Applying fungicides earlier in the season is boosting disease control for one Georgia farming duo. Brothers J.D. and Ben Newton of Millen, Georgia, produce cotton and peanuts and operate crop consulting and crop insurance businesses. “We’re pushing our peanut fungicide program earlier in the season to get that fungicide to the ground where the white mold infestation is located before ... Read More »

The best variety choice is one that will achieve a rapid, uniform stand and provide good yields and grades over a wide range of growing conditions. Today’s varieties offer resistance to multiple diseases. Carefully consider what varieties would fit best into your fields and operation overall. Factors that affect the decision of what variety to plant include field history, irrigation, ... Read More »

Root-knot nematode is one of the most destructive pests in Georgia peanut production. The problem is further complicated by its wide host range, dwindling control options and particularly challenging management in sandier type soils. “We have problems with several types of nematodes including lesion and ring, but the most problematic is root-knot nematode,” says Tommy Dollar, CEO of Dollar Family ... Read More »

Since attending the American Peanut Research and Education Society meeting last July, and then writing the National Peanut Board’s Research Review: The Future of Peanut Breeding, which can be found on Peanut Grower’s website, I have been more attuned to what goes in to creating the seed you plant each spring. This month’s 2019 Variety Guide is a continuation of ... Read More »

The broad-spectrum product from FMC shows good control of leaf spot, white mold. Just before the government shut down, FMC Corporation received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration for Lucento fungicide. It came in the nick of time before all government-related work was put on hold and in plenty of time to be available to producers to use in the ... Read More »

The entire peanut industry is in a holding pattern. Neither buyers, nor shellers or even farmers can make an informed decision about what to do in 2019 crop year. Buyers for both domestic and export are only buying hand-to-mouth as sufficient supplies worldwide are available at reasonable prices. If shellers offered a 2019 farmer-stock contract, it would be near $350-$385 ... Read More »

2018 Farm Bill Becomes Law President Donald Trump signed a $428 billion Farm Bill into law Dec. 20. It is entitled, “The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018.” At the signing ceremony in Washington, D.C., he pledged “through fires, floods and freezing weather, we will always stand with American farmers.” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue called the bill a ... Read More »

Check out the 2019 Peanut Grower Pesticide Management Guide. It includes a Disease Risk Index, as well as Insect Management and Weed Management sections. Read More »

In 2018, losses to tomato spotted wilt across the peanut production region of the southeastern United States increased slightly from estimated losses from 2017. Losses associated with spotted wilt were approximately 3 percent in 2017 and 3.5 percent in 2018, though tomato spotted wilt was more severe in some fields than in others. Growers can successfully manage this disease, and ... Read More »

A peanut broker recently told farmers that the price of peanut kernels was indicating to shellers that we will need fewer peanuts in 2019 than was handled in 2018. This is because of weak domestic demand and uncertainty with respect to exports. That could change, but thus far, the market is urging a cutback. That about sums up the market ... Read More »