News Briefs: November 2024

In Brief: What will it take to get a new Farm Bill? Farms, buying points devastated by Hurricane Helene. UGA earns grant to study participation in global peanut oil market. FDA approves nasal spray as alternative to Epi-pen for anaphylaxis. Industry rallies for Helene victims, sending thousands of jars of peanut butter.

Farm Bill Needed Now

Representatives from the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation traveled to Washington D.C. with more than 50 other agricultural organizations to discuss the critical need for a Farm Bill before the end of 2024. During the trip, SPFF representatives met with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as senior ag staff.

Joe Boddiford, Georgia Peanut Commission chairman, who was among the SPFF representatives, said, “We met with members and their staff to convey the extreme urgency to have a new Farm Bill done before the end of the year. It’s clear that we need this congress to write the Farm Bill. Time is of the essence.”

In another effort, more than 300 national and state groups sent a letter to congressional leaders on Sept. 9, calling on them to pass the Farm Bill before year’s end.

Besides groups representing livestock and specialty crop producers, lenders and other essential stakeholders, peanut industry groups included the American Peanut Shellers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, U.S. Peanut Federation, Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and Western Peanut Growers.

Portions of the letter read, “It is critical that Congress pass a new Farm Bill that strengthens the safety net as many producers are facing multiple years of not being profitable, and this is causing their overall financial situation to deteriorate. Some will have challenges as they seek operating credit for the 2025 crop year.

“Since the 2018 Farm Bill, we have realized considerable gaps in the farm safety net due to sharply changing conditions, including a trade war with China, Russia invading Ukraine, COVID-19 and supply chain challenges, rising foreign subsidies, tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers and other harmful practices.

“These conditions seriously tested the effectiveness of the 2018 Farm Bill, and it was only by the aggressive use of supplemental assistance that many farms survived. The Farm Bill reauthorization provides an opportunity for Congress to address serious challenges in agriculture.”

2024 Crop

The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that peanut production, forecast at 6.71 billion pounds, will be up 12% over last year. Planted area is estimated at 1.81 million acres, up less than 1% from the August estimate and up 10% from 2023. The U.S. average yield is forecast at 3,836 pounds per acre.

These estimates were based on conditions as of Sept. 1, and prior to Hurricane Helene, which is likely to affect all of these predictions.

Hurricane Helene Hits Southeast

Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River in Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 17. It is the strongest hurricane on record (since 1851) to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend.

It was still hurricane strength as it reached Georgia. Storm damage, power outages and flooding were anticipated as Helene moved north. The East Georgia peanut region was devastated. Winds  90 to 100 miles per hour pounded the region causing major damage to drying sheds, elevators and storage buildings in addition to personal homes. Fallen trees blocked road ways and fell on power lines. Buying points cannot operate without electricity, which is needed in offices, drying sheds and grading system operations.

Peanut farmers and buying points were just gearing up with harvest prior to the storm’s arrival. Now, farmers will have to wait on major roads to be cleared and move trees and debris off farm roads. In the meantime, it is hoped that fields will dry out and digging can continue. Dry weather is needed for peanut field drying before the combines start rolling. Buying Points are paralyzed without power, and a real emergency may be in the making.

State Extension teams began assessing the damage and collecting storm data as soon as it was safe. This process is expected to take a few weeks. Sharing critical information with congressional offices was the goal to ensure that members of Congress fully understand the extent of the damage to the agricultural industry. Additionally, the National Peanut Buying Points Association and others are working closely with USDA’s Farm Service Agency to facilitate debris clearing so growers can better assess their losses. Communication in the affected counties remained limited due to widespread damage to cell service and power infrastructure.

USDA Working To Help Farmers Recover

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, USDA is working to implement program flexibilities and waivers to help streamline the recovery process. Officials encourage farmers to document damages and losses to their operations as much as possible, including gathering farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.

Once you are able to safely evaluate the impact on your operation, be sure to contact your USDA Farm Service Agency county office or your crop insurance agent to report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses. For producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance, the USDA Risk Management Agency has authorized approved insurance providers to increase flexibility on reporting requirements for those who are unable to report losses due the disaster.

FSA offers several loan servicing options to borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan because of reasons beyond their control. Meanwhile, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. To learn about benefits available, go to www.fsa.usda.gov.

Tapping Into The Oil Market

A new study by the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is seeking to increase the value of Georgia’s peanut crops for new markets while reducing losses caused by aflatoxin, a consistent threat to the No. 1 peanut-producing state in the United States.

A four-year, $490,000 grant will take a systems-based approach toward developing high-oil peanut varieties bred to withstand the unique climate and pest pressures of the Southeast. Funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, researchers will determine at what point in the growing cycle peanuts are at their highest oil content to identify the best harvest time, develop management practices to help increase oil production and examine the profitability of oil production under variables including drought, disease and market demand.

The study’s goal is to assess the potential for Southeastern peanut growers to participate in the global peanut oil market, including the harvest of aflatoxin-contaminated edible peanut crops and the intentional planting and management of high-oil varieties bred to perform in the Southeast.

World’s Most Famous Peanut Farmer Turns 100

Jimmy Carter, the former president of the United States, former governor, Nobel Prize-winning humanitarian, peanut farmer and proud son of South Georgia, turned 100 years old on Oct. 1, 2024.

Carter marked his birthday privately with family at his Plains homestead, where he has been in Hospice care for 19 months. Antique World War II planes flew over his home in his honor. Carter was a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who became a nuclear engineer, serving aboard a submarine and rising to the rank of lieutenant.

Gov. Brian P. Kemp declared Tuesday as “Jimmy Carter Day” to recognize his legacy as the state’s 76th governor. Habitat for Humanity, an organization whose volunteers build homes for people in need, planned to build 30 houses that week in St. Paul, Minnesota, in Carter’s honor. Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter spent decades working with the organization and physically helped build houses across the United States.

A bill has also been filed in Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Carter. Congressmen Austin Scott (R-GA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and a New Jersey congressman are sponsoring the legislation. The bill references Carter’s lifetime of work, including his naval service, the Camp David Accords, establishing the Departments of Education and Energy, the near worldwide eradication of Guinea worm disease and work with Habitat for Humanity.

Carter was a product of the public schools in Sumter County and attended Georgia Southwestern College and the Georgia Institute of Technology before heading to the U.S. Naval Academy. He was elected to serve on the Sumter County Board of Education and in the Georgia State Senate before becoming governor.

The 27th annual Plains Peanut Festival also honored the 39th President of the United States. Tyron Spearman, master of ceremonies of the festival, led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday,” and reminded everyone about President Carter’s advice, “if you want to live a long and healthy life like me, eat more peanuts.”

FDA Approves Nasal Spray Alternative To Epi-Pen

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Neffy, a nasal spray by ARS Pharmaceuticals for anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. This is the first needle-free alternative to Epi-Pen and other epinephrine auto-injectors for adults and children weighing 66 pounds or more. 

The nasal spray alternative is seen as a potential game-changer for people with serious allergies as it should help to decrease barriers to immediate emergency treatment including fear of needles and lack of training for auto-injectors.

Through the National Peanut Board, farmers have been tackling the challenge of peanut allergies since 2001, with over $36 million invested in research and education. This commitment has helped pave the way for major breakthroughs, including national guidelines for peanut allergy prevention and the development of the first FDA-approved treatments for food allergies.

Advancements include Xolair, which offers protection against accidental exposure to multiple allergens, including peanuts. On top of that, an FDA-approved oral immunotherapy and a skin patch treatment are on the horizon. Another development is peanut allergy vaccines, including Peanut VLP 101, one of several promising candidates currently in trials.

The LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut) study proved that introducing peanuts early in life can help reduce the risk of developing an allergy. The latest portion, published in 2024, further strengthens this approach, giving parents and healthcare professionals more confidence in early peanut introduction.

NPB has launched a new food allergy research grant program with an initial $250,000 in funding. This competitive grant will drive innovation by allowing a review of diverse proposals and supporting projects that bring the industry closer to eradicating peanut allergy.

Donations Pour In

The American Peanut Council’s Peanut Butter for the Hungry is supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene by donating $10,000 to Peanut Proud. The funds will help cover the costs of delivering thousands of jars of peanut butter to affected communities. The donation is part of a broader effort by Peanut Proud to ensure that food-insecure families have access to a high-quality, shelf-stable protein source during this challenging time.

Peanut Proud is distributing more than 99,000 jars of peanut butter to areas hit hardest by the storm, partnering with local food banks and community organizations to make sure the support reaches those in need quickly. Peanut butter is a valuable emergency food because it’s easy to distribute, requires no refrigeration and provides essential nutrients.

You can make a direct donation to Peanut Butter for the Hungry, helping continue efforts like these to combat food insecurity at home and abroad.

Another way to show your support is by purchasing the official 2024 White House Christmas Ornament, which honors President Jimmy Carter. A portion of each ornament purchased with the passcode Peanut24, goes directly to support PB4H. For more information on how to donate or purchase the ornament, visit PB4H.org.

V-C Unites With PB Donation

The North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, The South Carolina Peanut Board and the Virginia Peanut Growers Association teamed up to deliver 21 pallets of Peanut Proud Peanut Butter to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina for distribution to families impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Peanut Proud is the peanut industry’s humanitarian relief non-profit organization. Donations allow the organization to provide this preferred food item in a quick and efficient manner.

“Those affected by Hurricane Helene have experienced the unimaginable and have needs that will not be solved quickly. However, their immediate need for nutrition is where we can absolutely play a part in helping,” says Ashley Collins, NCPGA chief executive officer.

Caitlin Joyner, VPGA executive director, adds, “Peanut butter is nonperishable, easy to store, high in protein, a great source of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and a staple for food assistance and critical in times of disaster relief.”

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