March 2022 - Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Vol. 60 No. 2 | March 2022

Innovator and Leader

Armond Morris Dedicates 40 Years to Peanut Industry

2022

Peanut Weed Guidebook March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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2 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | March 2022

A Look Inside

March 2022 | Peanut Weed Guidebook

IN THIS ISSUE 6 | INNOVATOR AND LEADER Armond Morris has dedicated more than 40 years of service to the peanut industry.

10 | 2022 PEANUT WEED GUIDEBOOK

The Peanut Weed Guidebook provides managment tips for 2022 as well as mid and late season control.

18 | PEANUTS ARE MORE WATER EFFICIENT

New data reports 3.2 gallons of water is used to produce one ounce of shelled peanuts.

20 | GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW REVIEW A review of the 2022 Georgia Farm Show held in Tifton, Georgia.

DEPARTMENTS 8 | CHECKOFF REPORT

Alabama Peanut Producers Association Florida Peanut Producers Association Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

28 | WASHINGTON OUTLOOK 30 | SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS UPDATE

16 FARMER INNOVATION

Wade helms, a farmer in Houston County, Alabama, used his welding skills to develop and build the HMC Quick Attach System which allows a farmer the option of strip-tilling separately or strip-tilling with the planters attached.

On The Cover Armond Morris, retired chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, has dedicated more than 40 years of service to the peanut industry through his innovations and leadership. Photo by Joy Crosby.

SEPF TEAM Editor Joy Carter Crosby joycrosby@gapeanuts.com 229.386.3690

Director of Jessie Bland Advertising jessie@gapeanuts.com 229.386.3472

Contributing Abby Himburg Richardson Writing abby@alpeanuts.com 334.792.6482

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 229-386-3690.)

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 229-386-3472.

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Editor’s thoughts Farmer Innovators Leading Change

I

nnovation and change are critical for industries to continue to grow and expand. Leaders and innovators ask the hard questions, think outside the box and press on with their idea. They never give up and keep trying until the idea works. The variety of quotes below all pertain to innovation. We can all learn from the examples set by others through their leadership and innovation.

In this issue we learn about two farmers who are innovators within the peanut industry. One of the farmers, Armond Morris from Georgia, has been farming since 1963, and the other farmer, Wade Helms from Alabama, has been farming for 12 years. Both farmers are innovators and dedicated to the peanut industry.

“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.”

"There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period."

"Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat."

"The innovator's motto is this: I succeed or I learn but I never fail."

Events

National Ag Day March 22, 2022 For more information visit the agday.org.

Peanut Proud March 26, 2022, Blakely, Ga. For more information visit the festival's website at peanutproudfestival.com.

Peanut Efficiency Award Deadline April 15, 2022. For more information call 1-800-253-3160 or visit southeastfarmpress.com.

USA Peanut Congress June 13-16, 2022, Charleston, S.C. For more information call 229-888-2508 or visit peanut-shellers.org.

American Peanut Research & Education Society Annual Meeting July 12-14, 2022, Omni Las Colinas Hotel, Dallas, Texas. For more information visit the APRES website at apresinc.com.

Armond has served the peanut industry for more than 40 years by serving on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Peanut Commission. Through those years, he has promoted peanuts at a variety of events and helped make critical decisions for the betterment of the peanut industry.

Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day July 21, 2022, Moultrie, Ga. For more information call 229-985-1968 or visit the Expo's website at sunbeltexpo.com.

Additionally, Armond was also instrumental in the development of the 6-row peanut inverter and the 4-row peanut combine in the 1980s, both by Kelley Manufacturing Co. He presented the idea, helped with the design, and even tested out the equipment at his farm before it was released to other farmers. Those machines have helped farmers harvest faster and more efficiently.

Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 21-23, 2022, Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla. For more information call 229-386-3470 or visit southernpeanutfarmers.org.

Fast forward to today and another innovator, Wade Helms, from Houston County, Alabama, has developed a quick attach system to assist farmers with strip-till planting. Helms knew there had to be a better way so farmers did not have to pass over the field twice but also need an attachment that could be added and removed from the planter easily. So, he worked in his shop to develop and build a prototype of the quick attach system.

His innovation will help make planting strip-till easier for the farmer and provide farmers with an option to strip-till and plant together at the same time or separately.

American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association Pre-Harvest Meeting Aug. 9-10, 2022, Albany, Ga. For more information call 229-888-2508 or visit peanut-shellers.org.

Both farmers have lead change within the peanut industry and their ideas are helping farmers today be more efficient and save time. Read more about each one on page 6 and 16. 

Brooklet Peanut Festival Sept. 17, 2022, Brooklet, Ga. For more information visit the festival's website at brookletpeanutfestival.com.

Joy Carter Crosby SEPF Editor

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Georgia Peanut Tour Sept. 13-15, 2022, Tifton, Ga. For more information call 229-386-3470 or visit georgiapeanuttour.com.

Let us know about your event. Please send details to the editor at joycrosby@gapeanuts.com.

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Innovator and leader

Armond Morris has dedicated more than 40 years to the peanut industry

by Joy Crosby

“If you want to be successful, its just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing."

Will Rogers

Armond Morris has served the peanut industry for more than 40 years on the Georgia Peanut Commission board of directors as an advisory board member, board member and chairman.

S

uccess comes in many ways, but through history, individuals can see where a successful leader has dedicated years of time loving and believing in what they do. The success of Armond Morris can be summed up through his dedication and service to the peanut industry, especially Georgia farmers.

Morris recently retired from serving on the Georgia Peanut Commission board of directors for more than 40 years as an advisory board member, board member and chairman.

Morris is a fifth-generation farmer

who farms in Irwin and Tift counties in Georgia. As a young boy, Morris fondly remembers hoeing peanuts by hand, alongside his brothers, mother and father. Of course, as advancements in agriculture were made, the farm also transitioned from mules to mechanical machines.

Following high school, Morris attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, before returning to the farm and beginning his sharecropping of peanuts, tobacco and corn with his father in 1963. He remembers some of the first tractors he used on the farm including a John Deere A, John Deere B and John

6 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | March 2022

Deere G. "They had no power steering and were hard to drive,” Morris says. “It took a man to drive that tractor all day.”

The first tractor Morris purchased by himself was a 3010 John Deere. He also remembers when the first tractors included cabs. “They were hot and definitely not like tractors with cabs today,” he says.

The peanut industry has also witnessed changes through the years with machinery used at harvest. One of those advances came in small part to an idea from Morris.

Armond Morris has been a leader within the peanut industry by hosting a variety of tour groups of food editors, congressional staff and export buyers to his farm, peanut butter donations and through a number of interviews with television, radio and print publications about the peanut industry.

Left Photo: Armond Morris (kneeling) details how peanuts grow to a group of food editors from Canada in 2015. Center Photo: Armond Morris (right) joins peanut representatives at a 2013 Peanut Proud peanut butter donation in Albany, Ga. Right Photo: Armond Morris (left) is being interviewed by the hosts of Small Town Big Deal, a television show that airs across the United States.

Morris met with C.D. Kelley and Lanier Carson of Kelley Manufacturing Co. and told them if they would build a 6-row peanut inverter, he would buy it. Morris sat in the back of the KMC board room in the early 1980s with Carson and Charles Sumner to help draw a sketch of what that the inverter could look like. Morris, of course, purchased the first 6-row inverter KMC introduced.

A few years later, Carson was harvesting peanuts at the KMC farm when it started raining so he couldn’t finish picking peanuts. This upset Carson so much that he couldn’t sleep that night from thinking about the need for a better way to harvest peanuts faster and more efficiently. So, the next day, Carson went to visit with Morris about an idea for a larger 4-row combine.

Two weeks later, Morris visited with Carson at KMC, and they worked to develop the first 4-row peanut combine in the industry. Then KMC employees got busy and built the new combine. Carson recalls taking the 4-row combine to Morris' farm to test it out. Soon after, Morris purchased one of the first 4-row peanut combines from KMC. Morris has been a leader when it came to advancements regarding machinery within the peanut industry.

In appreciation for his dedication and commitment, KMC recently recognized Morris at their board meeting.

During the board meeting, Carson presented Morris with a plaque which reads, “In appreciation to Armond

Morris. The employees of KMC are deeply grateful for your dedication and leadership and advancement to Georgia’s peanut industry. Thank you for your commitment to KMC. Your request for the development of a 6-row peanut inverter and the support of the design and demonstration of the industry’s first 4-row peanut combine has revolutionized peanut harvesting. Your wealth of knowledge about agriculture and the land you have dedicated your life to has created a great legacy that will allow future generations of agriculturists to foster.”

Morris always had his neighbor and Georgia farmers in mind when making decisions impacting the peanut industry whether it was in the legislative realm, promotional program or research project.

One of the last important undertakings while serving on the GPC board was Morris' suggestion for a larger bag of peanuts which could be sold at sporting events across the U.S. Through a variety of promotional projects with sporting events and meetings with foodservice distributors, the new 5.5 ounce bag of Georgia Peanuts will now be available for sale to foodservice distributors thanks to the initial idea from Morris.

Morris has many fond memories of his time on the GPC board as far as visiting with other farmers and those involved in the peanut industry.

However, the tough decisions for the betterment of the peanut industry burn through his mind, as he recalls many farm bill hearings and debates.

“Armond always had the attitude that if it was good for his neighbor, then it was good for him,” says Don Koehler, Georgia Peanut Commission executive director. "Having that attitude helped him to make critical decisions for the future of the peanut industry such as recommending a change to the peanut program from a quota system to a market-based system with the 2002 Farm Bill."

The future of the peanut industry has always been considered in the decisions Morris made through the years. That has led him to assist other beginning farmers in his area with equipment use or land use. He also has some lasting advice for beginning farmers.

"The number one advice has got to be dedication because there is going to be some tough times.

Beginning farmers need to have a good economic system worked out," Morris says. "They need to make good management decisions and don't get overloaded in any one area where you could suffer financially."

Morris has been a leader within agriculture through his service with a variety of agricultural organizations.

However, his heart has always been with peanuts.

"I love to grow peanuts. I dearly like them and it's always a challenge for me to see how well I can do keeping all of the leafspot, white mold and weeds out," Morris says. "If I get a few weeds, I go pull them by hand. I don't like a nasty field." 

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Checkoff Report

Investments Made by Growers for the Future of the Peanut Industry FPPA donates peanut butter to food banks in Florida

More than 45,000 pounds of peanut butter have now been sent out to local food banks statewide following the 2021 Peanut Butter Challenge, an effort led by the Cooperative Extension offices of UF/IFAS and Florida A&M University (FAMU), in partnership with local organizations.

Ken Barton, FPPA executive director, and Sabrina Hayes, FAMU Extension agent, pictured with some of the peanut butter collected during FAMU's first time participating in the Peanut Butter Challenge.

The annual jar collection began in the Florida Panhandle counties in 2012 as a way to combat food insecurity with a shelf-stable product while also highlighting the peanut’s Florida-grown roots. The effort expanded statewide in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when an estimated one in 10 Floridians faced food insecurity, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

APPA approves research funding for 2022

Each year the Alabama Peanut Producers Association invests a portion of state checkoff funds back into research to help peanut growers.

These dollars have funded many projects, including the peanut variety trial that produced the AU-NPL 17.

Last year, APPA provide funds to purchase a Kelley Manufacturing Co. 3020 two-row peanut combine with tank and bagger.

This year’s Peanut Butter Challenge community collection alone can make over 700,000 peanut butter sandwiches! Fifty-five competitors accepted the 2021 challenge, including FAMU’s first entry and a UF campus collection for the campus food bank.

Many of the newcomers seemed to hit their stride, as totals increased 18,000 pounds over the first statewide competition. The top overall community collector of 2021 earned the title in only its second attempt: Levy County amassed 6,954 jars for a whopping 7,120 pounds.

“The Peanut Butter Challenge makes such a simple ask – donating a jar of peanut butter – but our communities always respond in a big way,” says Libbie Johnson, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County agriculture agent and coorganizer of the Challenge since its inception. “It’s exciting to be able to share so much of this nutritious, Florida-grown product with our neighbors who may be struggling. Thank you to everyone who donated a jar to the cause this year.”

Ken Barton, executive director of the Florida Peanut Produces Association says, "We are excited to see the Peanut Butter Challenge move statewide and we are committed to supporting this great effort."

APPA holds annual meeting, elects officers

Peanut farmers from across Alabama gathered in Dothan for the Alabama Peanut Producers Association annual meeting on Feb. 3, 2022.

During the business meeting, five board of director seats were elected.

Having two seats in Geneva County, Jimmy Royce Helms and Jesse Scott were both re-elected to their positions. Billy Hixon was re-elected to hold the seat in the Northwest District. Tom Corcoran was re-elected to his seat in the Northeast District. Jason Weber was newly elected to the Escambia County seat.

On February 17, the new APPA board members voted to re-elect their current officers. Carl Sanders of Coffee County has been president of the APPA board for 22 years and will continue to serve in this position. Mark Kaiser of Baldwin County was re-elected to serve as vice president while Jerry Byrd of Dale County, was re-elected to serve as Treasurer.

The association is voluntarily funded by peanut growers and its programs are directed by a board of 15 growers. Directors are elected by grower delegates from each of the major peanut-producing counties. The number of delegates from each county is determined by the number of acres in that county. The APPA annual meeting was sponsored by the National Peanut Board.

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The Alabama Peanut Producers Association provided funds to purchase a KMC two-row combine with tank and bagger for research.

The APPA board approved 11 research proposals, totaling more than $168,000 for 2022. These projects cover several issues such as weed research, disease resistance, as well as the peanut variety trials.

Also, there is research funded by the federal checkoff dollars. APPA works with the National Peanut Board each year to fund even more research projects. For 2022, there are 14 projects that have been selected for funding, totaling more than $207,000.

This means that more than $375,000 of Alabama peanut farmers checkoff funds are going towards funding peanut research.

"Our researchers are very knowledgeable and we’re thankful that we can provide them the funds to be able to help our farmers produce better quality and higher yielding crops," says Jacob Davis, APPA executive director.

Reports by

Boddiford elected chairman of Georgia Peanut Commission

Joe Boddiford, peanut farmer from Sylvania, Georgia, was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission during the February monthly board meeting. Boddiford succeeds Armond Morris, peanut farmer from Tift County, who retired after serving as chairman for the past 16 years.

Joe Boddiford, Sylvania, Ga., was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission.

“I look forward to working with Georgia peanut farmers and our industry partners to help enhance the peanut industry and the profitability of farmers,” Boddiford says. “Farmers can contact me at any time if they have suggestions for the work of the Georgia Peanut Commission on their behalf.”

Other officers elected during the board meeting include Donald Chase, Oglethorpe, Georgia, as vice chairman, and Rodney Dawson, Hawkinsville, Georgia, as treasurer. Additional board members include Tim Burch, Newton, Georgia, representing district 1 and Ross Kendrick, Sycamore, Georgia, representing district 2.

The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation conducted board nomination meetings for the commission’s districts 2, 4 and 5 on December 20 and 21, 2022.

During the nomination meetings, two board members, Dawson and Chase, were renominated for districts 4 and 5 seats, respectively. Also, Kendrick was nominated without opposition for the district 2 seat, previously held by Armond Morris. Morris retired after serving on the Georgia Peanut Commission board of directors for more than 40 years and 20 years as chairman.

Tift County Probate Court Judge Suzanne Carter Johnson swears in Ross Kendrick, Rodney Dawson and Donald Chase to the Georgia Peanut Commission Board of Directors during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Jan. 20, 2022.

Since only one person was nominated for each district, no election is required, and the nominated person automatically becomes a member of the Georgia Peanut Commission Board of Directors. Dawson, Chase and Kendrick were sworn in by Tift County Probate Court Judge Suzanne Carter Johnson during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, January 20, 2022. The board members will serve a three-year term.

The Georgia peanut production area is divided into five districts based on acreage distribution and geographical location with one board member representing each district.

New advisory board members were also appointed by the Georgia Peanut Commission board of directors. The new advisory board members include Leslie Jones of Jacksonville, Georgia; Brett Sauls of Shellman, Georgia and Wesley Webb of Leary, Georgia. Advisory board members David Reed of Pinehurst, Georgia; Neil Lee of Bronwood, Georgia; and Carl Mathis Dixon of Alapaha, Georgia, retired from their role in January 2022.

The Georgia Peanut Commission represents more than 4,000 peanut farm families in the state and conducts programs in the areas of research, promotion and education. For more information on the programs of the Georgia Peanut Commission, visit www.gapeanuts.com.

Georgia Peanut Commission holds Research Report Day

The Georgia Peanut Commission held its annual Research Report Day, Feb. 9, 2022, in Tifton, Georgia. The event provided growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports and newest information available on peanut research projects funded by GPC in 2021.

“The commission works to wisely invest peanut farmers’ dollars into research projects across Georgia in an effort to reduce production input costs and improve agronomic techniques,” says Donald Chase, GPC Research Committee chairman. “Although some of the findings are preliminary, the projects are exciting, and many times new recommendations or observations are announced.”

Wes Porter, University of Georgia precision agriculture specialist, provides an update on planter downforce settings as it relates to peanut emergence during the annual Research Report Day, Feb. 9, 2022.

GPC awarded $886,235 to peanut research facilities in the state during 2021. This effort funds 42 research projects from the University of Georgia, the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, as well as pests, weed and disease management.

The 2021 research reports are available online at the GPC website, www.gapeanuts.com.

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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WEED GUIDEBOOK

2022

Peanut WEED Guidebook

peanut weed management

By Joy Crosby

A

s farmers begin to plan for their 2022 peanut crop, weed management should be at the forefront of their plans.

According to Eric Proskto, University of Georgia Extension weed scientist, the supply chain and prices will make some herbicides hard to get.

So, he is encouraging farmers to plan ahead and secure what they may need now.

In terms of weed management for 2022, Prostko encourages farmers to develop plans for controlling Palmer amaranth, wild radish, annual grass and smallflower morning-glory.

Over the last few years, wild radish has become more prevalent in some peanut production fields.

Wild radish has evolved from a simple winter annual weed (germinates in fall/ matures in spring) into a pest that can now be found in fields all year long.

"Fortunately, wild radish is not a very difficult weed to control," Prostko says. "Wild radish can be effectively controlled in peanut fields by using a combination of conventional tillage practices such as a moldboard plow and herbicides."

According to Prostko, wild radish can be controlled with a combination of Valor + Strongarm (PRE) or Gramoxone + Storm or Basagran (CRACK) and Cadre or Strongarm (POST).

This peanut research plot shows weed control in peanuts with the current recommended program by Eric Prostko on June 15, 36 days after planting.

Florida beggarweed can often be found in peanut fields later in the growing season especially in aboveaverage rainfall years. Generally, PRE applications of Valor provide very effective residual control of Florida beggarweed, but length of residual can be compromised in wetter years, according to Prostko.

'331'. Classic has not yet been tested on Georgia-16HO and Georgia-12Y.

Late-season populations of Florida beggarweed have the potential to reduce pesticide deposition and efficacy, as well as impede digging.

Proskto recommends for growers to control Florida beggarweed by either mowing with a flail mower or herbicides. He recommends using Gramoxone (paraquat) in a nonselective applicator such as a weedwiper, wick or sponge, or using a POST application of Classic, which can be applied from 65 days after planting to 100 days after planting.

"The herbicide does not completely kill the morning-glory but it does make the stem brittle and makes it slightly easier for farmers to dig their peanuts," Prostko says.

"If Aim is applied too early then the morning-glory could regrow."

"Classic should not be used on GA-06G and Tifguard due to potential yield losses, ranging from 7 to 11 percent," Prostko says.

The following peanut varieties have demonstrated adequate tolerance to Classic in recent University of Georgia replicated, weed-free field trials: Georgia Greener, Georgia-07W, Georgia-09B, Georgia-18RU, AU-NPL 17, TifNV-High O/L, Georgia-20VHO and FloRun™

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Another weed farmers may have issues with later in the season in wet years includes annual morning-glory.

Prostko recommends applying Aim pre-harvest approximately seven days before digging to control annual morning-glory.

One of the most frequent problems Prostko continues to see is Valor sprayer clean out issues.

"It is not really a tank problem but more of an issue in hose ends, diaphragm nozzle bodies and microscopic holes in hoses," he says.

"Valor is not very water soluble."

He encourages farmers to use tank cleaners or ammonia to raise water pH to enhance Valor breakdown.

Lastly, Prostko reminds growers to start the season with clean fields, plant in twin rows, use multiple residual herbicides, apply postemergence herbicides to small weeds (≤3”) and hand-weeding escapes. 

WEED GUIDEBOOK

2022 Peanut Weed Control Recommendations for Georgia

by Eric Prostko Professor and Extension Weed Specialist University of Georgia

Five Important Things to Consider: 1. Start clean using a combination of tillage, cover crops, and/or herbicides.

2. Use two to four residual herbicides in the system, depending upon the need and/or weed.

3. Cracking or early postemergence applications of paraquat may not always be needed in peanut fields that started off weed-free and where at-planting residual herbicides (Dual Magnum, Prowl, Outlook, Sonalan, Strongarm, Valor and Warrant) were activated with timely rainfall or irrigation.

4. Make timely postemergence applications (weeds ≤ 3” tall, not the average).

5. Hand-remove weed escapes before seed is viable.

Table 1: Herbicide Programs for Peanuts.

Timing System

Tillage

Preplant Burndown1

PPI

PRE

No Rain in 7-10 DAP

strip-till3

Paraquat + Prowl

Glyphosate or Paraquat + 2,4-D

Rain in 7-10 DAP

EPOST (~10-20 DAP2) Paraquat + Storm or Basagran + Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Anthem Flex or Outlook

POST (~30-45 DAP)

ALS Resistance: Cobra or Ultra Blazer + (Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Anthem Flex or Outlook) + 2,4-DB

Paraquat + Prowl + Valor

Non-Irrigated (Dryland)

Prowl or Sonalan + Strongarm4

conventional

No PRE if rain is not expected in 7-10 DAP

No ALS Resistance: Paraquat + Storm or Basagran + Dual Cadred + (Dual Magnum or Warrant or Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Anthem Flex Zidua or Anthem Flex or Outlook or Outlook) + 2,4-DB

Rain in 7-10 DAP Valor Strip-till3

Gyphosate or Paraquat + 2,4-D

Paraquat + Prowl + Valor + Strongarm4

Irrigated Conventional

Prowl or Sonalan + Valor + Strongarm4

** A 4-way tank-mixture can be used if required (Cadre + Cobra or Ultra Blazer + 2,4-DB + Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Outlook)

Apply at least 7 days before planting. If there will be a long delay between the burndown application and planting (>10 days), add a residual herbicide (Valor or Dual Magnum or Warrant or Outlook) to the burndown treatment.

2 DAP = days after planting.

3 Annual grass control in strip-tillage systems is often more difficult thus additional applications of a postemergence grass herbicide (i.e. Fusilade, Poast and Select) will be needed.

4 Before using Cadre and/or Strongarm, rotational crop restrictions must be considered.

1

**SPECIAL NOTE: Dual Magnum/Warrant/Outlook are in the same herbicide family (chloroacetamide) and have the same mode of action (inhibit very long chain fatty acids). Zidua/Anthem Flex are not in the same herbicide family (isoxazoline) but have the same mode of action. Multiple applications (> 2) of these herbicides in a single year should be avoided to prevent or delay the evolution of resistance. These residual herbicides have no postemergence activity.

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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WEED GUIDEBOOK

Mid and late season peanut weed control considerations

By Pratap Devkota Weed Scientist, UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center

T

he application of residual or preemergence (PRE) herbicides around planting timing will be the key for weed control and it will prove its merit moving forward in the mid-season. The PRE applied herbicide will start to breakdown in about four to six weeks after application (depending upon weather conditions). As we have a long peanut season, there will be need of POST herbicide applications at least one to three times for maintaining weeds throughout the season. There are several herbicides (listed in Table 1) which can be applied tankmixed after peanut has emerged or postemergence (POST) applications.

These products need to be selected based on field scouting and proper weed identification.

Likewise, while tank-mixing different herbicides always ask these questions: a) are herbicide products from different mode of action groups; b) do they provide activity for various weeds species present in the field;

The peanut field with weeds is ready for POST herbicide applications. Credit: Pratap Devkota, UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center Jay, Fla. Table 1. The rain-free period for various POST herbicides labeled on peanut.

Herbicide

MoA group#

Herbicide type

Rain-free period

Gramoxone

22

Contact

1 hour

c) are they contact vs systemic types of products;

Poast/Assure II/Select Max

1

Systemic

1 hour

d) do they have any compatible issue during tank-mixing.

Cobra

14

Contact

1 hour

Aim

14

Contact

1 hour

The good practice for tank-mixing herbicides is to check herbicide labels for recommended tank-mix partners, select products from different modes of action group, avoid mixing contact and systemic type products, and if needed, do a quick “jar test” to determine if there is any compatibility issue in the tank-mix.

Classic

2

Systemic

1 hour

Pursuit

2

Systemic

1 hour

Cadre

2

Systemic

3 hour

Basagran

6

Systemic

4 hour

Ultra Blazer

14

Contact

4 hour

6+14

Contact

4 hour

I would strongly recommend tankmixing a residual herbicide during POST applications. This is crucial

2,4-D B*

4

Systemic

*6 to 8 hours

Storm

*Not listed in the Label. A rain-free period of 6- to 8- hours is likely based on the requirement for 2,4-D amine formulation.

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1. Zidua (Group #15) can be applied from at-cracking stage to beginning of pod development stage.

2. Outlook (Group #15) can be applied up to 80 days before peanut harvest.

3. Dual Magnum or similar products (Group #15) can be applied up to 90 days before peanut harvest.

4. Warrant (Group #15) can be

applied up to 90 days before peanut harvest (Note: Warrant is not labeled for Florida).

Table 2. The preharvest interval (PHI) for POST-applied peanut herbicides.

Applying POST herbicide in an optimum environmental condition is often a challenge.

Sometimes, we have to make POST application despite some chance of rain, or we also get popup shower/thunderstorm within short period after application. To apply herbicide within safe window or gauge impact of rain after application, we need to consider the rain-free period of herbicide.

The rain-free period is the duration required after application and before rainfall for POST herbicides to work effectively. Consider rain-free period (as shown in Table 1) before applying herbicide in the rain forecast situation.

Herbicide

PHI (days)

Cadre

90

Dual Magnum

90

Ultra Blazer

75

Storm

75

2,4-DB

60

Classic

45

Cobra

45

Grass Herbicides (Select Max, Poast, etc.)

40

Basagran

12

Aim

7

Other information to consider

with the POST herbicides applications is the preharvest interval (PHI). The herbicides with the longer PHI interval can be applied earlier in the season, and with shorter PHI can be utilized later in the season. 

Prostko receives southern weed science fellow award

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uring the recent Southern Weed Science Society annual meeting, Eric Prostko, Extension weed scientist with the University of Georgia, received the organization's highest honor - the SWSS Fellow Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize those members who have made significant contributions to the Southern Weed Science Society and advances in the discipline of weed science in the SWSS region.

The Fellow Award has been renamed to envelop both the Distinguished Service and the Weed Scientist of the Year Awards, previous recipients of these awards are not eligible for the SWSS Fellow Award.

Prostko has been a faculty member at the University of Georgia since 1999. With a 100 percent extension appointment, Prostko is responsible for the statewide weed science programs in field corn, peanut, soybean, sunflower, grain sorghum, canola, sesame, pearl millet and winter pea. The farm gate value of these commodities in Georgia exceeds $1.5 billion dollars.

Prostko has been a member of the

SWSS since 1994. Since that time, he has made oral or poster presentations at every meeting. As a graduate student in the SWSS, Prostko was a former 1st and 2nd place winner of graduate student oral/poster contests, a member of the 1996 Texas A&M Weed Science Team who won 1st place in the SWSS Weed Contest, and was the 1st place individual in that contest.

As a faculty member in the SWSS, Prostko has received the Outstanding Young Weed Scientist Award in 2005 and the Outstanding Educator Award in 2011. He has had an exemplary service record in the SWSS including service as a judge of graduate student oral/poster contests; co-host of SWSS Weed Contest; co-host of Endowment Enrichment Scholarship; Endowment Foundation Trustee; and as chairman/ member of numerous committees.

Prostko is also a member of the American Society of Agronomy, Weed Science Society of America, American Peanut Research and Education Society and the Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents. He has received numerous awards from these

Eric Prostko, Extension Weed Scientist University of Georgia

organizations including the Michael J. Bader Award of Excellence for Junior Scientist - Extension in 2004, Dow AgroSciences Award for Excellence in Education in 2005), GACAA Senior Specialist Award in 2010, D.W. Brooks Award for Excellence in Extension in 2010, WSSA Outstanding Extension Award in 2011, UGA Extension Award of Excellence for Senior Scientist in 2011, the Walter B. Hill Award for Distinguished Service in Public Service and Outreach in 2012, the Walter B. Hill Fellow Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach in 2015 and the APRES Fellow Award in 2016. 

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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WEED GUIDEBOOK

for keeping weeds under control throughout the season. Most of the POST herbicides do not provide residual activity, so any weeds coming right after the herbicide application will not be affected. However, tank-mixing residual herbicides during POST application will control weeds which will otherwise emerge afterwards. Currently, there are four residual herbicides which can be tankmixed with other POST herbicides for peanuts in Florida.

2022 Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade show a success

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by Abby Richardson

ore than 400 attendees were able to fine-tune their farming operations with information gained at the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show on Feb. 3, 2022, at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds, in Dothan, Alabama. The show is sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association and the National Peanut Board.

their check-off dollars are being spent on the national level. Dr. Marshall Lamb, with the National Peanut Research Lab, provided an update on the 2022 peanut market and crop outlook. Bob Redding, of The Redding Firm, presented a legislative update as well. Dr. Darlene Cowart with Birdsong Peanuts gave an encouraging talk on the value of food safety from the peanut field to the shelling facility.

The one-day show offered peanut growers and industry partners a chance to view the products and services of more than 60 exhibitors.

Several door prizes were given out throughout the morning of the trade show, but the prizes everyone was most looking forward to winning were announced after lunch.

A complimentary lunch was provided to trade show attendees.

After lunch, Bob Parker, President and CEO of the National Peanut Board (NPB), brought greetings from the NPB and updated growers on how

The Grand Door Prize donated

by Kelley Manufacturing Co. was presented to Chad Wells of Gordon, Alabama. Wells received a $5,000 voucher for any one piece of

Attendees at the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show were able to visit with university researchers and exhibitors during the show held Feb. 3, 2022, in Dothan, Ala.

KMC equipment or parts for KMC equipment.

James Harrell of Rehobeth, Alabama, won a free trip to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Thomas Kirkland of Headland, Alabama, won a Remington 12-gauge shotgun. 

Mississippi holds 2022 annual meeting

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by Joy Crosby

he Mississippi Peanut Growers Association held its annual meeting Jan. 26-27, 2022, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. During the meeting, Mississippi peanut growers had the opportunity to hear from peanut industry representatives and specialists, as well as visit with agricultural companies during the trade show.

During the annual meeting, Mississippi peanut growers were provided an update on Mississippi agriculture from Andy Gipson, Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. Updates were provided on additional crops grown in Mississippi from Erick Larsen, Mississippi State University agronomist for corn, grain sorghum, small grain and corn, as well as a cotton production update from Brian Pieralisi, MSU Extension cotton specialist.

Marshall Lamb, research director

at the National Peanut Research Lab, provided an update on USDA ARS research and an economic update for 2022, while Mississippi State University’s peanut agronomist, Brendan Zurweller, provided an update on his research projects in Mississippi.

Mississippi peanut growers also received promotional updates from the National Peanut Board and Leslie Wagner with Southern Peanut Growers. Lonnie Fortner, chairman of the Mississippi Peanut Promotion Board, presented an overview of some of the activities throughout the past year.

During the annual meeting, MPGA members elected members to the board of directors. The officers elected were Joe Morgan, president from District 1 and Lonnie Fortner, vice president from District 2. Additional board members elected include Alan Atkins, District 3; Drew Parrish, District 4, and Van Hensarling,

14 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | March 2022

Andy Gipson, Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, speaks to members of the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association during their annual meeting Jan. 26-27, 2022 in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Steve Seward and Scott Flowers as at large members.

At the close of the annual meeting the grand door prize was presented to Mark Platt, Fruitdale, Alabama.

He received a $5,000 voucher for a discount on KMC equipment or for parts. The Grower Door Prize was presented by Amadas Industries to Steve Seward, Lucedale, Mississippi.

For more information visit www. misspeanuts.com. 

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Farmer Innovation

Helms develops quick attach system for strip-till planting

By Abby Richardson

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armers are always looking for ways to save money and be more efficient. Wade Helms, a farmer in Houston County, is no exception.

Helms has been farming peanuts, corn, cotton and oats for 12 years in the Wiregrass region of Alabama.

Over the years, Helms knew there had to be a better way to strip-till and plant without having to pass over the field twice. In 2019, Helms parked his planters in his shop and then backed his strip-till right up to the planter as if he was going to attach them together.

Over the next three to four months he would pass by the equipment and analyze it to come up with a way to solve this problem. Finally, the solution came to him, and after just a few months, he had built two prototypes in his shop.

Helms was able to physically build and weld the prototype himself. He learned how to weld in his agriculture class during high school.

“I have utilized my welding talent most of my life, but when this idea came along, I felt like God gave me the idea and the ability to build the quick attach system.”

Wade Helms Houston County Alabama farmer “I was really good at welding. God just gave me a knack for it,” he says.

After encouragement from teachers and a scholarship, Helms went into the welding program at Wallace College in Dothan, Alabama.

"I have utilized my welding talent most of my life, but when this idea came along, I felt like God gave me the idea and the ability to build the

Wade Helms, Houston County Alabama farmer and developer of the HMC Quick Attach System, provides an overview of the equipment to farmers during the Alabama/Florida Peanut Trade Show, Feb. 3, 2022, in Dothan, Ala.

quick attach system,” Helms says.

The major benefit of the HMC Quick Attach is it gives farmers the option of strip-tilling separately or strip-tilling with the planters attached.

This is critical because there are times when the soil temperature is too cold to strip-till and plant at the same time.

When the temperatures are marginal in April, farmers want to start planting as soon as they can.

Helms says the best practice in April is to strip-till in advance about two weeks and let the dirt warm up, then come back and plant separately on the warmer dirt. Later, when the soil temperatures are higher, farmers can strip-till and plant together at the same time and temperature is not an issue. With the quick attach system, farmers can use the same strip-till and planters and strip-till separately early in the year and then hook them together later in the year.

Other manufacturers have built systems to connect planters to strip-

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till; however, those don’t give the option of using them separately - this is what sets Helm’s Quick Attach System apart from others. The system is designed for four or six row equipment. He knew that his invention would need a patent, so he quickly contacted an attorney to begin the process. In 2020, after receiving the patent, he contracted a manufacturing company to build 15 more units. In 2021, Helms won $10,000 and the title of Alabama Farmers Federation Ag Innovation Challenge champion for his quick attach system.

The HMC Quick Attach sells for $5,400 per unit. Helms Manufacturing Co. has sold seven units, one of which went to James Harrell, another Wiregrass farmer. Harrell says he bought it for convenience. “It just makes it a lot easier,” says Harrell.

For videos and more information about Helms’ Quick Attach System, find Helms Manufacturing Co. LLC on Facebook. 

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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New Data Confirms Peanuts are More Water Efficient Than Ever

America’s most popular nut improves water usage to 3.2 gallons per ounce

by Lauren Highfill Williams National Peanut Board

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he water footprint of peanuts has been relatively small for decades, but updated data shows the industry has improved water efficiency by nearly a third.

Newly released data reports that 3.2 gallons of water is used to produce one ounce of shelled peanuts. Water usage for major tree nuts has also improved but remains higher than peanuts. Almonds use 28.7 gallons; pistachios use 23.6 gallons; and walnuts use 26.7 gallons of water to grow a one ounce serving.* In the latest analysis, researchers used updated and “state-level input data such as harvested area, production, yield and irrigated area,” says Mesfin Mekonnen, assistant professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama. “The use of updated and state-level data, particularly yield data, has improved the estimates.”

“Production research efforts through the National Peanut Board, state associations and the Peanut Research Foundation have led to significant improvements in yields over the past decade,” says NPB President and CEO Bob Parker. “Peanut farmers today are producing about 50 percent more peanuts with fewer inputs, including irrigation, than they were consistently 10 years ago.”

“Farmers are always looking to gain efficiencies in crop production,” says peanut grower, NPB Arkansas board member and Research Committee Chair Greg Baltz. “Peanut farmers have made significant investments in production research and this science has played a role

Newly released data reports that 3.2 gallons of water is used to produce one ounce of shelled peanuts. Water usage for major tree nuts has also improved but remains higher than peanuts.

in adoption of improved water use practices. We have an inherent desire for both economic and environmental security into the future.”

Peanuts are a healthy, nutritious food and are environmentally friendly, requiring significantly less water to grow compared to tree nuts. As a legume, they are nitrogen-fixing, which means they require less supplemental fertilizer and add beneficial nutrients to the soil for the next crop. In addition to using just 3.2 gallons of water to produce one ounce, peanuts are a zero-waste crop.

From the roots to shells, every part is utilized throughout the planting, growing, harvesting and production process.

Since 2001, the National Peanut Board has allocated more than $38.5 million to production research projects

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including to improve water efficiency, technology and more. These advancements, as well as continued collaboration and efforts across the peanut industry, allow peanut growers to meet the various needs of consumers. Increased production and increased demand have led to two consecutive years of record peanut per capita consumption levels, reaching an all-time high of 7.9 pounds in 2021.  * This data presents U.S. water usage per ounce based on blue water (irrigation) for the period 2000/2016 and grey water (to assimilate applied nitrogen) for 2004/2013. The sources of the data are the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Mekonnen, M.M. of the University of Alabama; and the United States Department of Agriculture. Limitations of the results include the quality and availability of data.

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Special Review

JANUARY 19-20, 2022 UGA TIFTON CAMPUS CONFERENCE CENTER, TIFTON, GEORGIA

Photos video of seminars are available online at www.gapeanuts.com.

Peanut& Farmer | March 2022 20 Southeastern

Georgia Peanut Farm Show Provides Two days of Education for Farmers A ttendees were able to fine-tune their farming operations with information gained at the 45th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference Jan. 19-20, 2022, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission.

The two-day show offered farmers a chance to view the products and services of 106 exhibitors and education opportunities. The University of Georgia Peanut Team presented an educational peanut production seminar focusing on the impact of weather on peanut growth and development, disease management, challenges in fertility and peanut sustainability. An industry seed seminar was held, which highlighted peanut varieties available for 2022.

The Georgia Peanut Commission presented awards to individuals and businesses for their service to the peanut industry and promotion of peanuts across the United States.

The award recipients include: Distinguished Service Award – Evans Plowden Jr., lawyer representing the American Peanut Shellers Association; Michael Reed, retired chief of staff for Congressman Sanford Bishop; Dr. David Bridges, president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Armond Morris, retired chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission; Research and Education Award – Dr. David Lee, retired vice president for research and executive vice president of the University of Georgia Research Foundation, and the University of Georgia; Media Award – Ron Smith, retired editor of Southwest Farm Press, and Ocilla Star; Innovator Award to Lewis M. Carter Jr., owner and former president of LMC, and the Georgia Peanut Special Award to Gerald Long, former president of Georgia

Farm Bureau and Dedria Smith, director of the Georgia Department of Agriculture Tifton Seed Lab. The Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award, sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and BASF, was presented to Shane Branch, Baxley, Georgia. The award is presented to one Georgia peanut farmer based upon the applicant’s overall farm operation; environmental and stewardship practices; and leadership and community service activities.

In addition to the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award, the Georgia Peanut Commission and Agri Supply presented the Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year Award to individuals representing each of the commission’s five districts. The GPC board members started this award to honor farmers who have the passion, diligence, leadership and desire to see the peanut industry in the state of Georgia continue to be the highest quality.

Winners include: District 1 – Bob McLendon, Leary; District 2 – LeRoy Howell, Adel; District 3 – Ralph Sandeford, Midville; District 4 – James and Dean McCranie, Eastman; and District 5 – Ronnie Lee, Bronwood.

These farmers received a sign to display at their farm and gift cards from Agri Supply and the Georgia Peanut Commission.

At the close of the day, the presentation of the Grand Door Prize donated by Kelley Manufacturing Co. was presented to Jamie Jackson, Collins, Georgia. Jackson received one season’s use of a new KMC peanut combine and the option of purchasing the combine from a KMC dealer with $15,000 off the list price at the end of the 2022 season, as well as a cash prize.

Jamie Jackson (left), Collins, Ga., receives the Grand Door Prize donated by Kelley Manufacturing Co. from Bennie Branch (right), KMC president.

Keith Weeks (left), Southeast agricultural sales manager with Amadas Industries, presents the Grower Door Prize to Mason Roberts (center), Sylvester, Ga., and James Dean (right), Broxton, Ga.

of Broxton, Georgia, and Mason Roberts of Sylvester, Georgia. Dean received a customized Grizzly cooler and a certificate for $10,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine or $5,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas pull-type peanut combine or $3,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas peanut digger or $1,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas peanut dump cart. Roberts received a customized Grizzly cooler and a $1,000 certificate for Amadas parts.

For photos and additional information on the Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, visit the Georgia Peanut Commission website at gapeanuts.com. 

Amadas Industries also provided the Grower Door Prize to James Dean March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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· Georgia Peanut Farm Show Award Winners · The Georgia Peanut Commission presented the following awards to individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the peanut industry. The awards were presented during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference awards luncheon on Jan. 20, 2022, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center.

Congratulations to the 2022 Georgia Peanut Farm Show Award winners!

Distinguished Service Award – David Bridges, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to Dr. David Bridges, president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Since the beginning of his presidency in 2006, ABAC has been transformed from a two-year college to a quality college offering bachelor’s degrees. President Bridges is the longest serving of the 26 presidents in the University System of Georgia. Before his leadership at ABAC, President Bridges served as Assistant Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. President Bridges served on the Executive Board of Directors of the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo from 2002 until 2019. He also serves as the Director of the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation.

Distinguished Service Award – Michael Reed, Chief of Staff

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to Michael Reed, retired Chief of Staff for Congressman Sanford Bishop. After joining Congressman Sanford Bishop’s staff, Reed developed an expertise in ag policy and was a key leader in peanut politics.

Reed, and his team, spearheaded defending farm bills in the U.S. House of Representatives throughout his tenure. In addition, Reed has headed up designated federal peanut research in his role with the Appropriations Committee and Chairman Bishop.

When a peanut issue came up, Reed was one of the first calls for the peanut industry.

Distinguished Service Award - Evans Plowden

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to Evans Plowden Jr., lawyer representing the American Peanut Shellers Association and many other companies in the peanut processing industry. Over the last 30 years of his legal career, Plowden has been involved in a national business law practice with an emphasis on agricultural law. As part of his agricultural practice, Plowden played an integral role in the Congressional development of the last five farm bills. He has also devoted significant time to regulatory matters before the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the International Trade Commission. Plowden is currently involved in international trade matters and serves the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee on Cotton, Tobacco and Peanuts. In this role, Plowden advises the Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative on the negotiation of trade agreements with other countries. Among the many other distinctions of Plowden’s career, he served as President of the State Bar of Georgia in 1991 and received the American Peanut Council Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the American Peanut Shellers Association Hall of Fame in 2017.

Distinguished Service Award - Armond Morris, Georgia Peanut Commission

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. Morris has dedicated more than 40 years of service to the Georgia Peanut Commission as an advisory board member, board member and chairman. Morris has been a spokesperson and advocate for Georgia’s peanut farmers on the state, national and international level. He also served as chairman of the American Peanut Council in 2011. Through the years, Morris has represented farmers as president of the Georgia Young Farmers Association and secretary of the National Young Farmers Association. Within his hometown of Irwin County, Morris has served as president of the Rotary Club, chairman of the Irwin County Commissioners, president of the Irwin County Young Farmers, serves on the board of the Ben Hill-Irwin County FSA and is a member of the Irwin County Farm Bureau. Morris received the Southeast Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award in 2021, JE Leger Agribusiness Award in 2017, National Peanut Buying Points Association- Distinguished Service Award in 2017, Sunbelt Expo Swisher Sweets Farmer of the Year in 2002, Irwin County Young Farmers Association Farm Family Award and the Master Farmer Award from ABAC and the Georgia Young Farmers Association.

Research and Education Award - University of Georgia

The Research and Education Award is presented to the University of Georgia. The University of Georgia’s public service tradition began almost as soon as the university was established by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered university in the country in 1785. The university’s public service and outreach endeavors deepened throughout the 19th century.

UGA became a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act in 1872. The Morrill Act and additional legislation like the Smith-Lever Act led directly to outreach programs like the statewide Cooperative Extension Service in 1914. The University of Georgia has continued to enhance research programs within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, as well as the College of Engineering. Through the land-grant mission, state and local research is applied throughout the university and shared with farmers through the Extension Service. The University of Georgia Provost Jack Hu could not attend the Georgia Peanut Farm Show to accept the award so Dean Nick Place with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences accepted the award on behalf of the university.

22 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | March 2022

Research and Education Award - Dr. David Lee, University of Georgia

The Research and Education award is presented to Dr. David Lee. Dr. Lee retired from the University of Georgia (UGA) in May 2021. He served as the Vice President for Research and Executive Vice President of the UGA Research Foundation, for 16 years. Dr. Lee has overseen a period of significant growth in research activity at the University of Georgia, with the university’s total research & development expenditures increasing from just over $300 million to nearly $500 million. During the 2020 Covid crisis, Dr. Lee worked expeditiously 2022 Georgia Peanut Farm Show award winners. Pictured left to right, Armond Morris, Dr. to develop a safety plan and approval Nick Place, Lewis Carter, Dr. David Lee, Evans Plowden, Gerald Long, Michael Reed, Luke of individual research projects to assure Roberts, Dr. David Bridges and Shane Branch. peanut research advanced without the loss of a year’s work by university scientists. He individually and expeditiously approved each project submitted by the scientists.

Innovator Award - Lewis Carter, LMC

The Georgia Peanut Innovator Award is presented to Lewis M. Carter Jr., owner and former president of LMC. Carter is the third generation of LMC, following his father. After a tour in the US Navy and receiving a degree from Auburn University, Carter returned to Donalsonville and began working in all phases of the business, rising from section leader to management. In 1988 when his father elected to retire, Lewis bought his remaining interest in LMC. Using his father’s talents and continued guidance, he then took LMC deeper into processing other commodities, primarily tree nuts. LMC is now beginning its 81st year working in the U.S. peanut industry. The company has become a leader in industrial separation equipment using sizing, aspirating and applying color sorting systems. Nearly 100 percent of the U.S. peanut crop is processed in LMC systems and on LMC machinery.

Special Award - Gerald Long, Georgia Farm Bureau

The Georgia Peanut Special Award is presented to Gerald Long, former president of Georgia Farm Bureau. He served more than 12 years, as the First Vice President for Georgia Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization. Long has been a Farm Bureau member since 1970. He serves on the Decatur County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and has served in many capacities in his local Farm Bureau, including the offices of secretary/treasurer, vice president and president. As a lifelong farmer, Long and his family produce commercial beef cattle, hay, peanuts, cotton, corn, small grains and timber on their Decatur County farm.

They also grow vegetables and run a roadside pick-your-own operation.

Special Award - Dee Dee Smith

The Georgia Peanut Special Award is presented to DeeDee Smith, director of the Georgia Department of Agriculture Tifton Seed Lab, for her outstanding contributions in advancing seed quality for farmers. Smith began her career in agriculture with the Georgia Department of Agriculture Tifton Seed Lab as a germination technician in July 1988. Throughout her career in agriculture, Smith has studied and developed her skills as a seed analyst.

Media Award - Ocilla Star

The Georgia Peanut Media Award is presented to The Ocilla Star. The Ocilla Star has been providing hometown news to Irwin and surrounding counties since 1903. Serving a county rich in agriculture, The Ocilla Star, affectionately referred to as “The Star” by locals, has taken much pride in keeping the community updated in all things agriculture. The Star is now proud to be South Georgia owned by Ben Baker and Maria Hardman of B & H Publishing Company. Luke Roberts serves as editor and Melanie Young serves as office manager and advertising representative.

Media Award - Ron Smith, Southwest Farm Press

The Georgia Peanut Media Award is presented to Ron Smith, retired editor for Southwest Farm Press. Smith retired from Farm Press in August 2020 after more than 40 years with the company. Smith worked in public relations, specializing in media relations for agricultural companies throughout his entire career. He has spent more than 40 years covering Sunbelt agriculture, beginning his career as an Experiment Station and Extension editor at Clemson University. He served as associate editor for Southeast Farm Press from 1978 through 1989. Smith has received numerous awards for writing and photography in both agriculture and landscape journalism.

March 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year District Winners District 1 –Bob McLendon, Leary, Georgia

The District 1 winner is Bob McLendon of Leary, Georgia. Bob has farmed cotton, corn and peanuts since 1974. Through the years, McLendon has been involved in many organizations and businesses including banking institutions and agribusinesses. He has served on the Georgia Peanut Commission Advisory Board, Calhoun County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Calhoun County FSA Committee, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation and Darton College Foundation Trustee. McLendon has served on numerous boards on the area and national level within the cotton industry including Southern Cotton Growers, Cotton Incorporated and the National Cotton Council.

McLendon received the Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year Award in 1999 and the ABAC Master Farmer Award in 1994. McLendon graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and University of Georgia. He is married to Barbara, and they have four daughters, as well as 10 grandchildren. McLendon is a member of Gillionville Baptist Church.

District 2 – LeRoy Howell, Adel, Georgia

The District 2 winner is LeRoy Howell of Adel, Georgia. Howell is a third-generation farmer who has been farming for over 50 years, after serving three years in the US Navy. In 1985, Howell moved his farm to Cook County from the original farm his father purchased in 1927. He has farmed cotton, corn, peanuts and cattle in his many years of farming. Currently, Howell also has over 500 pecan trees.

Howell has been involved in a variety of agribusinesses and organizations. He has served on the Alapaha Soil Conservation and Water Board and the Georgia Farm Bureau Grains Committee and Peanut Committee. He also served as chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Tobacco Committee for two terms. In addition to his service to these boards, Howell served as the Cook County Farm Bureau President for 30 years. Howell was active in 4-H and FFA and is an Honorary Georgia Young Farmers Member. After Howell’s service in the Navy, he went to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He then married his wife of 61 years, Irma Lee. Howell and Irma have a son, Bruce, who helps him with the pecan trees, and a daughter, Teresa.

District 3 – Ralph Sandeford, Midville, Georgia

The District 3 winner is Ralph Sandeford of Midville, Ga. He is a third-generation farmer and started farming after he finished college at the University of Georgia in 1981. On the farm, Sandeford grows 2,700 acres of cotton, peanuts, corn and has a few pecan trees. His son Jacob farms with him.

Sandeford also operates Midville Warehouse, a cotton gin and grain storage facility. He is a graduate of the Peanut Leadership Academy and served on Southeastern Cotton Board. In Burke County, Sandeford served on the advisory committee for the Soil and Water Conservation and received the Farm Family of the Year Award. Sandeford was also very supportive and worked towards the reopening of the University of Georgia Southeast Research & Education Center in Midville, Georgia.

He is married to Jamie, and they have two sons, Jacob and Jim.

District 4 – Dean and James McCranie, Eastman, Georgia

The District 4 winners are brothers Dean and James McCranie of Eastman, Georgia.

The McCranies have been farming for over 50 years, following in their father’s, Andrew Hodge McCranie, footsteps. The backbone of McCranie farms has always been peanuts, however they also grow cotton, watermelon and grain sorghum. McCranie Farms consist of 10 family members who farm 3,500 acres across Dodge and Telfair counties. While farming has always been a way of life for the McCranie brothers, Dean and James both served in the National Guard for six years before returning to the farm to work. James has served on the Soil and Water Conservation Board for over 40 years. He has also held positions on the Telfair County Farm Bureau Board. James and Dean were awarded Conservationist of the Year, Rotary Club Farmer of the Year and Agribusiness of the Year in 2018 by the Dodge County Chamber of Commerce. In the late 1980s, the brothers received the highest peanut yield award for Dodge and Telfair County. Dean McCranie is married to Ann. They have two sons, Brian and Brodie, and a daughter, Brooke, along with nine grandchildren. James McCranie is married to Judy and they have a son, Clay, and a daughter, Amy. James and Judy also have four grandchildren.

24 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | March 2022

District 5 – Ronnie Lee, Bronwood, Georgia

The District 5 winner is Ronnie Lee of Bronwood, Georgia. Lee is the managing partner of Lee Farms, which includes the production of cotton, com, peanuts, small grains, hay, pecans, and cattle in the Georgia counties of Terrell, Lee, and Sumter. Lee is involved in multiple agribusinesses. He owns and operates McCleskey Cotton Company, and his gin is one of the owners of Chickasha of Georgia.

He also owns RCL Flying Service, LGT LLC, McCleskey Saw and Machine Co., LLC and Adela Logistics. Prior to focusing on these, he was a vice president with McCleskey Mills, Inc. Lee has served as the chairman of the National Cotton Council; after having served as the NCC’s vice chairman. He was a NCC producer delegate and a member of the NCC’s Board of Directors. He also served as the vice chairman of the American Cotton Producers in 2014. He currently is a director of Cotton Incorporated. Lee also has been involved in regional, state and local organizations. He is a past president and chairman of Southern Cotton Growers, and he served on the Farm Services Agency Georgia State Committee as a committee member and later as its chairman.

Lee also has served on the boards of the National Peanut Buying Points Association and the American Peanut Shellers Association. In 2004, Lee received the Soil Conservationist of the Year for Terrell County. In 2010, he was named the Farm Press/Cotton Foundation High Cotton Award winner for the Southeast Region. Lee, who attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, is a member of Bronwood Baptist Church. He has three sons, Ron, Chandler and Neil, all of whom are actively involved in the family businesses. Ronnie and his wife, Sheila, reside in Bronwood.

The Georgia Peanut Commission presents the Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmer of the Year awards to one farmer in each of the commission’s five districts. This award is designed to honor farmers who have given life-long devotion to peanut farming and who have the passion, diligence, leadership and desire to see that the peanut industry in the state of Georgia continues to represent the highest quality possible. The awards are presented during a breakfast held prior to the opening of the Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference on Jan. 19-20, 2022, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. This award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and Agri Supply.

Thanks to Agri Supply for sponsoring the Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year award and to BASF for sponsoring the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer.

outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer of the Year The Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award is presented to one Georgia farmer based upon the applicant’s overall farm operation, environmental and stewardship practices, and leadership and community service activities.

This year’s winner demonstrates volunteerism and service to agriculture in his area. The award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and BASF. Matt Greene, BASF business representative, presented the award to Shane Branch, Baxley, Georgia. Branch is married to Megan, and they have two children, Taylor and Aaron.

Branch began farming with his grandfather, father and brother following high school graduation. Today, the farm consists of 2,100 acres of peanuts, corn, soybeans, wheat, cabbage and watermelons. He is active in the Appling County Young Farmers where he has served as a chapter officer for four The 2022 Georgia Young Peanut Farmer state winner is Shane years. He is also a member of the Appling County Farm Bureau, Branch, Baxley, Ga. Pictured left to right, Armond Morris, Georgia Peanut Commission, Branch and Matthew Greene, BASF business Georgia Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau, as well as representative.

Staple Cotton.

Branch attends many of the training and production classes to expand his knowledge base through the Appling County Young Farmers and Southeastern Gin and Peanut. He demonstrates leadership and service to his community through volunteer efforts with Relay for Life, the local swine show and the Southern Pullers Truck and Tractor Association. Branch also educates the younger generation about agriculture by presenting information at ag awareness days and hosting agricultural field trips to his farm.

As a steward of the land, the winner participates in a water sampling program through the University of Georgia, applies minimal tillage to prevent erosion, uses low-flow drop sprinkler heads on center pivot irrigation equipment and uses low-drift tips on all sprayers.

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Thanks to the 2022 Georgia Peanut Farm Show Exhibitors Able Ag Solutions, LLC Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) ADAMA Adkinson Motorsports Advanced Trailer AgAmerica Lending, LLC AgLogic Chemical, LLC Ag Nutrients, LLC Ag Technologies - Vantage Southeast AgWorks H2, LLC AgriSupply Agri Trust of Georgia Amadas Industries American Peanut Council/The Peanut Research Foundation American Peanut Research & Education Society AMVAC Chemical Atlantic & Southern Equipment B-hyve Ag BASF Corporation Bayer CropScience Blueline Dryers Briggs Equipment Carden & Associates, Inc. Chemical Containers, Inc. Clenney Insurance of Blakely Inc. Cobb Motorsports Colombo NA Corteva Agriscience Custom Ag Formulators, Inc. DeltAg Formulations Double L Global Drexel Chemical Company Eco-Gem Farm Credit Associations of Georgia Farmers Business Network Farmers Harvest Inc. Flint Ag & Turf FMC Corporation Georgia Corn Growers Association Georgia Crop Improvement Association Georgia Department of Agriculture Georgia Development Authority Georgia Farm Bureau Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service Georgia’s Integrated Cultivar Release System Georgia Metals Georgia Organic Solutions, LLC Georgia Peanut Commission Greenleaf Technologies, LLC Harrell Ag Helena Agri-Enterprises InformedAg JLA International Kelley Manufacturing Co.

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Lasseter Tractor Company Leaf Guard Lindsay Corporation LMC Ag LLC Meherrin Ag & Chemical Microtherm, Inc. Mosaic National Peanut Board National Peanut Buying Points Association Newton Crouch Inc. Nichino America Inc. Nolin Steel Novozymes Nutrien Ag Solutions O2YS Corporation Peerless Manufacturing Co. Preferred Spurce LLC Quail Forever Rabo AgriFinance Rainbow Manufacturing Co. Reinke Irrigation Robert Hutson Ford & Ram R.W. Griffin Speciality Ag Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger South Georgia Banking Company Southeast Ag Equipment Southeastern Peanut Farmer Southern AgCom Southern Peanut Growers Specialty Sales Staplcotn Sumner Ag Services, Inc. Sunbelt Ag Expo Syngenta The KBH Corporation The Peanut Grower The Peanut Institute Tidewater Equipment Co. Trellis, Inc. Triangle Chemical Company Ubly Peanut Blad Mfg., Inc. University of Georgia American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers University of Georgia Peanut Team University of Georgia Tifton Campus UPL U.S. Ag LLC USDA-ARS Nat. Peanut Research Lab USDA Farm Service Agency USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA National Research Conservation Service U.S. Peanut PAC Valent USA LLC Valley Irrigation

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Washington Outlook

By Robert L. Redding Jr.

Congress Requests Relief to the Ag Industry In a bipartisan letter to President Biden, more than 70 U.S. House members called on the President to provide solutions for the agricultural industry as they are impacted by the supply chain crisis. The letter reads, Congress continues to push for reforms like the House-passed Ocean Shipping Reform Act (H.R. 4996) of 2021. However, given the critical nature of this threat to the U.S. reputation as a reliable exporter, we urge you to further use your emergency powers to address this supply chain crisis and mitigate the risks to agriculture in the United States.

Hearing on Farm Policy with Under Secretary Bonnie The U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing with the United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Robert Bonnie.

Chairwoman Cheri Bustos, D-Illinois, addressed “commodity programs like Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, and marketing assistance loans have been important safety net options for producers, with several enhancements to those programs made in the last farm bill.”

USDA Under Secretary Bonnie agreed, “The 2018 Farm Bill created a foundation that allowed us to strengthen and adapt our programs to meet the dynamic needs of our producers. The Farm Production and Conservation workforce took the tools provided by Congress, listened to producers, and implemented and adapted our programs to meet their needs. We have overcome significant challenges and will continue to do so.”

State of the Rural Economy Hearing with Agriculture Secretray Tom Vilsack The U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a hearing, “To Review the State of the Rural Economy with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.”

Secretary Vilsack asked the House Agriculture Committee to use the next farm bill to help him move rural America from “an extractive economy” to “a circular economy where the wealth stays, the opportunity is created, the jobs are created in rural areas.”

“An extraction economy is an economy that, essentially, takes things from the land and off the land,” Vilsack explained. “Unfortunately, rather than converting them into value and adding them in close to the rural areas where that natural resource is, they are transported long distances, where they are value-added in some other location, where opportunities and jobs are created elsewhere. I think it's going to be important for us as we look forward to try to develop what is called a circular economy, in which the wealth is created and stays in rural areas.”

Ag Producers File Lawsuits on Right to Repair The battle for the right to repair continues as two lawsuits were filed against John Deere Co. in Alabama and Illinois this month. While the lawsuits are directed at John Deere, the practice of heavy equipment manufacturers using proprietary software technology is common throughout the industry.

Cattle farmer Trinity Dale Wells filed a suit, in federal court, in Huntsville, Alabama, alleging that John Deere’s proprietary tractor software is creating an unfair monopoly for small farmers. With this issue affecting so many farming operations, Wells requested the court

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to declare it a class action suit, hoping to represent all affected in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.

Wells argued that following the creation of right-to-repair legislation in multiple states, John Deere committed to ending its practice of making software proprietary but has not followed through on that commitment. “You’re pretty much at John Deere’s mercy, whatever they want to charge you, if you can’t fix it yourself, and with these new tractors you can’t,” Wells says.

Forest River Farms, a farming corporation in North Dakota stated, "Farmers have traditionally had the ability to repair and maintain their tractors as needed, or else have had the option to bring their tractors to an independent mechanic. However, in newer generations of its agricultural equipment, Deere has deliberately monopolized the market for repair and maintenance services of its agricultural equipment with ECUs... by making crucial software and repair tools inaccessible to farmers and independent repair shops…

Furthermore, Deere’s network of highly-consolidated independent dealerships... is not permitted through their agreements with Deere to provide farmers or repair shops with access to the same software and repair tools the dealerships have."

In addition to the legal action taken, President Biden remains vocal on the need for ag producers’ right to repair. While hosting an industry roundtable at the White House he explained, “If you own a product, from a smartphone to a tractor, you don’t have the freedom to choose how or where to repair that item you purchased. It’s broke. Well, what do I do about it if it’s broke, you had to go to the dealer and you had to pay the dealer’s cost, the dealer’s price?

If you tried to fix it yourself, some manufacturers actually would void the warranty.“ 

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1025 Sugar Pike Way · Canton, Georgia 30115 | (770) 751-6615 | lpwagner@comcast.net

Foodservice Sustainability Videos

2022 University of Georgia Extension Conference

Southern Peanut Growers worked with Gumbo Marketing to shoot a series of three educational videos with Chef Steven Satterfield on Feb. 9 at the Epicurean Hotel. Each three-minute video focuses on a peanut sustainability topic: water conservation, soil health and nature’s zero-waste plant.

Chef Satterfield also prepared recipes from his 2017 book, Peanuts, during each of the videos: Field Pea & Peanut Salad with Lemon Ricotta, Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spicy Peanut Sauce and Snapper in Peanut Tomato Broth with Coconut Rice.

The videos are part of the new chef educational campaign, Making Sustainable More Attainable, which will launch in March, National Peanut Month. The launch event will be on

Pictured left to right: Chef Michael Marshall, owner of 7 Myles Craft Dining, learns more about peanuts from Donald Chase, Georgia farmer, while Andy Chapman, founder of EatYall, record a podcast episode for chefs.

March 22 at the Epicurean Hotel. The campaign materials will live on the PeanutButterLovers.com website and will include culinary school educational materials. 

The University of Georgia had its 2022 Extension Conference at the Rock Eagle 4-H Camp January 11-13. Leslie Wagner, executive director of Southern Peanut Growers, led an educational breakout session to highlight all the nutritional benefits of peanuts, introduce the sustainability story of peanuts, and teach base-line knowledge about food allergies and how peanut protein can be introduced ton infants at four to six months to help prevent peanut allergy.

Wagner grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as the snack during the presentation.

The peanut breakout session included 15 agents which allowed for a lot of conversation and idea-sharing on how to share the early-introduction message with the broadest base parents and grandparents with infants. 

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spicy Peanut Sauce Sauce Ingredients

1/2 cup natural peanut butter 1 garlic clove, finely grated 1/2-inch knob fresh ginger, grated Juice of one lime 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari 3 tablespoons chile-garlic sauce

Chicken Thighs Ingredients

1 cup peanut oil 4 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs salt pepper 3 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish

Directions Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, add water a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a pourable consistency.

Chicken: In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 325 degrees. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Carefully place the chicken thighs, skin side down, in the pan and cook for 10 minutes undisturbed until the skin is golden and crisp. Turn the chicken cook on the other side for 5-7 minutes longer. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and allow to rest for 5-7 minutes.

To Serve: Slice chicken into strips and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve with sauce.

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Southern Peanut Growers Conference EDGEWATER BEACH & GOLF RESORT July 21-23, 2022 Panama City Beach, Florida

al u n n A d 23r t!

Even

Key topics: Legislation, Research and Promotion For more information contact: 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

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

Registration opens April 1, 2022. www.southernpeanutfarmers.org