USDA’s Risk and Production Program Manager, Brent Orr, spoke recently at the National Peanut Buying Points Association convention about the new Farm Bill programs. Orr said producers have two important deadlines approaching. Feb. 27, 2015, is the final date to...

Among the many great character traits of my granddaddy, now 104, is that no matter your reason for visiting his house, if he is able to give you something or serve you in some way, he is happy. Be...

Many factors combine to influence the risk of losses to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. Some factors are more important than others, but no single factor can be used as a reliable TSWV control measure. Research data and on-farm observations indicate that when combinations of factors are considered, an individual field’s risk of losses due to TSWV can be estimated. There is no way to predict with total accuracy how much TSWV will occur in a given situation or how the disease will affect yield, but by identifying high-risk situations, growers can avoid those production practices that are conducive to major yield losses.

    Variety selection is one of the most important decisions in peanut production. Newer varieties have resistance to multiple diseases, including white mold, but the best variety choice remains those that will achieve a rapid, uniform stand and provide good...

by Jason Woodward, Texas Agri-Life Extension Plant Pathologist While the Southwest has not completely broken the grip of drought, soil moisture going into the 2015 growing season is much better than the past few years. This is a result of rainfall...

At the recent National Peanut Buying Points Association annual convention, Keith Schumann, AgriLogic Consulting, LLC, spoke about the new insurance program available beginning with the 2015 peanut crop. As with the previous policy, producers can elect to use their contract...

In 2014, losses to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus across the Southeast were up to three percent. Although that is still a small number, it does indicate that TSWV is on the rise and producers are urged to keep up...

Elections Change Ag Leadership The November election, combined with congressional retirements and term limits, will shake up the leadership of key congressional committees in Washington, D.C. On the Senate side, it is likely that Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS), current ranking...

By Amanda Huber, Editor If you stop to look at the beauty that surrounds you throughout the year, you likely have a favorite “scene” on your farm. It may happen only once a year, as mine does, or it may...

Click on any image for a larger view. FLORIDA PUSLEY (RICHARDIA SCABRA) Florida pusley is a low-growing, annual weed species that appears almost prostrate. It can be effectively controlled only with pre-plant incorporated herbicides. Florida pusley has bright green leaves with...

It was an odd year in row-crop agriculture, especially in the Southeast. Some producers had two months of too much rain, then two months with little or no rain and two months of unusual harvest conditions ripe with various...

Two herbicide options, Fusilade and Select, are compared for the management of this difficult weed. By J. Ferrell, M. Durham and H. Smith, University of Florida, IFAS Common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)is a mat-forming perennial weed that can be found just about...

Seed Treatment Now Registered Bayer CropScience recently announced the EPA registration of ILeVO, the only seed treatment that protects the root systems of soybean plants against infections caused by the Sudden Death Syndrome fungus and has activity against dangerous nematodes...

Click on any image for a larger view. LESSER CORNSTALK BORER Lesser cornstalk borer is an important pest in the Southeastern and Southwestern growing areas. It is usually a problem during hot, dry weather and is more often a problem on...

Producers are urged not to become complacent with spotted wilt. University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist, Bob Kemerait, is urging Georgia producers to plant a month later in 2015 to keep the threat of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) at...