In the middle of a pandemic, the news was all abuzz, pun intended, about murder hornets. The invasive Asian giant hornet had been found in the Pacific Northwest. Despite the ominous nickname given this insect, within days I saw a video of how a swarm of bees worked together to overwhelm the murder hornet and of a praying mantis that ... Read More »
The best thing about Peanut Grower magazine this month might be that it offers a respite from the constant flow of COVID-19 news. Other than a news brief on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and a mention here and there, this issue is all about peanut production and marketing, as it should be. In “White Mold Warning” ... Read More »
As best I can, I’m an optimist. I look for the silver lining in clouds, make lemonade from lemons when possible and always count my blessings one by one. But the truth is, this situation of sheltering in place doesn’t change what I do nearly as much as it does many people. I have been working from home since becoming ... Read More »
It had everyone talking. Was Mr. Peanut really dead? Would Planters kill off one of the longest running, most recognizable, top hat- and monocle-wearing brand icon? When the commercial teaser was released, my phone started buzzing. Friends and co-workers wanted to know if he was dead. Peanut industry friends and contacts were talking about it. At production meetings prior to ... Read More »
It’s that time of year again when winter production meetings are in full swing. Hopefully you will attend one of these short courses to learn the latest research and recommendations from our Extension specialists. At the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, researchers emphasized the critical importance of a good stand. A uniform, vigorously growing stand of peanuts with no gaps is ... Read More »
It’s January once again, and that means it’s time for the Peanut Grower’s Pesticide Guide. The guide continues to include sections on identifying common diseases, insects and weeds found in peanuts. Pest management begins with correct identification of the problem. This information is reviewed and updated by experts in their fields. As farmers, you know who to go to for ... Read More »
Grower groups throughout the peanut belt do a good job of educating congressional staffers about the importance of our crop and of rural America, in general. Recently, the Georgia Peanut Commission and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation hosted 20 such individuals in South Georgia. The staffers represented offices from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina. Although this is important, it ... Read More »
My mom was a school teacher. For years she taught home economics, a useful class that is unfortunately no longer taught in schools. She eventually became the guidance counselor at the elementary school. Over the years, as we would see people in various places around town, she would say something like, “I taught her and I also taught her mom.” ... Read More »
I feel extremely blessed to be the editor of Peanut Grower and to have been able to do this working remotely from my home all these years. This has only been accomplished because of my access to reliable Internet. For years, I have used Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) to get a high-speed bandwidth connection, which goes over the phone line ... Read More »
In this issue of Peanut Grower, there is a lot of news about pesticides that reinforces my belief that it is getting more difficult to use products that you may have been using for decades. For example, on page 14, you can read more about the new regulations that will apply to paraquat by the fall. Additional training and certification ... Read More »
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