Growing Carbon Credits

Producers are interested in learning more about this emerging market.

Anew, secondary market for farmers is on the rise as a carbon commodity market gains traction in the Midwest. In addition to marketing cash crops, producers may have an opportunity to sell carbon stored in the soil on their operation.

There is a lot of truth to the idea that farmers are the ultimate stewards of the land. The soil is their most valuable resource; farmers take great care to keep it fertile and productive. As this new market emerges, Alabama Cooperative Extension System agents and specialists are working to determine what it means for producers.

What Are Carbon Credits?

Simply put, corporations can purchase carbon stored in the soil to offset their own emissions. Corporations can make initial carbon purchases by using land management history as a measure. However, after the initial purchase, brokerage companies will measure units of carbon in the soil based on the implementation of new on-farm conservation practices.

The idea that producers can voluntarily sell units of carbon in the soil is a foreign idea for many. However, the carbon in the soil is on a fast track to become its own commodity as the United States moves toward a more comprehensive federal carbon market.

An Alabama Extension farm and agribusiness management team member, Jessica Kelton, says there are many unknowns right now.

“There is a big focus on carbon credits in the Midwest because there are larger tracts of land,” she says. “The biggest issue right now is that there are no standard regulations across the industry. Our team is working to learn more about carbon credits on the market so that we can help Alabama growers to make informed decisions.”

Things To Know

While the idea of carbon credit sales may be appealing to some producers, most major brokerage companies are focusing efforts on tracts of land in the Midwest. However, there are still companies striking deals with Alabama farmers. There are several aspects producers should consider before signing a contract.

Contract

One of the most important aspects is the contract itself. Kelton says producers should prepare to thoroughly read each line and requirement as laid out by the brokerage company.

“One of the most important things for producers to determine is what is required as a producer. There may be some contracts that require nothing of the producer, while others might require the application of a special soil microbial amendment or other product.”

Price

The going price for units of carbon varies by company and by geographical location. This is one aspect producers can expect to level out as the United States establishes a federal market. Some companies pay more for certified land; others offer a flat fee per acre. This is one aspect growers will need to confirm with individual companies before signing on the dotted line.

Additionality

Many producers have already adopted conservation and precision agriculture practices on their farm. In fact, producers widely use these practices and have for some time.

Producers need to show sequestration above normal carbon storage in order to receive compensation for implementing conservation practices. This means producers will not receive compensation for the number of years farming with precision agriculture practices thus far. Only the implementation or addition of new practices counts for compensation through contracts.

Considerations

Kelton says each producer will need to decide if a contract with a given company is the right fit for their operation.

“Read the fine print to decide if the requirements on your part are worth the paycheck you will receive,” Kelton says. “What is worth it to some producers may not be worth it to others.”

Because Alabama is not a focal point right now, the stakes are relatively low for producers who want to get in the game. However, this could all change with a national mandate or legislation related to carbon credits.

More Information

Alabama Extension’s farm and agribusiness management team will begin sharing information with producers as more information becomes available. For more information, farmers can contact the farm and agribusiness management agent nearest to them. Their contact information is available at www. aces.edu. PG

Article provided by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

“Read the fine print to decide if the requirements on your part are worth the paycheck you will receive,” Kelton says. “What is worth it to some producers may not be worth it to others.”

PeanutPointers

Herbicides For Bloom And Early Pegging

In addition, it is important to know that 2,4-DB is different from 2,4-D, which is not labeled for use in peanut. The herbicide 2,4-D may cause yield loss or even plant death, depending on the rate and stage of growth at application. Most Southwest peanuts 2,4-DB may be used in peanut at various rates depending have been planted, although it on the formulation. Applications should be made between was delayed five to seven days two to 12 weeks after planting. Avoid applying it to peanuts because of the cold soil tem- suffering water stress. The second application should be peratures and rainfall. By now, made no later than late bloom, and do not apply later than herbicides applied preplant 100 DAP or within 60 days of harvest. 2,4-DB has good and at planting have dissipat- activity on several annual broadleaf weeds including morned, and new weed flushes may ingglory, smellmelon, sunflower and silverleaf nightshade. be observed following rainfall or irrigation. Herbicides are EMI KIMURA available that can be applied

Texas A&M AgriLife to peanuts in bloom to early

Extension State Extension Peanut Specialist peg stages. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension looked at injury potential of applying herbicides, including imazapic, imazethapyr, acifluorfen, 2,4-DB and lactofen, during this timing. However, we have not observed a problem when these herbicides are applied at that time during the growing season. Pay attention to the preharvest interval, crop rotation restrictions and read the label carefully.

JONATHAN RAMIREZ, AGRILIFE EXTENSION

Protecting Yield Potential

Growers have been blessed with milder temperatures and good moisture for most of the planting window. This has allowed them to plant without any major delays. Growers have also achieved better plant stands this year, which is directly related to having better seed quality. Compared to the last few years, the peanut crop SCOTT MONFORT is off to a great start. Now, University of Georgia growers need to swap to man- Extension Agronomist aging the crop for high yield and quality. A few things to consider in the early season are as follows.

Good seed quality has reduced stand issues. However, with growers still planting, late-season stand issues can be a problem. Visit each field 12 to 15 days after planting to ensure you have an adequate stand. Hopefully, every field will be good.

During the early part of the growing season, around 30 DAP, growers need to ensure there is a sufficient amount of available calcium in the pegging zone for the developing pods. The best way is to take a pegging zone sample at about 4 inches deep shortly after emergence. You can judge your needs by the winter soil sample results, but those tend to be less reliable than results from pegging zone samples.

A word of caution for growers needing to apply calcium. Foliar-applied calcium products do not supply nearly enough calcium, and it does not translocate through the leaves to the developing pods. That is why foliar calcium is not recommended on peanuts by the University of Georgia.

Once the crop is up and growing, growers need to shift gears to protect their yield potential. One of the most important steps is initiating a strong pest management program and remaining timely. Remember, Extension specialists

PeanutPointers

and agents are here to provide research-based recommendations to help determine the most effective pest management program for your situation. Reach out to your local office for guidance. Another important step in this protection plan is to hire a consultant or scout to examine your fields on a weekly basis to ensure your pest management program is working or to alert you when you have a developing problem. Lastly, stay the course with proven products and be cautious about ones that have not been tested by the university specialists in your state.

Break Up Compacted Soil

We not only missed the weather prediction for April, but it also appears we have missed May as well. I know everyone was looking to get an early start at planting this year. However, it didn’t happen because of the frequent rain. It’s true what they say, no two years are ever the same. By the middle of May, only 20% of Alabama’s peanut crop has been planted. I know everyone has been pushing lately to get the remainder of the crop in the ground. As I have said before, at least our seed quality is good this year. Therefore, we shouldn’t lose any time to replanting, which is good because more time is something we don’t have this year with 80% of the crop still to plant from mid-May on. It is with rainfall like we have had that I have seen some peanuts with a yellow tint. This could be one of the big-

KRIS BALKCOM gest issues we see this planting Auburn University season. One of the only times

Extension Specialist I recommend cultivating the crop is with this type flooding rains. When we receive this much rain and the soil is super saturated, I advise grower to run the middles with the cultivator in certain parts of the fields with some of the heavier soil types or just traditionally wetter areas of the field. This is mainly to disrupt the compacted soil from the heavy rains by breaking the soil crust to allow oxygen to get to the plant’s roots. Again, it doesn’t occur everywhere in field, but plants tend to respond relatively quickly to green back up.

PeanutPointers

Ways To Avoid Flaring Spider Mites

In early June in the VirginiaCarolina area, the two most critical pests are thrips and weeds. Hopefully, most growers were able to get adequate suppression of thrips with systemic insecticides applied in the seed furrow at planting. If not, acephate applied to foliage in a timely manner will help DAVID JORDAN protect yield. Best results are

North Carolina State when this insecticide is applied

University Extension Agronomist three weeks after planting. About 50% of growers make move to Cobra, Ultra Blazer, Storm or Cadre for weed control. Residual herbicides can be applied with these herthis application, often in com- bicides as well. The key on all of these herbicides is timing. bination with herbicides. It is important be make the appli- Don’t cut rates, and spray small weeds. cation before excessive injury. During the last part of June, growers with Virginia-

June is also a good time to firm up residual weed control. market types need to apply gypsum. Try not to be too early As with systemic insecticides, hopefully the preplant incor- on the application. Peanut foliage helps limit the movement porated or preemergence herbicides were activated and gave of soil and gypsum off of beds if there are heavy rains. adequate control for the first three or more weeks in the sea- Growers in the upper Virginia-Carolina region can run son. Paraquat plus Basagran applied with residual herbicides, into southern corn rootworm damage under irrigation or such as the metolachlor products Outlook, Warrant, Zidua on soils that are poorly drained or have a fine texture. These or Anthem Flex, is a good option at this time. Paraquat can conditions promote survival of larvae that feed on pods. Use be applied up to 28 days after peanuts emerge but earlier the risk index to decide if chlorpyrifos is needed in those is better, generally three weeks after planting if possible. fields. Keep in mind, applying this insecticide under hot Basagran reduces peanut injury from paraquat. and dry conditions in fields that are at low risk for southern

Residual herbicides can increase foliar burn, but in most corn rootworm can flare spider mites. This is where the risk cases, it is no more than 20%. Of these residual herbicides, index can help you avoid applications when it is not needed Anthem Flex can cause the most stunting, but peanuts and when it can cause a secondary pest like spider mites to recover. Warrant can occasionally stunt peanuts but gen- become established. erally only when heavy rains occur and peanuts absorb a Finally, in late June, begin thinking about fungicide substantial amount of acetochlor at one time. A non-ionic sprays for leaf spot and stem rot. Our recommendation is surfactant at 1 pint per 100 gallons should be added. to apply fungicides beginning at the R3 stage of growth.

As a note of caution, if thrips injury is excessive, which Chlorothalonil is an important part of leaf spot control systemic insecticides usually keep from happening, do not programs and should be included in the first spray. More on apply paraquat. Peanuts can handle thrips injury or para- the remaining sprays in your fungicide program in the July quat injury but not the combination without a significant column. yield hit. Our work in North Carolina shows that para- Use good stewardship with all products for pest control. quat, Basagran and residual herbicides are compatible with They all carry risk to the person mixing and making the acephate. However, if thrips injury is excessive, take care of application and to environment. When handled and applied the thrips first and then apply herbicides after peanuts have properly, the risk from pesticides is minimal. When pests are recovered. present, the benefits of pesticide use far exceeds the risk of

There is less information on combinations of paraquat, using them. But this statement carries a major assumption: Basagran and Anthem Flex applied with acephate, and I Be diligent in making sure you stay safe when using them am concerned about the impact of Anthem Flex if there and keep pesticides in the field where applied. Applying the is excessive thrips injury. We are working on this potential correct product, one that is legal on peanuts, at the correct issue in 2021. Some growers will opt out of paraquat and time is essential.

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