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All Of Us Editor’s Note
It’s Up To
Despite significant progress in preventing peanut allergy through early introduction, recent research has found that the message isn’t getting to new parents who need to hear it. That’s the challenge for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension nutrition and health specialist Ali Berg – to get the word out.
With funding from Southern Peanut Growers, Berg and her team conducted focus groups in south Georgia to gauge parents’ awareness and perceptions of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published in 2020, that recommends introducing peanut-containing products to infants as early as four to six months old, especially for children at high risk for allergies.
Huber Editor, e Peanut Grower
Berg says, “Parents were really surprised to learn about this and excited to know they have some control over whether their child developed a food allergy.”
While the recommendations, themselves, are older than most of the children they are directed toward, the information isn’t reaching the public as it should, creating a critical gap in understanding.
“It’s not necessarily that health care providers are opposed to sharing this information with parents, but more likely that, amid all the other important things being discussed during office visits, there simply isn’t enough time to cover everything,” she says.
As an Extension nutrition and health specialist, Berg, who is also an associate professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, coordinates health education programs. She and her team developed training materials to help county Extension agents support families and child care facilities in safely implementing recommended nutritional guidelines both in school settings and at home.
“Our school nutrition and child care provider trainings include crucial information to help providers understand who’s at risk and how to manage nutrition safely within their facilities,” Berg says. For parents, hands-on programs conducted in person by agents offer immediate, direct feedback. Upcoming events and additional resources can be found on the Peanut Allergy Prevention website from UGA Extension.
The outreach effort to child care facilities and schools has already reached more than 270 school nutrition workers in Georgia. “These individuals are important messengers in the community,” Berg notes. “They were very surprised by the early introduction guidelines and eager to use and share the information.”
The materials are available at Extension offices throughout Georgia for general use should you know a person, daycare or doctor’s office that could benefit from this information. It’s up to all of us to help get the word out.
Amanda
News Briefs
Rollins Nominated Secretary Of Ag
President-elect Donald Trump has named Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rollins, a Texas native, is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank launched in 2021 to promote Trump’s economic policies. A conservative lawyer, Rollins also served as acting director of the White House’s Domestic Policy Council at the end of Trump’s first term.
Rollins is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she received an undergraduate degree in agricultural leadership and development. She has also been involved with Future Farmers of America and 4-H, with the statement saying she guides “her four kids in their show cattle careers.” The American Farm Bureau Federation said Rollins has a “good relationship” with the Texas Farm Bureau, something the national group hopes to build on if she’s confirmed.
In a post on X, Rollins says, “It will be the honor of my life to fight for America’s farmers and our Nation’s agricultural communities. Who’s ready to make agriculture great again?”
Farm Bill Progress: Yes Or No?
With Congress’s return to the lameduck session in late December, agricultural stakeholders once again urged legislators to consider important items before the end of the 118th Congress. Multiple initiatives being discussed are of high significance to the peanut industry, including economic assistance, the Farm Bill and disaster assistance.
With Republican’s sweeping victories on Election Day, including the President, House and Senate, the likelihood of a five-year Farm Bill was viewed as dim. Despite this, the Senate Ag Committee, still led by retiring Senator and committee chair Debbie Stabenow released their 1,397-page Farm Bill on Nov. 18, with merely weeks remaining before Congress adjourned.
With news that Sen. Stabenow had briefed democrats but not republicans on the committee, Senate Ag Committee ranking member John Boozman (R-Ark.) wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, “An 11th hour partisan proposal released 415 days after the expiration of the current Farm Bill is insulting. America’s farmers deserve better.”
The consensus was that Congress would pass an extension long enough to kick the Farm Bill deep into 2025, while looking to add disaster assistance and possibly help for farmers who’ve suffered from high costs and low commodity prices.
Peanut Leaders Push For Year-End Priorities
Knowing peanut growers need assistance before the 2025 crop year, representatives from the U.S. Peanut Federation again traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for assistance needed before the end of this year. During the trip, USPF representatives met with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as senior agricultural staff, to engage in discussions on economic assistance, natural disaster assistance and the Farm Bill.
The one-year extension, passed in November 2023, that authorized pro-
In Brief
• Conservative lawyer and Texas native Brooke Rollins nominated for Ag Secretary.
• Another extension on Farm Bill expected.
• Peanut leaders again emphasize dire need for assistance to legislators.
• Grower toolkit added to U.S. Sustainable Peanut Initiative.
• J.M. Smucker Co. opens third Uncrustables plant in Alabama.
• Farm shows planned in Tifton, Georgia, and Dothan, Alabama.
grams at the same levels as the 2018 Farm Bill, expired Sept. 30, 2024, and some federal programs became unavailable. Crop insurance, primary nutrition, disaster and other programs have been enacted as permanent law, and access to federal assistance will remain available.
Chris Chammoun, executive director of the American Peanut Shellers Association, attended with USPF. “We had great visits on Capitol Hill and were glad members of Congress took the time to hear the concerns of the peanut industry,” he
News Briefs
said. “We look forward to continuing to work with members to address the current needs of the industry.”
Joe Boddiford, Georgia Peanut Commission president also attended the trip. “Times are hard back on the farm, and we haven’t seen an economic crisis like this since the early 1980s,” he said. “If financial assistance is not prompt, many farmers will be forced out of business and not be able to farm again.”
Sustainable U.S. Peanuts New Enrollment Year, Grower Toolkit
The American Peanut Council recently launched the 2024 crop enrollment for the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative. Enrollment is available until April 2025 at Sustainablepeanuts.org.
In its fourth year, the initiative is supporting America’s peanut industry with metrics on the most efficient use of production resources and encouraging farm operation sustainability practices that will help meet customer expectations, lead to increased demand for peanuts and set the stage for long-term economic viability.
Additionally, a grower toolkit is now available to help answer growers’ questions, to offer grower testimonials on how sustainable practices have positively impacted their farm and community and to provide step-by-step instructions on enrolling.
“For peanut growers to be productive and profitable, the industry will need to increase demand for peanuts, and in our current market, one of the biggest drivers for demand is quickly becoming sustainability,” says American Peanut Council President and CEO Richard Owen. “Because consumers are demanding sustainable food production practices, manufacturers, retailers and our international trading partners have the same expectations. To be competitive, both domestically and internationally, the industry will need to prove and document peanut sustainability, which is the goal of the initiative.”
Sustainable U.S. Peanuts is supported by the peanut industry and administered by the American Peanut Council.
Tackling Aflatoxin
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee previously approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies legislation, which would continue the peanut aflatoxin contamination research funding at the same level, $4 million, as FY 2024.
The American Peanut Shellers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and United States Peanut Federation recently hosted an Aflatoxin Research Update at the University of Georgia Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. Eighteen presentations were offered by researchers from the USDA’s National Peanut Research Lab, Fort Valley State University, University of Georgia, University of Florida and Mississippi State University.
“The entire peanut supply chain benefits from the work these researchers are doing, but most importantly, their work will provide solutions for our farmers,” says Courtney Dorsett, Chair of the American Peanut Shellers Association Committee on Regulatory Compliance and Research Coordination. “Tackling the aflatoxin problem leads to peanut varieties that are more drought-tolerant and resistant to insects and diseases.”
Georgia Peanut Farm Show Planned
The 48th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference will be Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The one-day show is free and open to all farmers and industry representatives.
Attendees will have the opportunity to visit nearly 100 agribusinesses and organizations in the peanut and agricultural industry. Farmers will be able to earn private and commercial pesticide applicator certification, as well as learn about cutting-edge research and developments during the University of Georgia Peanut Production Seminar and industry-wide sponsored Peanut Seed Seminar.
Rodney Dawson, show chairman, says, “I encourage farmers to attend this oneday show in Tifton. The knowledge they will gain from industry representatives and seminars is an investment in the future of their farm.”
The Georgia Peanut Commission, in cooperation with Oneblood, will host a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. At show close on Thursday, nearly $10,000 in door prizes will be awarded to farmers, including a grand door prize. For details, visit www.gapeanuts.com.
Appel Named Interim Dean At Auburn University College of Ag
Arthur Appel will serve as interim dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture and interim director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, effective Jan. 1. Appel has served as associate dean for research and assistant director of the Experiment Station since 2021.
Appel previously served as interim dean and director from July 2015 to March 2016. He was interim associate dean for research and interim assistant director of the Experiment Station from Jan. 2014 to March 2016, and he chaired the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology from 2005 to 2014. He has been on faculty at Auburn since 1985.
“I am honored to lead our college and Experiment Station through this transition period,” Appel says. “These programs are in excellent positions, and we have great teams in place. My goal for the coming months is to continue our current trajectory while preparing the way for our next dean and director and assisting in a smooth, successful transition.”
Appel holds an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s and Ph.D. in urban entomology from the University of California at Riverside. His research, teaching and scholarship have led to many honors
Arthur Appel
News Briefs
PB&J Factory Opens In Alabama
The J.M. Smucker Co. recently celebrated the opening of its newest manufacturing facility in McCalla, Alabama, which will support production of one of the company’s fastest-growing brands, Uncrustables. Company leadership, including Chair of the Board, President and CEO, Mark Smucker, along with local and state leadership, including Governor Kay Ivey, were in attendance for the grand opening event.
The 900,000-square-foot manufacturing facility will increase the company’s current production capacity for its Uncrustables brand to help meet demand for the popular frozen sandwiches.
“The opening of our new facility in McCalla furthers our commitment to invest in our strategy to build leading brands in attractive categories,” says Mark Smucker. “We have grown Uncrustables from a $12 million brand to one delivering approximately $800 million in annual net sales
and awards, including induction as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Make Plans To Attend e Alabama/Florida Peanut Farm Show
The Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show, hosted by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and the Florida
last fiscal year. With the new facility now open, we are well positioned to realize our goal of $1 billion in annual net sales by the end of fiscal year 2026.
“I would like to extend our appreciation to the state of Alabama and Jefferson County officials for their partnership. I would also like to share my thanks to the tremendous team here in McCalla for their hard work to open the facility.”
The new facility marks the third manufacturing location dedicated to the Smucker’s Uncrustables brand, along with facilities in Scottsville, Kentucky, and Longmont, Colorado. The new facility, and a completed expansion at the Longmont location, will support the company’s strategy to more than double its production capacity.
Demand for the frozen handheld sandwich has driven the brand’s growth over time to approximately $500 million in annual net sales, demonstrating double-digit growth annually over the past decade.
Peanut Producers Association since 2005, is scheduled for Jan. 30. Peanut growers from both states can learn about products and services from more than 60 exhibitors. At the “Research Corner,” growers can talk face-to-face with Extension and researchers from Auburn University and the University of Florida and see research being conducted to help their bottom line.
The show is held at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. Doors open at 8 a.m. Lunch is provided. For information, contact Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Kaye Lynn Hataway at 334792-6482 at klhataway@alpeanuts.com or Florida Peanut Producers Association, Brittany Peacock at 850-526-2590 or brittany@flpeanuts.com
Market Watch
Yield Is A Challenge, But Quality Is Better Than Expected
The 2024 peanut crop was often described as disappointing, difficult and challenging on the farm. Overall, with the weather extremes, including two hurricanes and other problems, the industry is lucky to have the volume and quality that has been delivered.
Most disappointment came near harvest when yields and grades were down, again caused by weather and growing conditions during the season. One grower said he followed Peanut Rx recommendations, and the crop looked good on top, but at harvest time, “they were just not there,” he said of the low yields. Another farmer, and sadly probably more than one, said, “This looks like a good time to quit.”
Hammered by extremes, the 2024 crop was about one-third planted when it rained for two weeks. After recovery, another one-third was planted into drought conditions. The final one-third was planted late, and each part of the crop had to be treated differently.
Better Quality Than Expected
Crop quality is better than originally predicted, and aflatoxin is less of an issue than anticipated. Extension agronomists and pathologists estimate only a 4.7% infestation of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in Georgia.
The market is fairly quiet as shellers are still counting up total tonnage and have sold a certain percentage to date. If the crop is smaller, then each sheller, depending on position, is more heavily sold than previously thought. As a result, shellers are taking a cautious selling attitude until final numbers are known.
With harvest of the latest-planted crop being very late, the final crop numbers are still somewhat of a mystery. Overall,
and with unknown aplenty, it looks like we will be short of U.S. Department of Agriculture numbers. Georgia is lagging the most, but now estimates a 3.15 million ton total crop production.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency confirmed planted area at 1,788,609 acres, up 10% from 2023. The production forecast was 6.71 billion pounds, or 3,256,150 tons, an increase of 9% over last year. Producers knew they had overplanted, and with normal growing conditions, the peanut market would be flooded. That encourages producers to contract a portion of the crop early and possibly divert a portion to a sheller pool or market loan.
Demand Slowing
There is still a percentage of this crop to be contracted with reported buyers of farmer stock at $550 to $575. It may eventually take $600 to secure the balance of possibly 20% left for contracting. New-crop offers are difficult to get for the 2025 calendar year with several sellers withdrawing from the market.
J. Tyron Spearman Contributing Editor, e Peanut Grower
One of the challenges was to limit risks and find ways to do things smarter. Farmer-stock prices remain relatively low compared to the costs of production. Therefore, limiting fungicide and insecticide applications when needed could be a major savings at the end, but that is quite risky.
Demand for peanuts and peanut butter has shown signs of slowing as the general economy and inflation pressures a family’s income. Raw peanuts in primary products decreased 3.75% from August to October compared to the same three months of 2023. Peanut butter usage declined 4.8% compared to last year. Candy usage is down 7.2% for the three-month period, with an 11.6% decline in October, alone, versus last year. Peanuts in snacks are up 2.2% compared to last year. USDA says overall usage is down 4% to date.
Ending Stocks
Changes in consumption patterns should favor peanuts and peanut butter as consumers choose more plant-based diets.
Market Watch
This change to manufacturers’ product line ups is thought of as more respectful of the environment and provides functional benefits in regard to health.
Ending stocks this year is estimated at 811,000 tons. These are the peanuts that fill the pipeline from August until November each year or until the newest crop is shelled and ready. With a 200,000-ton usage amount per month, after four months, it could mean a tightening of the market for supply, and prices could improve next year.
Export Markets
What about exports? Export markets were up 17.5% in volume for the year at 585,789 metric tons compared to 2023’s 498,330 metric tons. Tariff talk worries the peanut industry, especially regarding shipments to Mexico and Canada. Even
‘‘ I think the future looks good for peanuts. We’re growing a delicious, nutritious and sustainable food that is affordable. Now, we’ve got to find ways to make it profitable.
European Union tariffs have been waived on peanut butter and raw peanuts after an agreement last year.
What about next year? Peanut specialists say it plain. Stick to known practices, including varieties. Since 2024 total production is short, prices should remain firm. Some producers are in trouble financially. Growing peanuts in 2025 will be an agreement between the grower and sheller with advice from the buying point. Manufacturers should be making sure peanuts are planted, and they are booking at a price that will keep
the farmer profitable.
Help Needed
Leaders are pleading for financial assistance from Washington D.C. now to combat multiple years of higher costs of production and low commodity prices. Farm Bill funds would likely not arrive until late 2026 with any assistance.
I think the future looks good for peanuts. We’re growing a delicious, nutritious and sustainable food that is affordable. Now, we’ve got to find ways to make it profitable.
Learning Opportunities Abound
Alabama Extension peanut agronomist
Kris Balkcom outlines challenges from 2024 as producers look ahead to this year.
Plus, two conferences offer additional learning opportunities
To prepare for the coming crop year, most experts agree that it’s important to look at what worked and what didn’t work in the prior year. In Alabama, Auburn Extension peanut agronomist Kris Balkcom says the 2024 season felt like riding a roller coaster of weather conditions.
“The season started out good then turned hot and dry, followed by flooding rains with cloudy, cooler weather,” he says as an example of the constant changes.
“We didn’t see much Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus early in the season, but we did see it show up in many fields later in the season. Again, this is predominantly due to the amount of drought and heat stress the crop was under,” Balkcom says. “The virus seems to express itself more because of the unfavorable conditions the crop was under.”
Balkcom says some peanuts were ready to be dug in September, but moisture was needed to start digging in order to reduce possible equipment damage and harvest losses from hard ground. “During that time, farmers started reporting two to four inches of rain in some places and only one to two inches in other locations,” he says. “When rains came on the first of September, which were from 0.3 to 0.6 tenths of an inch, we started the 2024 peanut harvest season.”
Unfortunately, an active hurricane season meant that bigger rains would be dropping an overabundance of water on the fields.
“This washed some fields severely, not only the soil but also washing around inverted peanut rows making harvest difficult
Lessons
From The 2024 Crop:
• Disease problems, such as TSWV, are weather-dependent.
• Inverted peanut vines were washed all around from hurricane flooding.
• Spider mites flared in fields without an earlier insecticide application.
• A miticide application only works when spider mites are present.
• Late-planted peanuts require patience to reach possible maturity.
to impossible in some places,” Balkcom says.
Big Move For Spider Mites
Another issue Alabama producers saw in 2024 was spider mites.
“As you are aware, we would usually only see spider mites in a dryland field where a pyrethroid was applied earlier in the season, which also killed off the beneficial insects. This season, we started seeing spider mites in dryland fields that had not had any insecticide applied early in the season,” he says. “After having big rains in places across the Wiregrass area, you would have thought it would have helped eliminate the spider mites. However, we then found them in irrigated fields that had adequate soil moisture. This certainly raised our eyebrows and focused our attention.”
Balkcom says the Alabama peanut team is working on figuring
January is a good time to make plans for the 2025 crop year and learn new practices, as well as consider what worked and didn’t work in the past year. The following are a couple of conferences that producers may want to attend.
Alabama Row Crops Short Course
Alabama producers can brush up on best management practices and prepare for the upcoming growing season at the 2025 Alabama Row Crops Short Course. The course will be held Jan. 21-22, 2025, at the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University’s College of Agriculture are partnering to bring producers an all-encompassing event geared toward understanding the current market conditions, improving farm practices and increasing profitability.
Eros Francisco, an Alabama Extension grain crops agronomist, says faculty, specialists and agents are working across production lines to equip farmers with relevant research and information.
“The 2025 Row Crops Short Course will bring highly qualified speakers to cover di erent hot topics that are of great interest to farmers,” Francisco says. “These include commodity prices, best management practices to manage risk, nutrient management, cotton and grain crops updates, deer damage management, economical pest control methods and much more.”
Registration is free through Jan. 12, after which registrants will pay a $40 registration fee. To register, visit www.aces.edu/go/RowCrops ShortCourse.
The short course will open with a commodity market overview and financial recommendations for 2025. A panel discussion on diversification and risk management will follow. In the afternoon, the agenda will include sessions focused on grain crops, precision agriculture and weed management.
On Wednesday, the agenda includes cotton updates, variety selection, disease management, climate outlook, endangered species and regulations, new research opportunities and deer management.
The following Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units will be o ered at the short course: Nutrient Management – 1.0 CEU; Soil and Water Management – 1.0 CEU; Integrated Pest Management — 2.0 CEUs; Crop Management – 2.5 CEUs.
2025 Spray Drone End-User Conference
The Spray Drone End-User Conference — the most informative and end-user-focused drone spraying event — is back for a third year. Hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University, this conference will discuss hot topics and industry trends and connect people in the spray-drone community from all over the world.
Several keynote presentations and 24 dynamic breakout sessions are planned to cover drone topics, such as regulations and compliance, business operations, finance, applied research and much more. There will also be many expert question-and-answer sessions to allow new users to ask questions regarding any aspects related to drones.
The conference is scheduled for March 23-26, at the Mobile Convention Center, 1 S. Water St., Mobile, AL 36602. Several registration options for both in-person and remote attendees are available as well as for early, regular and late registration. This year, there is also a discounted registration rate for academic professionals and students.
For more information on the 2025 Spray Drone End-User Conference, go to www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/2025-spraydrone-end-user-conference, or contact, Dr. Steve Li at steveli@auburn.edu.
out what caused this change in occurrence of spider mites.
At the time, Balkcom says he was advising producers to apply fungicides before the storm.
“Many farmers were asking about treating spider mites since they were making a trip across the field,” he says. “I was only recommending treating spider mites when making a fungicide trip in the field if spider mites were present.
“The spider mite treatment only works on contact with no residual. Therefore, only treat fields with spider mites present; do not pretreat by trying to prevent them from showing up, which would result in a waste of money and time.”
Patience Needed For Late-Planted Crop To Reach Maturity
A final challenge to the 2024 crop year was in getting good
grades with a crop that had planting dates that were pretty far apart. The rain in September was nice, but, unfortunately, it was late in the season for the earliest-planted peanuts, Balkcom says.
“We can’t give these peanuts that were put on the plant from the September rain enough time to mature without giving up the older peanuts on the plant,” he says.
For those peanuts planted in the first week of June, Balkcom expected grades would improve and be closer to the low 70s range.
“Peanuts planted at the end of May and first of June faced the challenge of enough heat units and moisture to finish them out. Lower nighttime temperatures slow maturity tremendously, and patience was needed for a late-planted group to give them more days than normal to finish out maturity.” PG
Peanut Rx Update
The 2025 version of the Peanut Disease Risk Index, known as Peanut Rx, contains changes to the cultivar/variety section. There have been few changes to the index except in terms of varietal point values and also minor updates in the discussion of the use of Classic herbicide.
Additional varietal research data is gained each year but may not be available for all varieties and all diseases. As data to support index values is collected, changes are made to the ratings. Some rarely grown varieties remain as examples of how TSWV resistance has changed over time.
Losses Decreased In 2024
In 2024, losses to TSWV across the Southeastern region were estimated to be about 3%, down from an estimated 5% in 2023 and 7% in 2022.
While the severity of TSWV varies across the region, for example, it is more severe in the tri-state region of Florida, Alabama and Georgia and less severe in South Carolina, Mississippi and peninsular Florida, this disease has significant impact on the majority of acres in the region planted to peanuts.
As with previous versions of the Disease Index, growers will note that attention to variety selection, planting date, plant population, good crop rotation, tillage and other factors, have a tremendous impact on the potential for diseases in a field.
Still A Mystery
Reasons for continued losses to TSWV are not fully understood; however, the impact of a warmer spring season on thrips and less attention to production practices that help mitigate TSWV are possible factors.
The team of Extension and research scientists reviewing the 2025 Peanut Disease Risk Index are as follows: the University of Georgia’s Robert Kemerait, Albert Culbreath, Tim Brenneman, Scott Tubbs, Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan, Mark Abney, Scott Monfort, Cristiane Pilon, Sudeep Bag, Nino Brown, Joe
Updates for the 2025 Peanut Rx
1 Adequate research data is not available for all varieties with regards to all diseases. Additional varieties will be included as data to support the assignment of an index value are available.
2 High oleic variety.
3 Variety Bailey II is similar in characteristics to ‘Bailey’ but is a high oleic chemistry. It also has increased resistance to Cylindrocladium black rot compared to other varieties commonly planted in Georgia.
4 Tifguard, TifNV-HiO/L,TifNV-HG, Georgia-14N and Georgia-22MPR have excellent resistance to peanut rootknot nematode.
5 Georgia-12Y appears to have increased risk to Rhizoctonia limb rot, and precautions should be taken to protect against this disease.
6 These varieties are rarely grown commercially but remain embedded in Peanut Rx as historic examples of how resistance to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus and other diseases have changed over time.
7 We continue to evaluate CB7 for full understanding of its leaf spot resistance as data has been variable in some peanut production areas in the Southeast.
LaForest and Eric Prostko; the University of Florida’s Barry Tillman, Nicholas Dufault, Ian Small and Daniel Leonard; Auburn University’s Charles Chen, Alana Jacobson, Kris Balkcom, Amanda
and Scott Graham; Brendan Zurweller from Mississippi
University; Dan Anco representing
and LeAnn Lux from
State University. PG
V-C Crop Wrap Up
Good harvest weather contributed to the Virginia-Carolina’s above-average yielding crop.
Awide range of environmental conditions faced farmers in the Virginia-Carolina region in 2024.
Rainfall and temperatures in May were adequate for good stand establishment and early season growth says David Jordan, North Carolina State University Extension peanut specialist. Even with the wide extreme in weather, farmers were able to overcome it, in part, because of excellent digging and threshing conditions in October and November.
“Germination and seedling vigor were good,” Jordan says. “Growers were able to control weeds in a timely manner in June and complete thrips suppression programs.”
Good Stand Establishment
With the majority of peanuts in the region being grown without irrigation, timely rains are critical for producing good yields. Jordan says after good planting weather, June turned off dry, impacting some growth and development. However, in July, rainfall increased with some areas receiving frequent rains and other areas dealing with excessive moisture levels.
“In contrast to June, field operations slowed because of wet soils,” Jordan says. “In some instances, farmers were unable to start and maintain fungicide sprays in a timely manner to protect peanuts from leaf spot and stem rot disease.
“Most farmers were able to evenetually catch up and establish adequate spray programs,” he says.
Pests And Disease
Early season weed control held out well and along with the suppression of thrips, both were adequate to protect yield in most fields across the region, Jordan says.
“Few foliar-feeding insects were found, especially in the northern and central areas of the region, or Virginia and North Carolina. Insect pressure was higher in the southern area of the region, or South Carolina,” he says.
Jordan says expression of tomato spotted wilt began to show up in fields in August in some areas, especially in the southern portion of the region.
“Generally, tomato spotted wilt is more yield limiting in production areas further south,” he says.
“Some growers experienced issues with Sclerotinia blight in September and October. However, incidence of this disease was lower across the central and northern areas of the region in 2024 compared with 2023.”
For foliar disease, Jordan says canopy defoliation caused by leaf spot was modest compared with some years and may have been associated with dry conditions at the time. Otherwise, the crop was mostly protected by timely fungicide applications.
Tropical Rains Interrupt Field Work
In September, tropical weather became an issue for field work.
“Rainfall became widespread in September in the northern and central areas of the region, although some pockets of dry weather remained. Rainfall decreased in South Carolina and in some areas of North Carolina in September after Tropical Storm Debby.
“Hurricane Helene resulted in significant rainfall in the region in late September but with minor damage from wind. After Helene, rainfall was almost non-existent across the region through early November,” Jordan says.
“Rainfall increased in mid-to-late November, although the vast majority of peanuts were dug and vines inverted by the first of November. Threshing tracked behind digging and vine inversion, but weather conditions remained good for threshing and other field operations.”
Nearly Perfect Harvest Weather
Overall, Jordan says peanut yields were above average at 4,250 pounds per acre and quality was good. Total sound mature kernels and extra-large kernels were adequate to fulfill industry needs.
“Generally, weather conditions were near perfect for digging and threshing. While Hurricane Helene was catastrophic in some areas of North Carolina and other states, rain from this event, combined with perfect conditions in October for field operations, allowed the peanut crop to increase in maturity prior to digging,” he says. “These conditions prevented losses both during and after digging and vine inversion.”
Starting Feb. 3, 2025, production meetings will be held throughout the North Carolina peanut belt. All meetings will begin at 1 p.m. until around 3 p.m. Meetings are open to everyone. For additional information and a full list of counties and dates, go to the North Carolina State Extension peanut website at peanut.ces.ncsu.edu/. PG
PEANUT INSECTICIDE GUIDE
Burrower Bug
Burrower bugs can be hard to identify in the field, and an infestation is often not detected until harvest. Burrower bugs have a black or brown body and small, red eyes on a small-sized head. The upper wings of burrower bugs are shiny and semi-hardened with the membranous tip overlapping. Its legs are spiny and needle-like. Piercingsucking mouth parts are visible with a hand lens. Burrower bugs are closely related to stink bugs.
Corn Earworm/Tobacco Budworm
In peanuts, these two closely related insects are usually referred to as corn earworms, but tobacco budworms are often a significant percentage of the total population. Larvae of both species feed on peanut foliage and are very similar in appearance. The corn earworm moth (above left) and the tobacco budworm moth (above right) are often seen in peanut fields and may indicate that larvae will soon follow.
Fall Armyworm
Fall armyworm is one of several foliage feeders that may attack peanuts. In some years, they can be the predominant foliage feeder. Caterpillars are gray, light brown or mottled green in color, reach approximately 1½ inches in length when fully grown and have a prominant inverted “Y” on their heads. When abundant, fall armyworms can strip plants of foliage and march to other host plants. Female moths lay egg masses of about 150 and cover them with scales from their body.
Leafhoppers
Leafhoppers are small, wedge-shaped, green, brown or black insects about 1/8 to ¼ inch in length. Leafhoppers insert their beaks into the midrib on the lower side of peanut leaves and suck plant juices. Leaves turn yellow from the point where the feeding has occured to the tip of the leaf and may die in severe cases. This damage is often referred to as “hopper burn.”
Tobacco budworm moth
Corn earworm moth
Lesser Cornstalk Borer
Lesser cornstalk borer is an important pest in the Southeastern and Southwestern growing areas. It is usually a problem during hot, dry weather and is more often a problem on coarse, sandy soils than on heavier soils. Lesser cornstalk borer larvae will feed on underground pegs and pods in addition to any part of the plant above ground that contacts the soil surface.
Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper
Threecornered alfalfa hoppers are light green and wedge shaped. They stand about ¼ inch high and are about ¼ inch long. Both adults and nymphs have piercing mouth parts and feed by penetrating the stem and sucking plant juices. They tend to feed in a circular fashion around a stem, making feeding punctures as they go. The damaged area typically swells, and aboveground root growth may occur. On peanuts, feeding may occur on limbs, leaf petioles or pegs.
Southern Corn Rootworm/Banded Cucumber Beetle
There are two species of rootworm in Georgia peanut fields, the southern corn rootworm and the banded cucumber beetle. The immature or larval stage of both species feeds on developing peanut pods and requires moist soil conditions for survival. The immature stage of the beetle lives entirely below ground and is a subterranean feeder. It may feed on the roots of peanut plants to some extent, but its most important damage is due to peg and pod feeding. Dig adjacent to peanut rows or remove plants to examine pods for damage and check the soil for larvae.
Soil moisture is critical to the development of both pests, and they are almost always found in heavy-textured soils with good moisture. Rootworm infestations are typically found in fields with center-pivot irrigation and heavier soil texture. Irrigated fields are at increased risk of rootworm, but non-irrigated fields can be infested in seasons with ample rainfall. Low spots in fields with high water-holding capacity are at increased risk from this pest.
Edited by Dr. Mark Abney, University of Georgia Extension Entomologist
Rootworm damage
Banded Cucumber Beetle
Weed Management
Compiled by Dr. Michael W. Marshall, Extension Weed Scientist, Edisto Research and Education Center, Clemson University.
E=Excellent, G=Good, F=Fair, P=Poor, PPI=Preplant Incorporated, PRE=Preemergence, AC=At Cracking (usually 6-14 days after planting), EP=Early postemergence to peanut (first true leaf through beginning of pod development). 1 Ratings for this product are similar for use both PPI and PRE. 2 Ratings for tropical spiderwort are similar. If no letter is given, response is unknown. Generic formulations are available for many products.
WEED RESPONSE TO RESIDUAL HERBICIDES USED IN PEANUTS
BROADLEAVES
Tropical Spiderwort (Commelina benghalensis)
Tropical spiderwort is an annual species similar to common dayflower. It is distinguished from dayflower by the presence of subterranean (underground) flowers in addition to blue, above-ground flowers. Leaves are spoon shaped with parallel venation. Stems are succulent, and the plant reroots quickly after cultivation. It spreads by seeds. Spiderwort germinates throughout the season, hampering control e orts.
Spurred Anoda (Anoda cristata)
Spurred anoda is a troublesome broadleaf member of the mallow or cotton family. Its alternate-toothed leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and sometimes have purplish veins. It produces small, pale blue flowers and a unique fruit that looks like a fancy ribbed pie surrounded by a star.
Texas Panicum (Panicum texanum)
Texas panicum is an aggressive, relatively large-seeded annual grass that is common in U.S. peanut acreage. It has wide, almost-frizzy leaf blades and forms numerous tillers. Its vigorous fibrous root system makes clean harvest of peanuts nearly impossible.
Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia)
Sicklepod is native to the southern United States. It is a large-seeded legume with upright growth habit that reaches 2 to 6 feet tall. The leaves are smooth or waxy with no hairs on the leaf or stem. The oval pinnately compound leaflets, usually six, are arranged opposite. It has a deep-branched taproot that is tough to pull once established. Flowers are yellow, and seed pods are slender and 4 to 8 inches long.
Bristly Starbur (Acanthospermum
hispidum)
Bristly starbur is an annual broadleaf weed common in much of the Southeast. It is also called “goatspur” or “Texas sandspur.” It has rough-textured, fuzzy leaves and an upright but profusely branching growth habit. Its seeds form with two sharp, pointed prongs that make the mature plant extremely bristly.
Tropic Croton (Croton glandulosus)
Tropic croton is an upright, branching annual broadleaf with serrated leaves. Tropic croton has a rough hairy stem, but it is not as hairy as the related species, wooly croton. Its gray-brown seed are desired food for doves.
Smallflower Morningglory (Jaquemontia tamnifolia)
Smallflower morningglory is probably the most common morningglory species in the Southeast. The cotyledon stage resembles a wild radish seedling with heart-shaped cotyledons. As it grows, small flower morningglory will stand nearly erect until 12 to 18 inches tall, then it will begin to run. It has heart- or spear-shaped leaves and produces small blue flowers in a cluster.
Wild Poinsettia (Euphorbia heterophylla)
Wild poinsetta is an exotic weed pest spreading in many parts of the Southeast. As a member of the spurge family, it has hollow stems and milky, latex-like sap. In the cotyledon stage, it resembles a weak, pale green cocklebur seedling. Mature plants can have numerous leaf shapes even on a single specimen.
Red Morningglory (Ipomoea coccinea)
Red morningglory is a relatively common annual morningglory species but often doesn’t appear until later in the season. The key identifying features are the distinctive points on the leaf margin and relatively small red flowers.
Weed Management
Compiled by Dr. Michael W. Marshall, Extension Weed Scientist, Edisto Research and Education Center, Clemson University.
WEED RESPONSE TO HERBICIDES USED IN PEANUTS
PERENNIALS
tropic or woolly
hairy indigo
BROADLEAVES
E=Excellent, G=Good, F=Fair, P=Poor. If no letter is given, response is unknown. Generic formulations are available for many products. *Rating is for two-leaf stage or less.
P P P G P
P P F-G G P
P F G-E P P
F F G-E P P
P P G-E E F
P P G E P
P P G-E E F
P P G G-E F
P P G E F
F P F-GG-E F
P P F G-E F
F P G-E E F
F P G-EG-E F
P P F-GG-E P
G G F P G-E
F P E P G
F P G P G
G-E E E P G-E
G P G P F-G
G P P P G-E
P P P P P
G-E P F P E
G-E P P P G
F P F-G F P
G P P P F-G
P F-GF-G P P
F-G P P P F-G
F F-G F P E
E G-E E P E
G P P P P
G G G P G
G G G P G
G G G P G-E
G-E G G P G
G-E F E P E
G P G P G
G G F P E
G P F-G P F
P G G-E P F-G
G P F-G P G-E
F-G F G P F
F-G P G P F
G P E P G-E
G P E P E
Hophornbeam Copperleaf (Acalypha ostryifolia)
Hophornbeam copperleaf is a freely branching, annual broadleaf weed with finely serrated leaf edges. Copperleaf has bright green leaves throughout most of the growing season, but these turn a characteristic copper color as the plant reaches maturity in the fall. There is a related species referred to as Virginia copperleaf.
Pitted Morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa)
Pitted morningglory is a vining or climbing annual weed prevalent throughout the Southeast. The cotyledons on the seedlings are deeply indented like a V and the heart-shaped, true leaves are smooth with no hairs. This morningglory typically starts to run at the 4- to 6-leaf growth stage. The funnel-like flowers are small and white.
Florida Pusley (Richardia scabra)
Florida pusley is a low-growing, annual weed species that appears almost prostrate. It can be e ectively controlled only with preplant-incorporated herbicides. Florida pusley has bright green leaves with a distinctive recessed mid-vein. The stems are very hairy and may have a purplish appearance. The flowers are white with six petals in a star-shaped whorl.
Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
Palmer amaranth, an annual pigweed, has become an increasing problem because of herbicide resistance in some areas. It can reach heights well over 6 feet and can be very di icult to control once established. Unlike other pigweed species, Palmer amaranth has a long, slender seed head and a more robust appearance.
Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)
Wild radish is thought to be a problem in winter crops, such as small grains and canola. However, it has become an increasing problem in peanuts. This plant forms a rosette of leaves that looks similar to mustard greens. The leaves have deeply indented lobes and are covered with numerous sti hairs. As the plant matures, pale yellow flowers are produced on a seed stalk that arises from the rosette.
Lambsquarter (Chenopodium album)
Common lambsquarter is a small-seeded annual broadleaf species particularly troublesome in the Virginia-Carolina region. It is an upright plant, which can exceed 7 feet at maturity. Its arrowhead-shaped leaves grow alternately and often have a whitish, dusty appearance on their undersides even in the seedling stage.
Blending Tradition And Innovation
High-school student Harrison Carter is paving the way for the future of farming and manufacturing through a unique program.
Tackling complex global challenges through lab work, data analysis and critical thinking might seem daunting, but high school students like Harrison Carter are embracing the opportunity. Carter, a ninth-grade student at Houston Academy, is participating in the HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Peanut Project.
“I grew up in the business of peanuts,” Carter says. It makes sense that the next in line to LMC Manufacturing learns the peanut business at an early age, but it makes even more sense for him to improve it — for both the company and his community.
The Drive For Efficiency And Performance
LMC Manufacturing is the heart of the peanut industry. A world leader in industrial separation equipment, the company processes nearly 100% of the United States’ peanut crop.
According to the American Peanut Council, peanuts are one of the country’s most valuable exports, with more than half a billion tons shipped out each year, yielding nearly $700 million dollars. Founded in Donalsonville, Georgia, by Carter’s great-great-grandfather H.M. Carter, LMC has created a lasting impact in the United States and Southeastern community for more than eight decades.
LMC’s success stems from both its traditional approach to peanut and nut processing and its commitment to constant innovation. As the science and technology behind crop production evolves, LMC plans to stay on the cutting edge.
Marcus Carter, president and CEO and Harrison Carter’s dad says, “At LMC, we believe that innovation is about more than just creating cutting-edge machinery; it’s about understanding our clients’ unique challenges and providing tailored
Dothan, Alabama, Mayor Mark Saliba visits with Harrison Carter, a ninth-grade student at Houston Academy who is also the son of LMC’s CEO Mark Carter, at the HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Peanut Project lab where students are learning how genomic sequencing can modernize farming and manufacturing.
solutions that drive efficiency and performance. We’re dedicated to staying at the forefront of the industry by linking advanced technologies with everything we do.”
Real-World Results In The Classroom
That journey to innovation leads to southeast Alabama and the younger Carter’s participation for the past year in the HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Peanut Project, a project incorporated into the City of Dothan and Wiregrass-area schools, including Houston Academy. The project gives students hands-on experience in using genomics to develop more drought- and disease-resistant peanut varieties. Carter and his classmates apply this science in the classroom, with real-world results that can impact the future of agriculture.
Carter is gaining research experience — lab work, data analysis and critical thinking skills — that he believes will help shape the future of farming.
“I think this project is going to help farmers and LMC to develop new varieties of peanuts, build new machines and make production more efficient and stable both in the United States and worldwide,” he says.
Integrating Genomics Research With Manufacturing
The project is overseen by HudsonAlpha’s Educational Outreach team and led by HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigator Josh Clevenger, whose research focuses on crop improvement for sustainable agriculture.
“This project showcases the application of genetics and biotechnology in agriculture and is the only program in the coun-
“Through this project, we are helping student scientists take the first steps in developing better varieties and introducing this work to future farmers and scientists who will help the industry thrive.”
try that is working with students producing real-world results,” Clevenger says. “Peanuts are a vital crop for millions across the globe. Through this project, we are helping student scientists take the first steps in developing better varieties and introducing this work to future farmers and scientists who will help the industry thrive.”
The Wiregrass Peanut Project aims to bring modern technology, like genomic sequencing, to a traditional industry. It emphasizes teaching students that there can be synergy between cutting-edge genomic research and physical peanut processing at manufacturing plants like LMC. Carter’s experience with the Wiregrass Peanut Project may be the first step in blending tradition and innovation in agricultural research, paving the way for the future of both manufacturing and farming. The integration of genomics research and manufacturing expertise could have a major impact on the Carter family business and the peanut industry as a whole. PG
Article provided by HudsonAlpha.
We Go Where You Grow
New Products
Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. Acquires Tiger-Sul
Tessenderlo Group announced that its subsidiary, Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc., has acquired Tiger-Sul, a North American focused provider of sulfur-based fertilizer products, from Platte River Equity. The acquisition closed in November 2024.
The acquisition strengthens TKI’s specialty fertilizer portfolio as TKI looks to provide a better crop yield, more control for farmers and a healthier planet for everyone. Tiger-Sul will continue to operate under its brand names.
“We’re excited to welcome Tiger-Sul to the TKI team, and we look forward to our ability to offer our customers TigerSul’s complementary crop nutrition and soil enhancement products,” says Russell Sides, executive vice president of TKI.
“We appreciate the support from Platte River Equity, and we are looking forward to providing great value to our customers through our new partnership with TKI,” says Mike Dennerlein, president of Tiger-Sul.
TKI is a leading provider of sustainable crop nutrition solutions and services that support the agricultural industry
worldwide. Tiger-Sul is a global leader in sulfur fertilizers and crop nutrition products. For more information, visit www. tkinet.com or www.tigersul.com
Husky Corporation Introduces Newly Designed StreamShaper
Husky Corporation has unveiled the latest innovation in fueling technology with its newly designed StreamShaper for ultra high-flow applications. Building on the success of its previous technology, which minimized early shutoffs and splash-back spills for standard nozzles, Husky’s updated StreamShaper now enhances refueling experiences for vehicles requiring flow rates of 25 gallons per minute or more.
In demanding fueling scenarios such as heavy-duty commercial trucks, industrial machinery, agriculture equipment and high-capacity fuel tanks, delays from
AGCO Announces NexTECH Program at South Georgia Technical College
AGCO Corporation, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, recently announced South Georgia Technical College will offer its NexTECH program to equip technicians with the skills needed to service its award-winning agriculture machinery, including those from Fendt and Massey Ferguson. The program at SGTC’s Americus, Georgia, is slated to start in January 2025.
The demand for skilled ag technicians remains high, and today’s equipment requires focused programs that specialize in precision ag instruction. The NexTECH program integrates AGCO-specific content into schools’ existing diesel technology curriculum, providing students with hands-on training for the company’s advanced machinery. The program mirrors training used by AGCO’s North American Aftersales teams and provides participating schools with AGCO training aids, powertrain components and critical technical resources.
NexTECH is geared toward traditional students who have a passion for diesel technology and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) studies, as well as prob-
premature shutoffs, splash-backs or spills can impact productivity and cause customer frustration. The StreamShaper solves these issues by utilizing laminar flow technology to create a smooth, compact fuel flow, minimizing splashbacks and allowing for a faster, uninterrupted fueling process.
“Our newly designed StreamShaper is tailored to meet the unique needs of today’s high-capacity vehicles across various sectors,” says Paul Nilsen, Husky Corporation technical service engineer. “This technology applies laminar flow principles to ensure a consistent, direct fuel flow. By eliminating turbulence and crosscurrents in the fuel line, it reduces early shutoffs and splash-back incidents, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.”
For more information about Husky’s new StreamShaper technology and its full range of fueling solutions, contact a customer service representative at 800325-3558, or visit husky.com
lem solving and work-based learning. Interested students are encouraged to contact SGTC to determine if dealerships are providing tuition benefits for work commitments.
“Agriculture increasingly requires machinery that leverages leading-edge technologies,” says Ash Alt, aftersales training manager for AGCO North America. “Our farmers and dealers need technicians skilled at maintaining the complex equipment they use, and AGCO’s NexTECH program is designed to fill the pipeline with motivated and highly trained technicians to keep them running. We’re very happy that South Georgia Technical College is offering our curriculum, and their students will be rewarded with exciting opportunities in a mission-critical field.”
For more information on AGCO’s NexTECH program, go to AgTechnician.com/NexTECH. For more information regarding the program at South Georgia Technical College, go to SouthGATech.edu
