A new project co-led by Auburn University researchers addresses the increasing number and distribution of feral swine—animals that cause more than $50 million a year in damage to agriculture in Alabama. The research focuses on measuring the reduction in damage caused by feral swine during the implementation of the Alabama Feral Swine Control Pilot Program. Through a $450,000 grant from ... Read More »
As the pandemic continues, the peanut market has been relatively quiet for growers and shellers. Buyers have good coverage for 2021, and shellers are not being aggressive to sell with higher prices looming. But changes in the peanut market are expected. Thanks to rising cotton and corn prices, the peanut market has a firm undertone. Corn is over $5 a ... Read More »
Agricultural producers and private landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program can sign up for the program through Feb. 12. The competitive program, administered by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes. “This signup for the Conservation Reserve Program gives producers and landowners an opportunity to enroll for the first ... Read More »
2020 Crop Estimate Peanut production is forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 6.64 billion pounds, down 1% from the previous forecast but up 22% from the revised 2019 total of 5.47 billion pounds. Harvested area is expected to total 1.62 million acres, up 17% from 2019. Based on Nov. 1 conditions, the average yield is forecast at 4,093 ... Read More »
Cotton and corn acreage in Mississippi are more than 30% below March projections, while growers of soybeans and peanuts planted much more than initially forecasted. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service released a report at the end of June updating the amount of crop acreage planted statewide. It compared those amounts to how much growers said they ... Read More »
The ongoing spread of the coronavirus has become one of the biggest threats to the global economy. The agricultural economy was already suffering from low commodity prices and they remain low as major markets are closed to potential buying. The loss of schools and restaurants has interrupted the food chain on a grand scale. The economy being locked down is ... Read More »
The year started with dire warnings about an increase in virus — tomato spotted wilt virus. “Last year, TSWV made a comeback in Southeastern peanuts after a 10-year hiatus,” says Barry Tillman, University of Florida peanut breeder, in a recent blog post. “The last time we had appreciable spotted wilt in peanuts at the UF-IFAS research station in Marianna was ... Read More »
Peanut growers say they plan to plant nearly 1.53 million acres this season, up 7% from the 1.42 million acres planted in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recently released Planting Intentions Report. Growers in nearly every peanut-producing state are expected to increase acreage slightly except for Oklahoma, where they are expected to decrease plantings to 12,000 acres, ... Read More »
The U.S. peanut market is said to be difficult with producers awaiting marketing signals on how many acres of peanuts to plant. Shellers are struggling to meet deliveries of current contracts and still show little interest to sell more until current contracts are filled. If a buyer does show interest and a price is offered, shellers are still choosing to ... Read More »
Program Enrollment Deadline The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency encourages producers to enroll now in the agriculture risk or price loss coverage programs. Sign up for the 2019 crop year closes March 15, 2020, while sign up for the 2020 crop year closes June 30, 2020. Producers who have not yet enrolled for 2019 can enroll for both ... Read More »
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