Southeastern Peanut Farmer - April 2014 by SEPF

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Grimes recognized as Georgia Farmer of the Year n 2014 Disease and Insect Guidebookâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6; n Peanut Leadership Academy meets in D.C. A communication service of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

Contents April 2014

Contributing Writers Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Leidner johnleidner@bellsouth.net

Photo by Clint Thompson, University of Georgia.

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

Grimes recognized as Georgia Farmer of the Year Philip Grimes was recently recognized as the Georgia farmer of the Year at the Georgia Ag Day event in March. Through the years, Grimes has been recognized at the district or state level for producing top peanut yields for 20 straight years.

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.

Peanut Leadership Academy holds session in D.C. Peanut farmers and shellers from the Southeast participated in an educational session in Washington, D.C. to learn more about the legislative process, international peanut markets, government affairs and more.

2014 Disease and Insect Guide The Disease and Insect Guidebook contains information on managing white mold, CBR, leafspot and rhizoctonia, as well as fungicide resistance, defining insect treatment thresholds and thrips control.

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

Washington Outlook ............................................................................ 20 Southern Peanut Growers Update ........................................................ 22 Cover Photo: Philip Grimes from Tifton, Ga., was recently recognized as the 2014 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Georgia Farmer of the Year for 2014. Grimes grows peanuts, snap beans, cataloupes and broccoli. Photo by Clint Thompson, University of Georgia.

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Editorial

Calendar of Events

Farmland, Boiled Peanuts & Nutmobile n case you haven’t heard there’s a new movie coming to select theaters across the U.S. This is one movie you would like to see. The movie, Farmland, takes an intimate look at the lives of farmers and ranchers in their ‘20s, all of whom are now responsible for running their farming business. This film will be an important way to tell the agricultural story since most Americans have never stepped foot on a farm or ranch or even talked to the people who grow and raise the food we eat. Through this film from award-winning director, James Moll, viewers will be able to step inside the world of farming for a first-hand glimpse into the lives of young farmers and ranchers.Viewers will be able to learn about the farmers high-risk/high reward jobs and passion for a way of life that has been passed down from generation to generation, yet continues to evolve. The film was released following a busy March with all of the National Peanut Month events and Agricultural Week celebrations. All of the events help provide an avenue for the agricultural industry to share their message about producing a quality crop and nutritional beneifts of peanuts and peanut butter. During the Georgia Ag Day celebration in Atlanta, Hardy Farms from Hawkinsville, Ga., were awarded first place in the Miscellanous Category of the Flavor of Georgia contest for their Siracchi peanut rub for boiled peanuts. Hardy Farms Peanut Rub was chosen out of more than Hardy Farms celebrate their first 125 Georgia products to compete as one of 35 place win in the Miscellaneous finalists in the 2014 Flavor of Georgia contest. category of the Flavor of They are continuing to develop new tastes for the Georgia contest. Pictured left to right are, Brad Hardy, Ken boiled peanuts and according to their Twitter page Hardy and Robert Fisher of they are trying out a chocolate covered boiled Hardy Farms. peanut now. Near the end of March, Mr. Peanut’s Nutmobile made two stops in the Southeastern peanut belt. The Nutmobile stopped in Dothan, Ala. and Blakely, Ga. as part of the Peanut Proud Festival. Mr. Peanut’s Nutmobile, fueled by biodiesel and powered with solar energy, will travel to selected cities across the U.S. throughout 2014. In case you haven’t seen the Nutmobile, then here’s a few facts that you may find interesting. The Nutmobile utilizes many sustainable features including solar panels on the roof, The Planters Nutmobile recently wind turbine and it runs on biodiesel. made a stop in Blakely, Ga., for Bascially, a two-hour drive in the Nutmobile the Peanut Proud Festival. will generate and store enough wind energy to power a one-hour tour stop event. The Nutmobile also uses reclaimed wood from a 1840’s barn that was being torn down for interior flooring and reclaimed headlights, windows and a windshield frame. So, as you can see there are some good things happening in the agriculture world with the release of a new movie, new rub for boiled peanuts and the traveling Nutmobile. I hope the good things continue on your farm this season as you begin to plant your 2014 crop of peanuts. t

Joy Carter Crosby Editor

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

u USA Peanut Congress, June 19-23, 2014, Omni Nashville Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. For more information call 703-838-9500 or visit www.peanutsusa.com. u American Peanut Research and Education Society Annual Meeting, July 8-10, 2014, Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas. For more information visit www.apresinc.com. u Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day, July 10, 2014, Moultrie, Ga. For more information visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. u Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 24-26, 2014, Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla. For more information visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org. u American Peanut Shellers Association Pre-Harvest Meeting, Aug. 5-6, 2014, Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club, Cordele, Ga. For more information, call 229-888-2508 or visit www.peanut-shellers.org. u Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center Field Day, Aug. 13, 2014, Midville, Ga. For more information call 478-589-7472. u Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center Field Day, Aug. 20, 2014, Plains, Ga. For more information call 229-824-4375. u Georgia Peanut Tour, Sept. 16-18, 2014, For more information visit the tour blog at www.gapeanuttour.wordpress.com. u Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day, Oct. 14-16, 2014, Moultrie, Ga. For more information visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. u National Peanut Festival, Oct. 31-Nov. 9, 2014, Dothan, Ala. For more information visit www.nationalpeanutfestival.com. u Georgia Farm Bureau, Dec. 7-9, 2014, Jekyll Island, Ga. For more information visit www.gfb.org. u American Peanut Council Winter Conference, Dec. 10-13, 2014, Washington Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C. (Let us know about your event. Please send details to the editor, using the following e-mail address: joycrosby@gapeanuts.com)

Agriculture icon passes away en Frank Bowden, Jr., of Eufaula, 80, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. He and his wife, Mary Ann Collins Bowden, farmed together for 61 years. Ben was devoted to agriculture and farmed in Russell County and Barbour County for 61 years. He was inducted into the Auburn University School of Agriculture Hall of Honor in 2012. Bowden was a director of the National Peanut Board, the Alabama Peanut Growers Association and secretary of the National Cotton Board. He was chairman of the Alabama Cotton Commission. He served on the state board of the Alabama Farmers Federation for 18 years, was chairman of the Cotton Committee, and served as the Russell County director for nearly forty years. He was committed to conservation and served as president of the Tri-Rivers Waterway Association, chairman of the National Watershed Commission and was a member of the Advisory Board for Forever Wild. He served on the Alabama Water Resources Committee and Citizens Advisory Committee for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. Ben Bowden was devoted to He received the Agriculture and farmed in Russell Distinguished Service County and Barbour County for 61 years. Award from Russell County Soil and Water Conservation District, where he was district supervisor and chairman for 20 years. Bowden served as agricultural liaison to several members of the United States Congress from Alabama. Locally, Bowden served on the Board of Directors for Eufaula Bank & Trust and the Lakeside School. Bowden was a member of the Eufaula Commercial Club and Eufaula Heritage Association. He was an Elder and active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Eufaula. Survivors in addition to his wife, Mary Ann Collins Bowden, are daughters Franke Speake (Charlie) of Eufaula, Kathryn Bowden Gale (Hugh) of Birmingham; sons Ben Bowden, III (Jere) of Auburn, and Nick Bowden (David) of Washington, DC; grandchildren Mary Kathryn Speake Adams (Dennis), Marshall Speake, Jennings Bowden, Merrell Bowden, and step-grandchildren Tracey Gale, Nicholas Gale and Haley Stacey; 2 great grandchildren, Hayden Stacey and Brantley Adams; and sister, Ann Bowden Corcoran. t

Photo by Alabama Farmers Federation.

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Florida Peanut Producers Association holds 39th Annual Membership Meeting pproximately 300 peanut farmers and their families attended the Florida Peanut Producers Association Annual Membership Meeting recently held in Marianna, Fla. During the evening’s events, two members were elected to serve three-year terms on the FPPA Board of Directors: Chuck Hatch of Suwannee County and Andy Robinson of Levy County. They replace the two positions vacated by Bob Barnett and Scott Robinson due to term limits. The Farm Credit/FPPA Young Peanut Farmer Award was presented to Alex Murphy. Murphy is a native Floridian, who grew up in Hamilton County where

he graduated from Jasper High School in 2011. Murphy grew 205 acres of peanuts in 2013 yielding 4,500 pounds per acre. He also grows corn and soybeans on his farm. In addition to his own farming operation, he assist his two uncles, Jimmy and Stan Murphy on their farms. Together they have a long history of participating in various row crop variety trails on their farms. In 2013, the family won top grower for no-tillage/strip-till corn with an average yield of 310 bushels per acre. Being a fourth generation farmer, Murphy plans to slowly expand his operation and continue to diversify his crop rotation to take advantage of markets that other commodities offer.

Murphy received a beautiful plaque and $200 from Farm Credit in recognition of being selected the 2014 Young Peanut Farmer of the Year. The evening’s program also consisted of promotional highlights from Leslie Wagner, executive director of Southern Peanut Growers. Bob Parker, president and CEO of the National Peanut Board discussed some of the new marketing initiatives underway at the NPB. Stanley Fletcher gave a presentation on the new farm bill and how it may impact farms for the next five years. t

Florida Peanut Producers Association board members retire at annual meeting. Pictured left to right: Scott Robinson and Bob Barnett receive plaques in recognition of their dedicated service while serving on the FPPA Board of Directors for the past six years.

Members of the Florida Peanut Producers Association elects new board members. Pictured left to right: Andy Robinson of Levy County, Fla., and Chuck Hatch of Suwanee County, Fla., were elected to serve during FPPA’s annual meeting.

Ken Barton, Florida Peanut Producers Association executive director, presents the Farm Credit/FPPA Young Peanut Farmer Award to Alex Murphy (left) of Hamilton County, Fla., during FPPA’s annual meeting.

2014 FPPA Board of Directors President- Steve Jordan, Bascom, FL V. President- Nick Marshall, Baker, FL Sec./Treas. - Henry McCrone, Blountstown, FL David DeFelix, Campbellton, FL Steven Godwin, Jay, FL Bud Baggett, Marianna, FL Jerry Mills, Jr., Morriston, FL Chuck Hatch, Branford, FL Andy Robinson, Williston, FL

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

BY KEN BARTON

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association holds annual meeting Feb. 12-13 he Mississippi Peanut Growers Association held its annual meeting Feb. 1213, 2014, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Miss. 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 an exhibit trade show. During the early bird topics session on Feb. 12, Mississippi peanut growers heard presentations from Mississippi State University’s new peanut agronomist, Jason Sarver, and what his upcoming goals are for peanut research at MSU; Bronson Strickland, wildlife specialist from MSU, and his recommendations for wild hog management; and Alan Henn, extension plant pathologist with MSU, and his suggestions for a profitable disease control program. Day two of the MPGA annual meeting began with a program consisting of updates from MSU and peanut industry groups, University of Georgia peanut research, outlooks on the 2014 peanut market, as well as a 2014 Farm Bill update. Presentations included the following speakers: Gregory Bohach, MSU; John Powell, The Peanut Institute; Glenn Harris, UGA; Scott Tubbs, UGA; Marshall Lamb, USDA ARS; Stanley Fletcher, UGA; Don Self, National Peanut Board. The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association also recognized the high yield winners for 2013 and elected the 2014 board members during the annual meeting. For the yield contest, the 2013 state winner in the 100-400 acres division was Norton Farms, with a yield of 5,414 lbs/acre; the 2013 state winner in the 401-800 acres

Mississippi peanut growers 2013 high yield winners – Pictured left to right: Norton Farms, Kyles Farm Services, LLC, Seward Farms, Red Oaks Farm and M&M Farms.

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Board of Directors (pictured left to right) Daniel Parrish, District 4 director, Lonnie Fortner, vice president and District 2 director, Don Self, District 3 director, Steve Seward, at-large position B, Joe Morgan, president and District 1 director, Corley Moses, at-large position A. Not pictured - Alan Atkins, at-large position C.

division was Red Oaks Farm, with a yield of 5,512 lbs/acre; the 2013 2nd place state winner in the 401-800 division was Kyles

Farm Services, LLC, with a yield of 4,622 lbs/acre; the 2013 state winner in the 801 acres plus division was M&M Farms, with a yield of 5,444 lbs/acre; and the 2013 2nd place state winner in the 801 acres plus division was Seward Farms, with a yield of 5,237 lbs/acre. The 2014 MPGA board members elected are Daniel Parrish, Lonnie Fortner, Don Self, Steve Seward, Joe Morgan, Corley Moses and Alan Atkins. t

BY JESSIE TURK April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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

Peanuts are a big hit at the Alabama School Food Service and Nutrition Expo The Alabama Peanut Producers Association recently exhibited at the Alabama School Food Service and Nutrition Expo held March 13-14, 2014, at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center in Birmingham, Ala. Peanut samples and peanut recipes, including school foodservice recipes, were distributed to the hundreds visiting the show. A new peanut butter promotional banner was displayed for the first time at the show that served as both an educational prop and a photo background. The theme for the banner, “A Healthy American Classic: PB&J,” delivered a nutritious message and featured a framed School lunchroom staff took a moment to pose for a group photo at the Alabama Peanut Producers Association exhibit.

Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) exhibits at the Alabama School Food Service and Nutrition Expo, March 13-14, 2014. Pictured left to right: Becky Register, APPA volunteer, and Teresa Mays, APPA information specialist, hand out peanuts and recipes to attendees at the expo.

photo of a child eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. A special photo frame was used as a prop for people who wanted to pose by the pb&j banner photo. Those attending the expo included members from the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals, Alabama Dietetic Association and the Alabama School Nutrition Association.

Taste of Alabama reception Members of the Alabama Farmers Federation served home-grown food to state legislators and other elected officials at the organization’s annual “Taste of Alabama” legislative reception at the home office Jan. 21. The event allowed more than 150 farmers to connect with elected representatives while sharing the bounty of Alabamagrown and -produced foods. Alabama Peanut Producers Association’s Farmers and elected officials mingled (APPA) food station. Pictured left to right: Carl while sampling foods such as grits, catfish, Sanders, APPA president, Carole Granger, APPA office manager, Jimmy Parnell, Alabama barbecue pork, fried chicken strips, turnip Farmers Federation president, Teresa Mays, greens, sweet potato fries, fried green APPA information specialist, and Jim Cravey, APPA executive director. tomatoes and cornbread. To top all of the food off, staff members from the Alabama Peanut Producers Association served Nutter Butter Fudgeslides from Logan’s Roadhouse, which received raving reviews!

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

Georgia Peanut Commission produces 3-D peanut production video for the educational lobby The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) now has a 3-D video featuring Georgia peanut production available at its headquarters off of Interstate 75 in Tifton, Ga. Farmers, local Tifton residents, as well as tourists traveling through South Georgia are encouraged to stop by the GPC office to witness the video first-hand and see how the new technology is being used as an educational tool for all ages.

A group of FFA students from Virginia visited the Georgia Peanut Commission, March 4, and were the first group to be able to watch the 3-D video in the GPC educational lobby.

All video footage was taken at the farm of Rodney Dawson, row crop farmer from Hawkinsville, Ga. Dawson serves as the District four representative for GPC, as well as the treasurer on the GPC board of directors. “I think the 3-D video will be a great tool in educating others about modern day peanut production in Georgia,” Dawson says. “It gives those who are unable to visit a peanut field an opportunity to see how peanuts are grown and harvested in a way they have never experienced before.” The 3-D video, which is the only 3-D footage of peanut production known to GPC, began in April 2013 and ended in October 2013. Stages of the film include: land preparation, planting, peanut cracking, land plaster application, digging, combining, drying and cleaning. Total runtime of the video is just under eight minutes.

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

Georgia Peanut Commission promotes peanuts during National Peanut Month across the state March is National Peanut Month, a time to celebrate one of America’s favorite foods! The Georgia Peanut Commission promoted peanuts through the month of March by hosting the annual PB&J Day, participating in the Georgia Ag Day and distributing peanuts at the state’s welcome centers. The annual Georgia PB&J Day was The Georgia peanut industry presents held March 17, at the Georgia State House Speaker David Ralston with a Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. Exhibitors from Georgia peanut jar filled with peanut the peanut industry served PB&J’s, products during the annual Georgia PB&J Day at the Georgia State Capitol in March. grilled PB&J’s, country-fried peanuts, boiled peanuts and more. During the special program celebrating National Peanut Month, Sen. John Wilkinson, chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and Rep. Tom McCall, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, presented resolutions highlighting the importance of peanuts to Georgia’s economy. Sen. Dean Burke, physician and member of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and Health and Human Services committees, presented a resolution highlighting the nutritional importance of peanuts and peanut butter. Sponsors and exhibitors of PB&J Day include the Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Buying Points Association, The Peanut Institute, Kroger, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Hardy Farms, Peanut Proud, Southern Peanut Growers, University of Georgia Extension Peanut Team and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Attendees at the Georgia Ag Day event held March 18, in Atlanta, Ga., learned more about agriculture and the peanut industry. The Georgia Peanut Commission presented information along with peanut recipes and peanuts. Hundreds of legislators, FFA and 4-H members attended the event. Following Armond Morris, Georgia Peanut Commission chairman, and Jessie Turk, the event, the Georgia Peanut Commission GPC project coordinator, visit with FFA presented a peanut gift jar to Comm. of members during the Georgia Ag Day held Agriculture Gary Black. March 18, in Atlanta, Ga. Tourists traveling throughout the state were reminded to “Travel Light and Pack Peanuts” as they stopped at the state’s welcome centers. The GPC provided welcome centers with peanuts and recipes to give to tourists as they stopped to learn more about Georgia. Thousands of visitors visited one of the eleven welcome centers during the month of March - National Peanut Month. View photos from all National Peanut Month events, www.gapeanuts.com.

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association teams up with the Mississippi Diabetes Foundation at the Diabetes Super Conference The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association (MPGA) participated in the 2014 Mississippi Diabetes Foundation “Super Conference” in Jackson, Miss., Feb. 22, with a booth and handed out educational booklets on peanuts and diabetes, diabesity and hearthealthy peanuts. There were 435 people registered for the one-day conference and a surprising number of the attendees were not aware of the role peanuts or peanut butter could play in their diabetes management. This was the third year MPGA participated in the event. The MPGA also provided complimentary 1-ounce peanut bags with the American Heart Association - Heart Check mark and the Mississippi Diabetes Foundation logo. The response was positive toward peanuts with many saying they were going to include them in their daily menu which they had not done before receiving this information.

Georgia Peanut Commission and Southern Peanut Growers participate in nutritional conference The Georgia Peanut Commission, along with Southern Peanut Growers, attended the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference, March 20, in Atlanta, Ga. The Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is an affiliate of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in the state of Georgia. During the exhibitor portion of the conference, representatives from GPC and SPG had the opportunity to visit with attendees about peanuts and peanut nutrition. Peanut samples, peanut recipe cards and recent peanut nutritional research information were provided to approximately 300 attendees.

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Tift County farmer recognized as Georgia’s farmer of the year hilip Grimes, who grows Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award is the most popular grocery stores in the peanuts, cotton, snap beans, presented. South, including Food Lion, Wal-Mart cantaloupes and broccoli in “I love to farm and am real and Kroger. Grimes also operates Docia Tift County is dedicated to passionate about my crops,” Grimes says. Farms, which has been a stop for achieving maximum yields through sound “I’ve been blessed by God, and he’s numerous farm tours and visited by conservation practices. The 2014 recipient guided me for years and years. It’s just a Congressional leaders and UGA of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo blessing that I have what I have.” personnel. Georgia Farmer of the Year award has Grimes has also proven to be a “The researchers and Extension long been the envy of Tifton’s agricultural willing listener. Even after almost 40 personnel, they love coming out here and neighborhood. years of farming, Grimes is attentive working with Philip, because he’s a high “One of the neighbor farmers, who when Tift County Extension agent Brian yield grower; they like to come out and farmed many acres, he tour his farm. If the Georgia passed away from a Peanut Commission wants sudden heart attack. His to show off some top-notch wife wrote Phillip a peanuts, they’ll come out letter and said, ‘You here,” Tankersley says. know, he always liked “Year after year, (Grimes to ride around and look and his family) have been at crops on Sunday very sustainable in terms of afternoon,’” says profitability.” Grimes’ wife, Jane While Docia Farms Grimes. “She said, ‘He has proven to be sustaindidn’t want to go able, it’s also a family-run around and look at his organization. Jane Grimes own crops (though), he is in charge of record keepwanted to go look at ing, bill paying and Philip’s crops’… I answers phones. Grimes’ think that speaks highly son, Andrew, and son-infor Philip. He’s just law, Gator Walker, are dedicated to what he actively involved in the does.” farm’s day-to-day operaDedication aptly tions. The Grimes family’s Georgia Farmer of the Year Philip Grimes receives a plaque from Gov. Nathan Deal, describes Grimes’ work on right, and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, on left, during the Georgia Ag Day farming business has grown ethic. Whether it’s by impressively since it started Celebration, March 18, 2014. detailed record keeping out renting 200 acres of or sound conservation practices, Grimes Tankersley and other UGA Extension farmland in the mid-70s. Its most farmed possesses leadership skills admired by researchers are discussing the latest crop is cotton, which is grown on 850 Steve Brown, UGA’s associate dean for cropping trends and developments. A acres. Extension and organizer of the search for trusting relationship has developed Grimes also owns a state-of-the-art Georgia’s farmer of the year. between Grimes and the Extension cantaloupe packing shed, which features “The winners are always leaders…,” community, and it has contributed to handling facilities and focuses on food Brown says. “Other farmers look up to Grimes’ success in the field. safety practices. them and follow their lead on things. You “I listen to the experts and go to the Of course, being admired for highly don’t have to be a mega-farmer to win, meetings. They can tell you if a new productive farming practices does have its but you have to have those leadership product is coming out and what’s working disadvantages. Grimes has set high qualities.” and what’s not,” Grimes said. “They’re standards for himself to produce highGeorgia Gov. Nathan Deal just an important part of farming now.” quality crops year after year. recognized Grimes at the Georgia Ag Day His receptiveness to this information “It’s gotten to where I can’t mess up at the State Capitol event on March 18. has paid off. Grimes has been recognized anymore,” Grimes jokes. t Grimes will represent Georgia at the at the district or state level for producing BY CLINT THOMPSON Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie in October top peanut yields for 20 straight years. U NIVERSITY OF GEORGIA when the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Grimes’ vegetable crops can be spotted at Photo by Merritt Melancon, University of Georgia.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

Peanut industry donates 18,720 jars of peanut butter to Atlanta Community Food Bank he Georgia Peanut Commission and Peanut Proud donated 18,720 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank during March, National Peanut Month. The $50,000 peanut butter donation will help provide a staple food to many families in the North Georgia area. According to Ben Burgess, food sourcing specialist with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the food bank serves 29 counties in Northwest Georgia and feeds approximately 59,000 people per week. “I’m always excited to come to a

Southern Peanut Growers Conference set for July 24-26 The 16th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference is set for July 24-26, 2014, at Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla. The three-day event provides farmers an opportunity to learn more about the industry and issues affecting them while also enjoying a relaxing time at the beach. This year’s conference offers farmers an opportunity to learn more about legislative issues, long-term market growth, consumer demand and production research. In addition to the conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. Conference registration information is available online at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org or by contacting your state grower organization. Deadline to register is June 30, 2014. t

place where I feel like we are doing something and making a difference in people’s lives,” says Donald Chase, GPC board member. “I’m proud that the entire peanut industry continues to join together to support Peanut Proud efforts like this today.” Individuals and businesses are able to make donations throughout the year to Peanut Proud on their website at www.peanutproud.com or send their check made payable to “Peanut Proud” and mail to Peanut Proud, P.O. Box 446, Blakely, Ga., 39823. t

Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) and Peanut Proud donates 18,720 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank during March, National Peanut Month. Pictured left to right: Joy Crosby and Donald Chase with GPC, Mark Gambardella and Ben Burgess with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Armond Morris BY JOY CROSBY and Jessie Turk with GPC.

USDA-AMS rules Arkansas a primary peanut producing state he United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) ruled, effective March 24, 2014, to add 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. This rule also adds a seat on the National Peanut Board for Arkansas. Under the Order, primary peanut producing states must maintain a threeyear average production of at least 10,000 tons of peanuts. Primary peanut producing states also have a seat on the board. Currently, the board is composed of 11 producer-members and alternates: one member and alternate from each primary producing state and one at-large member and alternate collectively from the minor peanut-producing states. This rule classifies the state of Arkansas as a primary peanut-producing state and specifies the board will be composed of 12 peanut producer-members and their alternates rather than 11. The members and alternates are nominated by state producers or producer groups.

Arkansas Peanut Growers Association Seeks National Peanut Board Nominees

Arkansas Peanut Growers Association will hold a nominations election to select two nominees each for member and alternate to the National Peanut Board. The nominations election meeting will be held May 6, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. at Walnut Ridge Country Club, 249 Lawrence Road 408; Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, 72476. All eligible peanut producers are encouraged to participate. Eligible producers are those who are engaged in the production and sale of peanuts and who own or share the ownership and risk of loss of the crop. USDA requires two nominees from each state for each position of member and alternate. The National Peanut Board will submit Arkansas’s slate of nominees to the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, who makes the appointments. Anyone interested in being nominated as a National Peanut Board member or alternate may attend the meeting or contact Greg Gill, president of Arkansas Peanut Growers Association or Greg Baltz, vice-president of Arkansas Peanut Growers Association. t

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Leaders participate in D.C. session eanut farmers and shellers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi visited Washington D.C. during the Peanut Leadership Academy held in March. The program is sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection and the American Peanut Shellers Association. During this trip, participants had the opportunity to attend meetings with legislators and participate in meetings related to government affairs, international peanut markets, policy development and the U.S. peanut industry. This session is the fourth and final component of the Peanut Leadership Academy before graduation in June 2014. Day one of the session consisted of meetings with industry representatives including: Bob Redding, The Redding Firm; Reece Langley, USA Rice Federation; Dr. David Graves, Crop Insurance; Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-Miss.; and Patrick Archer, American Peanut Council. During this time, participants were able to learn more about the 2014 Farm Bill, particularly peanut provisions, ask questions related to their individual states, as well as hear how peanut industry groups are working on their behalf. Meetings with state legislators began day two in Washington, D.C. where participants were able to visit with senators and representatives from each of the Southeastern peanut-producing states. During these meetings, they were able to express concerns related to their state, as

The Peanut Leadership Academy held a legislative session in Washington, D.C., March 2-5, 2014, and visited with Krysta Harden, deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pictured left to right, front row: Frank Moore, Syngenta; Jessie Turk, Georgia Peanut Commission; John Powell, American Peanut Shellers Association; Harden; Don Koehler, GPC; Randy Johnson, Syngenta; second row: Cole McNair, Birdsong Peanuts; Sam Hattaway, Georgia participant; Daniel Parrish, Mississippi participant; Reed Rogers, Golden Peanut Company; third row: Alan Davis, Florida participant; Jamison Cruce, GPC; Ken Barton, Florida Peanut Producers Association; Steven Byrd, Alabama participant; back row: Will Ellis, Georgia participant; Damon Griswold, Florida participant; Jim Cravey, Alabama Peanut Producers Association and Mike Wood, Syngenta.

well as express gratitude for their delegation’s service and support. Lunch on day two included a meeting with guests from the House Ag Committee, where more discussion on the 2014 Farm Bill took place. To conclude day two, growers

Class VIII Participants Grower Representatives Steven Byrd, Ariton, Ala. Alan Davis, Cottondale, Fla. Damon Griswold, Jay, Fla. Will Ellis, Douglas, Ga. Sam Hattaway, Blakely, Ga. Justin Jones, Leesburg, Ga. Daniel Parrish, Greenwood, Miss. EC Harlan, Brownfield, Texas Sheller Representatives Reed Rogers, Golden Peanut Company Cole McNair, Birdsong Peanuts

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

had a special opportunity to meet with Krysta Harden, deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Peanut Leadership Academy, which is coordinated by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, provides leadership training for young farmers and sheller representatives throughout the peanut industry. Through the training, participants gain valuable leadership skills to be used in the future. Additionally, it gives growers and industry representatives an insight into many different types of issues the peanut industry faces. Additional information on the Peanut Leadership Academy is available online at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org. t

BY JESSIE TURK Growers interested in applying for Class IX of the Peanut Leadership Academy should contact their state grower organization or download an application online at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org.

DISEASE & INSECT GUIDEBOOK White mold reminders hite mold continues to be the major disease threatening peanuts grown in the

Southeast. University of Georgia plant pathologist Tim Brenneman offers several tips to help growers get a head start in controlling this disease. “Consider starting earlier, possibly by banding the first spray,” says Brenneman. “Also consider using nighttime or early morning sprays to get maximum coverage where it needs to be, in the plant crown, pegs, pods and lower limbs.” Timing the fungicide applications is important in controlling white mold. “White mold epidemics have been starting earlier in some recent years due to our warm weather,” adds Brenneman. He also notes that white mold infection can begin below the ground on very young plants. Choosing and using fungicides that are active in controlling white mold early in the season can help prevent this. “Concentrating these early sprays by banding a product such as Proline has been very effective,” says Brenneman. “Broadcast applications of white mold fungicides will also help.” Brenneman also reminds growers to use crop rotation, the Risk Index and disease-resistant varieties to stay ahead of white mold. “One of the best ways to improve spray penetration of the canopy is to spray at night when the peanut leaves are folded,” Brenneman says. “There is also less wind and evaporation at that time. Studies show that more and larger spray droplets reach the lower stems giving greatly improved spray deposition in the lower canopy. Exposure to direct sunlight also decreases the active life of fungicides, so the product deposited in the lower canopy lasts longer and provides extended disease control.” Brenneman’s first studies in 2007 showed the improved white mold control, and resulting higher yields, from nighttime sprays. In these earliest studies, both Abound and Folicur produced higher yields and better control when sprayed at night. His later studies showed that disease

Top photo: White mold in peanut. Left photo: Wilted peanut plant from white mold damage.

control with any fungicide could be improved by spraying at night. “Systemic fungicides such as Abound, Prosost and Evito also give good control of leaf spot,” Brenneman says. Early morning when the leaves are wet and folded is actually the best time for white mold sprays. However, chlorothalonil, which is mainly used to control leaf spot, produces best results when sprayed during the daytime when the leaves are fully open. Brenneman says white mold control has been greatly improved since the 1994 season with the introduction of Folicur fungicide. “Other new fungicides followed such as Abound, Moncut, Provost, Convoy and Fontelis that further increased our ability to manage white mold,” he says. The pods are also susceptible to white mold and are difficult to treat because they are located below the ground. Thick plant canopies late in the growing season also interfere with the

movement of fungicide to the pods and pegs. Brenneman says irrigation can help wash fungicides down to the pods, but that using irrigation this way may be too late to help fungicides such as Headline, which is rapidly absorbed by the plant. Thus, he suggests using nighttime spraying. University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says crop rotation will help with white mold management. “Rotate away from peanuts and soybeans,” Kemerait adds. He says that following the Peanut Rx program will also help growers make best use of their fungicides. Brenneman adds that most of the newer high yielding varieties are susceptible to white mold damage, and that hot weather during recent years has been favorable for white mold outbreaks. Better white mold resistance is one of the selling points of some of the newest varieties. Among varieties, Georgia-12Y and TUFRunner ‘727’ have the best resistance to white mold, according to Kemerait. t BY JOHN LEIDNER

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Disease & Insect Guidebook

Proline pointers pplied in-furrow at planting, Proline helps in the management of Cylindrocladium black rot

management of white mold, Kemerait says it is unlikely to provide (CBR). all of the control However, when Proline is applied in needed for this a band on emerged peanuts at a broadcast disease. Early rate of 5.7 fluid ounces per acre, then season Proline use Proline can provide season-long benefits should be followed to the management of white mold, and by a standard possibly Rhizoctonia limb rot. soilborne fungicide The early-season application of program. Applied in-furrow at planting, Proline helps in the management of Proline for disease control is a new If Proline is Cylindrocladium black rot in peanuts. recommendation from the University of applied during the Georgia. Proline also represents a early season, material. significant financial investment early in Kemerait reminds growers that they need When using Proline at the 5.7-ounce the season, according to University of to complete the white mold program rate in a band, Kemerait says a total spray Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob with fungicides such as Artisan, Convoy, volume of 10 to 20 gallons of water will Kemerait. Fontelis, Abound, Headline, Provost, be needed. For twin rows, the fungicide While Proline contributes to overall Evito, tebuconazole or other white mold can be applied with either a single nozzle covering both twins at once, or with a single nozzle over each of the twin rows. Timing for early-season applications of Proline has also been evaluated. In the lan Henn, Mississippi tests, the Proline was applied at two or Extension plant five weeks after planting. Although each pathologist, warns of these timings can offer increased white peanut farmers, or those mold protection, in 2011 the best results open to growing peanuts in the future, were observed five weeks after planting. to be on the lookout for The best time for this application will Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR). probably vary from season to season Cylindrocladium black rot in based on planting date and weather peanuts and red crown rot in soybeans conditions early in the season. are both caused by the same fungus, Kemerait says these early-season according to Henn. Alan Henn says the fungus that causes CBR is applications of Proline can provide He says red crown rot infections in spreading in soybeans and could threaten protection against leaf spot, as well as peanuts. soybeans moved from one county in against white mold. Mississippi to seven counties last year. For growers who use Proline Both peanuts and soybeans are grown in several of the newly infested counties. followed by Provost, Bayer CropScience “This is a significant disease that can threaten your peanut production,” Henn says. recommends waiting 21 days and then Yield losses from CBR in peanuts can be significant, while losses in soybeans simply making the first Provost may be minimal. Management of the disease in peanuts is expensive and not application at about 55-60 days after reliable. planting. The fungus can move from infested soybean fields to nearby peanut fields in The active ingredient in Proline is wind-blown soil or infested soybean residue. To prevent the disease from spreading prothioconazole. Keep in mind that into peanuts, he cautions farmers to be careful when moving equipment from prothioconazole and tebuconazole are the soybeans to peanuts. active ingredients in Provost fungicide. “You need to thoroughly clean the equipment,” he says. “Use a high volume For general fungicide programs, an but low pressure spray to remove most of the soil followed by a pressure wash (low early season application of Proline can be volume but high pressure) to remove soil from equipment seams and other recessed followed 3-4 weeks later with a fungicide areas.” application for leaf spot. Kemerait says Henn is testing disinfectants in his laboratory to see if they will offer additional the full-season white mold program cleaning of the fungus from equipment beyond what can be removed using a heavy should commence about 60 days after volume of water and pressure washing. t planting. t BY JOHN LEIDNER BY JOHN LEIDNER

Prevent CBR

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

Disease & Insect Guidebook

Still need fungicides for leaf spot eanut farmers in the Southeast still need fungicides to control early and late leaf spot, according to University of Georgia plant pathologist Albert Culbreath. In-furrow or early-season Proline fungicides help control soilborne diseases, and Culbreath aimed to find out if early use of this fungicide would also help with leaf spot control. “We wondered if that Proline would substitute for one leaf spot spray,” he adds. In his tests, he used 5.7 ounces per acre of Proline at planting for the in-furrow treatment. He also used Proline in 12-inch bands over the row that would be the easiest for growers to use. “We found that Proline in-furrow offered some control of leaf spot,” Culbreath adds. “Proline in-furrow gave 21-30 days of excellent leaf spot suppression,” he says. “In banded applications of Proline and Headline at 21 days after planting, we received 28 days more protection for peanuts from leaf spot. The Headline or Proline applied at 21 days after planting will provide a strong base for disease control, according to Culbreath. He says these applications could substitute for one or two leaf spot sprays, plus provide the benefits of soilborne disease control. He says the early season advantage for soilborne disease control comes with the banded application based on Tim Brenneman’s research at UGA. “But if a grower uses broadcast, then there will still be good leaf spot control,” he adds. To fully test the ability of the fungicides as a leaf spot control, these

peanuts were planted during August or September next to rows of peanuts where leaf spot epidemics were severe. In the band applications three weeks after planting, leaf spot infections were already present, and the Proline or Headline prevented leaf spot for three weeks or longer. Culbreath says results from 2012 and 2013 indicate that banded applications of these fungicides three weeks after planting may provide adequate control of leaf spot until subsequent applications are needed for white mold control.

Albert Culbreath, University of Georgia plant pathologist, found that a fungicide application 21 days after planting could substitute for one or two leaf spot control sprayings.

Late season levels of leaf spot control with banded applications of Proline were similar to those in the Headline treatments. Leaf spot control with Abound was not as good as with Proline or

Headline. He also conducted trials at Plains in 2013 to see how well leaf spot could be controlled in areas where the infection was well established. Culbreath called these tests, “delayed application” treatments. He found from 2009 through 2013, applications of Proline alone or Proline plus Topsin showed potential as an alternative to Headline for use where epidemics of leaf spot are already in progress. He indicated growers should not count on using any fungicide in a curative situation (after infections have occurred). Culbreath says, leafspot can get out of hand quickly, so it’s good to know how best to stop it, or at least slow it down once you have a problem. Culbreath and his colleagues also evaluated several peanut varieties that received zero, four and seven fungicide applications. Varieties in the 2013 test included Goergia-06G, Georgia-07W, Georgia Greener, Georgia-09B, Georgia-10T, Georgia-12Y and Tifguard. The fungicide treatments included chlorothalonil plus tebuconazole. His results showed final leaf spot severity was highest in Georgia-09B in nontreated plots. Midseason leaf spot severity for Tifguard, Georgia-10T and Georgia-12Y were lower than for Georgia-06G or Georgia Greener with the four-fungicide treatments. In nontreated plots, yields of Tifguard and Georgia-12Y were the highest. There was little difference in yield among Georgia-06G, Georgia Greener or Tifguard in the seven-application treatment. t BY JOHN LEIDNER

Tebuconazole precautions eneric tebuconazole products are among the most popular fungicides used on peanuts today. Tebuconazole was the active ingredient in Folicur and is now found in Tebuzol, Monsoon, Savannah, Muscle, Orius and other fungicides sold in peanuts. University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says

tebuconazole’s popularity with peanut growers was enhanced by lower costs for these products compared to other fungicides. He cautions growers to keep in mind that tebuconazole can be overused. Tebuconazole remains an effective fungicide for managing soilborne diseases, and in managing leaf spot when tank-mixed with other fungicides. Kemerait strongly cautions against

using tebuconazole at rates higher than the labeled 7.2 fluid ounces per acre. He says that using tebuconazole higher than 7.2 fluid onuces per acre is off-label and research to support applications at higher than the recommended rate has not been conducted. He adds that before a grower increases rates for use of tebuconazole, the grower would be better advised to consider use of another more effective fungicide. t BY JOHN LEIDNER

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Disease & Insect Guidebook

Rhizoctonia update

Tim Brenneman, University of Georgia plant pathologist, says when reviewing peanut disease trends, he sees white mold and nematodes increasing while Rhizoctonia, especially limb rot, has been decreasing in recent years.

hizoctonia solani is a fungus that can attack all parts of the peanut plant, and at all stages of

growth. “The pods and the leaves can all get symptoms,” says University of Georgia plant pathologist Tim Brenneman. “In the early days, we thought Rhizoctonia was only a seedling disease.” Early planting in cool, wet soils can lead to seedling diseases caused by Rhizoctonia, either alone or in concert with other fungal pathogens. In addition to seedling disease, Rhizoctonia also causes aerial blight and limb rot. One factor that favors Rhizoctonia in peanuts is the increase in irrigation. “The more you irrigate and fertilize, the more likely you are to have Rhizoctonia,” Brenneman says. “Rhizoctonia is a problem on our best managed fields.” Yet when he looks at peanut disease trends, he sees white mold and nematodes increasing while Rhizoctonia, especially limb rot, has been decreasing in recent years. “Very young pegs can get lost to Rhizoctonia limb rot,” Brenneman says. “Cankers formed on the taproot can also be caused by Rhizoctonia.”

In Brenneman’s tests, he inoculated rows of peanuts with Rhizoctonia. “We saw a slowing of peanut plant growth even though our total stand counts were about the same,” he adds. He believes this inhibition of plant growth may be due to the Rhizoctonia-formed cankers on the taproot. “We may have underestimated these taproot cankers,” he adds. Brenneman conducted a limb rot test in 2012 that included irrigated peanuts with a high yield potential planted to the Tifguard variety. In some plots,

tebuconazole was the only fungicide applied for soilborne disease control. “Then, we added Convoy to some of these plots and we got a 700-pound per acre yield increase,” Brenneman says. He also notes that in some fields the problem has been aerial blight from a different type of Rhizoctonia (AG-1). This one can produce black leaves, though symptoms may not be as noticeable on the plant stems. Many growers rely on tebuconazole for disease protection, but that may not be the best choice for managing Rhizoctonia in peanuts, according to Brenneman. Other products such as Abound have been historically strong against Rhizoctonia. “We need more data on newer fungicides and how they impact Rhizoctonia,” he adds. “Some things we just don’t understand,” Brenneman says. “For instance, the wet weather we had in 2013 should have made it a bad year for Rhizoctonia, but that didn’t prove to be the case.” University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says Rhizoctonia can be found in every peanut field in the Southeast. Rhizoctonia causes ear rot in corn and losses in cotton. Kemerait believes the Rhizoctonia limb rot seen in peanuts is moved through the air from one field to another. “This is the same aerial blight that occurs on soybeans,” Kemerait adds. t BY JOHN LEIDNER

Fontelis update ontelis fungicide first became available to peanut growers for use during the 2012 growing season. In several years of University of Georgia research, Fontelis has held up well in controlling targeted peanut diseases such as white mold and leaf spot. University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says Fontelis is applied in three applications at a rate of 16 fluid ounces per acre in each application. Fontelis has broad-spectrum activity and can be used in the management of

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

leaf spot diseases, white mold, Rhizoctonia limb rot and Cylindrocladium black rot, according to Kemerait. Kemerait adds that penthiopyrad is the active ingredient in Fontelis and is in a different fungicide class than other widely used products such as Provost, Proline, Quash, tebuconazole, Abound and Evito. “Because of this, Fontelis will play an important role in fungicide resistance management,” Kemerait adds. t BY JOHN LEIDNER

Disease & Insect Guidebook

Rotate fungicide groups icholas Dufault, University of Florida Extension plant pathologist, cautions peanut farmers to be aware of the risks of fungicide resistance. This is also a topic of vital interest to the crop protection industry, and as a result, some within the industry have formed the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC). This group has categorized fungicides according to their mode of action. Dufault says the most widely used peanut fungicides besides chlorothalonil are in FRAC groups 3, 7 and 11. To keep resistance from becoming a problem, Dufault recommends rotating fungicides by group numbers. “We are seeing some fungicides develop resistance fairly quickly,” says Dufault. “For instance, Headline is less effective on leaf spot (frog eye leaf spot) in soybeans, and this may be due to developing resistance. In 2012, we saw a

lot of late leaf spot in peanuts, and tebuconazole was less effective than chlorothalonil by itself.” “We have a lot of good fungicides for peanuts, so be sure to rotate them,” Dufault says. “For instance, consider two sprays rather than a four-block sprays. After two sprays of the same fungicide group, come back with fungicides from a different FRAC group.” Paying attention to resistance management is becoming more important because one of the widely used fungicides, azoxystrobin, is losing its patent protection. Azoxystrobin is the active ingredient in Abound and in Quadris premixes. Dufault says that as generic versions of azoxystrobin become available for the peanut market, it will be important for growers to understand the active ingredient and mode of action to prolong their effectiveness. In using generic azoxystrobin, Dufault says it will be important to plan how to use these products and to monitor

the results. “It is likely that these products will fit into many spray programs and will provide effective control at a reduced cost,” says Dufault. “However, the overuse of these products can lead to the development of fungicide resistance, and lead to the loss of effective disease management tools.” Resistance to one fungicide product within a group can lead to resistance to all products within that group, so it is possible to lose more than one fungicide when resistance develops to a product. Tank mixing fungicides, or using premixes of two or more fungicides, will also aid in resistance management, according to Dufault. Doing this helps reduce selection pressure. If a fungus develops resistance to one fungicide, then it will be killed or limited by the other fungicide in the mix. “Proper fungicide rotation will help reduce the selection pressure placed on a single pathogen population,” Dufault adds. t BY JOHN LEIDNER

Notes on new fungicides niversity of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says peanut growers continue to be blessed with an increasing arsenal of fungicides for use in protecting the crop against diseases. Kemerait says this is especially encouraging since peanuts are still considered to be a minor crop in comparison to more widely grown crops such as corn and soybeans. Some of the newer fungicides growers may see this year or next include: Alto, Priaxor, Custodia and Muscle ADV. Kemerait says Alto has cyproconazole as its active ingredient. It is manufactured by Syngenta and will be promoted as a mix partner with Abound to promote resistance management and to enhance leaf spot control. The active ingredient in Abound is azoxystrobin and it will lose its patent protection this year, so look for several

generic azoxystrobin products to become available this year. “Azoxystrobin is susceptible to resistance development,” Kemerait says. “I’m not sure it is good for azoxystrobin to go off patent if this leads to over-use and resulting diseases that are resistant to this fungicide.” Priaxor is a pre-mix of Headline and Xemium. Priaxor is being developed as a replacement for Headline. The active ingredient in Xemium is fluxapyroxad. While Priaxor is labeled for use on peanuts, Kemerait says it will be 2015 before information becomes available on how best to use Priaxor. Custodia is a pre-mix of azoxystrobin and tebuconazole and will likely be available from MANA for use during 2014. Muscle ADV is a pre-mix of tebuconazole and chlorothalonil and will be available from Sipcam in 2014. t

Check out these websites throughout the peanut season for help with management of diseases. www.georgiaweather.net www.awis.com www.frac.info www.ugapeanuts.com

BY JOHN LEIDNER April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Disease & Insect Guidebook

Defining insect treatment thresholds here are a lot of insects in peanut fields, says Mark Abney. “Some are beneficial, and some are pests. And then there are some insects that we don’t know if they are pests or not,” he adds. Abney is a new University of Georgia peanut entomologist. His appointment is 30 percent Extension and 70 percent research. He aims to help peanut farmers maximize their profits. That may mean spraying for insect pests when warranted, or not spraying if the targeted insect is not a pest or is a pest in numbers that are too small to justify the expense of spraying. Shortly after he was hired last year, he attended the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City Beach, Fla. There, he surveyed farmer members of the Georgia Peanut Achievement Club who were recognized for producing high yields in 2012. These growers told Abney their major insect concerns were foliage feeding caterpillars, three-cornered alfalfa hoppers, burrower bugs, lesser cornstalk borers, thrips, wireworms and spider mites. “There is a long list of insects that feed on peanuts, but not all insect pests are in every peanut field every year,” Abney says. “That’s good, but it sure makes it difficult for farmers to plan ahead.” Likewise, the up and down populations complicate peanut insect control research. Abney sees his first major job objective as determining the spray thresholds for the various insects thought to threaten peanuts. Spray thresholds for a number of peanut insect pests were established many years ago, when different varieties and different cultural practices were in vogue. Abney’s just not sure the old thresholds remain valid today. “We don’t have valid economic thresholds for peanut pests,” Abney says. “For example, the three-cornered alfalfa hopper is perceived as a pest, but we don’t know if it causes yield losses.” There is no doubt that numbers of three-cornered alfalfa hoppers have increased in recent years. Since the economic impact of this insect on modern

varieties has not been firmly established, growers have had to rely on their best judgment on when to apply treatments, according to Abney. He’d like to establish treatment threshold numbers that would be easy to measure with the use of a sweep net. Based on earlier research, Abney is fairly certain that treatment is not needed for three-cornered alfalfa hoppers on peanuts within 30 days of digging. He says the immature or nymph stage of growth is thought to be responsible for most of the damage to peanuts by the three-cornered alfalfa hoppers. If that’s the case, then treating and controlling adults before they lay eggs may be a useful approach to reduce crop damage. Earlier studies also showed that three-cornered alfalfa hopper damage to peanuts varied considerably depending on the peanut variety. However, Abney says those varieties are no longer grown by farmers. He also warns that spraying when it is not needed can result in the emergence or flaring of other non-target secondary pests such as spider mites. Abney also wonders if three-cornered alfalfa hopper damage to peanuts can lead to white mold damage as the fungus invades damaged plant parts. “This is another question we hope to answer,” Abney adds. Thrips were another insect pest that damaged peanuts in 2013. Tobacco thrips was the species that mainly damaged peanuts last year. Western flower thrips is the other species that can be a problem on peanuts. Thrips normally move to peanuts in late April or early May, but last year the thrips flights peaked during late May. Warmer weather and rainfall during June allowed the peanuts to outgrow the thrips damage. Before tomato spotted wilt virus became a serious problem in peanuts, traditional Extension advice was that peanuts would outgrow thrips damage. When tomato spotted wilt virus appeared, it became clear that just killing thrips with insecticides did not reduce virus losses. Studies did show an advantage to use of soil-applied Thimet insecticide for reducing spotted wilt losses. However, a combination of production practices that include the use of virus resistant varieties

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

Mark Abney is a new peanut entomologist for the University of Georgia. He hopes to help determine treatment thresholds for major insect pests.

is critical for managing thrips and the disease they transmit. Now, as with three-cornered alfalfa hoppers, there’s no clear-cut threshold for treating peanuts for thrips. Abney hopes to determine when it pays to use foliar insecticides for thrips. “We want to do real-time monitoring of thrips populations on peanuts,” Abney says. “We also want to test a predictive model for thrips control that was developed in North Carolina. This model works well there, and it may have a place here.” The burrower bug is another on-again, off-again pest of peanuts in the Southeast. Abney calls the burrower bug a “soil-dwelling stink bug, with piercing-sucking mouthparts. It sucks juice from the peanut kernel.” If such damage is extensive, harvested peanut kernels will be graded as damaged Seg. 2 peanuts. “Burrower bug damage also increases the risk of aflatoxin contamination,” Abney says. He explains that burrower bugs thrive during drought conditions and in sandy soils, especially in peanuts planted with reduced tillage. Because these insects dwell in the soil, monitoring for them is difficult, if not impossible. Cultural controls for the burrowing bugs include deep tillage and irrigation. The granular chlorpyrifos insecticide is labeled for control, but it has given inconsistent results, according to Abney. “We need to develop an effective

Disease & Insect Guidebook

Thrips control, spotted wilt and new varieties himet insecticide has become a major tool in the management of tomato spotted wilt virus. University of Georgia plant pathologist Albert Culbreath has evaluated Thimet, with its active ingredient of phorate, along with some other insecticides and to see how these insecticides impact spotted wilt incidence in the newer varieties. The insecticides target the thrips that spread the spotted wilt virus. He found that varieties Georgia-10T, Georgia-11J and Georgia-12Y all had better spotted wilt resistance than the widely planted Georgia-06G. “The 12Y variety has looked especially good, and its yield potential showed up well in 2013,” Culbreath adds. “The 12Y variety is great on tomato spotted wilt incidence compared to 06G.” Culbreath says 12Y also looks good as a variety for early planting. He adds that the 11J variety is a large Virginia type variety that also has excellent resistance to spotted wilt. “We saw no benefit of thrips insecticides on the 12Y variety,” Culbreath says. “We tested Cruiser and saw that it had no effect on tomato spotted wilt virus, but it did increase yields in the 06G peanuts.” The 2013 tests included the varieties Georgia-06G, Georgia-07W, Georgia-09B, Georgia-10T, Georgia-11J, Georgia-12Y, Georgia Greener and Tifguard. For these varieties, the application of Thimet significantly

burrowing bug monitoring tool,” Abney says. He says a light trap was developed to detect the pest in Texas peanuts during the 1960’s. “I would like to do a project on using this light trap,” he says, “and ultimately, I hope we can come up with predictive models that would tell us when it would pay to treat for burrower bugs.” Abney also hopes to validate current thresholds for treating foliage-feeding insects. He estimates that about 70 percent of the Georgia peanut acreage is treated for caterpillar pests, but a lot of

reduced the incidence of tomato spotted wilt. Overall, the final incidence of spotted wilt was 15 percent in nontreated plots and 10.7 percent in plots treated with Thimet. While Thimet reduced spotted wilt incidence, it did not have much of an impact on Thrips damage to peanuts. final yields in this test. “With the level of resistance in most suppression were similar to that provided by Thimet. However, a single of the varieties we have, that’s not too in-furrow or single at-crack application surprising,” Culbreath says. of Cyazypyr was not as good at The 12Y variety was the highest suppressing spotted wilt as Thimet was yielding and it produced significantly in 2013. higher yields than the next two best In multiple 2013 tirals, in-furrow yielding varieties, 10T and 06G. applications of Admire provided thrips Regional tests were conducted in control that was similar to that of 2012 with the 06G and 12Y varieties Thimet at early evaluations, but not that included no insecticide for thrips, quite as good at later evaluations. Cruiser seed treatment, Cruiser plus one Admire has not provided consistent Orthene spray, and Thimet applied suppression of spotted wilt virus. in-furrow at planting. Only the Thimet However, on varieties such as 06G, treatment reduced incidence of the disease in 06G, and the final incidence in Admire has not increased spotted wilt as it did on earlier varieties such as 12Y was low, regardless of insecticide Florunner and Georgia Runner. treatment. “The varieties with spotted wilt Trials in 2012 and 2013 evaluated resistance as good as or better than that several insecticides for thrips control. of 06G do not require as much additionThese included Cyazypyr, Movento, al suppression as we needed in the past Radiant, Assail, Karate, Orthene and on Georgia Green,” Culbreath adds. Admire. Thrips populations were “They are much more forgiving with especially heavy in 2013. regard to managing spotted wilt.” t With two applications, in-furrow and at-cracking sprays of Cyazypyr, thrips control and spotted wilt BY JOHN LEIDNER this insecticide is applied prior to the pest populations reaching the treatment threshold. He believes much of this wasteful spraying could be eliminated without harming yields. “Peanuts will tolerate a lot of foliage feeding, especially in the newer varieties and under irrigation,” he adds. Weather will have a big bearing on insect threats to the 2014 crop, according to Abney. He says wet weather during the 2013 growing season prevented lesser cornstalk borers, burrower bugs and

spider mites from inflicting damage last year. “So we have many insects, but most are sporadic threats,” Abney says. “There is no need to treat caterpillars if their numbers are below the thresholds. We need research on three-cornered alfalfa hoppers, and we advise growers to look out for the burrower bug. We can’t predict insect pressure, so it is still important for growers to scout for insect pests.” t BY JOHN LEIDNER

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Washington Outlook by Robert L. Redding Jr.

FSA releases 2014 Farm Bill overview The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has released its overview of the Agricultural Act of 2014 or 2014 Farm Bill. The bill informs producers of key changes in the new law. The Risk Management Agency and FSA held a listening session March 27 in Washington, D.C., to discuss the Farm Bill regulations. To view the FSA 2014 Farm Bill Fact Sheet, visit www.AmericanPeanuts.com and click on the link to the 2014 Farm Bill Info page. The University of Georgia’s National Center for Peanut Competitiveness has drafted a detailed summary of the 2014 Farm Bill peanut provisions, as well as an analysis of how the new law intends for commodity and generic bases to function. These can also be found on the Georgia Peanut Commission’s legislative blog at www.AmericanPeanuts.com.

USDA outlines farm bill regulatory process USDA Secretary Vilsack outlined the Farm Bill process at a recent agricultural meeting in Texas. Sec. Vilsack commented: “The key here is for us to set the table for all of you to be able to make informed decisions for the 2015 crop year and many of these programs. You all are interested in the ARC and PLC that you have. So let me talk about the steps we will take. “First, obviously we have to establish the educational materials and training materials that will be used to educate you and educate our field staff. We will soon be dispersing the $3 million that Congress has provided for the tab of those training materials and the web-based tools that you all will use and study over the course of the next several months to make determinations and decisions about your operation. We will establish the opportunities that will assist us in our outreach, which we can expect to do this in the summer and fall of this year. “We will allow you during the course of that summer and fall to update production history. We want to make sure we are communicating with you about base and yields in your production history. We are going to hope to publicize and focus on publicizing the final program and the regulations for both ARC and PLC in the Fall of 2014. “We will allow, after that occurs, to update your information concerning yields and relocate your business if you need to do that with the hope that by the end of 2014 and early 2015, you will be in a position to be able to make your election and your decisions. So, we hope that that reassures you that we understand the importance of getting these programs up and going as quickly as we possibly can.”

USDA encourages early sign-up for FSA programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia recommends that farmers and ranchers who plan to participate in FSA programs register in advance. Producers are encouraged to report farm records and business structure changes to a local FSA Service Center before April 15, 2014. Enrollment for the disaster programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) will begin by April 15, 2014. “We expect significant interest in these programs,” Garcia says. “Early registration should help improve the sign-up process and allow us to expedite implementation of the programs. I strongly encourage producers to complete their paperwork ahead of time.” Examples of updates or changes to report include: • New producers or producers who have not reported farm records to FSA. • Producers who have recently bought, sold or rented land. Those producers need to ensure that changes have been reported and properly recorded by local FSA county office personnel. Reports of purchased or sold property should include a copy of the land deed, and if land has been leased, then documentation should be provided that indicates the producer had/has control of the acreage. • Producers that have changed business structures (e.g. formed a partnership or LLC) need to ensure that these relationships and shares are properly recorded with FSA. Even family farms that have records on file may want to ensure that this is recorded accurately, as it may impact payment limits. Farm records can be updated during business hours at FSA Service Centers that administer the county where the farm or ranch is located. Producers can contact their local FSA Service Center in advance to find out what paperwork they may need. In addition, bank account information should be supplied or updated if necessary to ensure that producers receive payments as quickly as possible through direct deposit. While any producer may report farm records and business structure changes, it is especially important for producers who suffered livestock, livestock grazing, honeybee, farm-raised fish, or tree/vine losses for 2011, 2012, 2013 or 2014, and may be eligible for assistance through one of the four disaster programs.

Legislative Updates available online at www.americanpeanuts.com

Southeastern Peanut Farmer April 2014

Peanut industry sends farm bill support letter to USDA The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, National Peanut Buying Points Association and the American Peanut Shellers Association joined in sending a letter of support for the 2014 Farm Bill to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The groups highlighted support for new provisions in the Farm Bill

addressing base acres: Although there are some provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014 that are similar to the 2008 Farm Bill, there are also significant changes. Our organizations support the intent of the Conference Committee and its leadership for these new provisions including the Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural

Risk Coverage Programs. The Agricultural Act of 2014 includes new provisions for base acres for covered commodities and generic base acres. We support the Conference Committee’s intent relative to the implementation of provisions for base acres for covered commodities and generic base acres.

March 17, 2014 The Honorable Tom Vilsack Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture Whitten Building 1400 Independent Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250 Dear Secretary Vilsack: On behalf of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the National Peanut Buying Points Association and the American Peanut Shellers Association, we want to express our support for the Agricultural Act of 2014. Our organizations worked closely with leaders of the U.S House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committees on the peanut provisions of this legislation, and we supported the final Conference Committee Report. The Agricultural Act of 2014 encourages flexibility for peanut producers and provides a healthy marketplace for the U.S. peanut industry for the foreseeable future. Our trading partners have shown increased interest in U.S. peanuts, and this legislation advances the U.S. peanut industry’s export agenda. Although there are some provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014 that are similar to the 2008 Farm Bill, there are also significant changes. Our organizations support the intent of the Conference Committee and its leadership for these new provisions including the Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage Programs. The Agricultural Act of 2014 includes new provisions for base acres for covered commodities and generic base acres. We support the Conference Committee’s intent relative to the implementation of provisions for base acres for covered commodities and generic base acres. We appreciate your efforts with stakeholder organizations in the development of the regulations for the Agricultural Act of 2014 and plan to participate with every opportunity. The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation is comprised of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the Georgia Peanut Commission and the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association representing over 75 percent of the U.S. peanut production. The National Peanut Buying Points Association represents over 400 peanut buying locations, across the U.S. peanut production regions, that contract, receive, weigh, clean, dry, inspect, grade and prepare peanuts for storage and later shelling. The American Peanut Shellers Association is the oldest peanut organization in the United States. Our membership handles approximately 90 percent of the peanuts grown in the United States. We look forward to working with you and your staff. Please contact our organizations if we can provide any additional information. Sincerely, Armond Morris Chairman Southern Peanut Farmers Federation

Roger Branch Chairman National Peanut Buying Points Association

Joe West Chairman American Peanut Shellers Association

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Southern Peanut Growers Southern Peanut Growers and Georgia Peanut Commission promote peanuts at the Southern Women’s Show in Savannah The Southern Peanut Growers (SPG) and Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) promoted peanuts and peanut butter at the Southern Women’s Show in Savannah February 21-23, 2014. Total attendance at the show during the three days was more than 13,000 people. The booth, featuring new banners promoting the new “Perfectly Powerful Peanut” message, was busy. Brenda Morris, wife of GPC Chairman Armond Morris, joined Don Koehler for five appearances on the Celebrity Brenda Morris and Don Koehler presented five cooking demonstrations during the Cooking Stage during the three-day show. three-day show. New recipes featured Brenda’s Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies and Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle, as well as Peanut Chicken Chili, Peanut Spinach Salad, The PB Cuban Sandwich and Red Velvet Reese’s Cake. Friday was Peanut Lover’s Day at the Show. Armond Morris works the crowd waiting to Visitors to the booth had get into the Show on Friday, Peanut Lover’s Day! the opportunity to meet peanut farmers Joe Boddiford and Andy & Christy Owens. Representatives distributed thousands of recipe cards (most of them new recipes!), diabetes brochures, a host of new nutrition information from Andy Owens, Leslie Wagner and Christy The Peanut Institute and Owens cut samples of the Red Velvet sampled Skippy’s new Reese’s Cake from the Southern Peanut Dark Chocolate Peanut Growers’ booth for attendees. Butter with 60 percent less sugar than Nutella.

Marketing arm of

March, National Peanut Month promotion The United States of Peanut Butter Promotion in March, National Peanut Month, brought in some wonderful recipes featuring peanut butter with a regional flair. It also netted a nearly 20 percent increase in SPG’s Facebook fans and nearly 30,000 impressions during our #PBPride Twitter party. The celebration continues in April with online voting on the best regional recipes to determine the ultimate winners of the contest. Try these Peanut Butter Chicken Enchiladas to experience peanut butter with a Southwestern flair!

Chicken Enchiladas with Peanut Sauce Makes: 12 servings Ingredients: 2 jars (7 oz) medium taco sauce 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter 1/4 cup chopped chiles 12 soft corn (or flour) tortillas 4 cups shredded, cooked chicken 2 Tbsp. lime juice 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco 1/4 cup finely chopped peanuts 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves 2 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion Directions: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Whisk the taco sauce with the peanut butter; stir in the chilies. Toss all but 1 cup of the resulting sauce with the shredded chicken. Spoon chicken into tortillas and fold to enclose. Arrange the rolled tortillas, seam side down, in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Stir lime juice into the reserved sauce mixture. Pour the sauce down the center of the casserole dish; sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through. Toss the queso fresco with the peanuts, cilantro and red onion. Scatter over the top of the casserole. Calories per serving: 264, Fat 10g, Cholesterol 69mg, Sodium 631mg, Carbohydrates 18g, Fiber 0.5g, Sugar 0.5g, Protein 20g.

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

Daily peanut consumption decreases blood pressure and cholesterol regardless of flavoring, according to new study A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that even different flavors of peanuts result in positive health benefits. “Regardless of flavoring, peanut consumption offered significant benefits to participants with elevated serum lipids and blood pressure,” says Dr. Richard Mattes, professor of nutrition science at Purdue University. Their study, “A Randomized Trial on the Effects of Flavorings on the Health Benefits of Daily Peanut Consumption,” aimed to determine whether peanut flavorings affected health benefits. Results showed that all varieties of peanuts significantly decreased mean diastolic blood pressure in all participants. For participants with high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased after daily peanut intake. Peanuts continue to be the most popular nut, and for good reason. Not only because they are the most affordable, but also because they contain complex nutrients that are good for your health and for preventing disease. Ounce for ounce, peanuts are the most nutrient-dense nut and contain more protein and arginine than any other nut. They consist of eight essential nutrients, are an excellent source of niacin and manganese, and are a good source of fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, folate, copper and phosphorus. Peanuts also have potassium, phytosterols, resveratrol and healthy fats, all of which may benefit health and help prevent chronic disease. t

April 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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! Eve

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