According to USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service, U.S. peanut growers intend to plant 1.54 million acres in 2018, down 18 percent from 2017. USDA reported that the expectation of higher prices for competing commodities is contributing to the expected...

It’s planting time and decisions on what to plant have been made by now. The decision was easy for some producers, especially contract growers, who plant for rotation and pray for a good crop. But for many, it’s the...

Insects and mites can cause severe economic loss, but not every field will be infested with damaging populations every year. Pest species also vary from year to year and field to field within a year. Understanding the risk factors that...

Weed management is the focus of the lead story in this issue. The primary article provides herbicide options for dryland peanut production, as researched by Steve Li, Alabama Cooperative Extension weed specialist. The side story is an overview of the...

Verdesian Renews Focus Verdesian Life Sciences new mission statement focuses on the grower customer and is supported by the core values that guide the behavior of all Verdesian team members. The new mission statement reads: At Verdesian Life Sciences, we enable...

Farm Bill Introduced In mid-April, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-Texas) introduced the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 — legislation to address the economic challenges facing the nation’s farmers and ranchers, while making historic investments in opportunities for...

Planting has begun in the High Plains, but some producers have held out for precipitation. Adequate soil moisture is required for uniform germination. As the seed imbibes water, cell division and elongation occurs, resulting in the embryo rupturing the...

.textbox {padding:2px 6px 4px 6px; color: #000000; background-color: #fff7e6; border: #4d3400 2px solid} Foliar disease has shifted from early to late leaf spot, and fungicide shortages will mean a change in management plans.  • By Amanda Huber  • Climate conditions, coupled with continued...

Mud Rx For Planter Tires In damp or muddy conditions, planters and air seeders invariably are plagued with mud-plugged wheels from mud finding its way between the tire and disc. The operator must stop, manually remove the wheels and clean...

For a peanut farmer, it’s hard to get excited about 2018. Contract prices are down $100 per ton, or most of the possible profit, the generic base that allowed a base payment on peanut base and converted cotton base...

The relationship between peanut yield and insect management is complicated.  • By Amanda Huber • University of Georgia Extension entomologist Mark Abney offers four keys to successful insect management in 2018. ⇒ Monitor pest populations regularly. Understanding the risk factors that contribute to pest outbreaks...

The cover of the 2018 NCSU Peanut Information book shows an interesting chart of peanut acreage and pod yield in North Carolina from 1909 to 2016. The solid line of yield goes from a little more than 600 pounds...

Adequate stands can mean the difference between great yields and average yields. Last year, seed quality and weather played a role in skippy stands resulting in greater tomato spotted wilt virus and decreased yield in some fields. Based on...

Producers must weigh the reward of weed control with the risk of herbicide injury.  • By Amanda Huber  • The phone started ringing off the hook around the middle of May, says Eric Prostko, University of Georgia Extension weed scientist. Herbicide injury was...

2017 Crop Value According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the price of peanuts last season averaged $0.230 per pound, or $460 per ton, 21.6 percent higher than 2016. The value of the 2017 peanut crop at farm level is...