for the app had its origin in annual meetings with the Peanut Rx team says University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait.

Kemerait worked with colleagues in Georgia and neighboring states who are on the Peanut Rx Committee to update risk factors and treatment options for various peanut diseases.

The final Peanut Rx smart phone package was put together by a Pennsylvania-based firm, ZedX, Inc. In essence, Peanut Rx is a disease risk index that allows growers in the Southeast to predict relative disease risk for the upcoming season based on management practices.

The Peanut Rx smart phone app is available free at the App Store for iPhones and at Google Play for Android phones.

Kemerait hopes that many growers and others interested in peanut diseases will download and use the app. He anticipates making additional improvements in the app as he receives feedback from

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users during and after this first year of widespread availability.

The app has information on disease treatments from fungicide manufacturers, and can be used to help make decisions on specific farms and fields, according to Kemerait.

“So it is all there,” he adds. “It expands the opportunities for the users, and provides more information for the users than either the Peanut Rx versions on a card or in the Georgia Peanut Update Extension publication. The best feature of this smart phone version is that it allows you to make decisions.”

The overall Peanut Rx is a risk management tool for diseases of peanuts, and is updated each year by scientists at the University of Georgia, University of Florida, Auburn University and Mississippi State University.

An important aspect of Peanut Rx is the assessment of varieties for resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus, leaf spot, limb rot and white mold or stem rot. With Rx, growers have the opportunity to select varieties with improved resistance and to

tailor a fungicide program appropriate for the total risk in the field, to include the variety planted.

The app allows growers to ask ‘what if” questions to see how various management practices will change the risks for specific diseases. Data used in the app remain with the smart phone user and are not shared with other devices. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Save on fungicides with new varieties University of Georgia plant pathologist Tim Brenneman says new peanut varieties are changing the economics of disease control.

His tests during 2013 and 2014 showed that expensive fungicide applications tended to pay for themselves and produce profitable yields when applied to the widely grown Georgia-06G variety.

It was a different story for the new Georgia-12Y variety known for its resistance to white mold. With 12Y, the highest profits came from applications of lowcost fungicides.

Brenneman explains that the tests

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included low-cost treatments such as a chlorothalonil formulation such as Bravo, or a combination of chlorothalonil and tebuconazole. These were compared to more expensive fungicide programs such as those that included Fontelis and banded Proline treatments.

His most expensive treatment at a cost of about $117 per acre included Bravo, Proline, tebuconazole and Fontelis.

By comparison, a treatment of Bravo alone cost about $42 per acre, and Bravo plus tebuconazole cost about $50 per acre.

The tests with the various fungicides applied to the 06G and the 12Y took place

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

in a field with a long history of white mold.

During both 2013 and 2014, the 12Y variety showed much more resistance to white mold. Brenneman said the 12Y had about one third of the disease incidence as 06G across all treatments.

Brenneman says it is important to know disease risk levels by using tools such as Peanut Rx. “New fungicides are really effective, but are more expensive,” he says. “New cultivars with improved resistance are changing the economics of disease management.” t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Disease Guidebook

The latest leaf spot results n-furrow and early banded fungicide applications are aimed at early season control of soilborne peanut diseases. But this use of these fungicides can also give peanuts some protection from leaf spot, according to Albert Culbreath, University of Georgia plant pathologist.

He was prompted to study this topic after seeing promising results from in-furrow Proline in helping to control Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR) and in suppressing stem rot or white mold.

In some of these tests, he planted peanuts during August and September and adjacent to established peanuts where leaf spot outbreaks were at epidemic levels.

In this situation with heavy disease pressure, in-furrow Proline provided about 30 days of protection from leaf spot. “But residual effects were not long enough to indicate that in-furrow applications would be of much benefit for leaf spot control in typical situations.”

In some of his tests, he concentrated the broadcast fungicide rate and applied it in a narrow one-foot-wide band 21 days after planting. Where leaf spot infected peanuts early, Culbreath applied Proline or Headline fungicides in the 12-inch bands three weeks after planting. He saw that these applications prevented leaf spot for three weeks or longer.

“Results from three years indicate that banded applications of these fungi-

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Peanut leaf infestation of early leaf spot.

cides three weeks after planting may provide adequate control of leaf spot until subsequent applications are needed for white mold control,” Culbreath says.

Overall, Culbreath said banded applications of Proline, Headline or Priaxor 21 days after planting provided 20 to 25 days of control before leaf spot incidence increased sharply.

In 2014, Culbreath compared the new BASF fungicide Priaxor to Headline for leaf spot control in several experiments.

Culbreath said that before 2014, we had very limited information on efficacy of Priaxor compared to Headline and other fungicides, so we wanted to get as much information as we could in 2014.

Fortunately, we had heavy pressure from leaf spot in most trials, so it was a rigorous test. He found that Priaxor was com-

parable to or superior to Headline against early or late leaf spot. Based on his 2014 studies, Culbreath says direct substitution of Priaxor for Headline should work well for leaf spot control.

Priaxor is a mix of two active ingredients, fluxapyroxad and pyraclostrobin, with two different modes of action. This should help prolong the efficacy of the product in the event that resistant populations of leaf spot fungi develop to one of the fungicide groups, according to Culbreath. Pyraclostrobin is the same active ingredient as found in Headline.

He also conducted tests at Plains, Georgia in 2014 to compare fungicides in plots where leaf spot was already established. He called these the “delayed application” tests. He conducted similar trials since 2009.

In these tests, Proline alone or Proline plus Topsin showed potential as an alternative to Headline for use where leaf spot epidemics are in progress. He also noted that mixtures of Proline and Topsin provided leaf spot control that was similar to that from 9 ounces of Headline per acre. In 2014, a mix of Alto plus Topsin did well in stopping leaf spot epidemics that were already in progress.

Priaxor also provided better control than Headline when applied in this manner in 2014, according to Culbreath. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Where Tifguard fits Growers planting fields with severe damaging levels of peanut root-knot nematodes should consider planting the Tifguard runner peanut variety, says University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait.

Tifguard is nearly immune to the peanut root-knot nematode and does not need to be treated with a nematicide.

Kemerait says the concern that some have expressed over weak peg strength in Tifguard remains difficult to verify. He says growers should give significant importance to the near immunity of this variety to the peanut root-knot nematode and keep any concerns about peg strength in proper perspective given the impact this pest can have on yield. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Disease Guidebook

Timing southern blight applications lan Henn, Mississippi State University Extension plant pathologist, has spent the past two years testing early fungicide applications to control southern blight.

In his tests, Henn used seven fungicides applied with 20 gallons of water per acre. He ran the sprayer at 33 pounds of pressure per square inch and equipped it with two nozzles per row. “We wanted to make sure the fungicide got to the base of the plant where the disease starts,” he says.

In timing the applications, he tested three different dates. These were at 100 percent plant emergence, 20 days after 100 percent plant emergence and 40 days after 100 percent plant emergence. The applications 40 days after 100 percent emergence provided the most consistent control. Of the seven fungicides tested, Convoy and Fontelis were the most consistent in reducing the incidence of southern blight. In individual fields the lowcost treatment of generic tebuconazole was about as effective as a more expensive treatment of Provost and Proline.

These tests were conducted in fields with a history of southern blight. The application date of 40 days after 100 percent emergence coincided with the time that peanut vines from adjacent rows had not quite met in the row middles.

Henn prefers to call the disease southern blight or stem rot. He says the term white mold is confusing. Both

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Early hit of southern blight or stem rot on peanuts can be found in fields across the Southeast.

Sclerotium rolfsii and Sclerotinia minor produce white mycelia growth on peanuts, and different fungicides are required to control southern blight and Sclerotinia blight. Both diseases are found in Mississippi fields.

This past year on farms with silty type soils in the Mississippi Delta, he found southern blight infecting peanut pods below the ground level. The above ground leaves and stems appeared healthy, but when he used a shovel to dig up the plants, he found southern blight disease symptoms on the roots.

To combat such outbreaks, he recom-

mends an early season fungicide application with enough water to move the fungicide into the soil where the disease is active. University of Georgia studies have shown that since peanut leaves fold up at night, nighttime applications allow more of the fungicide to enter the soil instead of being stopped by the leaves. Henn says use at least 20 gallons of water per acre.

You need to drench the soil with the fungicide. “The fungicide doesn’t do as much good if it only hits the leaves,” and your target is southern blight he adds. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Abound in-furrow University of Georgia plant pathologist Tim Brenneman says Abound fungicide has been shown to reduce Aspergillus crown rot and to improve young peanut stands.

Aspergillus crown rot is often a problem, according to Brenneman, and it can lead growers to question if they need to replant their stands.

He says Abound shows great potential as an in-furrow treatment to help insure good early stands. Even Abound at low in-furrow rates of 2.9 ounces per acre were beneficial in improving stands in these tests.

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Final peanut stands were similar from Abound application, whether the rate was 2.9 ounces per acre or 11.6 ounces per acre.

At this low rate, the cost was only about $3 to $4 per acre for Abound in-furrow applied in single rows.

Brenneman says azoxystrobin, the active ingredient in Abound, will be available in generic formulations this year, so it may be even less expensive to apply.

The studies also showed the value of a seed treatment with Dynasty. Where Dynasty was omitted, stands were as sparse as one plant per foot, but where

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

Peanut field with stand issues related to a bad seed lot with high levels of Aspergillus crown rot in the background versus a good seed lot with little disease in the foreground.

Dynasty was used on seed, the stands were much better, about four plants per foot of row. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Disease Guidebook

Syngenta introduces Elatus, a new fungicide for growers

E

latus is a new fungicide for peanuts from Syngenta that should be approved in time to use during the 2015 growing season. Elatus will offer control for both leaf spot and soilborne diseases.

The main advantage of Elatus is that it produces residual control of Sclerotium rolfsii, the fungus that causes stem rot.

The diseases controlled by Elatus include southern stem rot, Rhizoctonia limb rot, early and late leaf spot. It should also provide excellent control of peanut rust.

Results have been mixed when Elatus was used to treat Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR) and Sclerotinia blight.

Elatus consists of solatenol, a new broad-spectrum fungicide active ingredient, and azoxystrobin, the active ingredient in Abound fungicide.

Patent protection has expired for azoxystrobin which should become available in generic formulations. Syngenta is developing Elatus as its replacement for Abound.

The solatenol portion is a third generation SDHI (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor) fungicide, and is considered a

group 7 fungicide by the industry’s Fungicide Resistance Action Committee.

This information is important to know so that growers can rotate fungicide groups to prevent diseases from developing resistance.

University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says Elatus performed well in 2014 tests. As a combination of a strobilurin and an SDHI fungicide, Elatus offers a broad spectrum of activity against peanut diseases, according to Kemerait.

University of Georgia plant pathologist Albert Culbreath reports that Elatus performed as well as Headline in his tests in 2014 for controlling leaf spot. “Elatus is good on early and late leaf spot. But it looks to be better for duration or protection fungicide than a curative treatment,” Culbreath adds.

For leaf spot control, Elatus performed better than Fontelis in Culbreath’s tests.

Both Elatus and Fontelis were better than the chlorothalonil standard. In another trial that included only three fungicide applications, Elatus was similar to Priaxor for leaf spot control and better than Proline.

Culbreath says that Elatus applications will probably be timed for optimal control of

stem rot, also known locally as “white mold.” Based on his studies, Elatus should also do a good job of controlling leaf spot.

University of Georgia plant pathologist Tim Brenneman says Elatus will probably be targeted for use during the middle of the soilborne disease treatment season. This is when the risk of yield loss is high.

Brenneman says other lower cost chemistries can be used early and late in the treatment season.

Syngenta data suggests that in some of the early trials, stem rot (white mold) infection rates were less than 10 percent for Elatus-treated peanuts, compared to about 40 percent for untreated controls. Yields in these trials were increased by 2,000 pounds per acre over untreated peanuts and by 800 pounds per acre over industry standard fungicide applications. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Bayer CropScience introduces Velum Total, a new nematicide for growers

P

eanut farmers will be able to use a new nematicide this year. It’s named Velum Total, and it helps control both nematodes and thrips.

Velum Total is a product of Bayer CropScience. The product is a combination of two active ingredients, fluopyram and imidacloprid.

University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says fluopyram is a member of the SDHI (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor) class of chemistries and it affects nematodes in the same way that other SDHI fungicides such as Fontelis and Convoy affect fungal pathogens.

Imidacloprid is an insecticide sold as Admire and under other brand names.

Kemerait says Velum Total is an effective tool for managing nematodes and thrips. In University of Georgia studies, Velum Total reduced nematode damage to peanuts and increased yields in plots compared to those that received no nematicide.

Kemerait says the Velum Total has performed as well as or better than Temik with applications at planting. Research will con-

tinue to determine how best to replace the benefits of the popular pegging-time application of Temik.

Velum Total will be launched on a limited basis this year for the Southeast, and will become more widely marketed in 2016.

The label will allow for application in both peanuts and cotton.

A liquid formulation of Velum Total allows applications in-furrow at planting.

Velum Total can be applied this way without hurting liquid seed inoculants.

The product will also find uses in chemigation. The fluopyram component of Velum Total was originally developed as a fungicide, but it is not effective on seedling diseases caused by Pythium or Rhizoctonia organisms. So a conventional seed treatment will still be needed for peanuts.

Velum Total is a bit different from the no-longer-used Temik. Velum Total actually kills nematodes while Temik was a nematistat in that it confused or injured nematodes and prevented them from infesting crop roots.

In addition to controlling nematodes and thrips, the new product should also be effective on aphids, leafhoppers and white-

flies.

Velum Total also shows promise in suppressing leaf spot. University of Georgia plant pathologist Albert Culbreath reported that in-furrow applications of 5.7 fluid ounces of Proline per acre controlled early leaf spot for about 28 days after application.

He noted that in-furrow applications of 18 fluid ounces of Velum Total provided even longer control in 2014. He plans to continue work to determine whether the in-furrow application can subsitute for an early season leaf spot spray. However, Culbreath says it is still too early to suggest doing that.

The application rate for peanuts will be 18 fluid ounces per acre. The Velum Total label prohibits the application of more than 19 fluid ounces per acre per year. The label also prohibits grazing of treated fields and prohibits feeding hay from treated fields. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

13

Chlorothalonil update hough the extent to which chlorothalonil, marketed under various names such as Bravo, Echo, Equus and Chloronil, will be in short-supply during the 2015 growing season is unclear, most in the crop protection industry believe a shortage will be a reality.

There are likely several reasons for such; however one is certainly that global demand for this chemistry has increased and has affected our supply in the peanut fields of Georgia.

Bob Kemerait, Extension plant pathologist at the University of Georgia, has recommended that peanut growers should contact their fungicide dealer and inquire as to the availability of chlorothalonil this season. Once the level of supply is established, growers can then decide how best to make up for any shortage.

Kemerait notes that there is any number of ways to extend use of chlorothalonil, as through tank-mixing with other fungicides for leaf spot control and even through replacing applications of chlorothalonil with other products.

“While a shortage of a back-bone product like chlorothalonil is cause for awareness, the sky is not falling,” Kemerait says. “Finding replacements can be confusing, even for me; however there are plenty of alternatives.”

For example, 1.5 pt/A chlorothalonil can be replaced with 15 fl oz/A ELAST (NOT 1.5 pt/A as some growers may have heard Kemerait state during peanut production meetings this past winter in Georgia) or a pint of chlorothalonil can be mixed with products like Alto, Tilt, Bumper, Topsin-M, etc. There really are some good options available.

According to Kemerait, effective management strategies for good leaf spot control include: • The first two applications of chlorothalonil (30 and 40 days after planting (DAP)) can be removed if Proline, 5.7 lf oz/A is banded at approximately 35 DAP and a Provost program is initiated at 60 DAP. The first two chlorothalonil applications can also be omitted if Priaxor is used on the crop approximately 45 DAP. • Chlorothalonil can be extended by tank mixing a reduced rate (e.g. 1.0 pt/A rather than 1.5 pt/A) with 2 fl oz/A Tilt/Bumper, 5 fl oz/A Topsin-M, or Alto, 5 fl oz/A • Tilt-Bravo or Echo-Propimax can be substituted for chlorothalonil.

• An application of Elast (15 fl oz/A) can be used to replace an application of chlorothalonil.

• For a single application during a season, Topsin-M, 10 fl oz/A, can replace an application chlorothalonil.

• Absolute (trifloxystrobin + tebuconazole, 3.5 fl oz/A) and Stratego (trifloxystrobin + propiconazole, 7.0 fl oz/A) can be substituted for chlorothalonil.

T

14

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

Martin family named national winners in Outstanding Young Farmers Program hristopher and Ginger Martin of Hawkinsville, Georgia, were selected national winners at the 59th annual National Outstanding Young Farmers (NOYF) Awards Congress held Feb. 12-15 in Cherry Hill, N.J. Four national winners were selected from a group of 10 finalists for the award based on their progress in an agricultural career, extent of soil and water conservation practices, and contributions to the wellbeing of the community, state, and nation.

Guest Master of Ceremonies, Tom Steever of Brownfield Ag News, announced the four national winners after 10 finalists were interviewed at the annual awards congress. The three other national winners for 2014 are from California, North Dakota, and Kentucky. National winners received a savings bond from corporate sponsor John Deere and the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., during National Ag Week in 2016.

Christopher Martin grew up in Pulaski County in a farming family. His father and uncle farmed together as Martin Brothers Farms and Christopher got his first start in agriculture working part time for them while in high school.

After high school he attended ABAC and earned an Associate’s Degree in AgriBusiness and then a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Georgia College and State University.

After college Martin started his own Agri-consulting business that covered 13,000 acres across nine counties. Martin specialized in scouting, soil sampling, and irrigation services for cotton, peanuts, watermelons, soybeans, and pecans. The consulting business, while successful, was not his dream. His dream was always to farm.

“It is impossible to explain why I wanted to farm so badly,” Martin says. “I simply always knew I would.”

At the age of 27 he had saved enough money to start farming on his own. In his first year he farmed 535 acres of cotton and peanuts and 20 acres of watermelons without help, equipment, or financing from anyone. Twelve years later, he now

C

Mark Freeman, Pulaski County Extension agent, presents Christopher Martin and family with a plaque for winning the National Outstanding Young Farmers Award at a special recognition banquet held in Hawksinville, Ga. Pictured left to right: Freeman, Christopher, Ginger, Wellsley and Grantson Martin.

farms nearly 3,400 acres of cotton, peanuts, wheat, rye, and corn. All of which is voluntarily under strict conservation practices. He also participates in multiple research and development plots including the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension On-Farm Cotton Variety Trials.

The Martin farm has hosted extensive research, development, and plot testing for state agencies and private companies.

The studies include a “rolling rye” pilot program through the NRCS with an objective to provide sunlight-blocking ground cover to diminish the germination of pigweed during primary crop planting.

Ensuring that his farm is environmentally and economically sound is a primary goal for Martin. His conscientious farming methods earned him the title of district Soil Conservationist of the Year in 2004, and he is one of 20 farmers nationwide to participate in a five-year soil quality study.

In 2009, he was one of four Georgia farmers nominated to the Peanut Leadership Academy, an elite two-year program, where he gained more knowl-

edge about the peanut industry, participated in media training and learned more about legislation issues facing the peanut industry.

“Christopher is the type of farmer that every county extension agent loves to work with. He has always worked very closely with Extension and has helped with many UGA Extension on-farm research trials,” says Mark Freeman Pulaski County Extension agent. “He is on the forefront of new technology and is always willing to try new techniques or varieties that come available.”

He is married to his wife Ginger and they have two children, son Grantson and daughter Wellsley where they live in Hawkinsville.

The NOYF program is the oldest farmer recognition program in the United States, selecting its first group of national winners in 1955. The program is sponsored by John Deere, administered by the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA), and supported by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents and the U.S. Jaycees. t

BY JOY CROSBY

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

15

INSECT GUIDEBOOK Lesser Cornstalk Borer

Lesser cornstalk borer moth on peanut foliage.

Lesser cornstalk borer larva on peanut stem.

Lesser cornstalk borer damage to peanut pod.

Lesser cornstalk borer (LCB) is probably the most destructive insect pest of peanut in Georgia, and 2014 was an outbreak year.

Though some growers escaped with little or no damage, LCB infestations were common in non-irrigated peanut fields across much of the growing region. There is no chemical insecticide available that can eliminate LCB in peanut.

Some promising results were seen in 2014 insecticide research trials, but additional data are needed before any changes will be made to the University of Georgia management recommendations. Granular chloropyrifos (Lorsban速 15G) is recommended for LCB control; to be effective, this product requires rainfall or irrigation soon after application.

Hot, dry conditions are favorable for LCB outbreaks, but damaging pest populations do not always occur even under ideal environmental conditions. Growers should be aware that while possible, lesser cornstalk borer outbreaks in back to back years would be very uncommon. Regular scouting is the best way to determine if pests are present at damaging levels in peanut.

Two Spotted Spider Mite The same hot, dry conditions that favored lesser cornstalk borer population growth also contributed to very heavy two spotted spider mite (TSSM) pressure in 2014. Non-irrigated fields and the dry corners around pivots were commonly infested.

Two spotted spider mites on Management options for TSSM in peanut foliage. peanut are essentially limited to one active ingredient, propargite (e.g. Comite速). There were many cases of very heavy spider mite pressure in fields where the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin was applied either for caterpillar or spider mite control.

While products with the active ingredient bifenthrin list spider mites on their labels, this active ingredient is not recommended for spider mite control in peanut in Georgia except in very rare cases. The use of a pyrethroid in fields where TSSM is present usually results in a temporary, short-term decline in mite populations followed by a rapid and dramatic increase in pest numbers.

Detecting and treating TSSM infestations before they become severe is critical to achieving acceptable control. By the time plants are covered with mites and webbing and begin to turn yellow/bronze, no chemical treatment is capable of bringing mite populations in check.

Scout regularly and avoid using pyrethroid insecticides in fields where even low populations of spider mites have been observed.

16

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

Thrips Thrips pressure in seedling peanut in 2014 was high in Georgia for the second year in a row, and like 2013, thrips migration into peanut fields occurred later than the historical average.

The question now is: Will Thrips damage. increased thrips pressure in late May become the new normal? While we cannot predict what will happen in 2015, growers should be aware that thrips flights can occur anytime from mid-April to early June.

It is important that we continue to use the recommendations found in Peanut Rx for reducing thrips pressure and Tomato spotted wilt virus. Phorate (Thimet速) is still the only insecticide that has been shown to reduce TSWV incidence in peanut, and it provides good protection against direct feeding damage. In-furrow applications of liquid imidacloprid (Admire Pro速) have shown good efficacy against thrips in a number of University trials in recent years. To date, seed treatments in peanut have not provided adequate thrips suppression in years with heavy pest pressure.

It is common to see some thrips feeding injury on peanut seedlings regardless of what at-plant insecticide is used; no insecticide will be completely effective 100 percent of the time. The impact of direct thrips feeding on yield and time to maturity is not well understood.

Until economic thresholds are available, minimizing crop stress will continue to be an important consideration in making thrips management decisions.

University of Georgia Extension Peanut Insect Survey Your answers can help us improve management of important pests like Burrower Bug and Lesser Cornstalk Borer.

Grower Response is Critical The online survey takes about 10-20 minutes to complete and you must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Every peanut grower who responds can enter to win a Stihl MS291 chainsaw.

Visit gapeanuts.com to complete the survey.

Insect Guidebook

Three cornered alfalfa hopper

Burrower Bug Burrower bug continues to be a significant threat to Georgia peanuts, and after two years of little to no pressure, the insect caused severe damage to portions of the crop in 2014. The burrower bug joins lesser cornstalk borer and two spotted spider mite as pests that thrive in hot, dry conditions. While sometimes a problem in irrigated fields, all three of these pests are most prevalent and damaging Burrower Bug in the state’s non-irrigated acreage. Granular chloropyrifos (Lorsban® 15G) is the only insecticide that has been shown to have any efficacy against burrower bug, and it does not provide complete control. The factors that are known to increase the risk of burrower bug damage are conservation tillage and hot, dry soil conditions. Conversely, deep turning and Burrower Bug damage to peanuts. irrigation reduce the likelihood of infestations.

Many growers have asked the question, “Will abandoning conservation tillage in favor of a turning plow eliminate the burrower bug problem?” Previous research suggests that the risk of damage will decline, but there are no certainties. Burrower bug damage has been reported in Georgia from fields that were turned prior to planting. Work is currently underway to quantify the risk associated with different production practices, location, soil type, etc. In the near term, management options available to growers who have experienced significant losses due to burrower bug are limited to deep turning and application of granular chloropyrifos.

Foliage feeding caterpillars There are several species of caterpillar pests that feed on peanut foliage, and in high numbers they can cause economic loss.

Scouting is the only way to know for sure if insecticide treatment is needed. Growers should keep a close eye on seedling peanuts for infestations of tobacco budworm that can very quickly defoliate young plants. While Caterpillar on peanut leaves. early season tobacco budworm infestations do not occur in every field, they have become more common in recent years.

There is no published threshold for caterpillars on seedling peanut, so growers, Extension agents, and consultants will have to use their best judgment when making treatment decisions. The threshold for caterpillars later in the season ranges from 4 to 8 insects per row foot depending on the condition of the plants. The higher threshold can be used in healthy, vigorously growing peanut, while stressed, slow growing fields should be treated at the lower end of the threshold range. There is almost always more than one caterpillar species in a field at any given time. It is important to identify the species present and know which are the most abundant because not all insecticides are equally effective against all species. Caterpillars present in peanut fields at digging can cause a problem if they begin to feed on pegs after the plants are inverted. Growers are strongly encouraged to scout just before digging and consider treating fields if moderate numbers of caterpillars are present.

The three cornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH) has become one of the most commonly treated insect pests in southeast peanut fields. At this time, there is no Three cornered alfalfa science-based econom- hopper nymph. ic threshold for TCAH in peanut. Research is underway to determine the economic threshold, but in the meantime we are left to make decisions based on our Three cornered alfalfa experience and best hopper adult. guess. While the insect is not difficult to kill, it is highly mobile, and re-infestation of treated fields can happen quickly. It is thought that the immature stages of the insect are Three cornered alfalfa responsible for most of hopper girdle on peanuts. the stem girdling damage we see in peanut, but the immature stages are much more difficult to detect than the adults.

The broad spectrum insecticides used to control TCAH have relatively short residual activity and can flare secondary pests like two spotted spider mite. We do not want to ignore TCAH, but we also encourage growers not to be too aggressive with their management practices. We are usually better off if we can avoid an insecticide spray and conserve our beneficial insects as long as possible.

Information contained in the Insect Guidebook was provided by Mark Abney, University of Georgia Extension Entomologist.

For additional information throughout the growing season, check out Abney’s blog at: blog.extension.uga.edu/peanutent

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

17

Southern Peanut Growers Conference set for July 23-25 at Callaway Gardens he 17th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference is set for July 23-25, 2015 at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia. The three-day event provides farmers with information peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions.

The theme for the 2015 conference, Planting Our Future, sets the stage for the general sessions that will provide innovative information on research, the future generation of farmers and the future of polictics and trade development in Washington, D.C. The research focused session also allows growers to join in by answering questions and providing input for the speakers. U.S. Congressman Ted Yoho, R-Florida, will speak during the legislative session.

Additional conference information is available at southernpeanutfarmers.org. t

T

Additional activities Each room reservation provides free access to the following: n Robin Lake beach area for swimming and sunbathing n Florida State University’s Flying High Circus n Tour of the Gardens n Children’s Playgrounds n Giant Chess and Checker sets n Miniature Golf n Table Tennis n Suffleboard Discounted activities for conference attendees and registered guests at Callaway Gardens: n Aqua Island n Paddle boats n The Excelerator (inflatable waterslide) n Rock Climbing Wall n Spider Jump (bungee jumping) n Bouncy House n Trapeze Adventure n Roadster (pedal kart) n Waterskiing, Wakeboarding & Tubing n Fishing n Canoe or Kayak rental n Treetop Adventure - zip line & obstacle course

18

2015 Tentative Schedule Thursday, July 23 1:00 - 6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 24 6:30 a.m.

8:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

Conference Registration Welcoming Reception Welcoming Dinner Sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Syngenta Start Strong 5K & Fun Run Prayer Breakfast Featuring The Akins General Session I Research - The Future is Now Spouse Program Refreshment Break General Session I continued Research - The Future is Now

11:45 a.m.

Luncheon

1:15 p.m.

General Session II The Future Generation Survey on Future Conferences

2:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 25 7:30 a.m.

9:15 a.m.

Noon

12:30 - 6 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

Cookout at Robin Lake Sponsored by Dupont Additional events include: FSU Flying High Circus* Movie at Robin Lake Beach * Limited Availability Breakfast - Farm Press Peanut Profitability Awards General Session III The Future in Washington, D.C. Refreshment Break Lunch on your own and afternoon free!

Golf Tournament Reception Dinner and Entertainment Sponsored by Syngenta

Peanut Leadership Academy meets for session II in Georgia articipants of Class IX of the Peanut Leadership Academy met March 9-11, in Albany, Georgia, for the second session of the two year program.

During this session, peanut growers and sheller representatives had the opportunity to build on leadership development skills, as well as tour peanut industry facilities in the area. Participants also attended the American Peanut Shellers Association’s Industry Spring Conference.

On day one of the session, participants heard from Georgia Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom coordinator, Donna Rocker, and learned ways to advocate for peanuts and agriculture to communities and consumers. They also were presented an overview of the peanut industry’s humanitarian organization, Peanut Proud from Gregg Grimsley, who serves as president of the organization.

Participants concluded the day by reviewing proper dinner etiquette with Joy Crosby, director of communications at the Georgia Peanut Commission, and engaged in a dialogue about current industry issues.

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Peanut Leadership Alabama Brian Byrd, Ariton Jeremy Sessions, Grand Bay Marshall Speake, Eufaula Russ Walters, Andalusia Florida Levi Findley, Jay Jeremy Rolling, Westville Trey Sanchez, Old Town Georgia Bubba Curry, Shellman Justin Harrell, Nicholls Jeff Heard, Newton Zack Thaggard, Leesburg Austin Warbington, Pinehurst Mississippi B. Jones, Ridgeland

Participants in the Peanut Leadership Academy discuss key industry issues during session II held in Albany, Georgia.

Participants began day two bright and early at Birdsong Peanuts’ shelling facility in Sylvester, and then traveled to Tifton where they toured Kelley Manufacturing Co.’s facility, visited the Georgia Peanut Commission’s office and heard from

Dr. Corley Holbrook and Dr. Craig Kvien about current research at the National Enviromentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL). The day concluded with a tour of Tara Foods’ peanut butter manufacturing facility in Albany.

To wrap the session up, parAcademy Class IX members ticipants attended the APSA National Peanut Board Industry Spring Conference Dexter Gilbert, Campbellton, Florida where they heard from various Meredith Rogers, Camilla, Georgia industry representatives covering a variety of topics from marketNorth Carolina ing to research. They were also Wade Stanaland, Bladenboro introduced to the meeting attendees and had an opportunity to Texas visit with those in attendance.

Kelton Coleman, Lamesa The Peanut Leadership Academy is coordinated by the Virginia Southern Peanut Farmers West Drake, Newsoms Federation and sponsored by Syngenta and the American Sheller Representatives Peanut Shellers Association. For Colton Farrow, Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts more information on the Peanut Paul Huber, Birdsong Peanuts Leadership Academy, visit Japheth Saecker, Birdsong Peanuts southernpeanutfarmers.org. t Learn more at: southernpeanutfarmers.org

BY JESSIE BLAND

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

19

Washington Outlook

by Robert L. Redding Jr.

Ag Committees review 2014 Farm Bill implementation Both the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture called hearings to review the implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill. The House subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing that included witnesses Brandon Willis, Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency and Val Dolcini, Administrator, USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

The subcommittee’s chairman is Congressman Rick Crawford, RArkansas. Chairman Crawford spoke at the 2014 Southern Peanut Farmers Conference in Panama City, Florida.

Chairman Crawford commented at the hearing: “While the 2014 farm bill was drafted during a period of record-high prices, producers are now experiencing a staggering 43 percent drop in net farm income,” Crawford says.

“Current conditions are going to test the farm bill and its ability to mitigate and respond to growing financial stress in farm country. I firmly believe that the situation calls for the farm bill to be implemented in the most farmerfriendly manner possible within the limits of the law.”

The Senate Agriculture Committee also held a hearing on the 2014 Farm Bill implementation. Ronnie Lee, peanut and cotton farmer from Bronwood, Georgia, testified at the hearing.

In his testimony, Lee stated: “Like other commodities, the peanut market fluctuates and peanut prices are low at this time. The University of Georgia’s National Center for Peanut Competitiveness (NCPC) has been monitoring peanut acres through its representative farms for many years. These representative farms stretch across all regions of the peanut belt. The NCPC reports that the 2014 certified planted peanut acreage of 1,342,689 acres was below 2005, 2008 and 2012 certified acres. These three years are high acreage points for U.S. peanut plantings. The 2015 peanut planted acreage would require a 28 percent increase over the 2008-12 Olympic average of peanut planted acreage to exceed acreage in 2005 and 2012.

The runner variety of peanuts comprises about 80 percent of U.S. peanut consumption. Runners are used primarily for peanut butter. For all varieties of peanuts, processors need approximately three to four months carryover. When evaluating the supply and demand of the 2014 crop, we will have approximately a 120 day carryover, for all peanuts, when we begin the 2015 crop year. Runner peanuts will have approximately a 99 day carryover, which is a very tight market for runner peanuts.”

Lee continued with comments on implementation and the new Peanut Revenue Insurance Program: “The peanut industry is pleased with the peanut provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill. I would also like to acknowledge USDA’s implementation of the farm bill to date. Although all regulations are not finalized, the department has done a good job of farm bill implementation in a timely manner. In addition, Congress included a new Peanut Revenue Insurance Program in the 2014 Farm Bill. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) team worked with stakeholders to establish this new program. RMA’s effort was an inclusive process and has produced an insurance tool that we believe will benefit farmers. We are in an educational stage with peanut organizations and land grants providing information to producers about the new insurance policy.”

20

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2015

USDA releases actively engaged definition The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its proposed rule to limit payments including its new definition of “actively engaged.” All stakeholders interested in submitting comments on the proposal have until May 26, 2015, to do so.

The current definition of “actively engaged” was established in 1987.

The proposed rule limits farm payments to individuals who may be designated as farm managers but are not actively engaged in farm management. In the farm bill, Congress gave USDA the authority to address this loophole for joint ventures and general partnerships, while exempting family farm operations from being impacted by the new rule USDA ultimately implements.

The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation (SPFF) are reviewing the USDA proposal and will submit comments. The GPC and SPFF are working with other major agricultural organizations on this most important issue for peanut producers.

The House subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Chairman Rick Crawford called the newly proposed “actively engaged” regulations “arbitrary and capricious,” noting that the regulation “ignores the remarkable diversity and complexity in agriculture today.”

2016 Budget process heads to conference The House and Senate have passed their 2016 budget legislation which includes some cuts to agriculture. The House bill includes $1 billion in cuts for agriculture and major reforms for SNAP or food stamps. The Senate package includes $1 billion in agricultural program cuts and an additional $14 billion reduction in conservation, natural resource and energy programs. House and Senate budget negotiators will now work out the differences in the two bills.

It is important to note that the anti-agriculture amendments proposed did not become part of either bill. In the Senate, the GPC and SPFF were concerned about crop insurance amendments proposed by Senator Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, including an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) test. Senate Leadership did not allow the amendment to come up.

Peanut Area Planted - States and United States: 2013-2015

USDA releases prospective planting numbers

Area Planted

The USDA’S National Agricultural Statistics Service has released it’s March 31, 2015 Prospective Planting projections. For peanuts, U.S. 2015 plantings are expected to increase 9 percent as compared to the 2014 crop. In Georgia, producers are projected to plant 20 percent more acres in 2015 than in 2014.

It is important to note that, according to the National Center for Peanut Competitiveness that 2014 certified peanut acreage was below 2005, 2008 and 2012 certified peanut acreage. In addition, U.S. 2015 planted acreage would require a 22 percent increase over 2014 acreage to exceed acreage in 2005 and 2012. NASS projections have a 9 percent peanut acreage increase nationally.

Finally, 2015 peanut planted acreage would require a 28 percent increase over the 2008-2012 Olympic average of peanut planted acreage to exceed acreage in 2005 and 2012.

2013

2014

20151

Percent of Previous Year

(1,000 acres)

(1,000 acres)

(1,000 acres)

(percent)

Alabama

140

175

185

106

Florida

140

175

160

91

Georgia

430

600

720

120

34

32

33

103

7

5

5

100

North Carolina

82

94

94

100

Oklahoma

17

12

19

158

South Carolina

81

112

115

103

120

130

130

100

16

19

20

105

1,067

1,345

1,481

109

State

Mississippi New Mexico

Texas Virginia United States 1

Intended plantings in 2015 as indicated by reports from farmers.

Source: USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service March 31, 2015 Prospective Planting Report.

USDA-NASS March Peanut Planting Intentions What does it really say? he U.S. peanut industry is adjusting to the 2014 Farm Bill and the associated competing crops depressed market prices. While comments have been made about the potential significant increase in peanut acreage over last year due to the farm bill, the USDA-NASS March 2015 planting intentions did not support those views.

Since 2008, under the 2008 Farm Bill, the March 2015 peanut planting intentions would rank 3rd in total U.S. peanut acreage. While 2012 had the largest acreage under the 2008 Farm Bill, that acreage was approximately 19,000 acres less than the 2005 peanut acreage which was under the 2002 Farm Bill. If one looks at what the acreage was under the previous peanut program where there was a quota program in place, the 2012 peanut acreage was only approximately 6 percent above the 2001 peanut acreage.

For 2015, NASS reports that peanut farmers are going to plant only approximately 90 percent of what they planted in 2012. This implies that U.S. peanut farmers are going to plant less than their 2001 peanut acreage under the quota program to the level of approximately 60,000

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acres.

Several interesting facts can be gleaned from the USDA-NASS March 2015 Planting Intentions report. First, peanut farmers are very cognizant of the importance of rotation in their farming operation even in the environment of depressed commodity prices for their alternative crops. Peanut farmers know that if their peanut rotation is shortened this will lead to increase disease and weed issues and reduce future peanut yields.

While there may be a one year benefit to shortening the rotation, they know in the long run the sustainability of their operation will be severely damaged.

Second, the 2014 Farm Bill has not lead to significant increases in peanut acreage as predicted by many opponents of the peanut title. As indicated earlier, the 2015 peanut acreage intentions are below acreage levels during the quota program, 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills. In fact, one would expect the 2015 planting intentions even if the 2008 Farm Bill still existed given the depressed cotton and corn prices.

The last insight is in regards to the “generic” base introduced in the 2014 Farm Bill. Some individuals stated

unequivocally that “generic” base would cause an avalanche of peanut acreage.

While this event did not occur in 2014, many argued that the reason it did not happen is that planting time and passage of the 2014 Farm Bill were too close and farmers had not had time to understand the farm bill. Yet, the 2015 planting intentions did not support those views.

Both Mississippi and South Carolina have minimal peanut base but significant “generic” base. Yet, when compared to 2012, South Carolina peanut acreage is only 5 percent above their 2012 level and Mississippi is at only 63 percent of their 2012 level. Texas and Georgia are two of the major cotton states. Texas is intending to plant only 87 percent of their 2012 peanut acreage level with no change from 2014 planting level. While Georgia’s 2015 intentions are approximately 20 percent above 2014, the intentions are only 98 percent of the 2012 acreage level. If generic base was to have such a major impact, those four states should have seen significant increases. t

BY THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA NATIONAL CENTER FOR PEANUT COMPETITIVENESS

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Southern Peanut Growers Southern Peanut Growers and Georgia #PBFaves Twitter Party kicks off March, Peanut Commission promote peanuts at National Peanut Month To celebrate the kick-off of Southern Women’s Show in Savannah Southern Peanut Growers (SPG) and the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) teamed up to promote peanuts at the Southern Women’s Show in Savannah, Georgia, March 6-8.

Approximately 13,000 people attended the three-day event.

Peanuts had a booth space and five cooking demonstration times on the Celebrity Cooking Stage during the show. Friday was Peanut Lovers Day at the show and the first 250 people in line received a Peanut Butter: Spread the Love cutting board.

Georgia Grinders, a new Georgia-grown and produced hand-crafted peanut butter, sampled their product at the show on Peanut Lovers Day and secured Chef Bobby J., Chef de Cuisine at Leoci’s in Savannah, for one of the cooking demonstrations that day. Chef Bobby J. made Chicken Croquettes with Peanut & Hot Pepper Jelly Sauce during his demonstration.

The SPG and GPC distributed peanuts, recipe cards, peanut butter product samples and nutrition information from the booth all three days.

Southern Peanut Growers and Georgia Peanut Commission participate in nutritional conference The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC), along with Southern Peanut Growers (SPG), attended the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference, March 18, in Augusta, Georgia. During the exhibitor portion of the conference, representatives from GPC and SPG had the opportunity to visit with attendees about peanuts and peanut nutrition. Peanut samples, peanut recipe cards and recent peanut nutritional research information were provided to approximately 300 attendees.

Marketing arm of

this year’s PB My Way: All-Time Favorites Recipe Contest, Southern Peanut Growers (SPG) hosted a Twitter Party on March 10, to foster online discussion about peanut butter’s versatility as an ingredient and spark recipe ideas incorporating peanut butter into breakfast or brunch, holiday dishes, family favorites and dreamy desserts. The party also encouraged participation in SPG’s PB My Way contest. Co-hosts Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, cookbook authors of “The Ultimate Peanut Butter Book,” offered their own creative culinary ideas and photos to this successful social event.

The SPG promoted the Twitter Party through Twitter invites, a Facebook post, Bruce and Mark’s online mentions and a few online calendar listings. By the day of the Twitter Party, fans and followers were excited to chat about peanut butter. The Twitter Party resulted in 442,652 impressions.

The Twitter Party resulted in a huge boost to SPG’s Twitter profile in new fans, engagement and multiplied content. Key statistics for @pnutbutterlover include: 175 new Twitter followers, a 23 percent increase of overall Twitter followers and 1,700,000 impressions.

Peanut Butter BBQ Sauce Ingredients: 8 oz. can tomato sauce 1/4 cup honey 3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter 1 Tbsp. stone ground Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. red chili pepper paste 1 Tbsp. zesty horseradish mustard Marinade Directions: Mix all ingredients together and use as a dip or to brush on meat while cooking.

Southern Peanut Growers 1025 Sugar Pike Way · Canton, Georgia 30115 (770) 751-6615 · FAX (770) 751-6417 email: lpwagner@comcast.net Visit our website at http://www.peanutbutterlovers.com

June deadline to add a legal entity ost peanut producers have made their ARC/PLC program elections and the farms with peanut base and/or generic base should have chosen PLC for peanuts. Farmers now have until June 1 to add a person, spouse or legal entity to their farm at the local Farm Service Agency office.

“The main message is if a farmer has a significant peanut base on a farm and the farmer plans to plant a lot of peanuts on a farm in 2015, the farmer may be at risk of leaving significant payments on the table because of maxing out the payment limit of $125,000 per person or legal entity,” says Nathan Smith, University of Georgia Extension peanut economist. “The end result would be having grown several tons of peanuts that ended up with a lower price than expected.”

A spreadsheet has been developed by Stanley Fletcher with the National Center for Peanut Competitiveness that will help a farmer estimate the program payments and effective price of peanuts. The spreadsheet will calculate the number of entities required given the average peanut price

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received on production, PLC payment yield, generic acres with peanuts planted, and expected yield. The spreadsheet is posted on the Georgia Peanut Commission website at gapeanuts.com and the UGA Peanuts website at ugapeanuts.com.

For example, assume the average price offered for peanuts in 2015 is $385 per ton.

Next assume the national marketing year (season) average price for peanuts ends up at $415 per ton. Farm 1234 has one entity, 500 acres of peanut base, a 2 ton PLC payment yield, 500 acres of generic base allotted to peanuts, a 2.5 ton expected peanut yield, and 750 acres of peanut planted on the farm. In this case the farm would be leaving $64,108 of payments on the table and average $399 per ton effective price for the peanuts produced. The farm needs to add an entity, such as adding a spouse and the result would raise the payment limit to $250,000 for the farm and increase the effective price to $427 per ton.

“The other important consideration for payment limits is the potential of marketing loan gains (MLG) being applied to the payment limit,” Smith says. “If prices are low due to a large supply, it’s possible the

National Posted Price (NPP) for Peanuts could drop below $355 per ton.”

The NPP is the repayment rate for the marketing loan for peanuts. If the NPP falls below $355, say to $325, then a marketing loan gain of $30 per ton is realized if the loan peanuts are redeemed at $325. Besides getting a 1099 form come tax season, the $30 MLG will be applied to the payment limit. In the case above, the $30 MLG is based on the expected yield and total planted peanut acres, resulting in a $67,500 total MLG. This would put the farm above the total payment limit by $6,608. To keep from leaving money on the table in this case, another entity is needed or additional quarter or third at least.

Ownership interest for direct attribution of payments is based on ownership interest that a person or legal entity holds in a legal entity on June 1 of the current year.

So, to add an entity with ownership interest, it needs to be done by June 1. Check with the local FSA office to determine how to add a spouse, partner, or member of a legal entity. t

BY JOY CROSBY

April 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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