Peanut Grower November 2023

The

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

NOVEMBER 2023

THE PEANUT PRODUCER'S MARKETING & PRODUCTION MAGAZINE www.peanutgrower.com

RESEARCH REVIEW

TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD

2023 RECAP:

A Trying Year What’s The Biggest Payoff To Start In Precision Ag?

Historic Texas Land Donation To Benefit Peanut Breeding

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The

NOVEMBER 2023

PEANUTGROWER NOVEMBER 2023

THE PEANUT PRODUCER'S MARKETING & PRODUCTION MAGAZINE www.peanutgrower.com

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

RESEARCH REVIEW

TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

Volume 35 • Number 8

SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD

2023 RECAP:

A Trying Year What’s The Biggest Payoff To Start In Precision Ag?

Historic Texas Land Donation To Benefit Peanut Breeding

Departments 4

Editor’s Note Protecting the wild species is money well spent

5

News Briefs Farm Bill extension most likely scenario

8

Market Watch Domestic, export markets move in positive direction

11 Features 10 11

Supplement

NPB’s ‘New’ CEO Is A Familiar Face

Ryan Lepicier is named president after executive search.

RESEARCH REVIEW

Research Review

TURNING CHALL INTO OPPORTU ENGES NITIES

SPONSORED BY NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD

Turning Challenges Into Opportunities 2024 Hybrid Guide

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

Southern Production & Marketing Strategies

November 2023

15

16 A Supplement to Cotton Farming and The Peanut Grower Magazines

Look for the Corn South supplement following page 22 in the Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi versions of The Peanut Grower. www.peanutgrower.com PeanutGrower @PeanutGrower @ThePeanutGrower TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

18

SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL PEANUT

A Historic Donation

BOARD

Ranchland will house Texas AgriLife peanut breeding nursery among many other research initiatives.

A Trying Year

Drought, disease and questions about maturity hover over growers at the end of 2023.

The Precision Ag Payoff

UGA’s Simer Virk says start with precision soil sampling and variable-rate technology.

20 Sunbelt Ag Expo’s Southeastern Farmer of the Year Peanuts are well represented in these two state winners.

Cover photo by Amanda Huber NOVEMBER 2023 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 3

EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Copy Editor Cassidy Nemec cnemec@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe Digital Content Manager Katie Guthrie

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Associate Publisher/Sales Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Audience Services Kate Thomas (847) 559-7514 Production Manager David Boyd dboyd@onegrower.com For subscription changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578 or email peanutgrower@omeda.com

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Scott Monfort Extension Agronomist University of Georgia Dell Cotton Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Assn., Franklin, VA Kris Balkcom Agri-Program Associate Auburn University Dan Anco Extension Peanut Specialist Clemson University

Emi Kimura Extension Agronomist Texas A&M University David Jordan Extension Agronomist North Carolina State University Glen Harris Extension Agronomist University of Georgia Jason Ferrell Extension Weed Specialist University of Florida

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf PRESIDENT/TREASURER Lia Guthrie PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT The Peanut Grower (ISSN 1042-9379) is an agribusiness magazine for U.S. peanut producers. Published in eight monthly issues, January through July and November. Annual subscriptions are $40.00. Single Copy price is $5.00. Annual overseas subscriptions are $70.00, including Canada/Mexico. Periodicals postage paid at at Memphis, Tennessee, and at additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2023 One Grower Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved except where otherwise noted. The Peanut Grower ® is a registered trademark, which reserves all rights granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in association with the registration. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO OMEDA COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, P.O. BOX 1388, NORTHBROOK, IL 60065-1388. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claim as its own, and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Printed in the USA.

Editor’sNote Editor’s Note Money Well Spent

Y

ou don’t put all your eggs into one basket or your farm into one crop.

It’s a dangerous gamble that could lose you everything. Following that same thought, you don’t put all your wild species in one place or facility.

In talking with retiring National Peanut Board CEO and president Bob Parker for the sponsored Research Review, which can be found on page 11, we covered the topic of extending grower dollars by co-funding projects with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. That sent us off on a tangent, but an interesting and very timely one.

Amanda Huber Bob said he had a conversation a while Editor, The Peanut Grower back with Texas A&M AgriLife Emeritus peanut breeder Charles Simpson about the collection of wild peanut species kept at the facility in Stephenville, Texas.

Essentially, the conversation went something like, “What would happen to the wild species core collection if a tornado hit, and it was lost?”

To say that collection is invaluable is an understatement. Now that we have mapped the peanut genome and are on the cusp of using marker-assisted selection of resources from wild species to introduce resistance to leaf spot and other diseases to go along with the high-oleic trait and nematode resistance, to lose the collection that may hold the answer to aflatoxin, drought or flower shed from increased climate would be devastating. It is not possible to recreate that collection from scratch. What Dr. Simpson did in collecting those wild species would not be done today.

The answer was a co-funded project between NPB and NIFA that only cost enough to pay a graduate student to assist Dr. Simpson in replicating the catalog of wild species.

As Bob said, “A small, inexpensive project of about $15,000 is protecting the future of the peanut industry. Within those wild species are the answers to many problems.”

Besides replicating the species, they are also being sent to other places to protect the collection and not keep all our “eggs in one basket.” That is money well spent.

One Grower Publishing, LLC, also publishes Cotton Farming, Rice Farming, Soybean South and Corn South.

One Grower Publishing, LLC 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305 Collierville, TN 38017

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NewsBriefs News Briefs Farm Bill Extension Likely During a recent visit to Washington D.C., representatives from the U.S. Peanut Federation met with key members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as senior agricultural staff, to discuss issues facing the peanut industry. The USPF discussed the rising costs of production for peanuts, the Price Loss Coverage program and priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.

Authorization for Farm Bill programs expired Sept. 30. U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees are busy drafting Farm Bill language; however, it is unlikely that there will be any movement until after the appropriations process is finished. Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a 45-day extension, which means they still must pass all 12 appropriations bills in order to avoid another shutdown. The U.S. House Appropriations Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration legislation failed to pass at the end of September in a 191to 237 vote.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the 2023 Farm Bill could be the first trillion-dollar bill with expected outlays of $1.51 trillion over 10 years. This is a $31.5 billion increase over the CBO’s February baseline estimate. Of this $1.51 trillion, 81.1% is for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, while the remaining 18.9% is split between crop insurance, commodity programs, conservation and other programs. Commodity and related programs are expected to cost $68.6 billion, or 4.5% of total spending.

The top issues for Title I of the 2023 Farm Bill are likely to be PLC reference prices, marketing loan rates, payment limits and base acres. The house and senate ag committees are both considering solutions to update base acres across commodities. Recently, the National Corn Growers Association released their position supporting a one-time, nationwide mandatory base acre update as determined by recent planting history.

TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

However, it is thought that a mandatory update would have negative effects for most commodities, including peanuts, that would lose base acres across the nation.

USPF representatives testified at Farm Bill hearings earlier this year, saying their No. 1 priority is an increase in reference prices. USPF also supports a voluntary base update.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson is waiting for congressional leadership to allot floor time for the Farm Bill before he brings legislation out of committee.

Alabama Hosts Farm-To-Table Tour

A group of Alabama culinary educators and a food blogger joined the Alabama Peanut Producers Association for the Alabama Farm to Table Peanut Harvest Tour Sept. 24-26, 2023. The goal of the tour is to educate participants so they can use their platform to share their newfound knowledge. The three-day immersive experience included building relationships with peanut farmers, learning about technology and research and hearing from industry professionals.

The tour began at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope, Alabama. Researchers shared their insight into ongoing peanut variety trials, other production issues farmers face and how to tell if a peanut is ready to harvest. The group traveled to Sirmon Farms in Daphne, Alabama, and APPA board member Joel Sirmon led the tour on his five-generation family farm.

He demonstrated peanut digging. Darrin Driskell, also an APPA board member, hosted the tour on his farm in Grand Bay, Alabama. Driskell Farms grows a wide variety of commodities, including peanuts, sod, cattle and cotton.

The trip ended with a tour of Coastal Growers, LLC, in Atmore, Alabama, where the group learned about the pea-

In Brief • Farm Bill vote unlikely until appropriations finalized.

• Food bloggers, culinary educators tour Alabama farms, processing.

• New leaders at APC’s Sustainability Initiative, Virginia Peanut Growers Association and South Carolina Peanut Board.

• APC works to link Japanese baseball with roasted peanuts.

• Peanut Institute: Study links peanuts with improved memory, reduced stress response.

nut shelling process.

Brooke Burks, a food blogger from Grady, Alabama, said it best, “I had no idea the time and dedication it takes to make sure that the crop is sustainable, not just next year but for my kids and my grandkids.”

Katherine Helms Leads South Carolina Peanut Board Katherine Helms, a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness, will serve as the new executive director of the South Carolina Peanut Board.

She has been with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture for the past five years including serving as executive director of cotton, tobacco, pork and now peanuts. For the past three years, she has worked with the commodity boards in South Carolina plus served as utility marketing specialist with all segments of the marketing department at the SCDA. While attending Clemson, she worked for two years with the agribusiness program team involved in economic research projects and enterprise budgets.

NOVEMBER 2023 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 5

NewsBriefs News Briefs Study Finds Peanuts Improve Memory Research from the University of Barcelona on microbiota in the gut has found that daily consumption of peanuts and peanut butter can produce compounds that help improve memory and reduce stress response, including anxiety and depression, in healthy young adults. Findings from the Aristotle study were published online in the Journal of Functional Foods this past September and have been shared by The Peanut Institute.

The study explored what is known as the gut-brain axis, a relatively new area of research that examines the biochemical communication between the two areas. Researchers used a novel method to identify phenolic compounds derived from digesting peanuts and peanut butter and to show how those compounds promote better brain health.

When compared to the control group,

researchers found that those who consumed peanuts and peanut butter had higher levels of microbial phenolic metabolites, which are compounds that can cross the blood-brain barrier and reach brain cells to protect them. Earlier results from the trial showed participants who consumed peanuts and peanut butter experienced an improvement in memory and stress response, largely due to polyphenols in peanuts.

The American Peanut Council recently announced that Allison (Allie) Randell has joined the organization as director of sustainability. She will oversee APC’s Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative, an industry-wide and industry-fueled data-collection platform that helps growers tell their sustainability story.

Randell comes to APC from Premium

Peanut where she was a grower liaison.

In this role she led enrollment of more than 100 growers in the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative, while also delivering training and support for the 2021-2022 crop years. Also, while at Premium, Randell provided agronomic support to growers regarding crop health, matuAllie rity and other manageRandell ment practices, while maintaining relationships with grower-owners, buying point managers, crop consultants and other key industry stakeholders. Prior to this, Randell was a graduate research assistant at the University of Georgia and has held intern-level positions at Syngenta Crop Protection and Holder Ag Consulting. Randell holds the Certified Crop Advisor designation.

Randell has a Master of Plant Protection and Pest Management from the University

In 2022, the peanut industry exported a record-high 20,171 metric tons to Japan, with a value of $35.6 million.

About the article, APC officials said, “We are excited that the Wall Street Journal sees the value of APC’s export

promotion work and decided to run with the story.”

According to the article, one hurdle to entering this market is that Japanese consumers are not comfortable with littering.

APC Names New Sustainability Director

Peanuts At Japanese Baseball Game

The American Peanut Council has been working with the Wall Street Journal since July on an article about APC’s trade promotion work in Japan, specifically related to promoting U.S. peanuts at Japanese baseball games.

The result was a human-interest feature that was published on the front of the WSJ for its Sept. 30 edition.

While peanuts are synonymous with American baseball, this connection is still being forged in Japan. To help build awareness of U.S. peanuts and tie them with the game in the eyes of Japanese consumers, APC has hosted “American Peanut Day” for the past two years at Softbank Hawks versus Nippon Ham Fighters games. During the game, fans received American peanuts and took part in peanut-themed activities. On-field presentations and an APC first pitch were also part of the programming.

Japan is a consistently growing market for U.S. peanuts and peanut products.

6 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

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NewsBriefs News Briefs of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, Georgia.

“Allie’s in-depth understanding of peanut crop production and her experience with Sustainable U.S. Peanuts will take the program to the next level of effectiveness,” said APC President and CEO Richard Owen. “Her ability to work well with growers as we continue to build the program and increase grower participation will be a huge asset for APC.” Randell will be based in Douglas, Georgia.

president.

In addition to his lifelong support of the peanut industry, Carter continues to devote his life to supporting human rights and public health. He and wife Rosalynn founded The Carter Center in 1982 to help advance peace and health worldwide. Awarded the Nobel Peace

Perfect Peanut Partner

Caitlin Joyner To Lead Virginia Peanut Growers Association

In September, the Virginia Peanut Growers Association announced that Caitlin Joyner of Suffolk was selected as the new executive secretary and would also serve as the program director for the Virginia Peanut Board beginning.

Joyner began in October and will work with Dell Cotton until he retires from these positions Jan. 31, 2024, at which time he will remain an employee of the Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association and Direct Marketing Association he currently operates.

Joyner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in crop and soil science-agronomy from Virginia Tech. Most recently, she was the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor for King’s Fork and Nansemond River High Schools in Suffolk. Joyner resides with her husband Daniel and young son in the Holland area.

President Carter Celebrates His 99th Birthday

Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, celebrates his 99th birthday on Oct. 1. A former peanut farmer, buying point operator, warehouseman and seed sheller, Carter often proclaims, “If you want to live a long and healthy life like me, eat more peanuts!” Carter helped organize the Southern Peanut Warehouseman’s Association, now called the National Peanut Buying Points Association, and served as its second TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian efforts, he has had, by many accounts, the most extraordinary post-presidential career in American history.

The peanut industry is grateful for President Carter’s enduring support of the peanut industry and wishes him a very happy birthday.

Cotton Varieties Made for Peanut Country

Russell Nuti, Ph.D.

F

or farmers planting cotton near peanuts, one simple change makes management a whole lot easier.

Throughout the South, cotton and peanuts are a common rotation with fields planted near one another — sometimes across the turnrow.

Producers growing cotton and peanuts have long dealt with the challenge of 2,4-Db applications drifting from peanuts into cotton.

With dicamba-tolerant cotton, the problem doubled: Growers had to avoid both 2,4-Db drift from peanuts into dicamba-tolerant cotton and dicamba from cotton into peanuts.

Now there's a better fit for cotton planted near peanuts — what some are calling the “perfect peanut partner.”

PhytoGen® W3FE varieties have the Enlist® cotton trait for labeled Scan for videos, tips applications of Enlist One® and Enlist Duo® herbicides with 2,4-D and more! choline. Because growers commonly use 2,4-Db to control weeds in peanuts, there are distinct synergies between crops.

“You can plant peanuts adjacent to PhytoGen W3FE varieties and spray Enlist herbicides in your cotton even if peanuts are downwind, because peanuts are considered a compatible crop in the product use guide for Enlist herbicides,” said Russell Nuti, Ph.D., PhytoGen cotton development specialist. “Another advantage is that growers can spray Enlist One herbicide or Enlist Duo herbicide on their PhytoGen W3FE varieties, triple rinse the tank, and then spray 2,4-Db in their peanuts. Because they never have to put dicamba in the tank, growers have the option to increase efficiency by using one sprayer for both crops.”

Nuti also pointed out that PhytoGen W3FE varieties come with other advantages.

Fields planted to a cotton-and-peanut rotation often have high populations of root-knot and reniform nematodes. Many PhytoGen W3FE varieties offer built-in resistance to both of those nematodes, protecting roots and allowing plants to make better use of available water and fertilizer. That’s especially important during hot summer days later in the season when less water is available. Plus, PhytoGen cottonseed is well-known for early season vigor, helping plants get off to a great start. “Add in high yield potential, and you get a great package for growing cotton in peanut country,” Nuti said. “PhytoGen W3FE varieties truly are the perfect peanut partner.”

™® Enlist, Enlist Duo, Enlist One, PhytoGen and the PhytoGen Logo are trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use with Enlist® crops. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Always read and follow label directions. © 2023 Corteva.

NOVEMBER 2023 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 7

MarketWatch Market Watch Domestic, Export Markets Move In Positive Direction

T

he 2023 peanut season had many unusual challenges that tested producer’s management skills. In the Southeast and VirginiaCarolina regions, the season started with some dry, some wet, but overall cool conditions. The slow start had seed officials and others reporting that seed vigor was being tested in the cold soils, which delayed emergence up to two weeks.

In Georgia, farmers were reporting problems with stands, poor germination and checking with crop insurance about replanting.

Contract offers were not a bright point, either, because of increased costs of production and inflation. Everything the farmer buys has increased. Even so, industry analysts predicted an increase in peanut acreage if cotton futures stayed the same. In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted peanut acreage to increase 7% with Georgia up 8%. Each state’s peanut specialist had already sounded the alarm predicting peanut acreage to increase 9.6%. By September, peanut acreage as USDA certified or reported was up 14%.

No Competition For Land The competition for tillable land from cotton, corn or soybeans never materialized. Cotton stayed near 80 cents per pound and was up 10% in acres. Corn acres were up 10% as well.

Producers argued that last year’s 2.7-million-ton crop, on the smaller size, and the 18%-plus increase in costs of production merited a higher offer for 2023 contracts. An ag economist found the 2022 cost of production was approximately $668 per ton. Still, shellers started their offering at $500 to $525 per ton for runner-type peanuts, $525 per ton on high-oleic varieties and $550 to $575

8 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

J. Tyron Spearman Contributing Editor, The Peanut Grower

Leading Marketing Indicators (Oct. 5, 2023) 2023 Est. Acreage (+17%) ................................................ 1,640,000 acres 2023 Est. Production (3,953 lbs/A) .................................... 3,162,000 tons 2023 Market Loan .............................................................. 2,294,257 tons 2022-23 Remaining In Loan ................................................... 73,001 tons 2022-23 Domestic Usage (12 Mo.) ................................................ – 0.9 % 2022-23 Exports (7 Mo.) ................................................................ + 6.81% NATIONAL POSTED PRICE (per ton) Runners - $425.29; Spanish - $413.12; Valencia and Virginias - $431.71

per ton on Virginia type.

Some shellers offered a sheller pool with a $500 per-ton floor hoping prices would increase later this season.

Prices were higher for Southwest varieties because of the cost of production for irrigated peanuts. Farmers who had joined a local co-op were faced with a decision to deliver co-op stock tonnage or revert to selling to a local sheller for offers of $600 or more. Tempting, but illegal.

On The Positive Side Some good news in the market is that before peanuts were harvested, shellers offered a $25 per-ton bonus in response to buyers wanting to get contracts signed for delivery. Another news flash is that the 2022-2023 market loan is almost paid back to the government.

That crop had more than 2.29 million tons of peanuts in the loan with a $355 per-ton guarantee and the government has been repaid, down to 15,200 tons at press time. That makes two years in a row with no forfeitures to the government. The peanut program works.

Part Of The Program Not Working As the crop has been behind much of the season and harvest stretched later into the fall, questions about the crop have surfaced, stalling the peanut market. However, it does remain firm as a problematic growing season with certain areas experiencing significant drought has prompted questions about yields and, unfortunately, quality.

Shellers are taking a wait-and-see attitude to selling until the crop is dug and shelling begins in earnest. Shelled prices for runners for the 2023 crop are 64, 63 and 62 cents per pound (LMS). Prices usually decline at harvest with the new supply. USDA estimates 3.1 million tons produced from 1.64 million acres at an average of 3,943 pounds per acre.

The peanut program has one segment that is no longer working. The Price Loss Coverage/Agriculture Risk Coverage program has not been updated, and now the average price paid to farmers is lower than the reference price.

The effective reference price for peanut is $535 per ton. The higher of the loan rate at $355 per ton or market price PEANUTGROWER.COM

MarketWatch Market Watch China Surpasses Canada As Second Largest Export Destination Shipments to the Chinese market increased 25% by volume and 37% by value to reach 74,378 metric tons and $74 million, as the country surpassed Canada for the position as the second largest importer of U.S. peanuts.

Exports to Canada, the third largest destination, totaled 71,617 metric tons, valued at $122 million, down 3% by volume and up 2.5% by value as compared to 2022.

Shipments to Europe, excluding the United Kingdom, increased 34% by volume and 57% by value to reach 43,353 metric tons valued at $71 million. At the same time, exports to the UK fell 37% by volume and 29% by value to reach 6,090 metric tons and $11 million.

Exports to Japan have decreased 19% by volume and 17% by value to reach 12,068 metric tons and $21 million. Finally, shipments to the rest of the world grew 12% by volume and 36% by value to reach 20,643 MT and $62 million.

In-shell peanut exports increased 49% by volume to 120,225 metric tons and 71% by value to $142 million through July. Exports of raw peanut kernels fell 31% by volume to 82,578 metric tons and declined 27% by value to reach $114 million. During the same period, shipments of blanched peanuts increased 34% by volume and 46% average at $540 per ton is deducted from the Reference Price $535 per ton. That’s a negative, so it means the PLC payment for 2022-2023 is $0.

Domestic Market Raw peanuts in primary products is down almost 1% for the year. Peanut butter continues to set new records, up 5% for the year and up 3% compared with July 2022. In-shells continue strong, up 14.6% for the year. Peanuts in candy declined almost 10% for the year with raw peanuts used in snacks down 6.1%. Raw peanuts used for government nutrition programs showed down 51%.

But there is good news, 70% of all consumers have a snack every day. They TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

by value to reach 61,072 metric tons and $84 million according to official statistics. Year-to-date peanut butter shipments increased 12% by volume and 16% by value to reach 28,659 metric tons and $95 million. Finally, exports of processed peanuts increased 10% by volume and 14% by value to 15,684 metric tons and $42 million.

Source: American Peanut Council analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data

average three snack times per day, and 66% of consumers have an indulgent snack at least one time per week.

The Peanut Institute has announced that peanuts and peanut butter can produce compounds in the gut that help improve memory and reduce stress response, including anxiety and depression, in healthy young adults. Domestic markets are forecast for a 3.7% increase in 2024.

Export Market U.S. peanut exports for the year through June increased 7% by volume and 14% as compared to the same period in 2022. Total exports reached 316,283 metric tons, valued at $489 million.

Mexico remains the top international market for U.S. peanuts, with shipments increasing 0.4% by volume to 88,134 metric tons. China surpassed Canada as the second largest importer of U.S. peanuts for the year. With a higher supply, U.S. peanut exports increased this month to 675,000 tons, up 12.9%.

The peanut industry is in a good position. Expansions are being reported in all segments. This plant-based protein is being recognized around the world. The future is bright. The nutrition can save lives and increase lifespan, and we’ve even learned it improves memory. Like President Carter said as he celebrated his 99th birthday, “If you want to live a long and healthy life like me, eat more peanuts!”

NOVEMBER 2023 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 9

NPB’s ‘New’ CEO Is A Familiar Face Longtime senior vice president Ryan Lepicier is named president after executive search; Parker recognized as food allergy champion.

A

fter a nationwide executive search, the National Peanut Board recently announced Ryan Lepicier as the new president and CEO beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Lepicier most recently served as NPB’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

“Over the last 15 years of dedicated service to NPB, Ryan has exemplified great professional leadership and communication skills to both staff and industry partners alike,” says NPB Chairman and Virginia Board member, Paul Rogers. “Ryan was instrumental in helping the board with the current mission, which is to improve the economic condition of America’s peanut farmers and their families through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research. Ryan will keep this in the forefront Ryan as he leads NPB into its next chapter.”

Lepicier NPB Vice Chairman and member of the executive search committee Greg Baltz says, “The committee performed an extensive search, and with the assistance of the firm Vetted Solutions, we were able to interview several highly qualified and talented individuals. Because we knew that Ryan was a candidate for the position, the bar was set high. As the interviews concluded, it became obvious that Ryan’s talent and preparation make him uniquely situated to become our next president and CEO.” Lepicier has a journalism/media background and an MBA from Auburn University. In his more than 15 years leading marketing and communications at NPB, U.S. per capita consumption has reached all-time highs and the headwinds from peanut allergy are slowing as promising new solutions are on the horizon. Prior to NPB, Lepicier served as communications manager for the Office of the Mayor of the City of Atlanta, a multimedia producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting and worked as a television news reporter and anchor at several network affiliate TV stations.

Lepicier replaces retiring President & CEO Bob Parker. The National Peanut Board is grateful for Parker’s 11 years of dedicated service on behalf of America’s peanut farmers and expects a seamless transition.

NPB’s Parker Recognized As Food Allergy Champion Once viewed with widespread skepticism, the NPB’s relationship with the food allergy community has evolved since its inception. Now, the NPB has invested more than $36 million into food allergy research, education and outreach in an effort to be “part of the solution” on food allergies.

10 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

Through this effort, America’s peanut farmers supported early research that opened doors and provided seed funding for life-altering studies and intervention, including supporting the research team that conducted the groundbreaking LEAP trial.

Because of his leadership in this area on behalf of NPB over the past decade, Bob Parker was recognized with the 2023 FARE Food Allergy Champion Award. FARE stands for Food Allergy Research & Education and is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals with food allergies, empowering them to lead safe, productive lives with the respect of others through education and advocacy initiatives and improved awareness around healthcare options and treatment – a mission NPB can certainly get behind too.

“Bob’s commitment on behalf of NPB has made a significant difference in the work that FARE does to advocate on behalf of Americans with food allergies,” says Sung Poblete, CEO FARE. “We are grateful for his leadership and support of the food allergy community and happy to recognize him with this award.”

NPB also has had a long-term partnership with food allergy advocacy organization Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team. FAACT’s mission is to educate, advocate, and raise awareness for all individuals and families affected by food allergies and life-threatening anaphylaxis.

NPB has been a sponsor since its beginning 10 years ago, including sponsoring the organization’s Food Industry and Research Summit. At this year’s event in September, Ryan Lepicier, NPB chief marketing officer, expressed his appreciation for the food allergy community while providing an update of the industry and America’s peanut farmers. Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RDN, LD spoke about the many initiatives that NPB supports including helping to promote early introduction of peanut foods to help prevent peanut allergies and comprehensive approaches to food allergy management in K-12 schools, among others. PG PEANUTGROWER.COM

RESEARCH REVIEW

TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD

Using Creative Imaginations To Advance

The Science Of Peanuts A

lbert Einstein once said — To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science. The Peanut Genomic Initiative was all about asking questions and discovering new possibilities through mapping the peanut genome. Using marker-assisted selection, researchers are making great strides in science at a pace never before experienced in peanut breeding. Growers are on the cusp of being able to see the benefit of this research in their own fields. This creative imagination will take us even further into answering some of the industry’s biggest challenges.

The Challenge Of A Couple Degrees

One of those challenges is climate change, which is significantly impacting agricultural production worldwide.

Drought stress and related problems, such as aflatoxin, already affect peanut producers yearly, even in years that lack ample rainfall throughout.

In 2012, drought cost approximately $30 billion to the U.S. economy. However, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, the U.S. peanut industry loses almost $50 million every year due to drought stress. That’s money not going into grower’s pockets.

Yield reductions and restrictions on peanuts going into the edible market are problems facing producers currently. Could the problem get worse?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that it will. Their estimate is a 1.5° Celsius rise in global warming in the near term (2021– 2040). In the long term, the projected rise in temperature of 2°C–3°C will lead to severe water scarcity and drought, which means a severe loss in crop production in various regions around the world.

An increase in temperature of only a couple degrees, say researchers, could reduce the pollen viability of the peanut flower, causing it to abort, thereby reducing pod set. It would also cause a reduction of net photosynthesis and inhibit root growth. Fewer pods, with less seed fill and 12 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

decreased pod weight would be the result. Reduced yields would be a devastating response for producer profitability and for a world that depends on peanuts for the nutritional security it provides.

Is The Answer In Germplasm And Marker-Assisted Selection?

It very well could be. Already, researchers have made significant progress toward unlocking the germplasm to find drought and heat tolerance and identifying markers that could be used by peanut breeders to fortify peanut cultivars to withstand this new climate. This is one of the many challenges facing producers yearly in their quest to be profitable. These challenges are what peanut breeders are working on each day.

The primary goal of the grower-funded Peanut Genomics Initiative was to develop a marker-assisted methodology that would lead to improved cultivars. First, the markers have to be genotyped, which is a significant undertaking, then phenotyped, which is even more so. New technologies and processes have helped the many researchers, breeders and graduate students speed up the search from a few thousand to more than 10,000 samples per year.

One of the successful finds are markers for leaf spot resistance from the lab of Corley Holbrook, USDA ARS peanut breeder, who works in cooperation with Peggy OziasAkins, College of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences professor and director of University of Georgia’s Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics, and also had the benefit of work from Juliet Chu, also with UGA’s Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics who now works in blueberry breeding. After confirming the find of a high level of resistance to early and late leaf spot on chromosomes three and five, the group released two germplasm lines that have alleles for leaf spot resistance. Because manufacturers have different preferences, one germplasm line has the high-oleic trait and the other does not.

Leaf Spot-Resistant Cultivars To Be Released

Using one of these germplasm lines, Holbrook’s breeding program has now developed three cultivars, CB-1, CB-2 and CB-7, that are in the process of being released. Data from USDA National Peanut Research Lab’s Marshall Lamb indicates that growers can improve profitability by planting these cultivars without the use of fungicides for leaf spot control.

The three lines have been tested for three years under three different production systems: full fungicide spray PEANUTGROWER.COM

using an expensive spray schedule amounting to $118 per acre for fungicides and $46 per acre for the application costs; a minimum spray schedule with one application of Convoy for white mold; and no fungicide applications.

Holbrook says the highest profitability was achieved growing CB-7 with no sprays. The next highest was CB-1 with no sprays. Both of these cultivars have a high-oleic oil profile. The third line, CB-2, which has a normal oleic acid profile, does not yield as well as CB-1 and CB-7, but still offers good profitability with no fungicide costs. Together, the three lines are head and shoulders above other varieties in leaf spot resistance.

A Marked Difference in Tomorrow’s Peanut Lines

Future lines from Holbrook’s work will include the leaf spot and peanut root-knot nematode resistance.

Additionally, work continues to develop markers for resistance to white mold, Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus and to peanut smut, in case that South American disease comes to the United States. There is also work being done looking at markers for drought tolerance and reduced aflatoxin.

CHALLENGES

OPPORTUNITIES

▶ Climate change

▶ Drought and heat-tolerant cultivars that maintain flower viability, pod set and yield

▶ Sustainability

▶ Reduced dependence on pesticides; grower profitability

▶ Traditional breeding: 15-20 years

▶ Using marker-assisted selection to bring cultivars to market in less than seven years

▶ Profitability

▶ New markets such as oil, animal feeds; more disease and nematode-resistant varieties

The Peanut Genomics Initiative has already had a huge impact on peanut breeding programs, and as Holbrook notes, they are really just scratching the surface of what can be discovered. With additional funding into the phenotyping of markers, even in a few years, peanut breeders may bring cultivars to the grower marketplace through the use of marker-assisted selection that may be unimaginable even today. It’s an exciting time to be a peanut grower on the receiving end of this exciting work!

Q & A With National Peanut Board President and CEO, Bob Parker In a career that spans five decades in the peanut business, the past few years offer exciting, groundbreaking research Bob Parker has been working to ensure for U.S. peanut farmers during his tenure as President and CEO of the National Peanut Board. As Parker steps down at the end of 2023, the recent Peanut Hall of Fame recipient sat down for a talk about grower-funded research and the breakthroughs sure to improve the economic condition of farmers and the industry.

Q. What is your philosophy on grower-funded production research?

A. Production research is a critical part of our mission along with marketing and promotion, mitigating peanut allergy and supporting export activities. I believe production research is an effective way to drive down the cost of producing peanuts, which can happen in two ways. The most effective way is to increase yield. The second way is to reduce input costs. That’s the foundation for our research program.

Peanuts have always been anti-inflationary. As I look back over my career, the price of a pound of shelled peanuts, runner mediums in 1974, was 35 cents a pound. Adjusted for inflation, it was $2.15. In 1984, peanuts were 50 cents per pound, which adjusted for inflation was $1.46. In 1994, it was 63 cents per pound and $1.29 adjusted for inflation. You see the trend. So, the price of peanuts today, almost 50 years later, is less than 1/3 the cost adjusted for inflation.

What that means is the cost of a serving of peanut butter or a oneounce serving of peanuts is around 19 cents. Production research has kept the retail price of peanut products low to help grow demand.

Q. How does grower-funded production research support NPB’s marketing efforts?

A. We are constantly working to sell more peanuts and to increase demand. In 2021, we set an all-time consumption record of 7.8 pounds TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

of peanut butter per capita.

Some of the reason for that was the pandemic; however, we have been able to keep much of that gain.

If you look at the trend, we are going to continue to see yields increase over the next 10 years. Looking back at the year I was born, 1954, yield was 727 pounds per acre. We now exceed 4,000 pounds per acre yearly. Even so, we still haven’t achieved the genetic potential of peanut varieties we are growing now. State yield award-winning growers can average nearly 7,000 pounds per acre on hundreds of acres.

Because of production research, peanuts are a great product for manufacturers to put into a candy bar compared to other more expensive nuts or sources of protein. It’s one of the best values for a serving size of protein that you can possibly eat.

Q. What is the biggest breakthrough in your 47-year career?

A. We are about to see it! I think mapping the peanut genome where peanut breeders can use marker-assisted selection to bring needed traits into our varieties is going to have a huge impact. In fact, we are already seeing examples of marker-assisted peanut breeding. Markers were used to speed up the insertion of the high-oleic oil trait in Virginia varieties. Now, 100% of the U.S. Virginia-type market is high oleic, which is huge. The consumer is getting a much fresher-tasting product that NOVEMBER NOVEMBER2023 2023• •THE THEPEANUT PEANUTGROWER GROWER/ /13 13

Opportunities On The Peanut Horizon The Sustainability Requirement

Peanuts are a zero-waste plant that use a mere 10% of the water of other nuts. As a legume, it produces its own nitrogen and is a superb scavenger of other nutrients.

And it's about to get better. Cultivars with built-in disease and nematode resistance will reduce the need for as many pesticides. Increased If markers for diseases such drought tolerance or lower water-use varieties may as white mold can be added reduce peanuts' water footprint even more. to the leaf spot and nematode Organic peanut production in the Southeast is posresistance, organic peanuts are sible if markers for diseases such as white mold can be a real opportunity for growers. added to the leaf spot and nematode resistance. To do this without having genetically modified or transgenic varieties, which is important to consumers and manufacturers, offers producers a better chance at a premium price.

Automation is another factor that will help sustainability. The use of robotics, mechanical weeding, laser or electric current weed removal — all of these are being looked at by researchers.

Ensuring that peanuts are a nutritious food product, good for the environment, meeting manfacturer specifications, affordable to consumers and profitable for the farmer are all part of growing a sustainable crop, which will become more important, not less.

Peanut Oil Markets

In many parts of the world, including China and India, consumers use a significant amount of peanut oil. Then there’s the increase in the use of biofuels. What is necessary to make peanut oil a more viable option?

Researchers are working on it — a peanut cultivar with a higher oil content. In wild peanut species, breeders are finding cultivars that Searching through the wild produce 60% oil or more versus the current amount of peanut species, peanut 45% to 48%. Peanuts grown for crushing would need breeders are finding cultivars that produce 60% oil or more… to be identity preserved but could be processed much more quickly and less expensively without the care needed for the edible market. Research into new processes, such as continuous-flow drying, could bring down the per-ton cost even further.

Currently, a joint project between Chevron and Texas A&M peanut breeder John Cason is looking at the potential of peanut biofuels and biodiesel with a lower-carbon intensity. Research conducted through the National Peanut Research Lab found peanut oil can be used as an aviation fuel and fits military specifications. University of Georgia peanut breeder Nino Brown is also working on a cultivar for the oil market.

Animal Feeds

The poultry industry uses more than 90 million tons of feed per year. Even a 1% to 2% portion of this market would be huge. Is it possible? Absolutely. In fact, one of the big egg producers is already very interested.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service chemist Ondulla Toomer is looking at using high-oleic peanuts, both shelled and inshell, as feed enhancements for both meat and egg-laying chickens. She found that A study published this year bird body weights and performance were not changed, found that saturated fatty acid but the meat quality was improved, particularly the levels were lowest in eggs fatty acid profile. Laying hens were also not affected produced from hens fed diets production wise, but eggs contained better nutritional containing high-oleic peanuts. quality. A study published just this year found that saturated fatty acid levels were lowest in eggs produced from hens fed diets containing high-oleic peanuts. You can see now why one of the big egg producers is interested.

The peanut horizon looks bright, indeed, with the research into these new markets and uses for the humble peanut.

14 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

has a longer shelf life, and I think we are seeing the benefits. After years of decline in the in-shell peanut market, this year showed a 15% increase in consumption.

Another example was adding the high-oleic trait to the nematode-resistant variety, TifNV. USDA peanut breeder Corley Holbrook used marker-assisted selection to speed up the process, creating TifNVHO. The impact of Holbrook’s new leaf spot-resistant varieties on farmers will mean huge savings in the cost of fungicides and running a tractor or airplane through the field.

It’s exciting that breeders are now able to take traits from wild species and get those into peanut varieties. It will bring savings and efficiency like we have never seen before.

Q. How is NPB able to stretch funding to do so much on behalf of growers?

A. Maximizing the return on growers’ investment in NPB is uppermost in the minds and work of the board and personnel.

Stretching grower dollars is only part of the equation. Another is finding additional sources of funding to sponsor research. NPB was the first national board to take advantage of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture program that offers matching funds to meet research objectives.

A number of projects co-funded by NIFA have been around breeding and genetics, identifying genetic markers and using marker-assisted selection in breeding.

Another area of research is the allergy issue.

Right now, a food allergy skin or blood test only lets you know if you are sensitive to that food. It does not indicate how you would react if you consumed that food item. Only a food challenge will tell you that, and it is not something many parents are willing to subject their children to.

Using co-funding by NIFA, NPB is helping to sponsor research for better diagnostic tools to determine food allergies. An accurate diagnosis will take the ambiguity and uncertainty out of an allergy judgement.

I am excited about the peanut industry’s future. NPB’s annual production research budget is around $2 million per year and additional funding sources add more than $500,000 to $1 million on top of that. An economic study a few years ago found that each dollar invested in NPB’s marketing and research programs returned $9.74 to the peanut industry. I believe the new varieties with the use of marker-assisted selection will increase the grower’s ROI even more.

PEANUTGROWER.COM

A Historic Donation The ranch will house a Texas A&M AgriLife peanut breeding nursery among many other research initiatives.

M

ore than 900 acres of the George Webb Slaughter Ranch in Palo Pinto County will serve a new Texas A&M AgriLife Research initiative to ensure the economic and environmental prosperity of Texas agriculture and natural resources production.

Slaughter founded the historic ranch in 1857. Following generations of family ownership, AgriLife Research received the land donation in a formal signing ceremony with Dr. Maynard F. Ewton Jr. and his wife, Rosemarie. The property carries deep foundational ties to the former Republic of Texas and the state’s history.

During the Texas Revolution, Slaughter served as Sam Houston’s courier. A state historical marker recounts a ride by Slaughter to deliver correspondence to Col. William B. Travis at the Alamo in San Antonio. Slaughter’s marriage to Sarah Mason in 1836 was the first marriage sanctioned by the former republic. In 1857, Slaughter moved his family to Palo Pinto and operated a large cattle operation. From 1868 to 1875, thousands of his cattle were driven up the Chisholm Trail to the Kansas rail. Slaughter also practiced medicine and was a Baptist preacher.

The Future of the Slaughter-Harris Ranch Native rangelands, plants and wildlife continue to inhabit the now Slaughter-Harris Ranch. AgriLife Research scientists will seek to conserve these natural resources with new food, feed and fiber production methods that work harmoniously to support and strengthen the natural environment.

“We are honored to serve as the stewards of this precious piece of state history,” says G. Cliff Lamb, director of AgriLife Research. “In addition to benefiting directly from these important studies, the land will serve all Texans with our agency mission to nourish health, protect natural resources and support economies.”

“We’re pleased to see the ranch going to support the important agricultural commodity sectors, natural resources and wildlife of Texas, which have been a cornerstone of this land since its establishment in 1857,” says Ewton Jr. “This donation supports a new era of sustainable production that we are proud to encourage.”

The new ranch will house agricultural, natural resources and life sciences research conducted by scientists across the state and over a range of interconnected disciplines.

Peanut Cropping And Plant-Microbe Interactions AgriLife Research’s nationally recognized peanut breeding TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

Texas A&M AgriLife’s peanut breeding program will establish a research nursery to increase germplasm at the new ranch location.

program seeks to establish a research nursery to increase the germplasm available for breeding new varieties. The program also aims to conduct dryland cropping system research and establish breeding trials along the ranch’s river tracts — steps toward building Texas’ standing as a peanut production powerhouse.

Peanut research at the ranch will coincide with studies on plant and microbe interactions and how they affect a plant’s ability to persist between precipitation events during drought.

This research also holds implications for controlling invasive bluestem by restoring native plants and grasslands.

Faculty of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Stephenville will manage the historic property. Researchers expect to kick off projects at the new property by the spring of 2024. PG NOVEMBER 2023 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 15

A Trying Year Drought, disease and questions about maturity hover over growers at the end of 2023.

By Amanda Huber

I

nstead of any one thing plaguing the peanut crop this season, it was nearly all possible problems. A cool, wet start.

Soaring heat in June. A white mold inferno by August, and a harvest season that still had some areas chasing heat units, which were not in the forecast. It was the type of “times to try men’s souls” to borrow a historical phrase from Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense.”

University of Georgia Extension peanut specialist Scott Monfort says most of the Georgia crop was planted later into May, but the seedlings did not grow much due to the wet and cool weather, putting the crop behind. Still needing heat units late in the season, temperatures were getting cooler.

“I was hoping that we would remain warm in October but that was not the case,” Monfort says. “The mild weather has made it almost impossible to determine the best time to dig.”

Monfort says a lot of growers were frustrated about the weather, yields, grades and other problems with the season, including determining when to dig.

“We make the best decisions we can based off the information from the maturity board and what we have seen in the past, but it’s not an exact science,” he says. “We will be off for some fields because of weather, Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus, leaf spot and other issues.”

An Excellent Year For White Mold Perhaps the fall seems cooler because the summer was so hot, which was perfect weather for soilborne disease in mid-to-late July. Rain, plus warm temperatures, was a good environment for white mold, says UGA plant pathologist Bob Kemerait.

“The combination of rain and warm daytime and nighttime temperatures is a good environment for white mold,” Kemerait says. At that point, white mold was smoldering on peanuts, but it was about to ignite.

White mold, white mold and more white mold is how Bill Tyson, Bulloch County, Georgia, Extension coordinator described the situation in August.

“I have seen white mold showing up in peanut fields with a vengeance in Bulloch County in the last week or so,” Tyson says, while reminding growers to stay on schedule with their fungicide program. “The wet weather combined with hot and humid conditions is an excellent recipe for white mold and leaf spot.”

Although no fungicide program will eliminate individual “hits” of white mold, an effective fungicide program stops it

16 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

Extreme heat and high humidity were perfect conditions for a white mold explosion.

from spreading. This year, all fungicide programs were tested.

Late-Season Drought Affects Alabama Auburn University Extension peanut specialist Kris Balkcom says the hot, dry stretch during the end of the growing season played a role in the early maturity of some peanuts in the field and will likely affect crop prices for Alabama producers. But it was a cool spring that pushed planting back and had the crop behind from the start.

“We seemed to start the planting season a month behind. The cooler temperatures, coupled with the wetter conditions, also took a toll on seed where some germinated but didn’t have the vigor to prevail and establish a stand,” he says. “The weather also PEANUTGROWER.COM

rainfall, plus a lot of higher-risk fields.

Another possible reason for the increasing late leaf spot pressure is shorter rotations.

“Crop rotation is the best and most critical factor in crop pest management,” Fulmer says. “That’s why it’s weighted heavily on the Peanut Rx. Crop prices have forced growers to go to peanuts more often because they don’t have many options to rotate to. There’s a lot of cotton-peanut-cotton-peanut rotations and significantly fewer that can put three, or even better four, years between peanut crops.

More Rain Events, Stretched Spray Some Alabama farms had to dig what they could because of a late-season drought, but not as much Tomato Spotted Wilt Intervals Virus was found in the state.

Not only has the type of leaf spot changed over time, but it has also become hindered us from timely applications of a more significant problem, especially in herbicides and fungicides.

Some places the past few years. Besides shorter rotaexperienced heavy downpours with raintions, more rainfall during the season led fall amounts ranging from 12 to 18a inches to trouble getting into the field in timeover a two-week period during June.” ly manner to apply fungicides.

On a positive note, saysleaf he “In 2021, there was Balkcom a complete did not observe the amount of TSWV spot blowout because of all the rain,” this year says. that he saw past last year.

However, Fulmer “The couple years, by late season, a significant drought had there were 10 to 12 rain events, which gripped the state. is typically defined to be greater than “Across lower halfand of July. the state, 1/10 inch, the during June Plus, some peanuts are fine and some you’ve got dew. That leads to a longhave leaf already and need to behave harwetness turned periodloose and will definitely vested,” heon says.

“ThisWe’ve is all had due several to the an impact disease. lack of rain later in the season. years back-to-back that were very condu“More cive to leafthan spot. likely, there will be a smaller crop size than anticipated from “When conditions are wet, growthe lack of rain.

The quality of the ers are not able to get into the fieldcrop at will vary.” timing. It is naturally the also appropriate stretching spray intervals,” he says.

Problems And New In The Starting Old out already behind is also not Virginia-Carolina Area a good place to be.

Harvest conditions across the Virginia“If you’re in a situation where your Carolina region were good in early planting date has gotten pushed back October; coolertotemperatures and now however, it’s mid-May the first of were in the forecast.

June, your leaf spot risk has been raised are expected dip into to “Temperatures a whole other level,” Fulmertosays. the“The mid-to-high 40-degree Fahrenheit planting date effect is real for range forand twowhite days mold.” in a row,” says North leaf spot Carolina State University Most times, it is too wet toExtension plant, or peanut David you are specialist waiting on rain Jordan. to plant,“For but all if practical purposes, peanut development it’s neither of these, then it is a tradeoff and further pod maturation is unlikely to of risks. occur. have been advisedSpotted to dig “Is itGrowers worth avoiding Tomato pods and invert vines irrespective of pod Wilt Virus and accepting the higher maturity.” risk for leaf spot and white mold? Most He saysknow, it is likely a significant portion growers if they get delayed on of the V-C crop will be less than ideal in planting date, they’ll have to really stay terms of yield and market grade. on top of disease control,” he says.

TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

Although most vines were holding up in the V-C region, cool, wet conditions favored an outbreak of Sclerotinia blight in some fields.

Few Fields Are Low Risk The cool, wet most temperatures later the Fulmer spent of his time in in gradseason madeworking ideal conditions uate school on Peanut for Rx,disease which here as well. he says growers can use to help plan what “Sclerotinia blight increased type of disease program they are substangoing to tially apply. in numerous fields over the past two weeks,” the “Even if youJordan don’t usesays. it to “Across make a field region, most fields have health. prescription, Peanut Rxgood is anvine important Although epidemics for the the pathogen tool to help you understand factors causing leaf disease spot had decreased, that impact potential in a peanuts field. It in with poor in the fall canfields be more of ancontrol internalearly check to say, have continued ‘Where am I attoindefoliate.” my risk?’ and to get a Jordanview saysofburrower bug damage was holistic the tradeoffs of focusing also reported at one on TSWV versus leaf buying spot. point. Since the“Every removal of Lorsban (chlorpyrifos) fungicide company has a Peanut from market that shelves, are noineffecRx program can there be utilized low,

moderate and high-risk situations. BASF tive chemical for developed producers,with and has one as wellcontrols that we’ve deep plowing iscooperators.” the oft-used remedy. our university “Dry weather early thegrowers year most But Fulmer says veryinfew can likely contributed the presence of this calculate a low-risktofield. soilborne insect,” he my says.

“This pest is “If you go back to doctorate work, relatively new to to theme upper the it was shocking howareas few of fields region.” that I evaluated out of the hundreds in The years burrower-bug-affected peanuts those were actually low risk.

It is will likelytogoachieve Seg 2. abased on Federal and difficult low-risk field. Most State Serviceorcriteria. fieldsInspection are moderate high risk, and

By Oct.say 10,most Jordan I would aresays in approximately the high-risk 50% area.” of peanuts had been dug across the“There region are withoccasional 20% harvested.

Current growers who yield remaining at about have estimates a four- towere five-year rotation and 4,000 pounds per time. acre. PG plant at the right

NOVEMBER 2023• •THE THEPEANUT PEANUTGROWER GROWER/ / 11 17 JULY 2023

The Precision Ag Payoff UGA precision ag specialist Simer Virk says start with precision soil sampling and variable-rate technology.

By Amanda Huber

A

s harvest winds down and planning for 2024 begins, it is time to consider what fields will be planted so soil samples can be taken. But is it also time to examine how that sampling is done?

At various opportunities throughout 2023, University of Georgia precision ag specialist Simer Virk has presented data from a study on grid size efficacy versus cost considerations.

“If I had to recommend one thing to a farmer who is not doing any precision agriculture, it would be to start with precision sampling and variable rate technology because that’s the first thing that will pay off on your farm,” Virk says.

Variable-rate application of lime and fertilizer is a common practice to address soil nutrient variability within the agricultural fields. When it comes to precision soil sampling to determine site-specific nutrient requirements, grid sampling remains one of the most widely used methods because of its ease of implementation and it does not require additional data layers.

Start With Precision Soil Sampling In a grid sampling strategy, the field is divided into grids of a pre-defined size, and soil samples are collected from each grid to determine the spatial soil pH and nutrient variability within the field. But what is the most optimal grid size?

“Five acres is the most common grid size sample taken in the Southeast,” Virk says. But there’s also a lot of eight-acre and 10-acre grids being pulled, he adds.

There is a cost factor and also an accuracy of nutrient application in the optimal grid size per field. Sampling grid size can range from one to five acres, or 18 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

Application Accuracy And Cost For Various Grid Sizes Grid Size (acres)

Field 1

Field 2

Field 3

Accuracy (%)

Cost ($/ac)

Accuracy (%)

Cost ($/ac)

Accuracy (%)

Cost ($/ac)

1.0

85

136

90

125

88

129

2.5

60

116

80

115

65

130

5.0

51

110

70

110

51

124

7.5

46

98

63

120

63

129

10

44

120

55

113

53

101

larger, but a smaller grid size is generally recommended to accurately capture the difference in nutrient levels. However, smaller grid size also means more samples and greater sampling costs.

“When making a grid-size sampling decision,” Virk says, “Often, the farmer is looking at the cost of sending samples to a lab for analysis. He is not looking at how much of the field is being over or under applied or at that cost.”

When sampling on a grid size greater than five acres, it may help cut down on sampling costs, but it also presents an argument about the effectiveness of larger grids in accurately depicting the spatial variability within the field, he says.

The question is important for growers who want to make better data-driven nutrient-management decisions while also being cost effective with their soil sampling strategy.

What Is The Optimal Grid Sampling Size?

To answer this question, Virk says they conducted soil sampling using grid sizes of 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 acres in nine different fields ranging from 20 to 93 acres in South Georgia. The actual spa-

tial nutrient variability within each field was also determined using high-intensity sampling at two to three samples per acre.

Spatial nutrient maps and corresponding variable-rate prescription maps were created using each grid size. From that, the application accuracy, total fertilizer applied and the application costs were calculated for each strategy.

In Figure 1, a spatial map for potassium was made for soil sampling grid sizes 2.5acre (top), 5-acre (middle) and 10-acre (bottom) grid size for one of the fields.

Virk says the difference among the maps depicting soil K variability is pretty obvious and was expected. A similar trend was noticed for soil pH and phosphorus in all fields.

The table shows application accuracy and total application cost averaged across lime, P and K for each grid size for three of the fields. Virk says the application cost includes the cost of the soil sampling plus analysis and the cost of total amount of fertilizer recommended by each strategy.

“As expected, the application accuracy is highest, greater than 85%, for the smallest grid size for all three fields. The accuracy decreases, significantly in some cases, with an increase in size of the grid,” he says.

PEANUTGROWER.COM

2022 VARIETY GUIDE

accuracy,” he says. “Additionally, the under-applied areas within the field can further affect the crop yield potential, especially theWithout nutrientIrrigation, levels are2017, critically low and would Agronomic Comparison Of Runner And Virginia Varieties With if And 2018 And 2020therefore In Capron impact overall profitability.”

And Suffolk, Virginia, And Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Virk recommends to not pull soil samples in greater than With Irrigation Without Irrigation a 2.5-acre grid because it defeats the purpose of precision soil Variety Yield SMK TSMK Value Yieldthe larger SMK sampling. “In grids, you areTSMK doing more Value over and (lbs./A) (%) (%) ($/A) (lbs./A) (%) (%) ($/A) under application than trying to address the variability in the Bailey 5287 67 73 962field.”

5133 68 72 933

MarketWatch Market Watch

Bailey II

5437

67

73

994

5002

69

73

907

Emery

5622

69

73

Use A Smaller 1035 5036Grid Size On 69 New Fields73

924

Florida-07

4857

64

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that 74 the choice of 730 grid size 823 He says that 4218 the data emphasizes 65

FloRun ‘107’

4667

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largely depends on the amount of variability and how much 4204 67 75 729 historical data is available for a given field.

Florunner 4300 64 74 715 4021 66 75 677 “On newer fields or fields that have not been in production GA-09B 5042 68 77 910for a long time, 4613 I think you 70 should sample 77 on a one-acre 820 grid Sugg 5329 66 73 968initially so 4748 68 73 875in the that you can learn more about the variability says. “The reason that are Sullivan 5210 67 72 946field,” Virk4617 67 is you may 71 have fields825 variable, or you69may have a field variabilTUFRunner ‘297’ 4877 67 76 852very highly 4798 76 with little826 ity and future sampling could be on a five-acre grid.”

TUFRunner ‘511’ 5102 69 76 888 4705 68 75 818 Once that baseline information on nutrient variability is estabWalton 5110 69 74 938 5008 69 73 lished, in subsequent years, other data such as soil type, 901 electrical Wynne 4900 65 71 873conductivity 4495 71 805larger or yield could66be used to either sample on Average 5057 67 74 9012.5-acre grids 4661 or eventually68transition to 74 a zone-based 828 management, which Virk says tends to provide the better combination Source: Dr. Maria Balota, Assistant Professor, Tidewater AREC, Virginia Tech. of accuracy and cost effectiveness.

“In most cases,‘297’: for soil sampling by to the remain valuableofand proTamrun OL11: A high-yielding, high-oleic, runner-type TUFRunner™ Developed University Florida, videvariety any realistic depiction ofseeded soil nutrient levels peanut in the field, peanut cultivar developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research. It this is an extra-large runner-type with grid size should not exceedReleased 2.5 acres,”inhe2014, says. PG has improved resistance to Sclerotinia minor and improved grade high-oleic oil chemistry. this variety has over previously released runner-type cultivars that are resistant peanuts and peanut products in selected markets in 2023. The to S. minor. Tamrun OL11 is specifically developed for the West Peanut Institute continues to publish research that shows peanuts Texas growing region. improve heart health and blood sugar, protect against certain Tamrun OL18L: A high-yielding, high-oleic, early maturing cancers such as colorectal, gastric, pancreatic and even lung cancer runner-type peanut cultivarofthat waslonger. released by Texas A&M and improves your chances living AgriLife a larger than average plus. seed size. Its maturity The Research quality ofwith the 2022 crop is another is comparable to Tamrun OL12, which is 14 days earlier maturingWatching than Flavor Yield was similar to Georgia-09B, TheRunner Cotton458.

Market but was higheris than OL11. seed size wasthis similar to All that good,Tamrun but what willThe peanuts bring spring?

Tamrun OL07 and differences in flavors were notedwith in Cooperatives willWebb. likely No offer a lower front-end contract analysis between Tamrun OL18L and theand checkthen cultivars. another payment likely in October, a payout next Tamrun A high-yielding, early maturyear.

WithOL19: higher average prices, the high-oleic, PLC is no help. ing runner-type peanut cultivar that was released from If buyers refuse the higher-priced shelled peanuts, theTexas shellA&M Research. is approximately days earlier er hasAgriLife no choice but toItwait on the farmerseven to negotiate with maturing thanon Tamrun andcontract. seven days later than Tamrun the sheller a 2023OL07 peanut Industry cannot wait OL12 five years of because testing. Yield similar may to Georgia-09B until inplanting time cottonwas contracts go to $1.30 but higher thanFarmers Tamruntell OL11.

Theifseed sizeisis80similar perwas pound again. me that cotton cents to per Figure Thiswould shows the spatial K Don’t maps wait for soil sampling using Tamrun OL11 but larger than Georgia-09B. differences pound,1: they plant peanuts. tooNo long. (top), 5.0 (middle) and 10.0 (bottom) acre grid size for one in2.5 flavors were noted in istheChina. flavorInanalysis between Tamrun Another silent factor 2021, China bought over field in the study.

200,000 With higher prices, it will not likely hapOL18L andmetric check tons. cultivars. pen thisAnd year since theby United has fewerResearch Seg. 2 or Seg. 3 Tifguard: Developed USDA’s Service UnderOver-Applying IsStates AAgriculture Cost peanuts to sell.

At one point, China was buying inlower-priced Tifton, Georgia, Tifguard has resistance to nematodes so While the application cost also decreases with the increaseasin of the U.S. exports. to40% be as it “near immunity.” offers gridcharacterized size, Virk says, is worth noting Itthat notgood all ofyields that isand due The peanut market summary is essentially the same as last grades, especially in places where there would be no yield from to the reduced sampling costs but more so from the under-apmonth.

The market isgood quiet as field. buyerstohave goodand coverage and other varieties.

It offers TSWV, maturity plication in certain parts of resistance the not wanting to buy into the market at the prices it would is are similar to Georgia Green.

“In some fields, such as Field 3, the lower accuracy at the take to find willing seller.

ForUSDA-ARS, we or watch cotton and TifNV-HighO/L: Released by in Tifton, this 2.5-acre grid asize can also result innow, similar greater applicaChina, and pray for rain.

Industry supply seems adequate but variety has the nearsmaller immunity nematodes as Tifguard the tion costs than grid to sizes due to high fertilizerwith over-apwill need an increase in acres in 2023.

How do we get this outhigh-oleic trait. the It also has grid resistance to tomato spotted plication.oilThus, larger sizes do help lower the wilt samcome don’t want toand pay?seed PGexpense virus.

It ifis manufacturers similar to costs Tifguard plant characteristics. pling/application but in not without the of reduced TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

FEBRUARY 2022 • THE PEANUT GROWER / /17 FEBRUARY 2023 THE PEANUT GROWER / 19 9 NOVEMBER 2023 ••THE PEANUT GROWER

Bart Davis

Peanuts well represented in the Sunbelt Ag Expo’s Southeastern Farmer of the Year

T

wo peanut farmers are among the many 2023 state winners for the Sunbelt Ag Expo’s Southeastern Farmer of the Year, a tradition for more than 33 years. Let’s meet these two outstanding farmers.

Henry ‘Bart’ Davis Jr. 2023 GEORGIA FARMER OF THE YEAR

Bart Davis, of Doerun, grew up on his parents’ farm of around 500 acres that had a small herd of mother cows and a hog operation.

While growing up, he planned to farm alongside his father, but the untimely passing of both parents meant that he had to take over the operation just before his high school graduation.

Since then, the operation has grown to 4,975 crop acres, 3,775 of which are rented and the remainder owned. Initially, Davis grew cotton, peanuts, corn, beans and wheat, alongside raising livestock. In the 1990s, when cotton largely returned to the area, he shifted his focus to cotton and peanuts.

Davis’s wife, Paula, who grew up nearby and attended the same high school, looks after the family, the house, the grounds, and runs errands as needed. The couple has three children: Henry Bart (“Trey”) Davis, III; Jedd A. Davis; and Lakyn Davis Buckner. Today, all three are managing part20 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

Georgia Farmer Of The Year – Bart Davis •

Davis Family Farms and Davis Cattle Farms raise purebred Angus and Hereford stock along with elite F1 commercials.

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They grow irrigated and dryland peanuts and cotton, and irrigated corn.

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Was part of a group who purchased Doerun Peanut Co., which buys between 25,000 and 30,000 tons annually.

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Contracts directly with OLAM Peanut to grow 100% of their peanuts for seed.

ners of Davis Family Farms and Davis Cattle Farms.

Direct Contracting Over time, the farms have channeled their energy into the seedstock industry focusing on genetics that thrive in the warm, humid Southeastern United States. Today the Davises raise purebred Angus and Hereford stock along with elite F1 commercials. They also grow dry and irrigated cotton, irrigated corn and dry and irrigated peanuts.

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Crop yields are as follows: 2,539 acres of irrigated cotton yielding 1,325 pounds per acre; 434 acres of dry cotton yielding 1,215 pounds per acre; 1,461 acres of irrigated peanuts yielding 5,325 pounds per acre; 260 acres of dry peanuts yielding 5,150 pounds per acre; and 304 acres of irrigated corn yielding 235 bushels per acre. The cow/calf operation on Davis Cattle Farms has 325 breeding age females.

As for marketing, Davis says, “Our operation contracts directly with OLAM Peanut to grow 100% of our peanuts for seed. We’ve been working together over 10 years, and the relationship allows us to capture a significant premium for our peanuts. We also have an intricate system of forward contracting, using futures and options and the Revenue Protection aspect of Federal Crop Insurance to manage risks and market our cotton and corn.”

Davis is looking toward future retail-level cotton sales where, he said, “A customer can identify where the fiber contained in their finished product originated and know its story from start to finish (the ‘dirt to shirt’ concept).” To date, Davis Family Farms has accomplished this on a small scale, selling cotton directly to J. Crew for an upcoming project.

Investing Locally Davis’ family has also invested in two local businesses that have a direct correlation to the local farming industry. In the mid-2000s, along with a group of other local growers, they purchased Doerun Peanut Co. to be more vertically integrated. Today, Doerun Peanut Co. buys between 25,000 and 30,000 tons annually, enabling Davis to generate additional income, adding to the bottom line.

The second investment, made with a group of local business people, was to bring a community bank back to the Moultrie area. Their goal is to offer true community banking

to Colquitt County and surrounding communities. “While it’s still in its infancy, we are excited about the opportunities it will bring to our local economy,” he says.

For the past 15 years, Davis Family Farms has been implementing precision ag by integrating information technology into processes that constantly measure, observe and respond to the needs of the soil and crops.

Davis says, “It ensures that our fields are receiving exactly what they need for optimum health and productivity. This method also enables us to sustain and protect the environment by optimizing returns on inputs while preserving resources.”

Jeremy M. Kichler, County Extension Coordinator in Colquitt County, who nominated Davis, says, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mr. Bart Davis over the past nine years. He’s always been a supporter of Extension and has cooperated on countless on-farm demonstrations and field trials. The data generated from these have impacted growers both locally and regionally. This award could not have gone to a more deserving family farm operation.”

Steve Cobb ARKANSAS FARMER OF THE YEAR

Cobb Farms of Lake City is a partnership enterprise that began over 50 years ago. Today, on a total of 4,500 acres (2,500 rented and 2,000 owned), it grows row crops, produce and show pigs. Three entities make up the partnership: 1) Steve Cobb and Family is a leading show-pig operation that produces 1,000+ show pigs a year as well as breeding stock for club pig production. 2) Cane Island Farms oversees the row crops of corn, cotton and peanuts. 3) The Cane Island Produce branch grows vegetables, specializing in year-round greenhouse tomatoes.

Steve Cobb

TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

NOVEMBER 2023 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 21

In addition, Circle L Farms handles all of Cane Island Farm’s trucking needs as well as Steve Cobb and Family’s grain hauling. The company runs eight trucks daily and helps out local brokers as well.

Cobb says, “I was born on a subsistence farm where my parents owned 40 acres given to my mother by her father.

Over time they rented another 200 acres.

Knowing What’s Important Cobb married his wife Terri in 1977, and she had a 32-year career as a second-grade teacher.

Cobb says, “One of the biggest joys of my life is that she and I live on that same farm where we raised our three children, Jarrett, Aaron and Leslie. Our eight grandchildren are around every week, running and playing on the same land.”

The Cobb partnership’s crop yields are as follows: 1,800 acres of irrigated corn yielding 210 bushes per acre; 2,599 acres of irrigated cotton yielding 1,300 pounds per acre; 101 acres of irrigated peanuts yielding 2.5 tons per acre; and greenhouse tomatoes yielding 70 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION

1. Publication Title: Peanut Grower 2. Publication Number: 1042-9379 3. Filing Date: October 2023 4. Issue Frequency: Jan – July and Nov 5. Number of Issues: 8x/year 6. Annual Subscription Price: Free to qualified subscribers 7&8. Mailing Address of Known Office/Headquarters: 875 W. Poplar Ave., Ste. 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 Contact Person: David Boyd (901-626-1730) 9. Publisher: Lia Guthrie, 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 Editor: Amanda Huber, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Ste. 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 10. Owners: Cornelia Guthrie, 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470; Dr. David Scott Guthrie, Sr., 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470; Morris Ike Lamensdorf, 17 S. Third St., Rolling Fork, MS 39159; Mary Jane Lamensdorf, 17 S. Third St., Rolling Fork, MS 39159 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees and Other Security Holders Owning/Holding 1% or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: July 2023 15.a. Total Number of Copies (net press run): (Average No. Copies each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 9,478) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 9,402) 15.b.(1) Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 6,296) (No. Copies of Single Issue Nearest to Filing Date – 4,341) 15.c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 6,296) (No. Copies of Single Issue Nearest to Filing Date – 4,341) 15.d.(1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 2,988) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 4,933) 15.d.(4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months - 37) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date - 100) 15.e. Total Nonrequested Distribution: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 3,025) (No Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 5,033) 15.f. Total Distribution: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months - 9,321) (No Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 9,374) 15.g. Copies Not Distributed: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months - 157) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date - 28) 15.h. Total: (Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 9,478) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 9,402) 15.i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 67.5%) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 46.3%) 18. I certify that all information furnished above is true and complete.

Lia Guthrie, Publisher

22 / THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2023

Arkansas Farmer Of The Year – Steve Cobb •

Cobb Farms is a partnership enterprise consisting of 1) Steve Cobb and Family, a leading show-pig operation; 2) Cane Island Farms with row crops of corn, cotton and peanuts; 3) Cane Island Produce which grows vegetables and specializes in year-round greenhouse tomatoes.

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A hailstorm in October 2014 took out 75% of their cotton crop, causing them to add peanuts to their rotation, which helped increase yields on following cotton crops.

pounds per plant x 200 plants. In addition, the show pig business produces 1000+ show pigs a year. They have set a number of records in show pig and boar sales and have successfully marketed winning show pigs across more than 40 states through eight annual online auctions at showpig.com.

Cane Island Farms’ cotton is ginned at Southland Gin in Lake City and is marketed through Olam Agri. They also grow non-GMO corn for Ozark Mountain Poultry of George’s Chicken.

Pe a nut s a re ma rketed t h rou g h Birdsong Peanuts. The farm has plans to build a feed warehouse to improve efficiency and quality of feed making.

Designs are in the works for an off-site show pig fitting facility as well.

As for Cane Island Farms Partnership, a huge disaster struck in October of 2014, when a terrible hailstorm hit just days before harvest. Owens recalled, “That storm took out 75% of our cotton crop. The same year, our grain brokerage filed for bankruptcy resulting in a total loss of our corn crop. It was a year full of pain as we lost one of our most beloved employees, Glen Eaton, in a tragic accident. We simply came to a full stop and started reevaluating how to go forward.”

Cotton Disaster Leads To Peanuts That’s when the farms added peanuts to their rotation, a risky move that paid dividends and enabled the partnership to remain competitive. Owens said, “The peanuts also helped us increase yields on our cotton on the years following the peanut crop.”

On a more personal note, in 2010, one of Cobb’s granddaughters, Scout Lyerly, was just two years old when she wa s d ia gnosed w it h st a ge 4 Neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system. Cobb says, “This illness taught each of us more valuable life lessons

than we can ever list. We grew to cherish each other more every single day and thank the Lord for his goodness in bringing Scout through that ordeal.

She’s now a very lively 14-year-old teenager.

We continue to support St. Jude Ch i ld ren’s Re se a rch Hospit a l in Memphis for their wonderful care.”

As for lessons learned from farming, Cobb says, “In a practical sense, you have to be intense in your work ethic and progressive. Change has been so phenomenal and fast during my lifetime that it’s almost overwhelming. We’ve gone in a few short generations from small subsistence farms to large commercial enterprises. So, it’s important to keep up the pace and stay open to innovative techniques, equipment and ideas.”

Justin R. Ladd, Senior Financial Officer for Farm Credit Mid-America, nominated Steve Cobb to be the Arkansas Farmer of the Year.

He says, “At any national livestock show or state fair livestock show in the United States, Steve Cobb and his family are recognized as industry leaders.

He’s also well-respected locally because he’s done so much for the surrounding community.

“They’ve spent countless hours giving back to the local FFA and 4-H Clubs and have raised money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. It’s truly an impressive extended family partnership with a track record of excellent farming, integrity and generosity.” PG Since its inception in 1990, the Sunbelt Expo’s Southeastern Farmer of the Year award program has evolved into the most prestigious honor in the southeast and nation with 286 outstanding agribusiness leaders being honored for excellence in agriculture. For more information, visit www.sunbeltexpo.com/foty.

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