Peanut grower may 2017

The

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

MAY 2017

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

Farm Bill Hearing:  PLC Program Working  Generic Base Effect

Time To Upgrade Your Fungicide Program?

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EVEN RESISTANT WEEDS CAN’T STAND UP TO THE TWO MODES OF ACTION IN STORM.

wide spectruum of weeds, including glyphosatte and ALS-resistant Palmer pigw weed. With its high level of efficaccy, y, it s no wonder Sttorm is prominent in State Extension ension herbicide rrecommendations. s So try s. trry Storm, m, and give giv your peanut harvest a bright ighter outlook this year. To learn more, contact your dis .upi-usa.com. our UPI distributor, UPI sales repr epresentative or visit www.upi-usa.com.

Always read and follow label directions ections and precautions. pr Storm® and UPI logo are registered ed trademarks tr ks of United Phosphorus, Inc. ry 2017. UPI, 630 Freedom er,r, King of Pr ussia, PA 19406. www.upi-usa.com. ©February, Center, Prussia, ©February, eedom Business Cent .upi-usa.com.

The

MAY 2017

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

MAY 2017

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

Farm Bill Hearing:  PLC Program Working  Generic Base Effect

Volume 29 • Number 5

Time To Upgrade Your Fungicide Program?

Departments 4

Editor’s Note Reaping the research benefits

6

Market Watch Profitable rotation partner needed

8

News Briefs Industry expansions planned

20 New Products Petition to ban Lorsban denied 21 Peanut Pointers Examine quality of irrigation water

Stay Connected

10 Features

10 Farm Bill Hearings Begin

Georgia producer Tim McMillan testifies in favor of PLC Program, explains effects of generic base.

12 Making Management Adjustments

Be critical about fungicide selection, timing and ability to move it down the plant.

14 Palmer Amaranth Adaptability

This weed’s ability to survive goes beyond its penchant for developing resistance to herbicides.

16 Stress Memory And Seed Quality

The impact of stress on a plant can make an imprint onto the next generation of plants.

Sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at peanutgrower.com to have exclusive industry news and content delivered directly to your inbox.

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18 Consider Replanting Options

Allow original planting time to emerge, but move quickly to replant if necessary.

19 Weed Control Options

Review the herbicide management programs for 2017.

MAY 2 017 • THE PE ANUT GROWE R /

3

EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Copy Editor Carroll Smith csmith@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Circulation Manager Charlie Beek (847) 559-7324 Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (901) 767-4020 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com

For circulation changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD John Beasley Extension Agronomist Auburn University Dell Cotton Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Assn., Franklin, VA Kris Balkcom Agri-Program Associate Auburn University Craig Kvien Coastal Plain Experiment Station,Tifton, GA

Jason Woodward Extension Plant Pathologist 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 Memphis, TN. Copyright © 2017 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 600651388. 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.

Reaping The Research Benefits

Y

ears ago, my sister-in-law started competing in triathlons.

She’s always been athletically inclined, and the addition of swimming and biking was a change in pace from just being a runner. After a couple events, the bug had bit her. She started training in earnest and competed in events at least once every few months.

Although she lives in Chicago, one of the events she found to compete in was only a couple hours drive from us.

We drove down to cheer her on for that Amanda Huber first event and have made it a weekend Editor, The Peanut Grower event ever since.

About the time of that first event, the peanut industry’s efforts to invest in health and nutrition research on peanut butter were starting to reap some small benefits. I tried to convince her that peanut butter was good for athletes, but she could not see it. Her view of peanut butter was that it would be too heavy and dense for keeping her fit and trim and ready for a race.

Fast forward to now, she has completed multiple Ironman races – that’s a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile run, raced in that order and without a break. She has coaches for each segment and trains with other Ironman athletes. Her knowledge and ability have expanded tremendously. In all of the race gear and equipment that goes with her to a race, what else does she pack? Peanut butter.

Her increase in peanut butter consumption mirrors the industry’s increase in nutrition research. Peanut butter is full of vitamins, fiber and protein, and endurance athletes who are training need up to 3,000 calories or more a day or they risk losing muscle density. It is a low-cost protein source that sticks with you and doesn’t race through your digestive system.

Investing in nutrition and health research should be a source of pride for every producer. It has been well worth it.

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

One Grower Publishing, LLC 6515 Goodman Rd., Box 360, Olive Branch, MS 38654 Phone: 901-767-4020

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THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

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Every day, the National Peanut Board works to help America’s 7,000 peanut-farming families improve production practices and put the world’s highest-quality peanut

can continue to farm the land you love. Learn what we’re doing to improve economics

By Growers For Growers For The Future

Peanuts Need A Profitable Rotation Partner To Stem Yield Decline

P

eanuts are a shining star in the agricultural “tool box” as growers have been offered reasonable early contracts and the world is demanding more peanuts. Producers are usually optimistic when they smell fresh-plowed dirt and can look forward to a bountiful harvest at the end of the season, even when prices are not so good. However, peanut optimism is spreading because of the disappearing surplus thanks to China’s purchasing prowess and USDA’s baff ling number correcting of late.

Consumers are recognizing that peanuts are nutritious and affordable, and they love the taste.

Another recent discovery is that peanuts use significantly fewer inputs, as in land and water, and have less environmental impact than many other crops. That makes peanuts sustainable for future generations. As the world’s population grows, it will be hungry for a plant-based protein like peanuts.

Still Selling 2016 Crop About half of the 2016 crop was contracted early with shellers. Farmers did not want to accept the $375 per-ton offers as the markets heard “surplus.”

Opting for the loan at $355 per ton has paid off for those farmers who waited. Prices are now more than $500 per ton. Loan peanuts should sell out as the nine-month limit closes in October, good news for USDA. Officials report that the 2016 peanut crop has some quality issues. The late-season drought increased the incidence of aflatoxin in the shelled product, especially in the Southeast where the drought was more severe. Because of this, some peanuts are having to be re-milled to meet standard requirements and some are being diverted to

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THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

J. Tyron Spearman

Contributing Editor, The Peanut Grower

Leading Marketing Indicators (As of April 6, 2017) 2017 Acreage Est. Up 5% ................................................. 1,751,000 acres 2016 Acreage Planted .................................................... 1,671,000 acres 2016 Production (avg. 3,675 lbs/A) ................................. 2,842,500 tons 2016 FSIS Inspections (3/23/17) .......................................... 2,776,545 tons 2016 Market Loan (4/4/17) ................................................ 2,270,000 tons 2016 Market Loan Redemptions ....................................... 1,146,577 tons 2016-17 Domestic Usage (7 Mo.) ................................................ Up 5.5% 2016-17 Exports (6 Mo.) ............................................................... Up 12.1% NATIONAL POSTED PRICE (per ton) Runners - $424.43, Spanish - $409.00, Valencia/Virginias - $429.97

other products such as peanut oil, bird and animal feed. When shelled market prices shot up to 60 cents per pound, some manufacturers changed promotions to slow the market’s immediate demand.

At the same time, Chinese buyers are still probing handlers for peanuts today and in the future, to make peanut oil.

Two peanut crude oil mills are under construction and others expected.

PLC Payment For 2016 Peanut prices remained low enough for the 2016 crop to merit a Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payment. The PLC payment on 85 percent of the base will come in October, and is predicted to be about $151 per-base ton. With higher 2017 contracts, PLC payments will be much lower in October 2018.

Planting 2017 Crop USDA estimated planted peanuts for 2017 at about what was expected in the trade; therefore, no changes in the

market from the predicted 5 percent increase. An increase of about 10 percent is predicted in Georgia, Florida and Alabama, and South Carolina’s farmers may set a new record, up 23 percent to 135,000 acres. For the Southeast, with 73 percent of the planted acres, regional weather problems could impact markets. If a bumper crop is gathered, at more than two tons per acre, the harvest could become a logistics nightmare.

For now, the 2017 crop potential is estimated at 1,751,000 acres, averaging 4,000 pounds per acre and a harvest of 3,500,000 tons. Of course, ideal growing conditions would be required with plenty of water at the right time.

2017 Contracts Southeast contracts were $500 per ton, then $475 per ton and mostly $450 per ton this month plus $25 per ton for seed production or a $50 per-ton premium for high-oleic production. Some $450 per-ton contracts were reduced to $425 per ton for freight differential PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

required to haul peanuts from production areas a long distance from the shelling plant.

Virginia contracts are reported at $500 per ton for regular Virginias, $475 per ton being offered for high-oleic runners and $450 per ton for regular runners. A seed premium adds $25 per ton.

Southwest contract prices are generally $500 per ton for high-oleic runners, $525 for high-oleic Spanish varieties and $550 per ton for high-oleic Virginia types.

2017 Peanut Stocks/Demand Peanut stocks in commercial storage as of Feb. 28, 2017, totaled 3.55 billion pounds equivalent farmer stock, compared to 4.35 billion pounds last year, down 18.4 percent. This total includes 2.83 billion pounds of actual farmer stock, down 35.1 percent from last year.

Edible stocks of shelled peanuts by type: Virginia and Valencia stocks are at 98.9 million pounds, 26 percent more than

last year; runners are at 375 million pounds, same as last year; Spanish are at 18.9 million pounds, down 22.2 percent from last year.

February was a great month for peanut usage, up 3.1 percent, pushing seven-month usage up 5.5 percent. That means peanut butter usage is now up 10.7 percent for the year. If that holds true, the industry will remain extremely happy. According to trends, peanut snacks should be on the increase, but remain down 7.5 percent.

Exports continue strong, up 12.1 percent through January. China has not been a major factor in U.S. markets since before the Chinese New Year, just taking delivery of some earlier contracts.

At this time, China has plenty of inventory and cheaper origins have been available. Argentina is about to start digging and any harvest issues in Argentina would impact the price of European Union imports.

Program Update USDA reports 2017 net farm income is $62.3 billion, a 49.6 percent decline in net farm income since 2013. The PLC program has worked for peanuts, but cannot sustain an entire farming operation. Lack of rotation is showing in yields, down 13 percent. Officials must get the cotton program solved so producers can have a market loan program that could continue as a rotation partner with peanut production.

“

Peanut farmers have lots of positives facing them in the 2017 peanut season. Let’s make it happen.

Peanut farmers have lots of positives facing them in the 2017 peanut season.

Let’s make it happen. PG

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MAY 2 017 • THE PE ANUT GROWE R /

Peanut Oil Facility Planned

Premium Peanut has announced plans to expand into the peanut oil market. Premium Peanut, based in Douglas, Ga., is the single-largest peanut shelling facility in the world and began operations in January 2016.

The $14 million investment will add a filtered crude peanut oil facility with a capacity to produce more than 3 million gallons of peanut oil per year.

Plans are for the facility to be operational by early 2018.

The compa ny a lso a nnounced plans to expand shelling operations to every day beginning in September 2017. Together with the oil plant, this expanded level of production will result in the creation of up to 80 jobs over the next 12 months.

K e nt Fou nt a i n, pre sid e nt of Southeastern Gin & Peanut, and chairman of Premium Peanut, says, “These expansions will further one of Premium Peanut’s key objectives, which is to ensure its grower-shareholders gain maximum value for their peanut crop every year.”

Karl Zimmer, Premium Peanut president and CEO, says, “We have received a great reception in the market, both domestically and internationally, and are proud to commence these expansions so quickly after the start of shelling operations. Through these growth initiatives, we plan to expand our abilities to support customers with a stable, reliable, quality supply of peanuts and peanut oil.”

Star Snacks To Build Roasting Plant

A manufacturer and distributor of nuts, trail mixes and dried fruits will create 115 jobs and invest more than $18 million in a peanut roasting and packaging facility in MaconBibb County, Ga. Based in Jersey City, N.J., Star Snacks LLC will construct a 200,000 square-foot facility to source, roast and distribute peanuts grown in southwest Georgia. The newly created 8 /

THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

jobs will include positions in manufacturing and processing.

“Georgia’s business friendly environment has again attracted a leading manufacturer to invest in our state,” Gov. Nathan Deal said in a statement.

“In choosing Macon-Bibb County, Star Snacks will enjoy the benefits of locating in the top state for both business and peanut production.”

Star Snacks specializes in the production and distribution of salty snacks. The company’s services also include private labeling for brand name retailers, national and regional drug store chains, supermarkets and discount retailers.

PB To Washington D.C. Food Bank

The Southern Pea nut Fa rmers Federation donated more than 30,000 jars of peanut butter to Capital Area Food Bank in Washington D.C. as part of National Ag Day, March 21, 2017. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., representative of Georgia’s second congressional district, joined the Federation members during the donation.

The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest organization in the Washington metro area working to solve hunger and its companion problems: chronic undernutrition, heart disease and obesity.

“Peanut butter is one of the most requested items by food banks nationwide,” says Caleb Bristow, Alabama Peanut Producers Association executive director and Southern Peanut Farmers Federation member.

“Peanut butter is one of the hardest items to keep on our shelves because it’s protein-packed, kid friendly and in high demand,” says Jody Tick, chief operating officer at the food bank.

“We’re thrilled for this donation, and 30,000 jars of peanut butter will go a long way towards helping children and families in our area get the food they need to live well.”

The Southern Pea nut Fa rmers Federation includes the A labama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission and Mississippi Peanut Growers Association.

Chinese Firm Plans New Facility

Farmax Merchandise, a Chinabased peanut production and exporting company, will create more than 20 jobs and invest $5 million in a new peanut oil processing facility in Crisp County, Ga. A subsidiary of Qingdao Hwa-Nuts, the facility will be used for shelling, screening, grading, packing and roasting peanuts. The company serves customers in the United States and Europe, as well as Canada, Southeast A sia, Ru ssia, t he Midd le E a st, Australia and New Zealand.

“We are very excited, as Farmax, to be establishing our new factory in Georgia, which enables our new North American business expansion,” said Bill Deng, president and CEO of Farmax. “We are also pleased with the support we have received from the state and the county to help us grow.”

Researchers Meet In Argentina

An international conference of the peanut research community was held mid-March in Cordoba, Argentina.

Dan Ward, North Carolina peanut producer and chairman of the National Peanut Board’s research committee, and Bob Parker, NPB president and CEO, attended the conference to support the board’s research commitment to the International Peanut Genome Initiative (IPGI). NPB has allocated $400,000 per year since 2012 to peanut genome research.

“I am always amazed at the level of expertise displayed by researchers who work on peanuts,” Ward says. “I’m confident our grower funds are being well-utilized and there is no better investment we could be making.”PG PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

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Peanut producer Tim McMillan (center), of Enigma, Ga., testified at a Farm Bill hearing of the Ag Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management in April.

Farm Bill Hearings Begin Georgia producer Tim McMillan testified about the PLC program and the effect of generic base.

H

earing and listening sessions taking place both in Washington D.C. and around the country over the next several months will be an important part of gathering ideas says U.S. House of Representatives Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway and will help ensure that they know producers’ needs when writing the next Farm Bill.

“If you’re on a policy committee for cotton or peanuts, or whatever commodity you are representing, be sure you have your thoughts and ideas on the next Farm Bill to us as soon as possible so that the committee will have what it needs when it is time to craft legislation,” he says.

Keep Price Loss Coverage With that appeal in mind, peanut producer Tim McMillan, 10 /

THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

of Enigma, Ga., gave testimony on behalf of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation at a Farm Bill hearing titled “The Next Farm Bill: Commodity Policy Part II,” by the Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, which was held April 4, 2017, in Washington D.C. McMillan spoke in support of maintaining the peanut provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program in the next Farm Bill.

McMillan said, “If the PLC program had not been in place, I am afraid many farms in the Southeast would no longer exist because of the downturn in the farm economy, which has plagued us the past three years.”

According to McMillan, the Federation supports maintaining the current PLC program in the 2014 Farm Bill including PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

Impact Of Generic Base Acres On Peanuts Before the Ag Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, peanut producers Tim McMillan gave the following testimony on the issue of generic base acres:

“

As you are aware, the cotton industry opted for the STAX program in the 2014 Farm Bill while cotton producers maintained their generic base acres. These generic base acres are available to any covered commodity in the 2014 Farm Bill. This Committee wisely established a program allowing growers to keep these base acres. Without these base acres, the current struggling farm economy would be much worse.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency examined the allocation of generic base acres and updated the program payments for covered commodities planted on these generic base acres.

• For the 2014 crop year, approximately 58 percent of the generic base acres were allocated to a covered commodity.

• Approximately 7.4 million generic base acres were not utilized by cotton farmers that year.

• Approximately 32 percent of the generic base acres were assigned to soybeans; 26 percent to wheat; 19 percent to corn; 13 percent to grain sorghum.

• Only 7 percent of the generic base acres were assigned to peanuts.

• Less than 53 percent of the 2014 peanut certified acres had generic acres attributed.

Were there significant changes in these planting ratios for the 2015 crop year? The answer is no.

Based on USDA deadlines for the 2016 crop year, it is assumed that the 2016 ratios will not differ significantly from the 2015 data. With the generic base acres attributed to the covered commodities of the 2014 farm bill, these commodities did receive payments.

• For the 2014 crop, the total payments for the covered commodities on generic acres were almost $149 million.

• For the 2015 crop, the attributed generic base acres generated approximately $444 million in payments for the covered commodities, almost a threefold increase

the current reference price for peanuts, a separate peanut payment limit and storage and handling provisions.

Sharp Decline In Net Farm Income In his testimony, McMillan pointed out that the 2014 Farm Bill was drafted during a period of high prices on the farm.

“When we compare average prices in 2011-12 to 2016 prices, we see a 30 percent decline in peanut prices,” he says. “I see the real impact of these numbers in the faces of my neighbors and hear it in discussions with lenders and our suppliers.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture projected 2017 net farm income in the U.S. to be $62.3 billion, which translates to a 49.6 percent decline in net farm income since 2013.

The PLC program has worked for peanuts, McMillan added, but peanuts are not sufficient to carry an entire farming operation. “In a time when corn and cotton prices have been depressed and with the lack of a cotton PLC program, more pressure has been placed on farmers to plant peanuts by lenders,” McMillan said.

T WIT TE R: @PE ANUTGROWE R

from 2014.

• Given the depressed commodity prices, the 2016 crop year payments to be received in October 2017 are assumed to be similar to the 2015 crop year payments.

For the 2014 crop, only 27 percent of all ARC-PLC peanut payments were derived from generic base acres attributed to peanuts. For the 2015 crop year, approximately 33 percent of the total payments derived from generic base acres attributed to peanuts.

While these payments were attributed to peanuts, in reality, the payments were received by cotton producers who are also peanut producers. Thus, any scoring in terms of the cost of the peanut program should take into account the generic acre impact. For many farmers, generic base actually made it possible to keep planting cotton on our farms in order to maintain some level of crop rotation. Without this generic acre program, many farmers across the U.S. would have had their farm income, the safety net reduced dramatically. This program has worked at a time when prices were low.

The Federation supports the National Cotton Council’s request for USDA to approve a cottonseed program for cotton producers. PG

Growth Keeping Up With Supply Currently, demand of peanuts has kept pace with the supply of peanuts. U.S. per-capita peanut consumption increased 12 percent from 2012 to 2016. The peanut industry has also witnessed strong upturn in the export market, which has grown by 71 percent between the 2008 and 2014 Farm Bill.

Other panelists for the hearing were Ronnie Lee, National Cotton Council chairman from Bronwood, Ga.; Blake Gerard, chairman of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors, Cape Giarardeau, Mo.; Rob Rynning, speaking as president of the U.S. Canola Association and also on behalf of the National Sunflower Association, from Kennedy, Minn.; and Jack Roney, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis, American Sugar Alliance, Arlington, Va. PG

Portions of this article provided by Southern Peanut Farmers Federation whose members include Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission and Mississippi Peanut Growers Association.

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MAY 2 017 • THE PE ANUT GROWE R /

Making Management Adjustments Be critical about fungicide selection, timing and ability to move down the plant in what could be a year of increased disease.

By Amanda Huber

T

he first line of defense in disease management in peanuts is crop rotation. However, the projected increase in acreage means that crop rotations are being shortened.

Scott Monfort, University of Georgia Extension peanut specialist, estimates that about 20 percent of the peanuts in Georgia will be produced under a shortened rotation, which is not ideal for peanut production, which need to be grown on longer rotations – three to four years between peanut crops – to effectively minimize disease and insect pressure.

“Our rotations are already suffering from being shortened from what we recommend,” Monfort said. “This increases potential problems with disease and other issues. It’s going to negatively impact yields as we continue to grow this many acres.”

This, coupled with the unseasonably warm winter, means diseases and nematodes are going to get an earlier start than normal, he says.

Improved Varieties, Fungicides After crop rotation, selection of newer peanut varieties with improved resistance to diseases such as white mold, for example Georgia-12Y, is the next management step, says Bob Kemerait, UGA Extension plant pathologist.

Another management step is fungicide selection and timing. Just as there are newer varieties that offer more resistance, there are newer fungicides that offer more protection over older products.

“In a tough situation, newer fungicides are going to serve you better,” Kemerait says.

In all of the winter meetings, Kemerait used an example of a field from Jeff Davis County from 2016 to make his management points.

“Two weeks prior to my visit, you could not find disease in the field. Management had included a tebuconazole/chlorothalonil program. The variety was Georgia-06G and it was not irrigated. Almost overnight the field collapsed.

“They called me to come look at it because there was no apparent sign of disease until you flipped the vines. When you flipped the vines, it was completely underground white mold.”

Must Move To The Crown Why was it so bad? Kemerait says there were several reasons.

“It was dry conditions and, therefore, there was no opportu-

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THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

Getting fungicides into the crown of the plant by spraying at dawn or by applying irrigation continues to be a recommendation for improving efficacy.

nity to move the fungicides down into the crown of the plant.

Also, stronger fungicides were needed.”

Producers need to remember that it is critical to get help from irrigation or rainfall to move fungicides from the leaves to the crown and limbs of the plant for white mold control. In dryland fields, growers should consider spraying white-mold materials at night or increasing spray volume to better relocate fungicides.

“If you have irrigation, in the 12 to 24 hours after application, irrigate enough to wash the material down into the plant,” he says.

Kemerait also recommends a banded application of Proline at three to five weeks after planting. “This is a superior treatment to Provost in-furrow for white mold,” he says.

Ramp Up Management Efforts Because of the shortened rotations and warmer winter, Monfort believes the costs of managing diseases and nematodes are going to be elevated this year, but to avoid succumbing to these pests, growers are advised to not skip any management steps.

“If you have a field that’s at a higher risk for disease, make sure to adjust your management situation for that,” he says, adding that producers shouldn’t cut corners, and they need to be scouting or have a consultant walking the fields to keep a record of what’s happening out there. PG PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

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NAVIGATING the Marketplace

July 20-22, 2017 Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort • Miramar Beach, Florida For detailed conference information, registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org.

Room reservations at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort can be made online or by calling 800-622-1038 and asking for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference rate.

Brought o to yyou ou by th the he ffa family amily farmers fa armers of the Southern Pean Peanut ut Farmer Fa Farmers armers FFederation ederation ra www.southernpeanutfarmers.org www.southernpeanutfar npeanutfarmers.org

Palmer Amaranth Adaptability This weed’s ability to survive goes beyond its penchant for developing resistance to herbicides.

By Ramon Leon, Extension Weed Specialist, West Florida REC, and Jay Ferrell, Extension Weed Specialist, Agronomy Department, University of Florida

P

Adaptations Beyond Resistance Recent studies conducted at the University of Florida indicate that Palmer amaranth adaptability goes beyond herbicide resistance. This research showed that Palmer amaranth populations are modifying their morphology to be able to grow taller than the crop. These studies found that Palmer amaranth populations that had been growing primarily with crops such as peanut and short stature vegetables were shorter than populations that came from farms including taller crops such as corn and cotton.

Interestingly, these adaptations were more evident in glyphosate-resistant populations, which also tended to be taller and have a more conical and elongated canopy than susceptible popu14 /

THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

PHOTO BY W. BRAVO

almer amaranth, commonly referred to as Palmer pigweed, is perhaps the most problematic weed in the southern United States, especially in row-crop production. This weed can not only produce abundant seed allowing it to establish dense populations that can out-compete many crops, but it also has evolved resistance to multiple herbicides, which has made its control even more difficult.

One of the characteristics favoring the success of this weed species in crop fields is that it has large genetic variability. When compared side-by-side, Palmer amaranth individuals differ in many characteristics including morphology and growth. This genetic variation is what has helped Palmer amaranth evolve resistance to herbicides relatively quickly.

Palmer amaranth exhibits large genetic variability. Plants can have different leaf shapes and growth patterns.

lations, which were smaller and with a more spherical canopy.

Management More Critical Although the research is still underway and more information is needed, the current evidence suggests that Palmer amaranth plants surviving herbicide applications are quickly adapting to the competitive environment created by the crop canopy and this additional adaption might be making this weed species more successful in crop fields.

How can we use this information to better manage Palmer amaranth? First, we need to recognize that herbicide

resistance is not only a serious problem by itself, but can favor other changes that could make the weed more aggressive. Therefore, having a herbicide program with proper rotation of mechanisms of action (MOA) and that include both preemergence and postemergence herbicides is very important to prevent the evolution of herbicide resistance.

Secondly, remember that the plants surviving weed control are the ones that will adapt to crop canopy competition, so we should be very proactive identifying escapes to herbicide applications to control them immediately. This requires developing a strategy of sequential weed PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

control actions after crop emergence.

Combining cultivation and herbicides might be one option to achieve this, but also the use of sequential postemergence herbicide applications that use different MOAs or tankmixes will help reduce the number of surviving weeds.

Third, if we have Palmer amaranth, using diverse crop rotations that include crops with different canopy characteristics and planting and harvest times, might be more beneficial to prevent Palmer amaranth adaptions than just planting crops that are traditionally considered competitive simply because they are tall. In fact, including crops that allow mechanical control could eliminate the advantage of Palmer amaranth plants that are taller.

When grown with taller crops, such as corn or cotton, Palmer amaranth populations will adapt by growing taller (left) as opposed to those from a population adapted to short canopies, such as with peanut. Rotate crops with different canopy heights and options for weed management.

R. LEON

Watching Weed Behavior The results of Palmer amaranth research are a reminder that weeds are constantly adapting to our management, and they do so very rapidly. Pay close attention to the behavior of weeds changing over time to make sure you are not caught off-guard when a major weed problem is about to explode on your farm. If you identify the issues in time, there are plenty of tools to get things back under control. If you wait until weeds take over the field, it will take a lot of time and money to reduce Palmer amaranth populations to manageable levels. PG To Better Manage Palmer Amaranth: • Plan a herbicide program with proper rotation of mechanisms of action (MOA) and that include both preemergence and postemergence herbicides.

• Be proactive in identifying escapes to herbicide applications and control immediately with cultivation and herbicides.

• The use of sequential postemergence herbicide applications that use different MOAs or tankmixes can also help reduce the number of surviving weeds.

• Use a diverse crop rotation including crops with different canopy characteristics and planting and harvest times. Include crops that allow mechanical control to eliminate Palmer amaranth’s advantage.

T WIT TE R: @PE ANUTGROWE R

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MAY 2 017 • THE PE ANUT GROWE R /

Stress Memory And Seed Quality The impact of stress on a plant can make an imprint onto the next generation of plants.

By Diane Rowland, Barry Tillman and graduate student Kelly Racette, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Agronomy Department

F

A Seed Remembers Farmers and researchers have made the assumption that the impacts of stress on a plant remain in the current generation and don’t make an imprint into the next generation. But recent research suggests that this might not be true.

Several studies of seed quality, seedling development and vigor conducted by researchers at the University of Florida suggest that a “memory” of stress events in plants can be passed on to the next generation.

In these studies, some varieties of peanut, such as TUFRunner ‘511’TM, showed an increased rate of establishment and root growth when their parents had experienced a mild water stress, even when the next-generation seedlings themselves were well-watered. However, other varieties displayed the opposite trend in that seedlings had improved establishment and root growth when their parents had been well-watered. To complicate matters, a third set of varieties, including the Spanish-type variety, COC041, showed no evidence of stress memory in their offspring at all.

More Varietal Research The presence of either a positive or negative memory in crop plants could have big implications for seed production.

For example, if exposing parent plants to some degree of stress increased seed quality of the next generation, through improved germination and establishment, it may be useful to produce seed under mildly stressful conditions for these varieties. On the other hand, growing varieties that have 16 /

THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

KELLY RACETTE

or as long as crops have been domesticated, farmers have been selecting seed from the best performing plants — based primarily on their yield and relative performance. In some cases, a plant may experience stress during the season, whether from disease, drought or insects.

Many times that plant will recover and still produce a decent yield, and possibly provide seed for planting the following year. It’s a system that has worked relatively well for a long time. But this system depends on the idea that if a plant experiences stress and survives, it won’t pass a memory of the stress on to its offspring.

This peanut root bioassay shows the early germination and root establishment for seed produced from parent plants that had experienced a mild drought stress during the season and for seed from parents that had not experienced any stress. The left panel clearly shows faster and more extensive root growth in offspring from stressed parents.

poor seedling performance from stressed parent plants would require more careful management for seed production to get the best quality seed.

Before recommendations can be refined based on generational stress memory for the production of seed peanuts, further research is being conducted to find out which varieties of peanut display this “memory” and what other impacts stress could have on seed quality.

Importance Of Crop Management Currently, studies are being done on other Spanish- and runner-type varieties, like FloRun ‘107’TM and New Mexico Valencia C. This additional information is critical to “fine tune” the ideal conditions for each variety during seed production to maximize the quality of seed essential for optimal germination and stand establishment. This research also extends and highlights how important optimal crop management is because decisions within a season could be impacting the next generation. PG PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

Planting Intentions

A

ccording to USDA’s National A gricu lture Statistic s Service, U.S. peanut growers intend to plant 1,751,000 acres this year, up 5 percent from last year’s 1,671,000 acres. The expected increase is largely driven by expectations of higher contract prices.

Georgia is expected to increase acreage by 9 percent or 785,000 acres, but is slightly less than some in the industry had predicted at 10 to 15 percent.

Scott Monfort, University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist, says, “We typically grow in the neighborhood of 500,000 to 600,000 acres, and that’s where we need to be. But with the positive price the way it is, and overall marketplace, growers are trying to make a profit. That’s why we’re growing as many as we are.”

Continued Short Rotations Increased acreage also means a continuation of shortened crop rotations.

Monfort estimates that about 20 percent of the peanuts will be produced under a shortened rotation.

“Peanuts have to be grown on a longer rotation — three to four years between peanut crops — to effectively minimize disease and insect pressure,” he says.

Alabama and Florida are predicted to increase 9 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Florida had reduced acreage 30 percent the previous year, but is now predicted to be back up to an estimated 170,000 acres. Alabama is predicted to increase from 175,000 acres to 190,000 acres.

South Ca rolina is predicted to increase 23 percent to 135,000 acres, a new record.

The largest decline in acreage is in Texas, down 30 percent to 240,000 acres. Last year, a considerable number of acres were planted to receive the Price Loss Coverage payment, but with higher prices, that practice is not likely in 2017.

Other states expect small increases.

T WIT TE R: @PE ANUTGROWE R

Peanuts: Area Planted by State and U.S. USDA Estimate of Area Planted — March 31, 2017 State

Alabama

2015

2017

2016/2017

———— (1,000 acres) ————

percent

200.0

Arkansas

2016

175.0

190.0

109

24.0

25.0

104

Florida

190.0

155.0

170.0

110

Georgia

785.0

720.0

785.0

109

Mississippi

44.0

39.0

44.0

113

New Mexico

5.0

8.0

8.0

100

North Carolina

90.0

101.0

110.0

109

Oklahoma

10.0

13.0

21.0

162

South Carolina

112.0

110.0

135.0

123

Texas

170.0

305.0

240.0

79

19.0

21.0

23.0

110

1,625.0

1,671.0

1,751.0

105

Virginia U.S. Total

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service estimate of intended plantings in 2017 as indicated by reports from farmers.

Cotton Growers intend to plant 12.2 million acres in 2017, up 21 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the highest planted acreage since 2012. Upland area is expected to total 12.0 million acres, up 21 percent from 2016. American Pima area is expected to total 232,000 acres, up 19 percent from 2016.

Expectations of higher cotton prices in 2017 are driving the acreage increase throughout the Cotton Belt.

Growers in all states, except Florida, are expected to increase planted acreage from last year. Oklahoma Upland planted area is expected to be the highest

since 1982. Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas Upland planted area is expected to be the highest since 2011.

Corn Corn planted area for all purposes in 2017 is estimated at 90.0 million acres, down 4 percent or 4.0 million acres from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is expected down or unchanged in 38 of the 48 states.

Soybean Soybean planted area for 2017 is estimated at a record high of 89.5 million acres, up 7 percent from last year. PG 17

MAY 2 017 • THE PE ANUT GROWE R /

Consider Replanting Options Allow original planting time to emerge, but move quickly to replant if necessary.

G

eorgia peanut farmers who plant a crop in mid-to-late April should make a decision on a second crop within two to four weeks of planting their initial crop. University of Georgia researcher and systems peanut agronomist Scott Tubbs helps farmers make that decision.

Tubbs’ research focuses on the feasibility of replanting peanuts.

“We want farmers to make those replanting decisions as early as possible, but you do have to give the peanuts enough time to come up (and be) fairly confident the majority of emergence has occurred. If you plant in relatively cool conditions, you could have a lot of variability in emergence,” Tubbs says.

Time To Emerge Spotty rows, which are the result of improper plant stands, can significantly reduce yields. Tubbs stresses the importance of allowing the plants to emerge.

“In Plains, Ga., a few years ago, I had a research trial that I assessed seven days after planting. It wasn’t long enough. I went back at about 14 days and we did our counts. After 17 or even 20 days, we looked at referenced rows and there were quite a few more that had come up in that timeframe,” Tubbs says.

Late-planted peanuts — those planted in late May — need to be checked for emergence between the two- and threeweek window. Tubbs insists that checking at four weeks is way too late.

“The longer you wait, the bigger the initial plants (those planted in late May) get, and then they’re going to dwarf any replanted plants,” Tubbs says.

Less Than Ideal Stand Replanting is necessary when farmers 18 /

THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

In Replant Situations: • Allow original planting ample time to emerge.

• Consider conditions that may have resulted in poor stand and replant in more favorable conditions.

• It is economical to replant if stand is two plants per foot or less.

do not get an ideal plant stand. Poor seed emergence can result from the germination percentage of the seed, handling or storage of the seed, and the previous year’s weather conditions. The likelihood of emergence is lower if the seed receives little to no water.

Other factors contributing to poor seed emergence involve management conditions, like whether the peanuts were planted too early, the soil temperature was too low, or an herbicide was sprayed at the wrong time. Weather patterns can also impact peanut seed production.

“Even if soil temperatures are adequate, if a cold front comes through or we experience an unexpected rainfall event that cools off the soil temperature

quickly, it can shock the seedlings and result in a poor stand,” he says.

Looks At All Numbers Tubbs defines a good plant stand as 2.5 plants per foot based on UGA research over the la st f ive years.

Considering the costs to replant — labor, additional seed, equipment, etc.

— it is not economically feasible to replant if initial planting produced at least 2.5 plants per foot.

If a farmer’s peanut field has two plants per foot or less, it is economically acceptable to replant, he says. PG Article by Clint Thompson, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in Tifton.

PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

Weed Control Options

P

eanut growers are fortunate to have 18 active ingredients registered for use as herbicides.

In general, these herbicides are very effective when applied at the appropriate rate and time. Failure to start clean at planting, residual herbicides that are not activated with timely irrigation or rainfall, postemergence applications to weeds larger than 3 inches tall and unfavorable environmental conditions, such as hot and dry, are the most common causes of reduced herbicide performance.

The most cost-effective peanut weed control programs combine the use of cultural, mechanical and chemical practices. The following herbicide programs are recommended for use in Georgia.

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Page 1

Herbicide Programs for Managing Weeds in Peanut in Georgia, 20171 Preplant Incorporated

Preemergence2

Prowl5 or Sonalan

Valor 6,9 (Add Strongarm if annual morningglory is a concern)

Prowl5 or Sonalan

Cracking or Early Postemergence3 (weeds 3” or less) 15-25 DAP10

Gramoxone SL or Firestorm or Parazone or Helmquat + Storm + Warrant or Dual Magnum8

Postemergence4 (weeds 3” or less) 30-40 DAP

Late Postemergence (as needed)

Cadre or Cobra7 or Ultra Blazer7 + Dual Magnum8 or Warrant8 + 2,4-DB

2,4-DB11

Cadre or Cobra7 or Ultra Blazer7 + Dual Magnum8 or Warrant8 + 2,4-DB

2,4-DB11

Notes: 1 ALS-resistant Palmer amaranth is a very serious concern. An aggressive management program is necessary to slow spread of the resistant biotypes and to reduce selection pressure in areas currently not infested with resistant biotypes. A combination of tillage, soil-residual herbicides and postemergence herbicides will be required for optimum control.

2 Strongarm can be tankmixed with Valor to improve the control of broadleaf weeds especially annual morningglory.

3 Apply cracking or early postemergence treatment only if weeds have emerged.

4 Cadre may be tankmixed with Cobra or Ultra Blazer if needed for control of other weed species. Cadre is an ALS- inhibitor. Because of concerns with weed resistance to ALS-inhibitors, a mixture of Cobra or Ultra Blazer with Cadre would be preferred over Cadre alone. When using Cadre, follow all labeled crop rotation restrictions.

5 Generic brands of Prowl (pendimethalin) are available and perform similarly. Prowl or Sonalan can be used preemergence if 0.5-0.75 inches of water can be applied within 48 hours of application. Either of these can be tankmixed with Valor or Valor + Strongarm in this situation.

6 If Valor is properly activated with 0.5-0.75 inches of rainfall or irrigation within 7 days of application, it is unlikely that an at-cracking treatment will be required. However, if control with Valor is unacceptable, an at-cracking treatment of Gramoxone or Firestorm or Parazone or Helmquat + Storm + Dual Magnum or Warrant should be applied.

7 Valor, Cobra, Spartan Charge, Storm and Ultra Blazer have the same mode of action (PPO inhibitor). Consequently, no more than two applications of these herbicides should be used in a season.

8 Generic brands of metolachlor are available (Stalwart, Parallel PCS, Me-Too-Lachlor). However, these generic brands have not provided the same length of residual control as Dual Magnum (Smetolachlor) in some University of Georgia field trials. When tankmixing paraquat, Cobra or Ultra Blazer with Dual Magnum/generics, additional spray adjuvants (NIS, COC) are not recommended and will likely increase peanut injury. When using Warrant with POST applications, add NIS. 9 Generic formulations of Valor 51WG (flumioxazin) are also available including Outflank, Panther, Red Eagle-Flumioxazin and Rowel. Panther SC and Valor EZ are liquid formulations but have not yet been adequately tested by UGA weed scientists. Valor EZ is not labeled for use in peanut. No data has been collected with the Red Eagle-flumioxazin formulation.

10 DAP = days after planting.

11 Label restrictions permit only 2 applications of 2,4-DB per year. Pre-harvest interval for 2,4-DB is 45-60 days depending upon the label.

Special Note: Dual Magnum and Warrant are in the same herbicide family and have the same mode of action (inhibit very long chain fatty acids). Multiple applications (> 2) of these herbicides in a single year should be avoided to prevent or delay the evolution of resistance. These herbicides have no postemergence activity.

Information by Eric P. Prostko, UGA Extension Weed Specialist in the University of Georgia’s 2017 Peanut Update.

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MAY 2 017 • THE PE ANUT GROWE R /

Better Pivot Conversion From Valley Valley Irrigation recently introduced Valley ICONX as part of the ICON series of smart control panels to combat the challenge of multiple control technologies on today’s farms.

Farming operations continue to expand, adding new or rented farmland that often comes with a mixture of center pivots. Managing various software and mobile applications can become time consuming and challenging.

Valley ICONX brings any control panel — from all major pivot brands — into the AgSense or Base Station 3 network. By using the panel’s circuits, the ICONX takes control of the existing pivot panel to connect any brand of pivot into one network.

The Valley ICONX solution allows for the ability to upgrade without fully replacing your current control panel, making it an affordable solution. Integrating all panels into one platform simplifies operations for growers – saving irrigators time, labor and money, not to mention eliminating the headaches caused by using various networks and platforms.

For more information, please visit valleyirrigation.com.

Sprayparts.com Faster, Easier AGCO Parts, a division of AGCO Corporation, has redesigned and improved Sprayparts.com, making online ordering of sprayer parts faster and easier as customers prepare for the busy application and growing season. Expanded product descriptions, improved search capabilities, better product photos and new dropdown menus provide easier navigation and are all part of the redesign. The site has also been updated for easy use on any internet-enabled device.

Sprayparts.com now features larger, higher quality photos, more graphics and expanded product descriptions, including product features and benefits. More comprehensive information about the products in combination with better product filtering Petition To Ban Chlorpyrifos Denied The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt recently signed an order denying a petition to ban chlorpyrifos (Lorsban), an insecticide widely used in peanuts.

Pruitt said, “By reversing the previous Administration’s steps to ban one of the most widely used pesticides in the world, we are returning to using sound science in decision-making — rather than predetermined results.”

“This is a welcome decision grounded in evidence and science,” said Sheryl Kunickis, director of the Office of Pest Management Policy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “It means that this important pest management tool will remain available to growers, helping to ensure an abundant and affordable food supply for this nation and the world.”

In October 2015, under the previous Administration, EPA proposed to revoke all food residue tolerances for chlorpyrifos. The proposal relied largely on certain epidemiological 20 /

THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

enables visitors to narrow down the website’s selection of products to only those few items that match their particular interests.

Two important changes include expanded shipping selections and a new online payment options. Customers can continue to order parts directly from their local AGCO dealer or they can order and select the shipping address of their choice. The improved Sprayparts.com also includes the option for customers to pay online with a credit card and the latest encryption technology for safe online ordering.

Visit the updated site at www.sprayparts.com.

For Insects And Disease: Crossover Pro Innvictis Crop Care, LLC announces Crossover Pro as a first of its kind formulation combining Propiconazole and Lambda Cyhalothrin for superior insect control while adding disease protection at an economical cost to the producer. This novel systems approach delivers one pass protection and time saving convenience of no mixing.

Crossover Pro has quick knockdown and residual control of over 35 insects. In addition to corn and soybeans, Crossover Pro is labeled on peanuts, rice, sorghum, tree nuts and wheat.

The addition of Lambdacyhalothrin delivers long-lasting residual control of primary and secondary chewing and sucking pest, and Propiconazole is included for its preventative and curative fungicidal properties, which impact plant health and yield. Early protection against insects and diseases has proven to increase yield from overall plant health and stress relief. Apply Crossover Pro when conditions are favorable for disease development and insects are present.

Crossover Pro is a restricted use pesticide. Contact your local Pinnacle Agriculture or Sanders retail location for additional information or visit www.PinnacleAg.com.

study outcomes to reach its conclusions with serious scientific concerns and substantive process gaps in the proposal.

The USDA disagreed with the methodology used by the previous Administration as did many other agencies and advisory panels, including the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act advisory panel.

PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

In-furrow Compatibility Issues

Test Water Quality

If your peanuts are already in the ground, your preplant, preplant incorporated and preemergence herbicides have been applied, and your thrips and tomato spotted wilt programs are in place. Early season weed and thrips control can have a major impact on yield, and certainly achieving a desirable stand is critical.

DAVID JORDAN North Carolina State If you are successful with University these inputs and get a good Extension Agronomist stand with minimal stress for pests, you are well on your way.

But if not, many people spray acephate to control thrips, and the best time is within the first 3 weeks after planting if in-furrow insecticides are not completely effective.

An early season application of paraquat plus bentazon (Basagran) can help clean up weed escapes, and adding a residual herbicide to this mix will often improve weed control during the next few weeks.

Protecting the crop during the first month is essential.

While suggestions may vary from region to region, if you establish three or more plants per foot of row, you can still be successful. If you have only one or two plants per foot of row, consider dropping in with a planter and get more plants established. In the V-C region for Virginia types, we recommend a population of four to five plants per foot for optimum yield.

In weedy fields, my experience is that investment on the front end is more effective than playing catch up later in the season. Multiple herbicide applications, both contact and residuals, that keep the crop clean for the first six weeks are a great investment.

Keeping thrips from hammering peanuts also pushes the crop forward in a positive way. If you have less than ideal thrips control, be careful with paraquat, at least in the V-C region.

We’ve had a few issues with compatibility of in-furrow products with respect to inoculant performance. If you are fortunate to have new ground or fields with long rotations, you don’t want to squander that potential with an inoculant failure. Be mindful of what you put in the tank with inoculant. There are a number of things that work well with inoculant and they are fine to use. But if it is new or untested, be wary. Ask a lot of questions. Make sure the peanuts get a great start with nitrogen fixation. Correcting that problem will be equally as painful if not more painful than cleaning up pigweeds later in the season.

Irrigation is essential in maximizing yield and quality in peanut production in the Southwest. Water demand differs based on different developmental stages of the crop, and irrigation capacity often declines later in the season. Adequate soil moisture is needed for germination and stand establishment after JASON WOODWARD Texas Agri-Life Extension planting, but it is most critical Plant Pathologist during the reproductive periods of bloom and pod fill.

Early season applications of irrigation are required to activate pre-emergent herbicides and enhance weed control and ensure adequate plant nutrition. Water demand is at its peak during the reproductive periods of bloom and pod fill.

As pods mature, water use starts to decline; however, the soil must remain moist in order to ease digging and minimize harvest losses.

With declining irrigation levels, it is becoming more difficult to maximize yields on full circles. Many producers have opted to scale back and plant peanuts on half or quarter of a pivot. Despite these efforts, it is important to examine output across the pivot to ensure that uniform amounts are being applied. Install new nozzle packages if distribution patterns are not uniform. This is especially important when peanuts begin blooming, as high humidity within the canopy needs to be maintained in order to facilitate pollination and aid in pegging.

In addition to irrigation capacity, water quality must also be assessed sometime during the growing season.

Peanut is inherently sensitive to low-quality water, especially increased salts. The accumulation of salts in foliage leads to a burn that occurs on the margin of leaves and results in a loss of vine integrity. Irrigation water with elevated levels of calcium and magnesium salts can concentrate in the soil

T WIT TE R: @PE ANUTGROWE R

21

MAY 2 017 • THE PE ANUT GROWE R /

and possibly result in deficiencies of other nutrients. Peanut seed are even more negatively affected by salt when imbibing water during germination, thus, rainfall received prior to irrigation applications made prior to or just after planting will help leach salts from the seed zone.

Reduce Skippy Stand Potential As we move into May, the lack of moisture is going to be the limiting factor for some areas. Rain chances are in the forecast, but not as consistent as growers would like to see during the planting season.

With this in mind, I would caution growers not to rush the situation and cause potential problems with stands by SCOTT MONFORT University of Georgia planting in subpar condiExtension Agronomist tions. To help reduce potential planting and stand issues, please keep in mind the following points: • Seed Germ — Keep a small sample of each lot of seed.

If you have stand problems, the sample can be checked for germ and vigor.

• Keep seed stored in a cool environment until ready to plant. Try not to leave seed exposed to sun and heat for prolonged periods of time. Plant seed in the order that you received them from the sheller. Germination percentages can be affected by unfavorable storage conditions.

• Make sure to calibrate in-furrow liquid and granular applicators. Clean the system before use and make sure you do not have any stopped up tubes.

• Do not risk planting in poor conditions. For example, cool and wet, hot and dry, or marginal soil conditions. The seed cost too much to risk having to replant.

• Make sure planter is set up correctly.

• Keep liquid inoculants out of heat/sunlight. Remember to change or add new inoculants in the tank each day.

• Many new inoculants + growth stimulant mixtures sold today have not been tested by the University of Georgia. If you are going to try these products, work with your county agent to make replicated comparisons with the standard inoculant by itself.

• Do not get in a hurry planting. Increased speed can cause skippy/non-uniform stands.

• Please remember to do everything you can to reduce the risk of TSWV. Use twin row, plant 6 seed per foot, use Thimet, etc. (please refer to peanut disease risk index).

• Plant your non-irrigated fields first to make use of the moisture. You can always provide the needed moisture with 22 /

THE PE ANUT GROWE R • MAY 2 017

irrigation.

• In dry, hot conditions, please remember to irrigate at least one-third to one-fifth inch before planting. Adding cold water from irrigation after planting in hot and dry conditions can shock peanut and lead to erratic germination and skippy stands.

• Weed control is extremely important. Try to plant in a clean field and stay ahead of any problems.

Please call your county agent if you have any questions or need any help.

Note On Tropical Spiderwort Since we are still the first of May and the beginning of planting for some, I would like to point out a few things during planting season. In the last peanut pointer I encouraged many of you to use an insecticide for thrips at planting this year because of the warm winter and possibility of increased KRIS BALKCOM thrips pressure early this year.

Auburn University Continue to keep an eye on Agri-Program Associate those earlier planted peanuts for thrips in case an over-the-top foliar application to knock the thrips back is needed.

Also, I am seeing more tropical spiderwort (Bengal Day Flower) in Alabama the past couple of years. If you have had this troublesome weed in the past, I encourage you to be proactive and recommend that you use Strongarm and/or Dual in your herbicide program to battle against this weed.

Finally, if it continues to be quite warm, I would recommend at least banding a material early this season for white mold because it will likely be earlier in expression because of the warm winter. PG

PE ANUTGROWE R .COM

PG0517 Layout_CF 11/13 template 4/17/17 10:26 AM Page 23

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