Peanut Grower November 2019

The

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

NOVEMBER 2019

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

Research Review:

The Pieces Are In Place Sponsored by National Peanut Board

NPRL: 50 Years Of Service Hurricane Guide In The Works 2020 Planning Q & A

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The

NOVEMBER 2019

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

NOVEMBER 2019

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

Research Review:

The Pieces Are In Place Sponsored by National Peanut Board

NPRL: 50 Years Of Service

Genetic resources

Departments 4

5

8

Editor’s Note Next House Ag Chairman appeals for pro-ag colleagues News Briefs Incorrect loan rate frustrates processors Market Watch Crop conditions expected to affect yield

22 New Products Advanced analysis of aerial data

Ï Breeding

Hurricane Guide In The Works 2020 Planning Q & A

Volume 31 • Number 8

Genetic knowledge

Better peanut varieties

11

Features

10 50 Years Of Service

Well-deserved recognition for the National Peanut Research Laboratory.

11 Research Review SPONSORED BY NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD

The Pieces Are In Place

15 Help With Hurricane Mitigation

Supplement

Guidelines are coming to help producers plan for and recover from hurricanes.

2020 Hybrid Guide

CornSouth ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

Southern Production & Marketing Strategies

November 2019

16 A Field Day Of Learning

Topics included pest management options, precision ag tools and the new cultivar, Walton.

18 Proactive Resistance Management Steps to selecting and using herbicides correctly.

A Supplement to Cotton Farming and The Peanut Grower Magazines

Look for the Corn South supplement following page 22 in the Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi versions of The Peanut Grower.

TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

20 Planning For 2020 Q & A

Tillage systems, twin rows and seeding rates are topics to consider.

On the cover: Wild peanut species are grown at the National Peanut Research Lab in search of disease resistant traits. Photo by Amanda Huber NOVEMBER 2019 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Copy Editor Vicky Boyd vboyd@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 Audience Services Kate Thomas (847) 559-7514 Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (901) 767-4020 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com For circulation changes, call (847) 559-7578 or email peanutgrower@omeda.com

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

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

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf PRESIDENT/TREASURER Lia Guthrie PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT The Peanut Grower (ISSN 1042-9379) is an agribusiness magazine for U.S. peanut producers. Published in eight monthly issues, January through July and November. Annual subscriptions are $40.00. Single Copy price is $5.00. Annual overseas subscriptions are $70.00, including Canada/ Mexico. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, TN. Copyright © 2019 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.

Editor’sNote Editor’s Note A Dire Warning

G

rower groups throughout the peanut belt do a good job of educating congressional staffers about the importance of our crop and of rural America, in general. Recently, the Georgia Peanut Commission and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation hosted 20 such individuals in South Georgia. The staffers represented offices from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina.

Although this is important, it is not enough for the staff to be aware of the Amanda Huber needs of our industry. We must have Editor, The Peanut Grower actual candidates who understand and support agriculture. That was the message recently from Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga), who serves on the House Agriculture Committee and is in line to be the next chairman.

“I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or Republican. What I do care about is when we go to the polls in November that we have someone who can support agriculture. In some cases, we’re getting two candidates on the ballot who don’t understand or support agriculture,” Scott says. “Let’s make sure we’ve got pro-ag Democrats and pro-ag Republicans on the ballot.”

Scott’s right, of course. Congressional support with knowledge and understanding of what happens on the farm has been dwindling for years.

He also knows that valuable members have already announced their retirements or intentions to seek other offices in 2020. To name a few, Reps.

Mike Conaway (R-Texas), Martha Roby (R-Ala.), Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) and Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) are all stepping away.

But who wants to run for office in the current political climate? As Scott says, “Our primaries of both parties are being controlled by outside groups that are raising tremendous amounts of money. We’re in danger of getting candidates from both parties who know nothing about agriculture and don’t support it.”

It is time we encourage and support with both our time and donations candidates who favor agriculture to ensure farmers continue to have a voice in Congress. Everything is at stake.

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

One Grower Publishing, LLC

875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 Phone: 901-767-4020

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THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

PEANUTGROWER.COM

NewsBriefs News Briefs Loan Rates Corrected

FSA Expands Payment Options

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation announced corrected 2019 crop loan rates. Loan rates published in June were incorrectly calculated.

The 2014 Farm Bill established the national loan rate for peanuts at $355 per ton, which is unchanged from the previous Farm Bill. CCC calculated the price support levels for each peanut type using the same method as last year. The CCC’s calculations include the national loan rate, the five-year average of quality factors and the threeyear simple average weighted production. The revised 2019 crop loan rates took effect on Oct. 10.

All loans processed prior to that time will be corrected through Farm Service Agency county offices and designated marketing associations to ensure producers receive the correct loan amounts.

For an average grade ton of 2019crop peanuts, loan levels by type are as follows: runner-type peanuts – $354.13 per ton; Spanish – $346.70 per ton; Valencias – $360.94 per ton; Virginiatype peanuts – $360.94 per ton.

CCC applies premiums and discounts for quality factors into the calculation for an individual ton of peanuts. The actual loan level depends on the percentage of sound mature kernels and sound splits. SMKs are whole kernels that pass over the testing screen officially designated for each type of peanut. Sound splits are whole kernels split into two pieces.

Excess sound splits receive discounts, as do other kernels, damaged kernels and foreign materials. An additional discount occurs for loose-shell kernels.

Other quality discounts also may apply.

For each percent of SMKs in a ton of peanuts, plus each percent of sound splits, the loan levels are as follows: runner-type peanuts – 4.808 per percent; Spanish-type – 4.784 per percent; Valencia – 5.399 per percent; Virginiatype – 4.904 per percent.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency is expanding its payment options and will now accept debit cards and automated clearing house (ACH) debits. These paperless payment options enable FSA customers to pay farm loans, measurement service fees, farm program debt repayments and administrative service fees, as well as to purchase aerial maps.

Previously, only cash, check, money orders and wires were accepted. By using debit cards and ACH debit, transactions are securely processed from the customer’s financial institution through Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury’s online payment hub.

While traditional collection methods like cash and paper checks will continue, offering the new alternatives will improve effectiveness and convenience to customers while being more cost effective.

In 2017, the average cost to manually process checks, a process that included navigating multiple systems, cost the USDA more than $4.6 million. The expanded payment options will reduce the time employees take processing payments by 75%.

This announcement marks the beginning of a multi-phased roll out of new payment options for USDA customers.

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Tariff Mitigation Plan U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced that USDA will take several actions to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation and trade disruption.

T h e Tr u m p a d m i n i s t r a t i o n announced its plan for tariff mitigation following the unjustified retaliatory tariffs imposed by China.

Standing alongside President Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House for the signing was Donald Chase, a peanut farmer from Oglethorpe, Georgia, who serves on the Georgia Peanut Commission. The president was also accompanied by two

In Brief • Incorrect loan rate calculations frustrate processors.

• FSA modernizes payment options.

• Peanuts eventually added in tariff mitigation plan.

• More than $3 billion available for disaster relief.

• Allergy therapy gets nod from FDA.

former Georgia leaders, Sonny Perdue, from Bonaire, and Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau president, from Greensboro.

The administration’s plan is a $16 billion aid program intended to help ease the impact of decreased agricultural purchases from China, one of the consequences of the trade war. The aid will include $14.5 billion in direct payments to farmers through the Market Facilitation Program.

Originally, peanut farmers were excluded but will now be eligible for the direct payments. There will be three payment installments starting in July. Additional payments will come in November and January as needed.

Producers will receive a payment based on a single county rate multiplied by a farm’s total plantings to those crops in aggregate in 2019. Therefore, payments will be calculated after the final reporting planting date of July 15.

Ge o r g i a Pe a n u t C o m m i s s i o n Chairman Armond Morris says, “Peanut growers are pleased that we were included in the Market Facilitation Program.

The peanut industry needs a strong export market, and we will continue to work with the administration to expand our reach.”

Another $1.4 billion will be allocated to the Food Purchase and Distribution Program to buy surplus commodities.

NOVEMBER 2019 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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NewsBriefs News Briefs Those goods will be distributed to schools, food banks and other groups.

The remaining $100 million will go to developing new export markets for American producers through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program.

Georgia Tests New Grading Equipment

New grading equipment has been delivered to the Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Albany, Georgia, as of mid-October. The research team for the new grading equipment has focused mainly on finalizing the prototypes to the point where more extensive testing can occur with confidence.

Throughout the remainder of the harvesting season, the new equipment will be used to capture as much data as possible. The plan is to run sideby-side comparisons using the prototype and current grading equipment.

Evaluations will include timed studies on each piece of equipment to report efficiency. Each of the grade factors will also be analyzed for accuracy and consistency.

Progress is also being made on an in-shell moisture meter, which has included securing patent licenses and protecting the rights to intellectual property.

Disaster Assistance Arrives

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced in September that agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian, can apply for assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus.

Sign up for this program started on Sept. 11.

“U.S. agriculture has been dealt a hefty blow by extreme weather over the past several years, and 2019 is no exception,” Perdue said. “The scope of this year’s prevented planting alone is devastating, and although these disaster program benefits will not make producers whole, we hope the assistance will ease some of the financial strain farmers, ranchers and their families are experiencing. President Trump has the backs of our farmers, and we are working to

support America’s great patriot farmers.”

More than $3 billion is available through the disaster relief package.

WHIP+ will be available in counties with a disaster designation or declaration. Producers in counties not receiving a declaration but provide supporting documentation to establish that the crops were directly affected by a qualifying disaster loss.

A list of counties that received qualifying disaster declarations and designations is available at farmers.gov/ recover/whip-plus.

Helps For The Bahamas

Peanut Proud Inc. reports donations from the peanut industry have totaled more than $40,000 for aid to the Bahamas. Recently, pallets of Peanut Proud peanut butter rolled out of Albany, Georgia, in a Southern Ag Carriers semitrailer headed for West Palm Beach to be loaded on a Carnival Cruise Line ship for delivery.

A total of 24,480 jars were delivered to the National Emergency Management Agency for distribution.

Good News For Allergy Therapy

Hope for a commercially available peanut allergy therapy got a boost in September when a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee said it believed safety and efficacy data support the use of Palforzia. The National Peanut Board was an early funder of the oral immunotherapy studies led by Wesley Burks at both the University of Arkansas and Duke University.

Known until now as AR101, Palforzia has been shown to help some children and teens increase tolerance, reducing the likelihood of a serious reaction from accidental exposure to peanuts. It uses increasing doses of peanut flour to help the body deal with the ingestion of peanut protein without a serious systemic reaction.

While the committee’s vote sends a positive signal, FDA is likely to take a few months to make a final decision on approval.

If approved, the committee reviewing Palforzia called for ensuring caregivers or patients will always carry epinephrine while under therapy and the first and each increasing dose be given at a “certified facility” – help-

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THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

ing treat any potential reactions. Committee members also singled out the lack of long-term data available for Palforzia and said ongoing monitoring will be important.

Parents, children and advocates who presented their own stories to the committee said they understood the challenges and limitations that come with this therapy.

Lisa Gable, CEO of Food Allergy Research and Education, said, “Many patients are willing to accept some risk of new treatments. That decision should lie with them.”

Exposure to peanut early is a confirmed recommendation.

The National Peanut Board, funded by farmers, has been a leader in helping to solve the peanut allergy issue.

PEANUTGROWER.COM

NewsBriefs News Briefs In Memoriam: Jack T. Chastain

“Jack” Terry Chastain, former chairman of the American Peanut Sheller Association and an industry Hall of Fame inductee, passed away in October.

According to the American Peanut Council, Chastain entered the peanut shelling business in 1970 at Doster Warehouse in Rochelle, Georgia. Chastain and a partner purchased Doster in 1977. He became known as an innovator throughout his shelling career. Doster’s became one of only two companies in the world capable of producing bar-ready peanuts for candy manufacturers.

At Doster, Chastain worked with local farmers by providing seven-year interest-free financing for irrigation systems. He designed the first mezzanine-raised floor in the shelling plant. This was done to allow for electrical conduits under the deck, but it also provided better cleaning, an innovation in all shelling plants today.

Doster was one of the first to remove foreign material to a level that allowed direct shipment to a candy company without further cleaning and processing. When Doster Warehouses needed a new roof, Chastain had the idea to keep the old roof and add new purlins and tin.

The double roof provided better temperature control and more air circulation. Again, this innovation is the industry norm today.

In 2005, Chastain introduced the industry to storage domes, a move that certainly changed the landscape of Rochelle. Doster constructed three domes, bringing their total in hull peanut storage capacity to 32,000 tons.

Chastain participated in numerous industry organizaDonate to Peanut Proud through its website at www.peanutproud.com.

Standards Board Selected USDA has announced the appointment of three producers and three industry representatives to serve on the Peanut Standards Board. The following appointees will serve three-year terms beginning immediately and ending June 30, 2022: Southeast Region (Alabama, Georgia and Florida): Michael H. Davis, producer, Graceville, Fla.; John T. Gray III, Williston Peanut Co., Williston, Fla. Southwest Region (Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico): Gregory G. Hughes, producer, Seminole, Texas; Jonathan M. LeFevre, J.M. Smuckers Co. LLC, Fort Worth, Texas.

TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

tions and served in leadership positions. These organizations included the Southern Peanut Warehousemen’s Association (now the National Peanut Buying Points Association). He served as president of Southern Peanut Warehousemen’s Association and was a member of Chem Nut, the American Peanut Council, the Southeastern Peanut Association (now American Peanut Shellers Association), and the Peanut Standards Board.

He served as president and chairman of the American Peanut Shellers Association twice: 1998 – 1999 and 2005 – 2006. Chastain served on the board of directors and as vice-chairman of the committee on peanut legislation.

He helped to guide the APSA legislation position in the Farm Bill.

Chastain was married to Norma Doster for 53 years.

They had two children: Todd (deceased) and his wife, Lorrie; Phillip and his wife, Lisa, and grandchildren Bailey, Doster and Jackson.

Virginia/Carolina Region: Richard H. Rentz Jr., producer, Branchville, S.C. Darlene Cowart, Birdsong Peanuts, Suffolk, Va. The 18-member board was authorized under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. One-third of the board members are appointed each year. More information about the board and USDA’s partnership with the peanut industry is available on the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service Peanut Standards Board page.

APC Hosts European Bloggers A group of 14 Europeans who write for various publications in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands traveled to Georgia to par-

ticipate in the 33rd Annual Georgia Peanut Tour. which was coordinated by the Georgia Peanut Commission and the University of Georgia. The tour was centered in Cordele, Georgia, and the surrounding area.

The visitors from abroad enjoyed breakfast with former President Jimmy Carter in Plains, learned more about peanut nutrition from the Peanut Institute’s Samara Sterling and peanut allergies from Sherry Coleman Collins of the National Peanut Board.

Producer and NPB board member Casey Cox talked to the group about sustainability in the peanut industry.

The goal of the event is to encourage influencers to share the information with readers. The trip was coordinated by the American Peanut Council. PG NOVEMBER 2019 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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Watch Crop Conditions Expected To Affect Final Yield

T

he U.S. market is in a “wait and see” mode. The Southeast, where 70% of peanuts are grown, is experiencing hot and dry conditions, one of the longest such periods in history. Early planted peanuts were considered good, especially those under irrigation. However, late-planted and dryland peanuts are showing damage and increased aflatoxin.

It is too early to tell the full effect this will have on the crop, but both yield and quality are going to be impacted on the runner crop. The question becomes, “What portion is marketable peanuts?”

Despite the concern over quality and yield, the market has not reacted accordingly. For now, there is reluctance to sell forward. Markets are very quiet. Brokers are reporting little interest from buyers.

An early estimate is 1.1 to 1.2 million tons carryover from the 2019 crop.

2019 Crop Estimate The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates production at 2,741,050 tons, down 3% from the previous forecast and down less than 1% from last year.

Harvested area is expected to total 1.38 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 1% from 2018.

The average yield is forecast at 3,964 pounds per acre, down 122 pounds from the previous forecast and down 37 pounds from the 2018 average yield of 4,001 pounds per acre.

Selling Old Crop While farmers were harvesting 2019 peanut crop, the market loan ninemonth contract was running out. With markets full, farmers and shellers decided to forfeit to the government and not redeem by paying the loan. The volume totaled 79,915 tons on Oct. 1, only 3%

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THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

J. Tyron Spearman Contributing Editor, The Peanut Grower

Leading Marketing Indicators (As of Oct. 10, 2019) 2019 Est. Acreage (+ 1%) ..................................................1,383,000 acres 2019 Est. Production (3,964 lbs/A)..................................... 2,741,050 tons 2018 Market Loan .............................................................. 2,339,947 tons 2018 Redeemed ................................................................. 2,215.928 tons 2018 In Loan Until December ...........................................

124,019 tons

2018-19 Domestic Usage (12 Mo.) ................................... DOWN – 0.5 % 2018-19 Exports (Aug -Jul 2018) .......................................DOWN – 4.8 % NATIONAL POSTED PRICE (per ton) Runners -$425.16; Spanish - $414.74; Valencia and Virginias - $425.49

of the total market loan volume.

USDA’s A g ricu lt u re Ma rket i ng Service quickly listed the lots for sale, allowing the peanuts to return to the open market with prices slightly under loan. For example, lot #9 (28,463 tons) sold for prices ranging from $325 per ton to $345 per ton after being forfeited at $355 per ton. The goal of the government is to avoid forfeitures, if possible, and offer the forfeits to the trade while keeping government cost low.

Price-Loss Coverage Under the peanut program, farmers may sign up for Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage, which is preferred, for financial assistance triggered by low prices. Payment comes one year later in October and is based on prices received by farmers.

A final projected effective price published in August was $430 per ton or $0.2150 per pound. To determine assistance, subtract the Market Year Average from the Statutory Reference Price. For 2018, subtract $430 per ton from $535

per ton (Reference Price), and the projected or final 2018 PLC payment rate is $105 per ton. This payment applies to 85% of the peanut farm base, and the Farm Service Agency is expected to deliver those funds in October for the 2018 crop. Low prices continue for 2019 with August prices averaging only $405 per ton.

Market Facilitation Program The Market Facilitation Program provided direct payments to farmers affected by unjustified retaliatory foreign tariffs, which caused a loss of traditional export markets. Payment rates are based on gross trade damages for commodities with assessed retaliatory tariffs by China, India, the European Union and Turkey. Rates range from $15 per acre to $150 per acre. Assistance is based on total crop plantings in 2019. The first payment of 50% was made in August with the second and third portions to be paid in November and January if market conditions dictate.

PEANUTGROWER.COM

Watch Disaster Assistance Peanut farmers can sign up for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus for assistance with production losses from Hurricane Michael.

This is for farmers who suffered eligible losses of certain crops, trees, bushes or vines. There were peanut crop losses last year during the storm.

USDA is also working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to further assist growers through state block grants for producer losses not covered by WHIP+ or other USDA disaster programs.

Domestic Usage Depending on quality, farmers may have lowered carryover to about 1.1 million tons. Add the estimated production of 2.741 million tons, plus a few imports, and the U.S. industry could have a total supply of 3.841 million tons. If total peanut demand is near 3 million tons, which includes domestic usage up 1.9% and exports increasing 6.4%, that means a carry-forward next season of about 841,000 tons.

Domestic usage was down last year by 0.5% but is predicted to increase 1.6% this year.

cially with our problematic crop. Also, expect further tariffs, which will make us even more noncompetitive with other options, especially Argentina, Brazil and India. These countries are aggressively selling their coming new crop at levels below our offered prices.

As far as purchasing by China, there is no reason to be optimistic that their buying will alleviate the surplus. With the ongoing trade war and other origins cheaper for crush material, China will source from Senegal, Gambia and other African origins where there are no import tariffs imposed.

Furthermore, USA shellers are hesitant to take the risk of shipments to China as inspection and quarantine can play games and hold goods at the port indefinitely to discourage shipments.

China is already harvesting new crop and expecting a good crop with little need for outside material unless priced below market levels. This is causing crush material to drop in price as China doesn’t need it and U.S. crushers are at full capacity with limited buying interest from domestic refiners. The new crop is expected to produce more crush material because of the increase in Seg. 2s and 3s.

‘‘

It is too early to tell the full effect this will have on the crop, but both yield and quality are going to be impacted on the runner crop. The question becomes, ‘What portion is marketable peanuts?’

The outlook for the export market is not optimistic.

Looking Ahead Considering the lack of buyer interest and current crop quality issues, little contracting is expected as shellers will offer $375-$400 per ton, if there is even an offer at all. Some analysts say that, in reality, too many farmers plant for the program and not for market demand.

With cotton and corn at rock-bottom prices, farmers have little choice. Only the end of the trade war with China and their reentering the U.S. cotton market will afford farmers that chance. Expect plantings for 2020 crop to remain the same or slightly increase. PG

Plenty Of Peanuts Contracts will be problematic for the market as shellers have to slog through and depend heavily on blanchers. Buyers are not concerned, as they are 75-80% covered on 2021 from months ago, and we will have plenty of peanuts.

USDA doesn’t yet reflect the estimated decrease in yield, but it will likely be well below 4,000 pounds per acre before we are finished. If we also include some Segregation 2s and 3s off the top, our production could be lower than 2.7 million metric tons, still plenty of availability in a market well covered, including 2018 crop at discounted prices.

Exports And Tariffs Look for further difficulties with U.S. exports to the European Union as they will now test one in 10 loads on arrival.

This will result in more rejections, espeTWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

NOVEMBER 2019 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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50 Years Of Service Well-deserved recognition is in order for the National Peanut Research Laboratory.

By Amanda Huber

T

oday’s farmers continue to reap the benefits sown by a group of forward-thinking peanut leaders in the late 1950s. That’s when the idea for a laboratory dedicated to research on peanuts and peanut processing was born.

“We are the only U.S. Department of AgricultureAgriculture Research Service lab that is solely dedicated to peanuts,” says Marshall Lamb, research leader and location coordinator. “This anniversary is a time to look back at accomplishments and ahead to what we can do next.”

Early Days It was in 1957 that the National Peanut Council established the Peanut Improvement Working Group, which became the impetus for establishing a peanut laboratory. It took most of the early 1960s to get the lab approved in Congress and move it from an idea to actual plans.

In 1968, they broke ground in Dawson, Georgia. A dedication ceremony for the facility took place on Nov. 21, 1969.

Lamb says the original purpose for researchers was better farming practices focusing on engineering and af latoxin.

Since that time, scientists have studied a variety of ways to improve peanut production from storage improvements and energy savings to better irrigation practices, including the development of Irrigator Pro. From Seed To Consumer As a stop on this year’s Georgia Peanut Tour, participants were able to see some of the research being conducted under the lab’s current four focus areas: cropping systems, engineering, molecular biology and genetics.

Chris Butts, NPRL engineer, talked about research on sampling using new equipment and methods to reduce labor and time, and therefore, cost. Testing is underway to verify the accuracy of the new method in determining peanut quality parameters including, but not limited to, foreign material, damage, oil chemistry and kernel size distribution in farmer stock and shelled peanut lots.

Working to make the use of shallow subsurface drip irrigation in field crops possible has been a focus for Ron Sorensen, NPRL research agronomist. He has successfully used drip tubing in the field for five years with a cottoncorn-corn-corn-peanut rotation. He continues to perfect 10 /

THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

NPRL research geneticist Alicia Massa is looking for disease-resistance traits in wild peanut species that could be introduced into cultivated peanut.

the practice and reduce rodent damage, one of the problems with drip irrigation.

Much Technology In Play Victor Sobolev, research chemist, and Alicia Noemi Massa, research geneticist, are studying peanut phytoalexins – chemical compounds that are part of the peanut’s own defense mechanism. Could the answer to aflatoxin be in increasing or “turning on” the phytoalexin compound within the peanut that would stop A. flavus fungi from growing?

Renee Arias, research plant pathologist and a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Scientist of the Year Award, is working on possible ways to prevent formation and accumulation of aflatoxin in plants and seeds by “silencing” genes in the aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway.

No matter the topic, Lamb says developing technology for the end user is the goal. “In 50 years, we have created a tremendous amount of technology used in the industry today.”

The NPRL will celebrate its anniversary in November almost 50 years to the day of its dedication. After all the days’ events have wound down, many of these researchers will probably go right back to work. PG PEANUTGROWER.COM

RESEARCH REVIEW

The Pieces Are In Place

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Genetic resources

Genetic knowledge

Breeding

Better peanut varieties

Sponsored by National Peanut Board

RESEARCH REVIEW

W

The Pieces Are In Place

e had the genetic resources: wild peanut species in development for millions of years and collected by forward-thinking early plant explorers brave enough to trek into the mountains of South America. We had the breeders: skilled and talented men and women in research labs across the United States and around the world building on the information and experience of prior generations. What the peanut world lacked was the genetic knowledge needed to create better peanut varieties.

That was the missing piece.

When an ambitious plan was put in place to find this missing

information and map the peanut genome, growers were on board. In fact, it is the involvement of peanut growers, shellers and manufacturers that sets this initiative apart.

The peanut genome has been sequenced and analyzed as part of the International Peanut Genome Initiative, funded in part by growers through the National Peanut Board, and that genetic knowledge is no longer a mystery. The future is now.

All the pieces are in place to accelerate breeding progress and get more productive, disease-resistant, stress-tolerant varieties to farmers. Let’s take a look at how all of these pieces will come together for a better peanut.

Looking at wild peanut species, it’s best not to “judge a book by its cover.” Beneath the surface of the straggly plants with small seed is a wealth of genetic diversity. When we get beyond the paltry yield and misshapen pods, what can be found in these long, lost peanut relatives that could be useful in today’s cultivated peanut?

This step in modern peanut breeding may seem to be a step backward, but it was not until the genetics of wild peanut species were mapped that scientists learned many important and helpful genes have been lost along the evolutionary way.

Originating in South America millions of years ago, species in the genus Arachis are found in many diverse environments. More than 80 species have been named, and additional species may exist in some regions of South America even today. Wild Arachis species are highly diverse and contain considerable genetic variability compared to cultivated peanut.

Despite their appearance, early explorers knew wild plant species were valuable. Starting in the 1930s, plant explorers began collecting wild peanut species, along with several thousand land races of the cultivated peanut. These samples were divided into three collections, one each in Brazil, Argentina and the United States. Eventually a copy of all the material was sent to India.

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THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

DAVID J. BERTIOLI, UGA

GENETIC RESOURCES

The genotype of an organism is the genetic code in its cells.

A gene is a stretch of DNA or RNA that determines a certain trait, such as flower color. The visible expression of the trait is called the phenotype. Genes mutate and can take two or more alternative forms, such as the yellow flower and the more orange flower; an allele is one of these forms of a gene.

Researchers are working to determine markers associated with certain traits. In other words, the genes or alleles that correlate to flower color, as in this example.

The United States’ peanut collection is kept at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, Georgia. Combing through this collection for “good” genes using our current genetic knowledge will take time. However, it will seem quick compared to the many years and generations of backcrossing needed when traditional breeding techniques were all that was available. Genomics is turbo-charging peanut research and development.

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GENETIC KNOWLEDGE Genetics of the peanut are complicated. The peanut contains four sets of chromosomes and was too complicated to map. It is described as having an “AABB” genome, with a full chromosome set from two parents. Researchers found the likely parents of the cultivated peanut, Arachis hypogaea, in two wild species A. duranensis and A. ipaensis.

The wild species are diploid with each having two sets of chromosomes. Scientists were able to map the two wild parents and put those together to assist in understanding the genetic code of cultivated peanut.

Sequencing the two ancestors independently gave researchers insight into the peanut we have today. With the sequence of cultivated peanut complete, scientists have begun to look at the genes within the genome and to assign a function to those genes. When the traits of specific genes are known, breeders can more effectively work on those traits.

In the process of sequencing the peanut, researchers discovered markers, a string or sequence of DNA, located near the DNA sequence of the desired gene. Since these molecular markers and the genes are close together on the same chromosome, they tend to stay together as each generation of the plant is produced.

The future direction of peanut breeding is the use of marker-assisted selection to help identify desired genes.

In order to find markers associated with specific traits, both genetic and phenotypic (visual or measurable) data must be gathered and correlated. In a test set of plants designed specifically for identifying markers associated with a certain trait, DNA is taken from each plant and With the advances in molecular peanut breeding, a protocol for sample collection had to be written. As part of a presentation on the Marker Assisted Selection Protocol, University of Georgia’s Peggy Ozias Akins, demonstrates how to perform tissue collection of a folded leaf into a special tube labeled with a coordinating number. This information adds to the genetic knowledge base that will allow peanut breeding to move forward.

Researchers have learned that markers, a string or sequence of nucleic acid that makes up a segment of DNA, are located near the DNA sequence of the desired gene. Since the markers and the genes are close together on the same chromosome, they tend to stay together as each generation of plants is produced. This plot test was a validation of late leaf-spot markers, with the left showing genotypes with resistant markers and the right with susceptible markers.

analyzed. The same plants are examined for the specific trait, for example leaf spot resistance, in the field for a period of years. This is called phenotyping and is necessary to determine which markers correlate to what trait. When the specific markers are always present in plants showing leaf spot resistance, then peanut breeders can use those markers to select leaf-spot resistant plants in their breeding programs. Whatever a peanut plant or seed can exhibit — disease resistance, drought tolerance, reduced skin slippage, improved blanchability — there is a marker for it. Many researchers are working to determine these marker-trait associations in peanut.

Marker Assisted Selection: •

Combines traditional genetics with molecular biology.

•

Allows for selection of genes that control traits of interest.

•

Is simpler compared to phenotypic screening.

•

May be carried out on seedlings or even seed.

•

Allows for single plants to be selected with high reliability.

PEGGY OZIAS AKINS, UGA

GRAPHICS BY VECTEEZY.COM

TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

NOVEMBER 2019 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

13

PeanutBase is the primary genetics and genomics database for cultivated peanut and its wild relatives. Information about genome sequences, genes and predicted functions, genetic maps, markers, links to germplasm resources and maps of peanut germplasm origins is available here. It is a valuable resource for the research and breeding community, funded by the Peanut Foundation and donors of the International Peanut Genome Initiative, including growers through the National Peanut Board.

PEANUT BREEDERS When early man began selecting the healthiest peanut plant with the meatier peanut seed, the peanut breeder was born. Now, peanut breeders work with a wealth of knowledge gleaned over the years from pioneers in the industry.

The rate at which genetic information has increased in just the past decade is impressive, and now a revolution in the peanut industry can begin.

Peanut breeders are seeking to produce higher-yielding, better-quality, lowercost, more sustainable, tasty, healthy peanuts to feed more people. Material is already in the pipeline, a bigger pipeline than before, that will tackle producers’ biggest problems.

Those researchers identifying molecular markers associated with important traits will provide that key information to peanut breeders and researchers who are working to introduce those traits into peanut varieties.

Current peanut varieties are vulnerable to many diseases, drought and other

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THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

environmental stresses. Further, new diseases emerging in countries outside the United States present risks to U.S. peanut production if and when they arrive.

Peanut breeders must work to create cultivars that are resistant to the new diseases to safeguard the U.S. crop.

In Phase II of the International Peanut Genomic Initiative, researchers will start applying what they have learned, and are continuing to learn about the peanut, into new varieties. This research will focus on four key areas—disease resistance, drought tolerance, aflatoxin mitigation and flavor conservation/ enhancement. Improved varieties, and therefore, lower production costs, will benefit everyone in the industry.

With the genetic resources from the germplasm collection and the burgeoning amount of genetic knowledge from the International Peanut Genomic Initiative, peanut breeders have the tools for developing better peanut varieties in less time and with greater precision. RR

International Peanut Genomic Initiative Phase II •

Marker usage in breeding.

•

Late leaf spot and other disease resistance.

•

Drought tolerance.

•

Aflatoxin mitigation.

•

Flavor enhancement.

PEANUTGROWER.COM

Help With Hurricane Mitigation Industry experts are writing guidelines to help producers plan for and recover from hurricanes.

By Amanda Huber

More Major Hurricanes Predicted According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Southeast Regional Climate Hub, there has been a slight increase in the frequency of tropical storms in the Atlantic in the past few decades.

The number of major hurricanes, from category 3 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, has also increased over that time.

USDA’s Climate Hubs are a collaboration across the department’s agencies.

The Southeast Climate Hub connects public, academic and private sector organizations with researchers and outreach specialists to deliver technical support and provide tools that help producers cope with challenges associated with drought, heat stress, excessive moisture and changes in pest pressures.

Climate models from the USDA’s Southeast Climate Hub project that the frequency of major hurricanes will likely increase, while the number of tropical storms will decrease. Because of this, researchers and Extension specialists are working on a guide to help peanut producers prepare for and recover from hurricanes. Helping write the guidelines TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

UF IFAS EXTENSION

H

urricanes and tropical storms produce a multitude of impacts ranging from damaging winds, inland flooding, coastal surges and sometimes an isolated tornado. Coming across the Atlantic or up from the Caribbean, the first place hurricanes and tropical storms often hit are good areas for growing peanuts as well. The Virginia-Carolina states and the Southeast, primarily Florida and Alabama, are direct targets. If the storm keeps going, as Hurricane Michael did, then Georgia can also be greatly affected.

USDA Southeast Climate Hub’s Trends And Projections: • Over the past few decades, there has been a decreasing trend in rainfall during the summer months.

• Most climate models simulate that the decrease in summer rainfall may continue, with the largest decreases (more than 10%) projected to occur in southern Florida and the western states of the region.

• Above-average rainfall and extreme rainfall events have occurred more frequently across the Southeast over the past 20 years.

• Most climate models simulate that extreme rainfall events of more than 1

are Barry Tillman, University of Florida peanut breeder; Dan Anco, Clemson University Extension peanut specialist; and David Jordan, North Carolina State University Extension peanut specialist.

Assistance In Overwhelming Times Although the final version is not complete, the guide aims to help producers focus on long- and short-term planning and preparation to mitigate the impacts of hurricanes on peanut production.

It will also cover the potential impacts of wind and water and offer steps to rebuilding and recovery after passage of hurricanes.

As an example, the guide offers a number of considerations when a hurricane is forecast to impact your area in 1 to 7

inch will continue to increase.

• Temperatures have steadily increased across the Southeast since the 1970s, especially during the summer and along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

• There has been an increase in the number of days where maximum temperature exceeds 95 degrees F and minimum temperature exceeds 75 F. • Days with maximum temperatures exceeding 95 F are predicted to increase, with more than 35 additional days occurring in central Florida and 20-30 additional days across the rest of the region.

days. One suggestion is to document the status of your peanut crop – field by field.

If flooding is likely to be an issue in certain fields, pull some plants to document the pre-storm status – as far as maturity and general health – and take pictures.

This could aid in determining crop losses.

Another suggestion is that is it probably better to delay digging until after the storm if flooding is likely in certain fields. That is because peanut plants can float and be pushed by the wind across flooded fields. Other topics prior to the storm cover fungicide applications and equipment placement.

Overall, the guide will serve as a checklist for producers so nothing gets missed, even in the nearly overwhelming aftermath a hurricane can bring. PG NOVEMBER 2019 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 15

CLEMSON PUBLIC SERVICE AND AGRICULTURE

Byron Lee of Jackson, South Carolina, talks with Clemson soil fertility specialist Bhupinder Farmaha during the field day at Clemson’s Edisto Research and Education Center.

A Field Day Of Learning South Carolina growers get a look at pest management options, precision ag tools and the new cultivar, Walton.

D

espite having to be rescheduled because of the uncertainty of Hurricane Dorian, the Peanut and Row Crop Field Day held at Clemson University’s Edisto Research and Education Center did eventually happen without incident. At the field day, growers learned the latest information on pest control, new technology and the latest release: Walton.

The varieties Bailey and Bailey II have been well received by South Carolina growers because of exceptional disease resistance and consistently high yields. Extension peanut specialist Dan Anco says that the variety Walton is comparable with Bailey II. Walton On Par With Bailey “Walton is a Virginia-type peanut with high-oleic content,” 16 /

THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

Anco says. “It has excellent pod yield and grade. It yields well in both well-watered and drought-stressed soils. This variety also has a high-oleic chemistry that is consistent across environments.”

Clemson plant bacteriologist and pathologist Hehe Wang talked with growers about new options to control peanut diseases, including late leaf spot and white mold.

“Pathogens that cause these diseases can survive in the soil for many years,” Wang says. “Growers should start early to prevent inoculum buildup during the growing season.”

He also says all peanut seed should be treated with a fungicide to reduce the incidence of seed‐transmitted and soil-borne seedling diseases. Seed treatments are effective in reducing seedling disease and protecting stand counts.

For organic growers, Wang says local beneficial bacteria can be used to control late leaf spot and white mold.

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Irrigation Scheduling Tool Also at the field day, Clemson researchers discussed various online tools they are creating to keep South Carolina farming at the forefront of technology and producing profitable crops.

These electronic aids include information-based production technologies such as the South Carolina Irrigation Scheduling Tool, developed by Clemson irrigation specialist Jose Payero.

“In the old days, we used a checkbook method where we determined water in and water out to get a balance,” Payero says. “This new tool uses weather data and other information to determine how much water is needed and when it is needed.”

The South Carolina Irrigation Scheduling Tool is free and available at https://etcman.shinyapps.io/IrrigSchedCRONOS/.

Other tools created by Clemson’s Precision Agriculture team can be found at http://bit.ly/ClemsonOnlineCalculators.

Working On Yield Monitors Researchers also are developing yield monitors to help producers maximize their profits. Kendall Kirk, a Clemson agricultural engineer, has helped develop a yield monitor to use on Amadas combines. This monitor provides a more accurate measure of peanut harvests by weighing each load.

“Just as other farmers do, peanut farmers have to truck their crops from their farms to buyers,” Kirk says. “If they exceed the gross vehicle weight allowance, they face being fined by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. On the other hand, if a load is less than the allowed weight, farmers have to make more trips to deliver their product, which decreases their profits.”

Does Variable-Rate Seeding Have A Fit? Clemson precision agriculture Extension specialist Michael Plumblee is using the Directed Rx method to determine if variable-rate seeding is profitable for peanuts.

Directed Rx is a method developed by Clemson researchers that uses yield and soil analysis data from each field to design a customized “prescription” of pest control and soil fertility management for that specific field.

Peanut seed, unlike corn, cotton and soybean, is sold by weight rather than seed count. Therefore, seed size and seeding rate can heavily influence input costs in peanut production.

Variable-rate seeding could help reduce seeding costs as well as increase profit.

“Variable-rate seeding in peanut has always been of interest,” Plumblee says. “Now that we have access to a yield monitor on a peanut combine and growers will soon have access to this technology, it only made sense for us to explore variable-rate seeding in peanut.”

Currently, researchers are only looking at variable rate in single row, 38-inch row spacing. But Plumblee suspects the prescription and possible outcome could change when going from single to twin rows.

Weed And Nutrient Issues In the world of plant pests, Clemson weed scientist Michael Marshall says farmers can look forward to battling three main problems every year.

“Palmer amaranth, nutsedge and sicklepod continue to be challenges,” Marshall says. “This has also been a banner year for TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

New Variety: Walton A joint release by the University of Florida – Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) breeding program and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2019, Walton is adapted to the Virginia-Carolina production area.

The variety was developed by Barry Tillman, UF-IFAS peanut breeder, who made the crosses and developed the lines through F4-F5. At that time, the lines were transferred under a Materials Transfer Agreement to Maria Balota, assistant professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Sciences, at Virginia Tech, for advancement and testing in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Balota says that Walton has higher yield potential under dry conditions than any currently grown Virginia-type peanut cultivar.

“In normal weather conditions, it has agronomic and grading characteristics similar to Bailey and Bailey II, and the oleic fatty acid content is significantly higher than both these cultivars,” she says.

Seeds are elongated in shape and seed testa color is light pink to pink. It has dark green foliage, an intermediate growth habit and the main stem is not distinguishable from lateral branches.

Walton is a high-oleic cultivar with maturity similar to Virginia-type cultivars developed for the V-C region. PG

crabgrass. The key is to apply herbicides in a timely manner.”

As for soil nutrients, Clemson soil fertility specialist Bhupinder Farmaha told participants he is working to update recommendations for soil additives, such as boron and gypsum.

“Some of these recommendations are about 30 years old,” he says. “We are in the process of researching and updating them so that they are beneficial for today’s crops and farmers.”

Answering Growers’ Questions Byron Lee, a peanut farmer from Jackson, South Carolina, attended the field day this year for the first time. Lee works with his family at Larke Farm.

“We’ve been having a problem with worms in our crop,” says Lee, who decided to attend in hopes of finding out more about the pest problem.

Anco says insecticides can help with this, but proper identification is key.

“If worms are present above threshold, insecticide application can help protect the crop,” he says. “However, some worms are easy to manage, others need more specific products, so positive identification is always helpful.” PG Portions of this article were written by Denise Attaway, Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.

NOVEMBER 2019 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 17

Proactive Herbicide Resistance Management

A

proactive approach using diverse weed-control tactics is the most effective way to manage herbicide resistance.

Early detection leads to easier management and decreases the potential spread of the resistant biotype. Unfortunately, because resistant plants and susceptible plants look alike, resistance often is not detected until the resistant biotype has spread to 30% or more of the field and perhaps to surrounding fields.

The primary objective of proactive resistance management is to reduce selection pressure by:  Selecting and using herbicides correctly.  Recognizing weed characteristics that promote resistance.  Managing fields, farms or sites wisely.

Proactively managing for herbicide resistance is a good alternative to overcoming resistance once it occurs.

Correct Herbicide Use And Selection Use herbicides correctly with the following steps: 1. Rotate herbicides with different mechanisms of action, not just different label names. Avoid consecutive applications of the same herbicide unless it is a tankmix or prepack containing a herbicide with a different MOA or is used with other weed management options such as cultivation. The herbicides and/ or alternative methods used must be active against the target weed.

2. Use herbicides with a different MOA in the same spray tank in a given crop year or between years. This can be accomplished most efficiently with tankmixes and prepacks. Tankmixing allows for adjusting the ratio of herbicides to fit local weed and soil conditions, while premixes are formulated by the manufacturer. The combinations are designed to broaden the spectrum of weeds controlled by an individual herbicide. If the com18 /

THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

bination is composed of herbicides with different MOAs against the same weeds, it will contribute to resistance management. The different herbicides in the mixture must be active against the target weeds so that weed biotypes resistant to one MOA are controlled by the herbicide partner with a different MOA. Repeated use of any tankmix or pre-pack combination may give rise to herbicide resistance, but the probability is very low.

3. Minimize the use of long-residual herbicides. Susceptible plants emerging later in the season following use of a long-residual herbicide (or multiple applications of a non-residual herbicide) are still exposed to the herbicide, thereby increasing selection pressure.

4. Apply herbicides evenly and accurately. Use labeled application rates.

Rates less than the labeled amount increase the likelihood of metabolic resistance. Using higher than labeled rates is illegal and can also enhance selection pressure for resistance.

Characteristics of Resistant Weeds Some weed populations are more prone to resistance. If the initial frequency is one resistant plant in a population of 100,000, compared with one in 10 million, resistance will develop more rapidly. A high initial frequency of resistant biotypes in many weed families is one reason resistance to ALS inhibitors develops rapidly.

Annual weeds that cross pollinate are prone to develop resistance. Species that have adaptations for seed dispersal over greater distances are also prone to develop resistance, or the resistant biotype spreads more rapidly.

Where a strong resistance trait is present, failure will be more apparent in weed species that are initially highly susceptible to the herbicide. If a species is highly susceptible, fewer susceptible plants escape treatment and reproduce. Only resistant biotypes survive and reproduce.

Management Tips Use cultural practices to reduce reliance on herbicides. When fewer non-chemical control methods, such as cultivation, are used, resistance is likely to develop more rapidly. Use correct row spacing, proper fertility, optimum planting dates and management of other pests to maximize the crop’s ability to compete with weeds.

Start with a clean field, and control weeds early by using a burndown treatment or tillage in combination with a pre-emergence residual herbicide. Do not let weeds to go to seed.

Rotating crops allows greater flexibility in choosing tillage practices and/ or herbicides with different MOAs. Changing tillage practices and herbicides makes it more likely to avoid consistently favoring the same weed species.

It is possible to rotate crops and still be using the same herbicide MOA to control the same weed. For example, there are several ALS-inhibiting herbicides (from the sulfonylurea and imidazolinone families) for peanuts and cotton applied preemergence or postemergence.

Scout fields regularly and keep good records of herbicide use to aid in planning. Note the weed species present in a field, the herbicides applied and what level of control was achieved. Resistant weeds can spread from highways, railroads, utility rights-of-way and other areas near your farm or treated site. PG Article by Wayne Buhler, NCSU Extension Pesticide Safety Education Specialist.

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Q&A

Planning For 2020

Tillage systems, twin rows and seeding rates are topics to consider before next planting season.

North Carolina Extension peanut specialist David Jordan answers planting-related questions producers may be thinking about over the winter.

Should I transition my planting pattern to twin rows?

My standard answer is that single rows and twin rows will perform about the same on most soils and in most years for most varieties. However, in sandy fields, the twin-row pattern results in greater canopy closure, which can shade soils during initial pegging. In addition to optimizing photosynthesis as quickly as possible, fewer early pegs are lost because soils are cooler from shade offered by plants in twin rows. These sandy soils are about the only soils that respond to starter nitrogen fertilizer. Pushing early season growth on hot, sandy soils can help save the early pegs and often promotes earliness with respect to maturity. Some of these findings are supported by my previous research and also in recent work presented at the American Peanut Research and Education Society by Paul Smith, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Gates County.

In the study, “Peanut Response to Twin-Row Planting in North Carolina,” Smith found that twin-row planting pattern with rows spaced 7-9 inches apart on 36- to 38-inch centers accounts for less than 10% of acres. But in the county Smith serves in, Gates County, approximately 40% of growers use this planting pattern.

Although input costs are increased because of slightly higher seeding rates and increased inoculant and in-furrow insecticide costs, Smith found that growers increased yield by 200 to 400 pounds per acre. It also results in slightly improved market grade factors, such as the percentage of extra-large kernels and sound mature kernels.

According to growers in Smith’s study, the twin-row pattern hastens canopy closure on the sandy soils common in this county and results in cooler soil temperatures in the pegging zone. This is conducive to early peg survival and pod set resulting in earlier and more uniform pod maturation.

Additionally, earlier NCSU research supports some of the suggestions made by farmers in Smith’s study that less tomato spotted wilt has been documented, and yields in some instances are greater in twin rows compared with single rows.

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THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

PAUL SMITH, N.C. EXTENSION

Q A

Planting in twin rows can lead to earlier canopy closure, which results in cooler soil temperatures and better peg survival.

Finally, Smith found that although twin rows can result in suppression of weeds, the level of suppression does not negate the need for an effective herbicide program. Research also suggests that row visibility within a few weeks prior to digging can be decreased in twin rows compared with single rows, but this response can be variety dependent.

Q A

I’m on 30-inch rows, do I still need to have five plants per foot of row?

Yes, the difference in 30 and 36 inches is not huge, and the in-row population needs to be the same for both.

Would there be any difference if peanuts were planted in narrower rows, say 15 or 20 inches? My answer to that is based on work we did over a decade ago when we compared single rows, twin rows and a configuration I called narrow twin rows in which we dropped in between two regular sets of twins on 36-inch rows with another twin-row unit. We found that the standard twin-row pattern did better in some instances than a standard single-row pattern, but in all cases the narrow twinrow pattern did no better than single or twin rows.

Planting in 30-inch rows does allow one to match equipment for all crops on their farm. But from what I have seen, there will be no significant difference in yield with twins compared to 36-inch single or twin rows. Narrower rows and twin PEANUTGROWER.COM

BILLY BARROW, NC EXTENSION

North Carolina producers are increasing their use of reduced tillage for peanuts.

rows are more expensive based on seed, insecticide and inoculant costs per acre.

In sandier soils, should I opt for a reduced tillage set up?

As I travel around and speak at state and county meetings, I survey growers and have included questions related to tillage practices. Although an informal measurement, we have found the use of reduced tillage has increased. In the most recent surveys in North Carolina, about 30% of growers responded to using reduced tillage. This was an increase from 20% in 2014.

South Carolina and Virginia producers using reduced tillage was higher than I expected based on the surveys measuring approximately 90% and 70%, respectively.

In North Carolina, as we have transitioned to sandier soils that tend to be more conducive to peanut production, there is greater flexibility in tillage systems, especially when it comes to efficient digging with minimal pod loss. Many growers prefer planting on raised beds rather than flat planting. The beds often give faster germination and early growth, provide drainage and may reduce pod losses during digging.

Additionally, with an increase in the number of disease management options, most notably effective fungicides, this has decreased the need for deep tillage to bury residue. Longer rotations improve disease management efforts as well.

According to the survey, about 5% of producers are still using a moldboard plow, called braking or flushing in some TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

DAVID JORDAN, NCSU EXTENSION SPECIALIST

Q A

Faster germination and better drainage can be achieved by planting on raised beds.

areas of the state. In 1998, more than 60% of growers were moldboard plowing.

An advisory index has been developed to assist growers in deciding the risk of peanut yield in reduced-tillage systems compared to conventional tillage. Peanuts are often more responsive to tillage systems because of the digging requirement.

Research also suggests that prior cropping history generally does not affect peanut response to tillage. The risk advisory index can be found in the “2019 Peanut Information,” published by NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and N.C. State Extension and found at https://peanut.ces.ncsu.edu/. PG NOVEMBER 2019 • THE PEANUT GROWER / 21

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The Seam’s platform is designed with foundational technology such as document digitization, real-time data for decisioning and embedded integrations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Federal-State Inspection Service, among others.

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Additionally, insight dashboards, position reporting, warehouse receipt management and system-guided workflows create streamlined processes, which result in more productive and cost-effective operations.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION 1. Publication Title: Peanut Grower 2. Publication Number: 1042-9379 3. Filing Date: September 2019 4. Issue Frequency: Jan - Jul & Nov 5. Number of Issues: 8x/year 6. Annual Susbcription Price: Free to qualified subscribers 7&8. Mailing Address of Known Office/Headquarters: 875 W Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 Contact Person: Kathy Killingsworth (901-767-4020) 9. Publisher: Lia Guthrie, 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 Editor: Amanda Huber, 11490 NE 105th St, Archer, FL 32618 10. Owners: Cornelia Guthrie, 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470; Dr. David Scott Guthrie,Sr., 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470; Morris Ike Lamensdorf, 17 S. Third St., Rolling Fork, MS 39159; Mary Jane Lamensdorf, 17 S. Third St., Rolling Fork, MS 39159 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees and Other Security Holders Owning/ Holding 1% or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: July 2019 15.a. Total Number of Copies (net press run): (Average No. Copies each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 9,598) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 9,729) 15.b.(1) Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 5,670) (No. Copies of Single Issue Nearest to Filing Date – 5,561) 15.c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 5,670) (No. Copies of Single Issue Nearest to Filing Date – 5,561) 15.d.(1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 3,671) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 3,787) 15.d.(4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 50) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date - 125) 15.e. Total Nonrequested Distribution: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 3,722) (No Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 3,912) 15.f. Total Distribution: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months - 9,392) (No Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 9,473) 15.g. Copies Not Distributed: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months - 207) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date - 256) 15.h. Total: (Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 9,599) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 9,729) 15.i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 60.4%) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 58.7%) 18. I certify that all information furnished above is true and complete.

Lia Guthrie, Publisher

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THE PEANUT GROWER • NOVEMBER 2019

New Service: Adama Eagle Eye Adama US recently announced a new service offering for its customers. Adama Eagle Eye powered by Agremo offers an advanced analysis of aerial data and imagery that helps growers protect yields more efficiently through user-friendly maps, statistics and other practical tools.

Insights from this web-based tool lead to lower production costs and higher yields for growers looking to turn their drone-collected images into actionable and accurate data. Adama Eagle Eye powered by Agremo analysis reports use aerial footage to simplify field scouting and take the guesswork out of crop progress.

The technology is backed by Agremo, a company that focuses on simplicity in precision agriculture. Adama Eagle Eye uses high-end technology that’s easy to use, easy to grasp and easy to run to help drone operators and agricultural consultants and producers achieve higher outputs. The technology was successfully applied in more than 100 countries on more than 100 crop types, for various plant counting and plant health analytics.

Jake Brodsgaard, CEO at Adama US, says, “We’re excited to offer this extended service to our customers and contribute to the effective use of agriculture inputs.

This advanced technology, coupled with Adama’s broad portfolio of solutions, extends the value we bring growers.”

To learn more about Adama Eagle Eye powered by Agremo, visit their website at www.adamaeagleeye.com.

“The Seam is going to provide us with a solid technology foundation as we continue to build our infrastructure and plan for the future,” says Tommy Jumper, CEO at Delta Peanut. “There is a critical need for modern, integrated systems that provide transparency, interoperability and real-time data for decision-making. As we grow – adding buying points and possibly in-shell lines – it is comforting to know that The Seam’s extensible platform will grow with us.”

BASF Announces New Fungicide AI BASF received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration for Revysol fungicide, its newest active ingredient (AI). The first and only isopropanol azole of its kind in the market, the AI provides fast-acting and long-lasting disease control for a broad range of crops and disease combinations.

Revysol fungicide has a unique isopropanol link that can flex to control a broad spectrum of fungal diseases and DMI-resistant strains. In recent BASF trials, it has shown exceptional biolog-

ical against several economically significant diseases, including northern corn leaf blight in corn, late leaf spot in peanuts and frogeye leaf spot in soybean. For growers challenged with resistance and seeking to maximize their yields, Revysol, a Fungicide Resistance Action Committee Group 3 fungicide, offers unique benefits compared to DMI fungicides, including: • Application for a wide variety of crops.

• Faster fungicide uptake by the plant.

• Quick absorption leading to excellent rainfastness and low water solubility.

• Curative activity for post-infection applications made prior to symptom development.

The AI will be available in several customized products, including Provysol fungicide in peanuts, potatoes and sugar beets; Veltyma fungicide in corn; Revytek fungicide in soybeans;; and Cevya fungicide in grapes, almonds, pome and stone fruit.

Revysol, and its related product brands, will be available to growers for the 2020 planting season. PG PEANUTGROWER.COM

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Every Dollar Invested Returns The Bottom Line: The ROI of each program area was vastly greater than the cost of the program.

NPB MARKETING and NPB SPONSORED RESEARCH FUNDINg Due to

Domestic demand IS UP

14.4%

PEANUT YIELDS ARE UP

10.8% (3,880 POUNDS PER ACRE)

In 2019, the National Peanut Board commissioned an econometric study to measure the return on peanut producers’ investments into the programs managed by NPB. Dr. Harry Kaiser of Cornell University concluded that the return on investment for each program area between 2014 and 2018 was vastly greater than the cost of the program.