Southeastern Peanut Farmer - Jan/Feb 2014

Inside: n

Another look at propane n 2014 Peanut Variety Guidebook  n Crop rotation A communication service of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

Contents January/February 2014

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

Taking another look at propane Propane gas is gaining attention across the Southeast as an alternative and sustainable energy source in the peanut industry. Jerry Story, peanut farmer from Turner Co., Ga., is a proponent of propane power for his irrigation system.

Contributing Writers John Leidner johnleidner@bellsouth.net Teresa Mays Teresa2@alpeanuts.com Jessie Turk 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.

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2014 Variety Guidebook Selecting a variety is a key management step for farmers.

SEPF’s 2014 Variety Guidebook highlights varieties available to growers in the Southeast and provides you with the results of state variety tests.

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Crop rotation Crop rotation continues to be a reliable and economical management strategy for peanut production.

Rotation is a key component in disease and nematode management in peanuts and other crops.

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

Washington Outlook ............................................................................ 28 Southern Peanut Growers Update ........................................................ 30 Cover Photo: Jerry Story, farmer in Turner County, Ga., is a proponent of propane power for his hard-hose irrigation system. In the photo he stands beside his new propane-powered irrigation engine. Photo by John Leidner.

January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Editorial

Calendar of Events

The Powerful Peanut ower is the key word when promoting peanuts in 2014! It’s no wonder with all the powerful nutrients that peanuts offer to consumers. Peanuts have 7 grams of plant-based protein, more than 30 vitamins and minerals and offer heart health benefits. The entire peanut industry is joining together to promote a unified message about the powerful peanut.

Recently the National Peanut Board unveiled their new brand platform and advertising campaign, “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut.” The platform revolves around consumer trends and preferences toward health and wellness. One of the main reasons consumers are buying nuts today is for their health benefits. The new brand platform provides a message that is unifying to the entire peanut industry. So, be sure to read more about the new campaign on page 22 in this issue.

Planters Peanuts is focusing their marketing efforts with a campaign launched near the end of 2013, “Power of the Peanut.” The suave, debonair Mr. Peanut takes on a new role as a motivational speaker in a campaign from Planters that intends to highlight the wholesome benefits of peanuts in a fun and entertaining way. In the Power of the Peanut campaign, Mr. Peanut, who is voiced by actor Bill Hader, shares his affirmations and encourages his audience to “harness the power of the peanut.” Television and digital spots feature Mr. Peanut as the central figure in a motivational seminar, affirming the nutritional benefits of peanuts and encouraging his audience to “believe in its power.” Learn more about this campaign at www.powerofthepeanut.com.

At the stroke of midnight, Mars Chocolate revealed the M&M Peanut spokescandy Yellow to help ring in the “Year of the Peanut” at the 25th Annual Peach Drop in Atlanta, Ga. Yellow was revealed to signify the quality of M&M’S Peanut - in fact, only 1 in 100 peanuts is lucky enough to find its way into a bag of the beloved chocolate covered candies. This event marked the official launch of M&M’S “Year of Peanut,” an innovative, year-long integrated marketing campaign to celebrate M&M’S Peanut – one of America’s favorite candies since 1954. To see the reveal moment or find more information about M&M’S Peanut, visit www.facebook.com/mms.

In addition to these new campaigns, the Peanut Institute revealed information about two recent studies touting the health benefits of peanuts and peanut butter. One study showed that men and women who ate an ounce of peanuts daily reduced their risk of death from all causes by up to 20 percent. Both studies are featured on page 31 in this issue. So, be sure to read more about the nutritional power of the peanut.

More will come throughout 2014 so be sure to listen out for powerful messages from the entire peanut industry. t

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Joy Carter Crosby Editor

u University of Georgia Ag Forecast Series, Jan. 24-31, 2014, Macon, Athens, Lyons, Tifton, Bainbridge and Cartersville, Ga. For more information on the 2014 Ag Forecast, visit www.georgiaagforecast.com. u Alabama/Florida Peanut Trade Show, Jan. 30, 2014, National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, Dothan, Ala. For more information contact APPA 334-792-6482 or FPPA at 850-526-2590. u Georgia Young Farmer Convention, Jan. 31 - Feb. 1, 2014, Augusta Convention Center, Augusta, Ga. For more information contact GYFA at 229-386-3429 or visit the GYFA website at www.georgiayoungfarmers.org. u Georgia Agribusiness Council Legislative Breakfast, Feb. 5, 2014, Georgia Freight Depot, Atlanta, Ga. For more information contact GAC at 706-336-6830 or visit the GAC website at www.ga-agribusiness.org. u Georgia Peanut Commission Research Report Day, Feb. 12, 2014, NESPAL, Tifton, Ga. For more information call 229-386-3470 or visit the GPC website at www.gapeanuts.com. u Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show, Feb. 1213, 2014, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg, Miss. For more information call 601-606-3547 or email Malcolm Broome at malcolm@misspeanuts.com. u National Peanut Buying Points Association Winter Conference, Feb. 14-16, 2014, Downtown Hilton, Nashville, Tenn. For more information call 229-386-0216. u Peanut Industry Spring Conference, March 11-12, 2014, Albany, Ga. For more information call 229-888-2508 or visit the American Peanut Shellers Association website at www.peanut-shellers.org. u Florida Peanut Producers Association Annual Meeting, March 13, 2014, Marianna, Fla. For more information call 850-526-2590 or visit the FPPA website at www.flpeanuts.com. u Georgia PB&J Day, March 17, 2014, Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta, Ga. For more information visit www.gapeanuts.com.

(Let us know about your event. Please send details to the editor, using the following e-mail address: joycrosby@gapeanuts.com)

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Taking another look at propane on’t overlook propane gas as an alternative and sustainable energy source on peanut farms. That was the message of Bill Moore, alternative fuels sales manager with Conger LP Gas in Tifton, Ga. Speaking at the recent Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City Beach, Fla., Moore told farmers in the audience he was “bringing new information on an old product.”

He said last year, a new propane-powered irrigation engine was brought to the Sunbelt Ag Expo farm where it will be put to use in a head-to-head fuel cost comparison with diesel and electric power. Given the abundant rain at the Expo farm and elsewhere in the Southeast, this year has not been a good one for making such a comparison.

“We held four irrigation workshops in South Georgia and had a great response,” Moore says. He has helped with the sale of six propane irrigation engines in South Georgia. Moore says his company has access to 15 propane irrigation engines available from several manufacturers.

“These new engines have proven to be cost effective replacements to both electric and diesel irrigation engines,” he says.

He says a test on a farm near Vidalia, Ga., showed a $7,820 fuel savings during the first year in a comparison with an old diesel engine.

Moore says the Propane Education & Research Council conducted irrigation cost comparisons that showed first-year fuel savings of $2,750 for propane vs. electric power. He says the irrigation trials suggest propane should provide about $86,000 in ten-year fuel savings over diesel.

Propane is becoming more attractive as a farm energy source because its price has been stable and competitive with other energy sources, according to Moore. He says propane is a viable product given its

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recent cost of $1.50 per gallon and diesel’s recent costs of $3.50 to $3.60 per gallon.

Moore says another plus for propane is that it is produced in the United States.

Engine costs also favor propane. He says a new propane engine will cost about $13,000 compared to $18,000 for a new diesel engine. He adds that a 1,000-gallon tank will typically be required to store the propane for use in powering irrigation.

Moore also works to help equip fleet vehicles with propane power. He believes

fleet owners can save up to $2 per gallon on fuel by converting to propane. He says CoveyRise Plantation near Camilla, Ga., converted four vehicles to run on propane with a projected fuel savings of $17,000 after one year.

To farmers wanting more information on agricultural uses of propane, Moore suggests going to this industry website: www.agpropane.com. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Propane Farm Incentive Program enrollment opens Farmers who purchase cost-saving propane-fueled farm equipment in 2014 will again be eligible for up to $5,000 in purchase incentives through the 2014 Propane Farm Incentive Program. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) renewed funding for the program at its December Council meeting.

The Propane Farm Incentive Program saw record results in 2013, with PERC distributing more than $627,000 in purchase incentives to producers across the United States. A total of 219 farmers purchased new propane irrigation engines, grain dryers and other qualifying equipment, and provided PERC with feedback and performance data.

Producers who upgrade to cost-saving and efficient propane-fueled farm equipment can receive purchase incentives of up to $5,000 on qualified propane irrigation engines, grain dryers, ag heaters, generators and more. Producers are able to enroll in the 2014 program by completing an online application at the Ag propane website, www.agpropane.com/incentive. Performance data collected from program participants will be used to inform future product development.

Research has shown that propane-fueled irrigation engines can help producers improve their bottom line. Data from the 2012 program shows that propane-fueled irrigation engines cut producers’ fuel costs by 75 percent per hour and reduce fuel consumption by 43 percent per hour, when compared to the previous year.

Additionally, new generation propane-fueled engines produce fewer emissions than gasoline- and diesel-powered systems.

PERC works directly with original equipment manufacturers to develop and commercialize new propane-fueled farm equipment.

Currently, nearly 865,000 farms in the U.S. use propane to run pumps and engines, heat buildings, and dry and process crops. While gasoline and diesel prices have continued to rise in recent years, propane has remained an efficient and affordable alternative fuel on the farm. The majority of U.S. propane supplies are produced in the United States, giving farmers the security of using an abundant, domestic energy source.

For more information about the Propane Farm Incentive Program or to see a list of eligible equipment, please visit agpropane.com. t

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

Propane powers his irrigation eanut grower Jerry Story of Turner County, Ga., has become a proponent of propane power for his hardhose irrigation system.

Story bought a Ford V-10 6.8 liter engine made specifically to run on propane. “It is not a conversion unit,” he said. Story pumps his irrigation water from ponds, and he equipped the engine with wheels to make it portable, along with an overhead cover to protect the engine from the elements.

When he switched to propane, he also received a 500-gallon propane tank on wheels to hold the fuel for the engine.

His gas supplier, Conger LP Gas, Inc., provided the tank to his farm. Having the tank is a lot more convenient for Story than hauling diesel fuel to the underpowered diesel engine he had been using.

Story says the 500-gallon propane tank, when filled, will keep his new engine working for about 80 hours. “I like the propane engine because it burns cleaner,” he says. “I also like it because I don’t have to tote all that diesel fuel.”

“I compared horsepower to horsepower, and found the propane engine was more economical,” said Story. “A new comparable diesel engine would have cost me at least $8,000 to $10,000 more than what I paid for the propane engine, and I got more horsepower with the propane engine than from a diesel unit.”

Story paid $12,750 for the new 230-hp propane engine, but his real cost was only about $10,200 thanks to a financial incentive provided by the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).

His total cost after adding a pump and wheels to the engine was approximately $18,000. He adds that he priced another diesel unit, a 160-hp Deere diesel engine with pump and wheels that would have cost him $26,000.

If Story adds center pivots to his farm, he may consider electric power for the systems. However, he says costs so far have been prohibitive to extend threephase electric power to his isolated farm located at the end of a sparsely inhabited dirt road. If electric power is too expensive, he says he is confident that propane could power center pivot irrigation economically.

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Jerry Story, farmer from Turner County, Ga., has been pleased with his new propane-powered irrigation engine.

In addition to the economics of propane, Story likes the sound of the new engine. He says he received complaints from neighbors about the loud sound of his old diesel engine. The propane engine runs much quieter.

Story says his old diesel engine used about four gallons of fuel per hour at a cost of $3.50 per gallon. His propane engine burns about six to seven gallons of propane per hour, but at a cost of only $1.59 per gallon.

The 2013 growing season was his first year to use propane gas for his irrigation. Given the excessive rainfall during the 2013 growing season, he didn’t need irrigation as much as he anticipated.

“I put about 250 to 260 hours on the new engine,” he says. “I used it in July and again in September. I finished irrigating 50 acres of my peanuts with the new engine, and then I received 14 inches of rain.”

Story feels he lost some peanuts to the heavy rains during the growing season, yet he was still pleased that his 2013 yields were close to two tons per acre.

“I hope my experience inspires other farmers to look into propane for irrigation,” says Story. “It worked out much better than I had hoped. It is so economical.” t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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

Florida Peanut Butter Challenge donates 9,044 jars of peanut butter in 2013 Beginning in 2012, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF IFAS) Extension Northwest District agents and the Florida Peanut Producers Association initiated the “Peanut Butter Challenge.” The Challenge is a food collection drive of peanut butter from within each of the 16 UF IFAS Extension Northwest District Counties. In addition to what is collected from the Challenge, the Florida Peanut Producers Association agreed to provide a pallet of peanut butter (approximately 1,500 jars) to be divided between the counties.

All the peanut butter collected from each county plus the jars donated by the Florida Peanut Producers Association was then given to local food pantries. Not only does the Peanut Butter Challenge help publicize the important contribution of North Florida’s peanut growers to the peanut industry of Florida, but it also helps provide a healthy and universally loved product, made from a locally grown product, to food pantries in Northwest Florida counties from Pensacola to Monticello.

In 2012, UF/IFAS Extension distributed more than 3,500 jars of peanut butter throughout the district. Because of the success in 2012, the UF/IFAS Extension agents decided to hold another Peanut Butter Challenge in 2013. Through

donations, support from various businesses and groups like county 4-H clubs, local Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, churches and EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers, district-wide more than Helton Brothers Farm donated a pallet of peanut butter to the 2013 Peanut 3,100 jars of Butter Challenge and encourage other farmers to participate in the 2014 Peanut Butter Challenge. Pictured left to right are Michael Helton, Bo peanut butter were collected. Gideons, Rodney Helton and Adam Respress.

Moreover, Hoblick, Florida Farm Bureau president, Escambia County landed a windfall when is sponsoring a meal for the Extension Escambia County peanut growers, office in the county with a population of Rodney and Michael Helton of Helton greater than 100,000 that collects the most Brothers Farm donated an entire pallet of peanut butter, while Jerry Davis, Santa peanut butter and in turn asked a local Rosa Farm Bureau president, is sponsorbuying point, Tri County Peanut LLC, to ing a meal for the Extension office in the purchase another pallet. When the contricounty with a population of less than butions from the Heltons, Tri County 100,000. UF/IFAS Extension Escambia Peanut, and the two pallets from Florida County won for the large county category Peanut Producers Association are added to what was collected in the various coun- and UF/IFAS Extension Liberty County won for the small county category. ties, UF/IFAS Extension offices will be Plans are in the works for the 2014 sharing 9,044 jars of peanut butter with Peanut Butter Challenge, so individuals local food pantries. can contact their local UF IFAS Extension As an added incentive to get county office to become involved.

Extension offices to participate, John

Alabama Peanut Producers participate in “Dream Big” Food Drive and additional peanut butter donations The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) donated a pallet of peanut butter to the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank on Oct. 1, 2013. This donation began a special food drive called, “Dream Big,” coordinated by the National Peanut Festival, Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank and APPA. The first donation to the drive included 1,440 jars of peanut butter totaling 1,620 pounds of peanut butter.

The food drive continued during the National Peanut Festival Fair, Nov. 1-10, 2013. Special prices were given for peanut festival tickets to those who made food donations during

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

the fair. This part of the food drive raised a total of 13,048 pounds of food.

APPA donated their annual holiday pallet of peanut butter on Dec. 11.

This provided an additional 1,440 jars of peanut butter to provide a healthy, protein-packed food for many in need.

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

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association’s peanut butter donation helps provide protein for families This past fall the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and Peanut Proud delierved five pallets (7,500 jars) of peanut butter to the Mississippi Food Network. The peanut butter was delivered by Southern Ag Carriers.

“The Mississippi Food Network is pleased to be partnering with the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association,” says Walker Satterwhite, executive director of the Mississippi Food Network. “Peanut butter is a staple food item for many families and one that is a great benefit to our food bank, our member agencies and the clients they serve.”

The network feeds 150,000 people a month and was very appreciative of the donation. The donation was part of a shipment of 23 pallets to Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas and New Mexico donated by Peanut Proud with all the jars wrapped in a Peanut Proud label. Mississippi Food Network is the only food bank located in the state, and last year they distributed more than 19.5 million pounds of food. Additional information about the Mississippi Food Network is available online at www.msfoodnet.org.

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association promotes peanuts during diabetes walk The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association (MPGA) and National Peanut Board (NPB) teamed up to promote peanuts again as sponsors for the fourth year at the Mississippi Diabetes Foundation Walks. The walks were held this past October in Hattiesburg, Jackson and Meridian, Miss. The MPGA had an exhibit booth on site providing educational pamphlets, educational displays with the slogan “Peanuts, Energy for the Good Life,” and complimentary peanut bags. All “walkers” received educational information on peanuts and diabetes and a t-shirt with the MPGA logo and NPB logo. All the walks had an estimated attendance of approximately 4,000 people. The goal of this 4-year sponsorship by MPGA is to show some of the 392,000 citizens of Mississippi with diabetes that peanuts and peanut butter should be a staple in their daily eating.

APPA exhibits at National Peanut Festival APPA board members and staff volunteer in the Peanut Pavilion during the National Peanut Festival held Nov. 1-10, 2013, in Dothan, Ala. Pictured left to right are Carole Granger, Laura Hixon, Billy Hixon and George Jeffcoat.

Georgia Peanut Commission sets Research Report Day for Feb. 12 The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold the annual Research Report Day, Feb. 12, 2014, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton campus. The event provides growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports on research projects funded by GPC in 2013.

The Georgia Peanut Commission, on behalf of Georgia’s 3,500 peanut farmers, awarded $292,500 to peanut research facilities in the state during 2013. The research projects approved include 22 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding for higher yield and improved quality; economics; conservation methods; irrigation and water management; pests, weed and disease management; and allergen free peanuts.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. in the NESPAL seminar room. The agenda for the GPC Research Report Day is available online at www.gapeanuts.com. Research reports will be available online following the GPC Research Report Day.

Georgia Peanut Commission holds tailgate and Athens bar promotion The Georgia Peanut Commission passed out more than 15,000 packs of peanuts on Nov. 22-24 in Athens, Ga., as part of their UGA Tailgate and Athens Bar Promotion.

Friday evening, staff members distributed packs of peanuts to 20+ local restaurants and bars in downtown Athens, where Univesity of Kentucky fans stopped by peanuts were distributed to the Georgia Peanut Commission fans over the weekend as tailgate to sample Georgia peanuts. they cheered on the Bulldogs during their last home game of the season. On Saturday, GPC setup a tailgate on south campus and passed out koozies and peanuts to fellow tailgaters, as well as those making their way to the big game against Kentucky. Peanuts are a wholesome, nutritious product to be enjoyed any time of the year, but what a better way to enjoy peanuts, than as a snack while watching the Dawgs tee it up between the hedges!

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Georgia Peanut Commission holds Farmer Appreciation Day he Georgia Peanut Commission and the National Peanut Buying Points Association hosted the 2013 Farmer Appreciation Day at the GPC office located in Tifton, Ga., Monday, Nov. 25. Georgia’s peanut farmers, industry representatives, state legislators and U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss attended the event. The event helped to celebrate the hard work of Georgia’s farmers just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Country-fried peanuts, boiled peanuts, grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other refreshments were available for attendees throughout the day.

In addition to the hosts, the event was sponsored and peanut products were donated by the National Peanut Board, Georgia Farm Bureau, M&M Mars, Snyders Lance, Mckee Foods and Hershey Foods.

Georgia Peanut Commission Chairman Armond Morris thinks the Farmer Appreciation Day could not have come at a more perfect time of year to show gratitude for Georgia’s farmers.

“It’s harvest time in Georgia, and what a better time to celebrate and honor the men and women who feed and clothe us than the week of Thanksgiving,”

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U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., provided greetings during the Georgia Peanut Commission’s Farmer Appreciation Day held Nov. 25, 2013.

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Earl Steffons, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Tifton, Ga. provided the invocation during the Georgia Peanut Commission’s Farmer Appreciation Day held Nov. 25, 2013.

Morris says. “We were pleased to have R-District 7; Georgia State Reps. Sam nearly 100 visitors to the office.”

Watson, R-District 172; Darlene Taylor, The attendees began the program at R-District 173; Jay Roberts, R-District 11:00 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance 155, and Tift County Commission led by GPC Vice Chairman Joe Boddiford Chairman Grady Thompson. The offices of Sylvania, Ga. Following the pledge, of U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, U.S. Rep. Donald Chase, GPC board member from Austin Scott and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle Oglethorpe, Ga., led the attendees in were also represented by their legislative singing the National Anthem. Earl staff.

Steffons, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Tifton, Ga., provided the invocation.

During the program, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., provided greetings to attendees.

“America’s farmers deserve our thanks every day, and I’m pleased I was in Tifton today to celebrate Georgia’s peanut farmers. As a Southern Ag Carriers showed their appreciation for member and former chairman of the farmers by setting up a trailer with a “We Appreciate Senate Agriculture Committee, I will Our Farmers” banner at the front of the Georgia Peanut Commission headquarters. continue to work hard on behalf of farmers and agribusiness to keep this vital sector thriving and contributing to The Georgia Peanut Commission Georgia’s economic health. Ultimately, represents 3,500 peanut farmers in the the reason I am in Washington is to state of Georgia and carries out programs represent those who work the land each in the areas of research, promotion and and every day to provide the highest qual- education. For additional information on ity agricultural products in the world.” the programs of GPC, visit Additional dignitaries attending www.gapeanuts.com. t include Georgia State Sen. Tyler Harper,

BY JOY CROSBY

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

Sarver named Mississippi peanut specialist niversity of Georgia graduate student, Jason Sarver, has been hired as the new Extension peanut specialist in Mississippi.

Sarver begins his new job on Jan. 1 of 2014 and will be based in the Dept. of Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State University’s main campus in Starkville.

Sarver is completing his Ph.D. degree in Crop and Soil Science from the University of Georgia where his advisor has been agronomist, Scott Tubbs.

Sarver’s dissertation is focused on the effects of plant populations and replanting methods on peanut production and profitability.

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In Mississippi, Sarver will be providing Extension education and field peanut research throughout the state. His official job title will be assistant Extension/research professor—peanut production.

Since 2011, Sarver has been working as a graduate research assistant in the Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia’s Tifton campus.

Previously, Sarver received a M.S. degree in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Kentucky. There, his research focused on plant populations and weed removal in soybeans. He earlier received a B.S. degree in biology from the University of Kentucky. t

Jason Sarver will be leaving the University of Georgia to lead Extension peanut work in Mississippi.

Jason Sarver email: jmsarv2@gmail.com P.O. Box 9555 Mississippi State, MS 39762

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association annual meeting set for Feb. 12 & 13, 2014 he Mississippi Peanut Growers Association plan to hold their annual meeting and trade show Feb. 12 and 13, 2014 in Hattiesburg, Miss. The event provides growers with the latest information on peanut production, research and new products.

The early bird session on Wed., Feb. 12 includes information on peanut production and research, peanut insect research, disease control and wild hog damage management.

On Thurs., Feb. 13, growers will have the opportunity to visit with several exhibitors showcasing equipment and services for the peanut industry.

The annual meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday with information on Mississippi State University’s role in Mississippi peanut industry, updates from National Peanut Board and Peanut Institute, as well as information on soil fertility, tillage and row spacing and a marketing outlook for 2014. The meeting is free for all peanut farmers to attend. t

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February 12 & 13, 2014 Lake Terrace Convention Center Hattiesburg, Miss.

Feb. 12 - 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Feb. 13 - 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST)

Lake Terrace Convention Center 1 Convention Center Plaza Hattiesburg, MS 39401 For More Information, contact: Malcolm Broome, Executive Director Mississippi Peanut Growers Association (601) 606-3547 or malcolm@misspeanuts.com

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

State, federal and private peanut breeding programs are actively involved in the development of improved varieties with desirable traits for increasing dollar value, yield, grade, disease resistance, insect resistance, virus resistance, nematode resistance, aflatoxin resistance, drought tolerance, better shelling characteristics, longer shelf-life, and enhanced flavor and nutritional qualities.

“Possibly, no other single research effort can benefit the whole peanut industry as much as an improved variety,” says Bill Branch, University of Georgia peanut breeder.

In the U.S., there are four peanut market types (runner, virginia, spanish, and valencia), and within each market type, there are different varieties. The varieties contained in this guidebook

reflect those varieties commonly planted in the Southeast and those varieties recommended by agronomists for this area due to resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV).

Variety selection is an important process in the overall management of the farm. This guidebook serves as a resource for growers when they select a variety for the 2014 crop year.

Runner Type Florida-07 is a medium-late (140± days) runner market-type peanut with runner growth habit. It was released from the University of Florida in 2006. It has shown excellent yield potential (7000+ lbs/A) with good grades. Seed of Florida07 is similar in size to C-99R and for this reason, gypsum is recommended. It has good to excellent resistance to TSWV

with some white mold resistance, and tolerance to leafspot. Florida-07 has high oleic (80±%) oil chemistry with good to excellent roasting, blanching and processing characteristics.

FlorunTM ‘107’ is a medium maturity runner-type variety released by the University of Florida in 2010. The seed size of FlorunTM ‘107’ is similar to Georgia Greener and it produces a high percentage of medium kernels in the grading process. FlorunTM ‘107’ has demonstrated very good yields and grades with good resistance to spotted wilt (TSWV) and moderate resistance to white mold.

The maturity of FlorunTM ‘107’ is similar to Georgia Green and requires about 135 days to maturity under irrigated conditions in Florida. The oil of FlorunTM ‘107’ is high oleic and will help fill the need for a medium-sized runner peanut seed with

January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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high oleic oil chemistry.

Georgia Greener is a high-yielding, TSWVresistant, typical-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2006 by the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Georgia Greener has a high level of resistance to spotted wilt disease caused by tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and CBR. In multi-location tests conducted in Georgia during the past several years, Georgia Greener was found to have among the lowest disease incidence, highest pod yield, highest TSMK grade, and highest dollar value return per acre compared to other runner-type varieties tested each year.

Georgia Greener has darker green foliage, a typical runner seed size, and a medium maturity similar to Georgia Green.

Georgia-06G is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, large-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2006 by the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Georgia-06G has a high level of resistance to TSWV. In multilocation tests conducted in Georgia during the past several years, Georgia-06G was found to have among the lowest disease incidence, highest pod yield, highest TSMK grade, and highest dollar value return per acre compared to other runner-types tested each year. Georgia-06G combines high TSWV resistance with medium maturity and excellent yield and high TSMK grade which results in greater dollar value return per acre.

Georgia-07W is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant and white mold-resistant, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2007 by the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Georgia-07W has a high level of resistance to TSWV and to white mold or stem rot. Georgia-07W combines high TSWV and white mold resistance with medium maturity and excellent yield, grade, and dollar value return per acre.

Georgia-09B is a high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, medium-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2009 by the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Georgia-09B has a high level of resistance to spotted wilt disease caused by TSWV. Georgia-09B also has the high-oleic and low-linoleic fatty acid ratio for improved oil quality and longer shelf-life of peanut and peanut products. Georgia-09B originated from the first backcross made with Georgia Green as the recurrent parent. It has an intermediate runner growth habit and medium maturity, similar to Georgia Green. Georgia-09B has a medium runner seed size as compared to the larger-seeded, high-oleic, runnertype variety, Florida-07. Georgia-09B combines the excellent roasted flavor of Georgia Green with the high-oleic trait for longer shelf-life and improved oil quality of peanut and peanut products.

14

Table 1: Official State Variety Yield Data 2010 Yield GA - Tifton1

FL-Marianna & Jay

AL-Headland2

Irrigated Dryland

Irrigated Marianna & Gainesville

Irrigated Dryland

Variety

Runner Florida-07

5662

3581

6078

5971

2323

FloRunTM ‘107’

5150

3348

5785

-

-

Georgia Greener

5331

3101

5760

5830

3031

Georgia-02C

4439

3679

4677

4846

1488

Georgia-06G

5746

3926

6397

5792

2723

Georgia-07W

5115

4024

6114

6031

2677

Georgia-09B

5373

3177

6219

5629

2695

Georgia-12Y

-

-

-

-

-

4737

3845

5780

5465

2459

-

-

5916

-

-

Tifguard TUFRunnerTM ‘727’

Georgia-12Y is a new high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, white-mold resistant, medium-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2012 by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Georgia-12Y is similar to another runner-type variety ‘Georgia-10T’ in having low TSWV disease incidence and total disease incidence.

However, during several years averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-12Y had significantly higher pod yield and higher dollar value return per acre compared to Georgia-10T. Georgia-12Y also has a smaller seed size (greater number of seed per pound) than Georgia-10T. During 2012, Georgia-12Y and Georgia-10T were compared to two other new runner-type varieties over multilocation tests in Georgia.

Georgia-12Y and Georgia-10T were both found to have among the best overall performance compared to FloRunTM ‘107’ and TUFRunnerTM ‘727’. Limited seed supplies will be available for Georgia-12Y in the 2014 planting season. Georgia-12Y should be an excellent variety for an earlier planting (April) option in the southeast because of its high TSWV and white mold-resistance and later maturity, similar to Georgia-10T. Tifguard is a high-yielding, medium-maturity, runner market-type peanut variety. It was jointly released by the USDA-ARS and the University of Georgia. It is the first peanut variety with a high level of resistance to both the peanut root-knot nematode and TSWV. Tifguard has a runner-type growth habit with dark green foliage and a prominent main stem. It has demonstrated very good yields and grades when tested with no nematode pressure in tests in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina. When tested in fields with high nematode pressure it has demonstrated very good yields and grades without the use of nematicides.

Tifguard also has a moderate level of resistance to leaf spot.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

2011 Yield GA - Tifton1

Irrigated Dryland

2012 Yield

FL-Marianna & AL-Headland2 Jay Irrigated Marianna & Gainesville

GA - Tifton1

Irrigated Dryland Irrigated Dryland

2013 Yield

FLMarianna & Jay

AL - Headland2

GA - Tifton1

FL -Marianna & Jay

AL Headland2

Irrigated Marianna & Gainesville

Dryland

Irrigated Dryland

Irrigated Marianna & Gainesville

Irrigated Dryland

5260

5364

6251

5980

3702

6286

5161

6250

5826

5151

5119

5408

4828

6244

5433

4383

6215

5809

3715

5530

4460

6590

4792

5388

4834

5258

5962

4873

5185

5179

6297

6542

4132

5158

5147

5328

5463

5031

5016

5262

6398

5273

4604

4002

-

4983

3005

4683

3585

-

-

5212

4265

-

-

-

5345

4580

6235

6453

4333

5614

5924

5902

6026

5264

5291

5525

6870

5409

5115

4924

5723

6238

4204

5974

4734

6301

6262

5324

5369

5360

6089

5209

4949

4029

5825

5827

4277

5651

5288

5969

5227

5118

4548

5359

6062

5808

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5838

5880

5963

6579

5971

5061

4350

5382

6006

4132

5239

5475

5714

5790

5460

4628

4783

5663

4556

4982

4117

6022

-

-

5400

4280

6098

-

5149

5143

5386

6207

5481

Table 1: The data above contains the yield results from the 2010-2013 state variety trials by the University of Georgia in Tifton, Ga., North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna and Jay, Fla. and Auburn University Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Ala. 1 - Complete Test data is available online at www.swvt.uga.edu.

2 - Complete Test data is available online at www.aaes.auburn.edu/peanutvarietyreports.

TUFRunnerTM ‘511’ is a large seeded, medium maturity runner-type peanut with high oleic oil chemistry. The University of Florida released TUFRunnerTM ‘511’ peanut in July 2013. It has very good resistance to white mold and moderate resistance to TSWV. Yield and grade of TUFRunnerTM ‘511’ have been excellent. The seed size is similar to Georgia-06G with a similar out-turn of medium, number one and jumbo kernels. The growth habit of TUFRunnerTM ‘511’ is prostrate with a good center stem. The seed supply for 2014 is limited to production of Foundation and Registered seed.

TUFRunnerTM ‘727’ is a medium to medium late maturing (130-145 days), high oleic, runner market type peanut cultivar with very good resistance to white mold, resistance to TSWV and some resistance to late leaf spot. It has a prostrate, runner growth habit with large vines and large runner seed size. Yield and grade of TUFRunnerTM ‘727’ have been excellent. The prefix “TUF” is an acronym for The University of Florida from which it was released in 2011. TUFRunnerTM ‘727’ was developed at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Fla. t

2013 Mississippi Peanut Yield Data Beaumont

Hamilton

Newton

Starkville

Tchula

Overall Average

lbs/A

lbs/A

lbs/A

lbs/A

lbs/A

lbs/A

Florida 07

4860.3

4326.3

3905.9

2403.8

6975.8

4494.4

FloRunTM ‘107’

4750.3

3631.2

3984

2049.7

6621.9

4207.4

Georgia Greener

4222.2

4017.9

4597.7

2006.7

6887.8

4346.4

Georgia-06G

4828.7

3879.3

4267.2

1692.9

7147.9

4363.2

Georgia-07W

4652.5

4096.2

4095.0

1506.8

6603.6

4190.8

Georgia-09B

4340.9

3849.4

4055.5

1245.3

6806.7

4059.5

Tifguard

4873.3

4443.4

3430.1

2117.3

6133.0

4199.4

TUFRunnerTM ‘727’

4377.8

4403.9

4580.6

1998.5

7095.8

4491.3

City Variety

January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

15

Progress in peanut genomics ook for more progress in cause,” Birdsong says. “I think this the months and years ahead project has unified our industry more than in the mapping of the anything I’ve seen in my 47 years in the peanut genome. industry.”

Identifying key peanut genes was a Birdsong says the researchers he met major topic during the recent 2013 with came up with an estimate that it Southern Peanut Growers Conference would take $6 million over the next five held in Panama City Beach, Fla. years to map the key genes of peanuts.

George Birdsong, chief executive Then, the top scientists in the peanut officer of Birdsong Peanuts in Suffolk, industry came up with a white paper that Va., was instrumental in getting the outlined the challenges and the benefits of peanut genomics initiative started. “You identifying the key marker genes that growers are the reason this project was would allow for dramatic improvement in undertaken with the help of the National new peanut varieties.

Peanut Board,” Birdsong says. “I’m not a “One day, key individuals from the researcher, but I’m excited about this National Peanut Board came to my office project.” to discuss the white paper,” Birdsong Those working on the project intend recalls. “We later approached Monsanto to sequence the peanut genome, and take and DuPont and other major firms and we those results to benefit the industry, were told that the peanut industry was too according to Birdsong. “It small for them to invest is a very worthwhile in the project. They said effort,” he adds. “It they’d never get their impressed me that other money back.” crops were also doing “In June of 2012, this, but it was initially we had another meeting expensive.” and we decided that the Then, just as scienproject was still worthtists for other crops were while. We agreed on the making great strides in $6 million cost it would gene mapping, Birdsong take to complete the was told that it was getproject, and we agreed ting less expensive to do that the cost for doing this type of work. “All of this should be split three the key peanut ways, among growers, George Birdsong researchers we contacted manufacturers and CEO, Birdsong Peanuts allied businesses, and felt it would have great benefits—benefits such as among shellers.” better yields, disease The $6 million resistance, improvements in taste and commitment was obtained from the three nutrition and aflatoxin resistance traits,” industry groups. “We should be proud of he adds. this,” Birdsong says. “You growers took “If we find these genetic markers, we the lead, followed by the shellers, and can develop new varieties more quickly,” then the manufacturers and allies came in Birdsong explains. “It will be a helpful to support it.” tool for variety development.”

From the beginning, the initiative The payoff from identifying the key organizers agreed that the results of the genes in peanuts could be tremendous. gene discoveries would be in the public “We could save $200 million annually in domain and become available to any production costs,” Birdsong says, “effecresearcher that had an interest in the tively saving $150 per acre in production discoveries. “For instance, the University costs.” of Georgia could use specific genetic He cautions that this is a long-term sequences and then get that variety project that will take five years before it protected,” Birdsong explains. “Others is accomplished. “This project is a noble could then develop their own varieties

L

16

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

with the same genes. No one will have an exclusive on the new gene sequences.”

Birdsong said the key genes identified would be publicly stored at a USDA facility in Ames, Iowa, and at the National Center for Genomic Resources in Santa Fe, N.M. “We are playing catch-up to corn, cotton, soybeans, rice and other crops,” Birdsong says. He looked forward to seeing a new progress report on the project and he expected this latest progress report to be positive.

“Shellers and manufacturers hope you will ante up for another year of support for the progress,” he says. “We see in corn some of the results of sequencing that crop’s genome, in the new varieties released each year.” For instance, drought resistance genes in corn will allow it to be grown anywhere from coast to coast, according to Birdsong.

“Corn is competitive with our crop of peanuts for overall crop acreage,” Birdsong adds.

He cited news articles stating that the mapping of the soybean genome has accelerated breeding progress for that crop resulting in varieties able to overcome stresses.

“It is my hope, at the beginning of this project, that we will have the strength and judgment to continue supporting it,” Birdsong says. “Our sustainability—the ability of our industry to use resources efficiently is important. Every industry needs to be concerned about the use of its resources.”

Birdsong said that if U.S. peanut farmers could reduce pesticides, energy, water use and reduce disease pressure, the benefits would be seen in improved yields and quality that will be of great value to the entire peanut industry. “In my opinion, we have a great product, a great industry and these discoveries will go a long way to improving our product,” he adds.

The end result of this research, according to Birdsong, is that farmers will be able to grow peanuts at lower costs, while manufacturers will receive peanuts with the traits that will make them more valuable.

For a scientific perspective on this

topic, those attending the Southern Peanut Growers Conference heard from Scott Jackson. He is a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and professor of plant breeding and genomics at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on the application of genomic technologies for crop improvement with a focus on legumes, including soybeans and peanuts. He currently leads the International Peanut Genome Sequencing Consortium.

“DNA is the molecule of life,” Jackson says. “There are complexities of sequencing the genes. We sequence the DNA that carries the genes. The genes make the plant what it is.”

The genome is the total of all genes in a plant that govern inherited traits.

Successful genomics projects involve the work of cell and molecular biologists along with experts in genetics and the use of powerful computers to help in analyzing and storing all of the data.

So mapping the genome in peanuts is a big project. Short cuts can be taken in the mapping by identifying key genetic sequences. A sequence is like a road map or a blueprint with clues to the location of important genes. Once identified, the

sequences can be put he pointed to the high together like a large jigsaw oleic nematode puzzle. resistant Tifguard “We look for markers variety to be released for specific traits,” in 2014. “There was a Jackson says. “We want to five-year interval from more easily stack traits the initial cross to the into a single gene.” release of the new He said a genetic variety,” Jackson says. inheritance of peanuts “That compares to 10 called tetraploidy to 15 years it would complicates the process of take to develop these identifying key genes. He same traits using Scott Jackson adds that sequencing is the traditional breeding.” means scientists use to He also makes a University of Georgia isolate pieces of genes, and key point that the new then use computers to put the pieces back peanut varieties developed from this together. “We are identifying the genome technology will not be genetically sequence for the Tifrunner variety of modified organisms. In other words, there Arachis hypogea, the cultivated peanut,” will be no foreign genes in these peanuts.

Jackson says. “This is just the beginning.” The new peanut varieties will result from Identifying the key genes for traditional breeding that just takes place diseases, aflatoxin, drought and yield will over a shorter period of time. require phenotyping, according to Jackson says up-to-date information Jackson. Phenotyping involves identifying on the peanuts genomics initiative can be the key yet complex traits in the peanuts found online at a new website: after they are planted. www.peanutbase.org. t Jackson also hopes that results from the initiative can reduce the time it takes

BY JOHN LEIDNER to develop a new variety. As an example,

January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

17

Change coming for Alabama’s private pesticide applicators labama farmers and producers sometimes must use pesticides to protect their crops and fields.

Many of these are restricted-use products, meaning farmers and others must have a private applicator permit to legally purchase and use them.

Dr. Sonja Thomas, a pesticide safety specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says the process is changing on how to obtain that permit.

“In the past, people needing a private applicator permit could get the study materials from the county Extension office, take the test at home and send the test to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries,” she says. “A passing test score of 70 earned the permit.”

The process is changing in January.

Thomas says people will now have three options for learning the materials and taking the test.

Thomas says there are currently about 5,000 individuals in the state who hold private applicator permits. While many are farmers, she says not all are.

“Nursery owners, pond owners and forest land owners are other examples of people who hold a private applicator permit or may need to get one,” she says.

A

She emphasizes that private applicator permits are different from those needed by pest control operators and other commercial applicators.

“The law says a private applicator uses or supervises the use of any restricted-use pesticide for producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented or on the property of another person if applied without compensation.”

Thomas says the key is that a private applicator permit is—just that—private.

“A private applicator cannot charge for their services and can only apply on land they own or rent.”

Thomas adds that are some other factors to remember about the private applicator permitting process. Individuals must be able to read and comprehend the subject matter in English and no tests are given orally. Also, individuals must obtain a passing grade of 70 percent or higher on the test and must successfully complete training and testing and then submit an application for a permit.

Individuals who already have a private applicator permit will need to retest when their license comes due. t

BY MAGGIE LAWRENCE ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXT. SERVICE

Option 1 Full Training Course Cost: $20 n Contact your county Extension office to register for the next training course available. n Participants will test at the end of the training course. n Statewide training/testing dates will be Jan.1 to Sept. 30 of each year. n During January through September, there will be at least one training per month in every region. n No training courses will be offered Oct.1 to Dec. 31 of any year. n If applicant passes, he or she will forward permit fees ($25) to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for issuance of permit.

Option 2 In-County Testing Cost: $10 n If unable to attend a training session, applicants shall secure the appropriate training manual and permit application and study on their own. n Applicants will schedule a testing date with the nearest county Extension office. n Applicant will forward permit fees ($25) to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for issuance of permit.

Option 3 Online Training Program Cost: $60 (includes permit fee) n The private applicator training course can be taken online at www.aces.edu/anr/pesticidemgt/. n With a passing score of 70, applicants will receive a temporary permit for a one-time purchase until their official permit is received. n Fees must be paid online using a credit or debit card.

18

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

Registration open for UGA's 2014 Ag Forecast griculture—the biggest industry in Georgia—has an impact that is felt throughout the state’s economy. In January, University of Georgia economists will break down the complicated web of factors that impact the state’s agriculture and give farmers and business leaders a preview of the 2014 growing season.

The 2014 Georgia Ag Forecast seminar series will be held Jan. 24-31 in Macon, Athens, Lyons, Tifton, Bainbridge and Cartersville. Registration for the series is open at www.georgiaagforecast.com The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Department of Agriculture sponsor the annual seminar series, and its attendance grows every year. Last year, almost 1,000 business people, farmers and community leaders attended their local events.

“The main objective of the Ag Forecast is to provide Georgia’s producers

A

and agribusiness leaders with information on where we think the industry is headed in the upcoming year,” said Kent Wolfe, director of the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. www.georgiaagforecast.com “It helps farmers plan what they’re going offer advice for farmers and agribusiness to plant in the next year, but it’s also good owners on how to pass their businesses on for bankers and other businesspeople who to the next generation. do business with farmers or who will be The 2014 Ag Forecast sessions will impacted by the farm economy.” be held Jan. 24 in Macon, Jan. 27 in Economists from the center and the Athens, Jan. 28 in Lyons, Jan. 29 in UGA department of agriculture and Tifton, Jan. 30 in Bainbridge and Jan. 31 applied economics will deliver the in Cartersville. forecasts, which look at Georgia’s major For more information on the 2014 Ag commodities and the way that global Forecast, see www.georgiaagforecast.com markets, weather patterns and historical or follow @UGA_CollegeofAg on trends will affect them.

Twitter. t In addition to the annual Ag Forecast

BY MERRITT MELANCON overview, attorney Will Thompson will UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA speak on farm succession planning and

January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

19

Precision farming workshops scheduled for February in Alabama and Georgia ow modern row-crop agriculture is quickly evolving from a precision-based to a decision-based farming model and how producers can extract the most advantage from these changes will be the topics of a series of workshops scheduled for February in three locations throughout Alabama and Georgia.

The workshops will be held Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the NESPAL Seminar Room at the University of Georgia’s Tifton campus in Tifton, Ga.; Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center Auditorium in Headland, Ala.; and Friday, Feb. 28 at the E.V. Smith Research Center Conference Facility in Shorter, Ala.

H

A Hands-on Feel and a Chance to Interact with Experts “These workshops will not only provide producers with an opportunity to get a hands-on feel for cutting edge precision farming techniques but also to interact with some of the leading precision agricultural scholars in the United States and Europe,” says Brenda Ortiz, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University.

“This is a very unique offering to growers that will feature precision farming experts not only from Auburn University and the University of Georgia but also from three leading European universities.”

“These workshop speakers will provide examples of how site-specific management of agricultural inputs, aided by the use of precision-agriculture technologies, can result in increases in input use and efficiency and reduction of year-to-year variability,” Ortiz says.

“Precision farming generates an incredible amount of data and challenges producers to interpret and act on this data.

One of the goals of these workshops is to

20

ensure that our farmers can derive the most advantage from this trove of data that precision farming technology increasingly is providing.”

The Next Big Precision Agriculture Challenge Following the welcome and introductions, George Vellidis, a professor in the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, will discuss what he perceives as the next big challenge in precision agriculture: precision irrigation.

Following Velldis’ remarks, Franceso

Morari, an associate professor in the Department of Agronomy, Foods, Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Padova in Italy, will discuss how crop sensors and weather forecasting can be combined to improve the variablerate applications of nitrogen in durum wheat.

Ortiz will follow Morari’s remarks with a presentation on optimizing variable-rate nitrogen management in corn and cotton.

Later in the morning, Theofanis Gemtos, professor and head of Laboratory of Farm Mechanization at the University of Thessaly in Greece, will discuss the art and science of soil sampling for precision agriculture.

Rounding out the morning, Markus Gandorfer, an agricultural economist with the Technical University of Munich, will

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

discuss the economics of precision agricultural technology at the farm level.

Following lunch, participants can participate in a series of hands-on precision farming-related exercises and demonstrations, which will include precision planting in row crops; converting yield maps to profit maps; using crop sensors for input management in row crops; and creating management zones.

Growing Global Interest in Precision Farming The series of workshops is a testament to the increasingly global nature of farming, and particularly precision farming, according to Ortiz.

“The TransAtlantic Precision Agricultural Consortium, which is holding these workshops, is the outgrowth of a series of student exchanges among three American and three European universities that focused on precision farming and that was led by the University of Georgia’s Vellidis,” she says.

In 2010, this effort was expanded with a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which enabled students seeking careers in precision farming to complete their master’s degrees.

Europe is one continent where precision farming adoption is being stepped up at a rapid pace — a change Ortiz attributes to mounting environmental concerns.

The workshops are free, but registration is required. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available.

Register online at http://vellidis.org/tapac-registration/.

To register via e-mail for the Georgia workshop, contact yiorgos@uga.edu. To register via e-mail for one of the Alabama workshops, contact bortiz@auburn.edu. t

BY JAMES LANGCUSTER ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXT. SERVICE

National Peanut Board unveils new brand platform “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” ational Peanut Board President and CEO, Bob Parker, unveiled the new brand platform, “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” at the American Peanut Council’s industry luncheon recently.

Parker also introduced a new advertising campaign to the industry.

Developed by the Atlanta-based marketing and advertising firm LBVD, the advertising campaign features visually distinctive artwork of actual peanut plants created by some of the world’s foremost botanical artists. The art serves as a backdrop for photographic portraits depicting those who benefit from peanuts and peanut butter.

Two actual peanut farmers, Jeffrey Pope of Virginia, and Charles Hardin of Georgia, are showcased in the advertising campaign. National Peanut Board will roll out this national media campaign in the first quarter of 2014.

“People naturally associate plants with health and vitality. Part of our strategy is to link peanuts to their roots – quite literally – to let people see peanuts in a whole new light, one that coincides with the natural healthfulness they’re increasingly looking for,” says Bob Coyle, managing director of LBVD. “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” brand platform revolves around consumer trends and preferences toward health and wellness. One of the main reasons consumers are buying nuts today is for their health benefits. The new brand platform provides a message that is unifying to the entire peanut industry and leverages peanuts’ competitive consumer benefits.

“Our goal is to raise consumers’ health and wellness association with peanuts and peanut butter. Peanuts have seven grams of plant-based protein, more than 30 vitamins and minerals and offer heart-health benefits,” Parker says. “We want to build on these nutrition advantages and the love Americans of all ages have for peanuts, while increasing our competitiveness in the marketplace.”

N

22

“The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” aligns the National Peanut Board’s messaging with any industry initiative and works equally well to support all industry groups, brands and other stakeholders. t

Charles Hardin, peanut farmer from Georgia, is featured in “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut,” new brand platform and advertising campaign for the National Peanut Board. The campaign rolls out during the first quarter of 2014.

Peanut presence on America’s menus has doubled since 2007 enu items with peanuts have more than doubled over the past six years at America’s top restaurants, according to data from Technomic’s MenuMonitor. Peanut mentions increased 122 percent from Jan-June 2007 through April-June 2013. Peanuts’ growth rate is also outpacing that of almonds and the margin of difference is widening.

“Food service operators appreciate the affordability, versatility, nutritional benefits and flavor of peanuts and peanut products,” said Ryan Lepicier, National Peanut Board vice president, marketing and communications. “Peanuts have more protein than any nut and are used in cuisines as diverse and popular as the American South and Southeast Asia.”

Technomic data also showed that peanut butter, peanuts and peanut sauce are the most widely used peanut products on menus. Additionally, almost 60 percent of peanut usage in the restaurant industry comes from quick service and casual dining.

Recent menu sightings with peanuts and peanut butter include a Viet Bowl, rice noodles tossed with shallot oil, cucumber, carrot and red bell pepper julienne topped with crispy shallots and a Thai red chili and peanut vinaigrette, at an HMS Host concept; a Fluffernutter waffle-sandwich with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff at Bruxie, a multi-unit chain in Southern California; and a Boiled Peanut Martini with vodka and juice from house-made boiled peanuts at Smoke Ring in Atlanta.

For menu item images, data graphics and restaurant contacts, email peanuts@nationalpeanutboard.org. t

M

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

Florida researcher to use $500,000 grant to try to make peanuts more drought-resistant University of Florida researcher plans to use a $500,000 federal grant to study ways to make peanuts more drought tolerant.

Diane Rowland, an associate professor of agronomy and faculty member in UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, won the four-year grant in November from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In the research, Rowland will use a process called primed acclimation, in which she waters peanuts at 60 to 70 percent of their normal irrigation rate ─ what’s called moderate drought stress ─ before the crop begins producing peanuts.

This prepares the plant for less water when the weather dries up.

She likens the process to training a non-athlete for competition.

“If you don’t condition your plants early, they tend to be less hardy,” Rowland says.

A

When summer arrives, she says, a primed plant is better able to tolerate drought.

A study Rowland and other scientists published in October 2012 also studied crop acclimation but looked at only one peanut variety. In the new research study, Rowland said she hopes to acclimate up to half a dozen varieties to drought conditions.

Peanuts are grown in a regional swath through the U.S., extending from the Virginia-Carolinas area, through the Southeast and Southwest, including large portions of Florida. For the last decade, those areas have experienced more frequent droughts.

Maintaining sustainable crop production despite limited water has become “the single most important challenge in the U.S. agricultural industry and worldwide,” she wrote in her grant application.

Rowland will conduct the research in west Texas and at the Plant Science

University of Florida crop physiologist Diane Rowland received a four-year grant to study ways to make peanuts more drought tolerant.

Research and Education Unit in Citra, also part of IFAS. t

BY BRAD BUCK UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Crop rotation a reliable management strategy for farmers esticides are a costly but essential tool farmers use to control plant diseases and insects. Crop rotation continues to be a more reliable and economical management strategy.

“Rotations are the cornerstone in disease and nematode management,” says Bob Kemerait, a plant pathologist with the University of Georgia Tifton campus.

“If a grower plants the same crop in the same field over and over, the pathogens, often molds and fungi, and nematodes become problematic.”

Nematodes are tiny microscopic worms that feed on roots and stunt crop growth. If cotton is planted in the same field year after year, populations of the southern root-knot nematode are likely to reach damaging levels.

Peanuts are generally rotated with cotton crops as peanuts are not affected by the southern root-knot nematode and will reduce the damage cotton growers face in coming seasons.

Poor crop rotations can make managing plant diseases and parasites more difficult and increasingly expensive.

Unfortunately for growers, even an expensive management program using nematicides and fungicides cannot fully replace an effective crop rotation, Kemerait said.

“One of the main reasons we rotate peanuts and cotton is they both attract a nematode, but it’s a different nematode.

One doesn’t affect the other,” says Glen Harris, a soil and fertility specialist with the UGA Tifton campus. “If you plant cotton after cotton after cotton, you build up a nematode problem. You throw peanuts in there, it knocks them back for at least a year.”

Scott Tubbs, a UGA peanut systems agronomist with the Tifton campus, recommends farmers plant peanuts four years apart. Most growers, however, say they can only justify a three-year gap between peanut crops.

Some farmers argue that equipment and other costs that have to be factored.

Because peanut equipment is not being

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used for an extended length of time, thereby not justifying its expense, most farmers prefer a shorter rotation.

“We don’t argue that point. That’s the grower’s decision,” Tubbs says. “The data shows that there’s a much bigger jump going from a two-year rotation to a threeyear rotation than there is going from a three-year to a four-year.”

Some farmers approach the planting season with their eyes fixated on the current market prices. Others base the upcoming year on what they’ve planted in the past.

“Some of the farmers are driven strictly on rotation. They are less concerned with market prices. Many maintain a defined rotation on a percentage of their land and hold a portion of their acreage as flexible based on best contract options. That’s why in years when contracts aren’t there, you’re still getting 450,000 to 500,000 acres in the state and that’s because growers often stick to a dedicated rotation,” Tubbs says.

He stands by UGA’s peanut rotation

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

recommendations. “For the entire plant’s health, nutrients, pest-related (issues), system rotations are very helpful in creating good balance for the farmer and longterm sustainability,” Tubbs says.

Another reason crop rotations are significant are the benefits they bring to the soil. If the same crop is repeated planted, the same nutrients and minerals in the soil are consumed.

“If you continually grow peanuts, which have a high calcium requirement, you’re going to continuously be pulling a lot of calcium out of the soil. If you put in corn, which doesn’t have as high of a calcium requirement, it’s not going to be removing calcium as quickly from the soil and you have a chance to replenish and recycle some calcium into the system when you leave the residues there,” Tubbs says.

For more on crop rotation, see the UGA Cooperative Extension publications at uga.edu. t

BY CLINT THOMPSON UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Irrigation motor rebate available to Georgia farmers he Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) recently announced a second round of the Georgia gricultural rrigation Motor (AIM) Program, an incentive program designed to help Georgia farmers become more energy-efficient, save money on fuel costs, and reduce emissions.

The Georgia AIM Program will provide farmers with a rebate to replace inefficient diesel irrigation engines with energy-efficient electric irrigation motors.

The rebates will cover 25 percent of eligible project costs, with a $10,000 maximum rebate available.

The application period for the second round of the program opened online Dec. 4, 2013, at www.gefa.org. Available funding is limited and rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The application period closes Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at 5:00 p.m.

“GEFA is excited to offer a program that helps farmers save money and

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become more energy efficient,” says Kevin Clark, GEFA executive director.

“We also hope that the program increases awareness of energy-efficiency measures the agriculture industry can adopt and promote.”

The first round of the program awarded 34 farmers throughout the state with rebates totaling $154,309. The new installations are projected to save 30,167 MMBtus of energy and reduce annual diesel fuel consumption by 217,029 gallons.

“We are pleased to have rebates available to help farmers install more efficient irrigation motors, which will lower their fuel costs and contribute to our state’s culture of conservation,” says Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. “Agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry and we want to help it grow any way possible.”

Eligible electric irrigation motor conversion projects must take place in the state of Georgia, and must replace a diesel

engine that is at least 10 years old and in service. Rebates will not be provided for projects that have been completed prior to the start of this program. The project must be completed by a licensed contractor after notification of rebate approval from GEFA. The electric motor size (horsepower) must be a maximum of 75 percent of the diesel engine it’s replacing, with a minimum energy efficiency rating of 85 percent on the new electric motor. The rebate will cover 25 percent of the cost of the project, including expenses associated with connecting the electric motor to the power meter, three-phase converters and variable frequency drives. The rebate does not cover expenses payable to a power company.

Since 1985, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority has approved financial commitments totaling more than $3 billion to local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.gefa.org. t

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Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show set for January 30 he annual Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show is fast approaching. This year’s show will be held Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds located on Hwy. 231 South in Dothan, Ala. Peanut growers who attend will not only be able to fine tune their farming operations, but will have a chance to win prizes valued at thousands of dollars. In fact, more than $25,000 in prizes will be given away during this year’s trade show.

A farm equipment auction will be held on Hwy. 431 in Headland the day after this year’s show. Having the AL-FL Peanut Trade Show the day before the auction will give producers out of town to attend both instead of travelling two weeks in a row.

Sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association

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and the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the one-day event offers farmers a full day to view the products and services of more than 70 exhibitors and a day of education. The show opens at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until 12 noon.

During the catered lunch, a legislative update will be presented followed by a grower production seminar during the afternoon. The seminar is being coordinated by the Alabama and Florida Peanut Producers Associations.

A seed and production seminar has also been planned as part of the day’s events. All peanut growers are invited and encouraged to attend this special agriculture event.

For more information on the show, including exhibit space availability, contact Teresa Mays at APPA (334) 792-6482 or email: teresa2@alpeanuts.com. t

JANUARY 30, 2014 NATIONAL PEANUT FESTIVAL FAIRGROUNDS 5622 U.S. Hwy. 231 South DOTHAN, Ala. Registration/Exhibits 8:30 a.m. (central time) v Inside & Outside Exhibits v Door Prizes v Lunch provided v Production Seminar For more information contact:

Alabama Peanut Producers Association 334-792-6482 Florida Peanut Producers Association 850-526-2590 26

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

Peanut Profitability Awards seeking nominees he 2013 U.S. peanut production year can best be viewed as a contrast to many past years – rainfall was ample, even excessive in many areas of the growing belt, says Marshall Lamb, research director for the National Peanut Research Laboratory and advisor for the Farm Press Peanut Profitability Awards.

“A lot of our farmers are just not accustomed to growing peanuts or any other crop for that matter under such conditions,” Lamb says.

In the lower Southeast, there was flooding in some fields and planting was delayed by as much as a month in some areas due to cold, wet conditions during the spring, he adds.

“It’s amazing that even with this year’s reduced acreage, the total U.S. crop will be pushing 2 million tons with and an average yield of about 3,900 pounds per acre. That’s phenomenal when you consider the weather conditions seen by producers in some parts of the U.S. peanut belt,” Lamb says.

The good yields in 2013 say a lot

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about the management skills and production tools being used by growers, he says.

Better-than-average yields throughout the Peanut Belt in 2013 should translate into a excellent group of nominations for the Peanut Profitability Award’s fifteenth class of winning producers. “We’re looking forward to having a lot of good nominations for the 2014 awards, with excellent yields throughout the growing regions and some really exceptional yields in the Southwest and the Upper Southeast regions,” Lamb says.

The Farm Press Peanut Profitability Awards are based on production efficiency, honoring those growers who produce the highest yields at the lowest cost per acre. Awards are presented to growers from the Lower Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Arkansas; the Upper Southeast, including Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and the Southwest, including Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

The awards program has honored 14 classes of winners from throughout the

U.S. peanut belt. Since the program’s beginning in 2000, the Peanut Profitability Awards have honored 42 deserving growers or farms.

Winners of the 2014 awards will receive an expenses-paid trip for two to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, set for July 24-26, 2014, in Panama City, Fla. In addition, the winners are featured in special Peanut Profitability issues of Southeast Farm Press, Southwest Farm Press and Delta Farm Press.

Growers may submit their nomination form directly to the National Peanut Research Laboratory, or they may submit it to their county Extension agent, peanut specialist or economist. The deadline for all nominations is April 15, 2014.

Growers can access the nomination form online at southeastfarmpress.com, southwestfarmpress.com, and deltafarmpress.com. To receive a hard copy of the form, call Farm Press headquarters at 662-624-8503. t SOURCE: SOUTHEAST FARM PRESS

January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Washington Outlook

by Robert L. Redding Jr.

Farm Bill update

Scott opens American Peanut Council conference

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have wrapped up the First Session of the 113th Congress without completing the farm bill. The House passed an extension, til the end of January 2014, of the 2008 Farm Bill prior to leaving town but the Senate did not take the 2008 Farm Bill extension up on the floor of the Senate.

Before leaving Capitol Hill for the December break, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., stated: “We have made great progress on the farm bill and continue to have productive meetings. There are still some outstanding issues that we are addressing. I am confident we’ll work through them and finish a farm bill in January. Concurrent with our ongoing discussions this week, I will file legislation to extend the current farm bill through January to allow us to finish our work without the threat that permanent law will be implemented. Having this option on the table is the responsible thing to do in light of our tight deadline.”

The 2002 Farm Bill was extended six times prior to the enactment of the 2008 Farm Bill. The U.S. Department of Agriculture still has time to implement the Farm Bill for the 2014 crop once approved by Congress and signed by the President.

U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran, R-Miss., commented before the December break: “I’m pleased to say that we are making progress, but there are still decisions that lie ahead of us. I am hopeful that on both sides of the aisle in both bodies, we can come together on a farm bill agreement that will reform and modernize programs, produce budget savings at the same time, and provide certainty about the government’s role to producers and consumers alike.

We have been working to reach an agreement on a new, five-year farm bill that we can take to the House and the Senate and, in collaboration and working through our differences, make progress and establish a framework for our agriculture sector to continue to contribute in an important way in the economic life of our nation.”

U.S. Congressman Austin Scott, R-Ga., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture opened the American Peanut Council’s Winter Conference session on “International Trade Opportunities.” The session included top trade officials in Washington, D.C. • Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Ag Affairs and Commodity Policy • Sue Heinen, Senior Counselor to the Office of the Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture • Joanna Bonarriva, Lead International Trade Analyst, International Trade Commission The speakers focused on the current state of peanut exports and target markets in China and South America.

Vetter nominated to be USTR Ag Ambassador President Obama announced his intent to nominate Darci L. Vetter as chief agricultural negotiator, with the rank of Ambassador, Office of the United States Trade Representative during an announcement concerning several key appointments.

President Obama said, “I am proud that such experienced and committed individuals have agreed to serve the American people in these important roles. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

USDA emphasizes importance of U.S. exports Agriculture Under Secretary Michael Scuse recently discussed the benefits of the farm bill to expand markets around the world and grow American agricultural exports. Secretary Vilsack has called on Congress to expedite passage of a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that continues USDA support for market expansion around the world and builds on efforts that have helped achieve record agricultural trade over the past five years.

Under Secretary Scuse emphasized the importance of agricultural exports to job creation, as well as the critical need for a dependable safety net that will allow America’s producers to continue providing a reliable food supply at home and abroad.

U.S. agricultural exports reached a record $140.9 billion in fiscal year 2013 and supported about a million U.S. jobs. In fact, compared to the previous five-year period from FY 2004-2008, U.S. agricultural exports from FY 2009-2013 increased by nearly $230 billion. The past five years represent the strongest five-year period in our nation’s history for agricultural exports.

Legislative Updates available online at www.americanpeanuts.com

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2014

USDA proposes amendment to primary peanut producing states he U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a proposed rule which invites comments on adding the State of Arkansas as a primary peanut-producing state under the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order).

The Order is administered by the National Peanut Board with oversight by USDA. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by Jan. 22, 2014.

Under the Order, primary peanut-producing states must maintain a threeyear average production of at least 10,000 tons of peanuts. Arkansas’s peanut production meets this requirement.

Primary peanut-producing states also have a seat on the board, and this proposal would add a seat on the board for the state of Arkansas. The board recommended this action to ensure that the board’s representation reflects changes in the geographical distribution of the production of peanuts.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov. or to the Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; or by fax at 202-205-2800.

All comments should reference the document number (AMS-FV-130042) and the date and page number of the issue of the Federal Register (7 CFR Part 1216) and will be made available for public inspection, including name and address, if provided, in the above office during regular business hours or it can be viewed at www.regulations.gov. t

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South Carolina State Peanut Growers’ Meeting Jan. 30, 2014 Santee Convention Center 1737 Bass Drive/Hwy. 15 (Exit 98 on I-95) Santee, S.C. 29142 For more information contact:

Scott Monfort 803-284-3343 ext. 231 wmonfor@clemson.edu

Florida Peanut Producers Assn.

39th Annual Membership Meeting

March 13, 2014 Jackson County Agricultural Complex & Conference Center 2741 Penn. Ave., Marianna, Florida Registration begins at 6:00 p.m. (CST) Dinner at 6:30 p.m. (CST)

For More Information: Phone: 850-526-2590 www.flpeanuts.com January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Southern Peanut Growers #PBLove trends on Twitter!

Southern Peanut Growers hosted its first two #PBlove Twitter parties towards the end of 2013. The first party lasted two hours and was fully scripted to make sure it included all nutrition topics, including: Living Better with Breakfast; Peanuts Pump Up Protein; The Perks of Plant-Based Protein and Fats; and Peanuts for a Healthy Weight. McKenzie Hall, RD and Lisa Dixon, MBA, RD of NourishRDs joined us as expert guest “tweeps.”

Other topics included affordability, versatility and favorite recipes. Twelve people in 10 different states won peanutty prizes for correctly answering nutrition questions during the party. #PBlove trended for 1 hour and 20 minutes and was the top non-political, non-entertainment topic for much of that time.

The second one-hour party focused on Peanut Butter Lovers month and all the ways to share your #PBLove during the holidays – Play (like peanut butter play dough), Bake, Donate, Gift and Decorate (such as peanut butter pine cones to feed the birds). Six people in four states won prizes during the party. The big winner of the party was Christopher in Saline, Mich., who planned to use the case of peanut butter with his boy scout troop to bake cookies for seniors for Christmas!

“These Twitter parties are a fun way to engage more directly with consumers,” says Leslie Wagner, executive director of Southern Peanut Growers. “It allows people to share their favorite ways to use peanut butter and ask questions they might have about nutrition and even food allergies.”

Southern Peanut Growers Foodservice outreach Southern Peanut Growers sponsored a break in partnership with Barilla during a working session at the National Restaurant Association meeting in Chicago at the end of October. Winning recipes from our 2013 Chef’s Recipe Contest were featured with the Peanut and Tomato Pesto being the star of the show! Warm Thai Peanuts and Peanut Crostata also were enjoyed by all. The main purpose of this meeting was to feature some very new ideas for using peanuts in a restaurant and to discuss possible new menu items with some restaurant chains.

Desk-side briefings at the International Foodservice Editorial Council annual meeting in Portland at the end of October resulted in placements of all winning recipes and photography from SPG’s 2013 Chef’s Recipe Contest.

First placement was the Peanut and Tomato Pesto in The Southern Peanut Growers Chef’s the December issue of Recipe Contest winning entry, Peanut and Restaurant Hospitality.

Tomato Pesto, was placed in the December issue of Restaurant Hospitality.

Planning is currently underway for Southern Peanut Growers attendance at the Research Chef’s Association annual meeting in Portland in March. The Research Chefs Association is the leading professional community for food research and development. Its members are the pioneers of the discipline of Culinology® — the blending of culinary arts and the science of food.

Southern Peanut Growers sees tens of thousands of consumers at Southern Women’s Shows Southern Peanut Growers has a big presence at the Southern Women’s Shows in Birmingham, Ala., Jacksonville, Fla. and Savannah, Ga. The Birmingham show was Oct. 3-6, 2013, with approximately 30,000 people in attendance and the Jacksonville show was held Oct. 17-20, 2013, with approximately 32,000 people in attendance. The Savannah show is set for Feb. 21-23, 2014.

Southern Peanut Growers sponsors Peanut Lovers Day on Friday at all three shows with a special promotional item for the first 250 guests, extra cooking demonstrations throughout the day and special promotion on-site and pre-show.

Cole Jordan, son of Steve and Milo Jordan in Florida, debuted on the cooking stage at the Jacksonville show. He shared his favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate Milkshake and talked about working on his family’s farm. Show guests were clearly impressed with Cole’s presentation!

Marketing arm of

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

Eating peanuts daily significantly reduced all cause mortality major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that men and women who ate an ounce of peanuts daily reduced their risk of death from all causes by up to 20 percent. Results also showed that peanut eaters were leaner.

This gives people another great reason to get their daily handful of peanuts.

The study, “Association of Nut Consumption with Total and Cause Specific Mortality,” conducted at the Harvard Medical School, is the largest and strongest study to date looking at death from all causes in nut eaters.

Researchers tracked almost 119,000 men and women from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study for a 30 - year period, and used multivariate analysis.

Results showed that the more frequently peanuts were consumed, the lower the risk of death. Compared to non-nut eaters, those who consumed the peanuts less than one time a week reduced risk of death by 7 percent, weekly eaters reduced risk 11 percent, eating peanuts two to four times a week cut risk by 13 percent, and eating peanuts seven or more times a week cut risk by about 20 percent.

When researchers looked at peanuts alone and compared them to a mixture of tree nuts, they found the results were about the same. “We don’t see any difference in the benefits between peanuts and tree nuts,” says Dr. Charles Fuchs, who led the Harvard research team.

Previous research from Harvard School of Public Health showed that a 1- ounce serving of peanuts or a half serving (one Tablespoon) of peanut butter five or more times a week, can decrease the risk of diabetes by 27 percent and 21 percent respectively.

Additional work by Harvard showed that a handful of peanuts eaten five or more times per week can cut the risk of heart disease in half.

Peanuts have more protein than any other nut, are a good source of fiber,

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vitamin E, folate, phosphorus, thiamin, copper, and magnesium, and an excellent source of niacin and manganese. They are also an extremely high source of phytochemicals.

The study explains, “Nutrients in nuts, such as unsaturated fatty acids, high-quality protein, fiber, vitamins (e.g., folate, niacin, and vitamin E), minerals (e.g., potassium, calcium, and magnesium), and phytochemicals (e.g., carotenoids, flavonoids, and phytosterols), may confer cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant properties.”

USDA data shows that peanuts are

the most frequently consumed nut in the U.S., with about half of all nuts eaten being peanuts.

As America’s favorite nut, peanuts offer a unique blend of nutrients that contribute to their beneficial health effects, and shows that a handful a day can do more than offer a delicious and satisfying snack option.

The Peanut Institute is a non-profit organization that supports nutrition research and educational programs that promote healthful lifestyles. For more information about peanuts, peanut butter, peanut flour and peanut oil visit, www.peanut-institute.org. t

Girls who regularly eat peanut butter and peanuts may reduce risk of breast cancer later A new study released in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, showed that young girls who consumed a serving of peanut butter or peanuts at least twice a week, reduced their risk of benign breast disease (BBD) in young adulthood by up to 39 percent. This gives parents even more of a reason to pack a peanut butter sandwich with their kid’s lunch.

The study “Vegetable Protein And Vegetable Fat Intakes In Pre-Adolescent And Adolescent Girls, And Risk For Benign Breast Disease In Young Women” was conducted jointly by Washington University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Data was analyzed from over 9,000 girls and young women who participated in the long-term research study, Growing Up Today.

The article explains that, “Vegetable fat consumed by pre-adolescent girls and vegetable protein consumed by adolescents may be protective, while peanut butter, high in both protein and fat, consumed at any age may be associated with lower risk for BBD.” Peanuts contain more protein than any other nut and peanut butter contains about 8g of protein per serving. In addition, peanut butter contains healthy oils and many nutrients such as phytosterols that have been shown to reduce the risk of major diseases including cancer. Previous research has shown that benign breast disease (BBD) in young women is associated with increased risk of breast cancer and other adult diseases.

Girls in the study, aged 9 to 15, reported dietary habits in food frequency questionnaires, and then later between the ages of 18 to 30, participants reported whether they had been diagnosed with benign breast disease that was confirmed by biopsy.

Results showed that across all categories, decreased risk of BBD was most strongly driven by peanut butter or peanut intake as a vegetable protein or fat source. Among 9 to 15 year old girls, cumulative vegetable fat intake was inversely associated with risk of BBD, with peanut butter and peanuts being the most highly consumed vegetable fat among the participants. At younger ages, vegetable fat intake from peanut butter and peanuts twice a week, had a 44 percent decrease in risk for BBD. And in older ages, it was the vegetable protein intake from peanut butter and peanuts that was associated with decreased risk. In addition, these results were stronger with girls who had a family history of breast cancer. t January/February 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Southern Peanut Growers Conference EDGEWATER BEACH RESORT July 24-26, 2014 Panama City Beach, Florida

Key topics: Legislation, Research and Promotion

l a u n n A 16th nt!

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For more information contact:

www.southernpeanutfarmers.org

Alabama Peanut Producers Association P.O. Box 8805 Dothan, AL 36304 334-792-6482 Florida Peanut Producers Association 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 1 Marianna, FL 32448 850-526-2590 Georgia Peanut Commission P.O. Box 967 Tifton, GA 31793 229-386-3470

Brought to you by the: Alabama Peanut Producers Association Florida Peanut Producers Association Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association P.O. Box 284 Petal, MS 39465 601-606-3547

Registration opens April 1, 2014.