We all have various levels of risk tolerance. That informs our decisions about what we will do prior to planting and during the cropping cycle. Regardless of our tolerance level, the ability to manage risk through knowledge and implementation of that knowledge drives success. Over the years at North Carolina State University, we have developed risk management tools that provide a great deal of information on the current knowledge of pests or groups of pests and how their presence can impact yield.
The current risk tool includes thirteen different pests. Within each pest category, there is a risk index (for growers in the Southeast, each index is like the tomato spotted wilt index). We also include a sliding bar showing the increase or decrease in cost of production as practices are adjusted to address risk. Some pests can be managed easily during the cropping cycle, while others are addressed before or at planting. Knowing whether you have a “rescue” treatment for a pest is a big consideration. For example, once you get into the season, there is no rescue for tomato spotted wilt or nematodes. Others, like thrips and weeds, can be managed after peanuts emerge. However, relying on postemergence sprays only for either one of these carries risk. That is why most people apply residual herbicides prior to and immediately after they plant, and they very often apply systemic insecticides in the seed furrow at planting. Both are effective at minimizing risk of injury to the crop (feeding in the case of thrips and interference with yield in the case of weeds).
Peanut is a complicated crop to take care of. To manage risk, one needs knowledge and the capacity to use that knowledge in a meaningful and timely way. We hope our resources can help you get there.
The tool is designed for the Virginia-Carolina Region with a focus on Virginia market types. However, there are basic principles that apply across the peanut belt. But always look first at what the local folks are recommending. I very often look at what my research and Extension colleagues across the peanut belt are doing to help me with recommendations up here. The tool is in Microsoft Excel, but we hope to move it to a more user-friendly tool as soon as we can.
This column focused on pest management. Here is one recommendation on risk when it comes to fertility: in addition to your in-furrow inoculant for nitrogen fixation, add a peat-based inoculant to the hopper on seed. This is great insurance, especially in fields with longer rotation histories or in new ground. But this is my recommendation on all acres of peanuts regardless of rotation history. ∆
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