Southeastern Peanut Farmer - Jan/Feb 2015

Inside: n n n

Crop Insurance Variety Guidebook Peanut Leadership Academy A communication service of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

Contents January/February 2015

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Joy Carter Crosby Editor joycrosby@gapeanuts.com 229-386-3690

Peanut farmers have a new crop insurance program available for the 2015 season. The new program allows farmers for the first time to insure against a combination of both yield and price risk through a federally-subsidized revenue-based crop insurance program for peanuts.

Contributing Writers John Leidner johnleidner@bellsouth.net Teresa Mays Teresa2@alpeanuts.com Jessie Bland jessie@gapeanuts.com Southeastern Peanut Farmer P.O. Box 706, Tifton, Ga. 31793 445 Fulwood Blvd., Tifton, Ga. 31794 ISSN: 0038-3694 Southeastern Peanut Farmer is published six times a year (Jan./Feb., March, April, May/June, July/Aug., and Oct./Nov.) by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

The publisher is not responsible for copy omission, typographical errors, or any unintentional errors that may occur, other than to correct it in the following issue. Any erroneous reflection which may occur in the columns of Southeastern Peanut Farmer will be corrected upon brought to the attention of the editor. (Phone 229-3863690.)

Postmaster: Send address changes (Form 3579) to Southeastern Peanut Farmer, P.O. Box 706, Tifton, Georgia, 31793.

Circulation is free to qualified peanut growers and others allied to the industry. Periodical postage paid at Tifton, Georgia and additional mailing office.

Editorial Content: Editorial copy from sources outside of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for the information and interest of our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Southern Peanut Farmers Federation policies.

Publication of material does not necessarily imply its endorsement by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

For editorial concerns call 229-386-3690. No portion of this or past issues of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the written consent of the editor. By-lined articles appearing in this publication represent views of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.

Advertising: The Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Corrections to advertisements must be made after the first run. All billing offers subject to credit review. Advertisements contained in this publication do not represent an endorsement by the Southeastern Peanut Farmer or the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation. Use of trade names in this publication is for the purpose of providing specific information and is not a guarantee nor warranty of products named. For advertising concerns call 229-386-3690.

New peanut crop insurance program for 2015

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Variety Guidebook Selecting a variety is a key management step for farmers.

SEPF’s 2015 Variety Guidebook highlights varieties available to growers in the Southeast and provides growers with the results of state variety tests.

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Peanut Leadership Academy begins Class IX Twenty-two peanut growers and sheller representatives from across the Southeast, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia began Class IX of the Peanut Leadership Academy. The program provides leadership training for participants in the peanut industry.

Departments: Checkoff Report .................................................................................. 8 Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission and Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

Washington Outlook ............................................................................ 24 Southern Peanut Growers Update ........................................................ 26 Cover Photo: Peanut seed at planting time in Baker County, Georgia. Photo by Joy Crosby.

January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Editorial

Calendar of Events

New year . . . New possibilities he start of a new year usually brings backs reflections to those thinking about the past year and making resolutions for the New Year. Some of the top resolutions include losing weight, eating healthier, quitting a bad habit, saving money and more. The list could go on and on. Some of the resolutions last a few days or maybe make it a week or two. However, some dedicated individuals stick to their New Year’s Day Resolutions and maintain them for an entire year.

Well, this year I have one resolution to spend more time with my family.

In just a flash, it seems like my son Eli has grown so much overnight, even though he is only 16 months. He continues to learn new things and enjoys playing with his tractors and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. However, I realize like most of you who have children, they grow up too fast. So, it is time to slow down and enjoy the time I have with him at home and in the yard playing.

Maybe this is your year to grow the highest yielding peanuts in the state or to try a new variety or try your hand at spraying at night. You may not think of these production practices as a resolution but why not? Why not, write down your goals of what you want to accomplish this year with your farm and start working towards the list. You never know, this could be your year and you could grow the highest yielding peanuts in your state. t

T

Joy Carter Crosby Editor

Kelley Manufacturing Co. recognizes Grimes This past December, Lanier Carson, chairman of the board of Kelley Manufacturing Co., recognized Philip Grimes, Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year, for his accomplishments in 2014. Carson presented Grimes with a plaque during the company’s December meeting stating, “In Kelley Manufacturing Co. honors Philip recognition of your outstanding Grimes at company meeting. Pictured left achievements and relentless contrito right: Charles Sumner, KMC vice president of engineering, Lanier Carson, chair- butions to the agricultural industry. man of the board, Jane and Philip Grimes We at Kelley Manufacturing Co. sinand Bennie Branch, KMC president. cerely appreciate your cooperation in helping us in the development of our peanut harvesting equipment.”

Grimes recalled the first combine Carson brought to his farm trying to reduce LSK’s to zero. Grimes said Carson stayed and worked all day getting it right...that impressed me and I’ve been with KMC every since.”

In addition to the plaque, KMC also presented Grimes a certificate towards one season’s use of a 2015 unload-on-the-go peanut combine.

In 2014 Grimes was recognized at the state winner in the Georgia Peanut Achivement Club and named the Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year.

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

u Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference, Jan. 15, 2015, UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Ga. For more information visit gapeanuts.com or call 229-386-3470. u University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Ag Forecast Seminar, Jan. 14, 2015 Gainesville, Ga.; Jan. 15 - Cartersville; Jan. 16 - Bainbridge; Jan. 21 - Lyons; Jan. 22 - Tifton and Jan. 23 - Macon, Ga. For more information visit georgiaagforecast.com. u Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Annual Meeting, Jan. 28-29, 2015, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg, Miss.

For more information visit misspeanuts.com or call 601-606-3547. u South Carolina State Peanut Growers’ Meeting, Jan. 29, 2015, Santee Convention Center, Santee, S.C. For more information call 803-734-0338. u Georgia Agribusiness Council Legislative Breakfast, Feb. 4, 2015, Atlanta, Ga. For more information visit GAC online at ga-agribusiness.org. u Georgia Peanut Commission Research Report Day, Feb. 11, 2015, Tifton, Ga. For more information visit gapeanuts.com. u AL/FL Peanut Trade Show, Feb. 12, 2015, National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, Dothan, Ala. For more information visit alpeanuts.com or call 334-792-6482 or 850-526-2590. u Peanut Butter & Jelly Day at the Georgia State Capitol, March 3, 2015, Atlanta, Ga. For more information visit gapeanuts.com. u American Peanut Shellers Association Industry Spring Conference, March 10-11, 2015, Merry Acres Conference Center, Albany, Ga. For more information visit peanut-shellers.org or call 229-888-2508. u National Ag Day, March 18, 2015.

For more information visit agday.com. u Florida Peanut Producers Association Annual Meeting, March 19, 2015, Jackson County Agricultural Complex and Conference Center, Marianna, Fla. For more information call 850-526-2590.

(Let us know about your event. Please send details to the editor at joycrosby@gapeanuts.com.

New peanut crop insurance program for 2015 ntil now, peanut growers have only been able to insure their crops against yield losses through the federal crop insurance program but not losses to revenue as a result of decreases in market price. This was unlike the federal crop insurance available for many of the other major row crops such as cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat.

However, beginning with the 2015 crop year, a new peanut crop insurance program is available. It will enable peanut farmers for the first time to insure against a combination of both yield and price risk through a federally-subsidized revenuebased crop insurance program for peanuts.

The new program will be available as a result of a collaborative effort with peanut growers. AgriLogic Consulting, LLC (www.agrilogicconsulting.com) in conjunction with the Georgia Peanut Commission and the Western Peanut Growers developed the new policy in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA).

Specific direction in the Agricultural Act of 2014 streamlined the process of having revenue insurance options added for peanuts to the federal insurance program. The new peanut insurance program was approved by a unanimous vote of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board of Directors in September of 2014.

The new peanut crop insurance program replaces the peanut insurance program in force through 2014. The new policy will provide growers with a choice of three plans of insurance coverage.

As with the previous policy, growers can elect to use their contract prices for the insurance price election in the yield protection policy. For those not utilizing the contract price option, insurance program peanut prices will be determined utilizing a formula that relates in-shell peanut prices to that of other commodities.

More specifically, by using informa-

U

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Peanut Crop Insurance Program Plan Options Yield Protection

Provides protection only against a production loss.

Revenue Protection

Revenue Protection with Harvest Price Exclusion

Provides protection against Provides protection only loss of revenue due to a against revenue loss due to production loss, price a production loss, price decline/increase, or a decline, or a combination of combination of both. both.

tion from the shelled peanut market, inshell peanut prices will be established from indexes of daily crop prices that are available on major commodity exchanges.

This allows for peanut prices to be established in a manner similar to that of other commodities insurable under federal crop insurance program with options for revenue coverage.

Projected prices will be determined in the spring prior to planting and harvest prices will be determined in the late fall.

Growers who elected one of the revenue insurance options may receive an insurance payment if the combination of price losses calculated by the program’s methodology and/or yield losses experienced by the grower’s operation, results in financial losses in excess of the deductible on their insurance policy. In previous years, insurance payments were only made as a result of yield shortfalls or severe quality losses.

In addition to new revenue coverage options, the new program offers growers some enhanced features that were unavailable with the previous peanut insurance policy. First, a grower can now elect to insure his or her peanuts on an

Enterprise Unit basis, which not only have lower premium rates but significantly higher premium subsidies than available on Optional Unit bases. Depending on the location, coverage level, and options selected, the producer-paid portion of the premium for an Enterprise Unit is roughly half of that paid for an Optional Unit policy with the same elections.

The second beneficial feature of the new program is that if an insured grower has to replant a crop as a result of an insured cause of loss, the replant payment will be based on a fixed value of $95 per acre, which is approximately $15 per acre more than the $80 per acre maximum payment available under the federal peanut crop insurance program in 2014.

The third primary feature is the quality adjustment, the adjustment for damage as a result of an insured cause of loss, has been simplified for peanuts to begin reducing a grower’s production to count for the insurance program once more than 10 percent of the peanuts’ value has been lost as a result of quality problems as identified on the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Grade Sheet, FSA 1007. A

New Peanut Crop Insurance Program at a Glance Converted MPCI APH to YP/RP/RP-HPE

Revised Quality Adjustment Provisions

Simplified Replant Provisions ($95 per acre)

Added Enterprise Unit (EU) Option

Retained Contract Price Option for Yield Protection (YP) only

Changed Insurance Pricing to Allow for Revenue Insurance

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

Premium Example - Burke County, Georgia APH 90 (2014)

Description

Yield Protection (2015)

Revenue Protection (2015)

Optional Units

Optional Units

Enterprise Units

Optional Units

Enterprise Units

(1) Pounds per Acre APH yield

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

(2) Coverage Level

75%

75%

75%

75%

75%

(3) Pounds/Acre Guarantee, (1) x (2)

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

(4) Insurance Price*

$0.266

$0.266

$0.266

$0.266

$0.266

$798

$798

$798

$798

$798

13.24%

13.70%

9.65%

16.23%

11.97%

(7) Total Premium per Acre, (5) x (6)

$106

$111

$78

$131

$97

(8) Premium Subsidy per Acre **

$58

$61

$60

$72

$75

(9) Producer Paid Premium per Acre, (7) - (8)

$48

$50

$18

$59

$22

(5) Insurance Guarantee, (3) x (4) (6) Premium Rate

* All quotes are based on the 2014 price election for yield insurance. ** Premium Subsidy Amounts: Premium rate discounts based on the number of insured acres in the enterprise unit may result in premium subsidy amounts less than or equal to the amounts shown.

more responsive and timely quality adjustment process provides a significant benefit to the insured peanut farmer.

The premium amount for the new program will vary from that of the previous program depending on the grower’s location, yields, practices, and elected options.

For example, assume a grower in Burke County, Georgia elected 75 percent coverage yield-only-based insurance on non-irrigated runner peanuts in 2014 and the average yield was 4,000 pounds per acre. Assuming the 2015 price is the same as the 2014 price election and Yield Protection was elected on 4,000 pounds per acre, the producer-paid per acre cost of insurance would be about the same as

Where to buy Crop Insurance?

All federal crop insurance, including CAT policies, are available from insurance agents approved to write the federal insurance program. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA service centers and on the RMA website at: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/apps/agents/.

For More Information, Contact USDA/RMA Phone: 202-690-2803 Email: RMA.CCO@rma.usda.gov Find your local RMA Regional Office online at: http://rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/fields/rso.html

Loss Example (Based on Optional Unit Structure) APH 90 (2014)

Yield Protection (2015)

Revenue Protection (2015)

(10) Pounds per Acre Produced

2,200

2,200

2,200

(11) Insurance Price*, as in (4) in previous table

$0.266

$0.266

$0.266

NA

NA

NA

$585

$585

$532

(14) Insurance Guarantee, as in (5) in previous table

$798

$798

$798

(15) Indemnity per Acre, (14) - (13)

$213

$213

$266

Description

(12) Harvest Price (13) Value of per Acre Production to Count, (10) x (11 or 12) (The APH & YP programs use the Projected Price to Value Production to Count while the RP and RP-HPE programs use the Harvest Price instead.)

* The insurance price is based on the 2014 price election for yield insurance.

that of 2014. However, if Enterprise Units were elected instead of Optional Units, the producer-paid premium would be approximately 38 percent of the Optional Unit producer-paid premium in 20141.

If the grower instead elected Revenue Protection with the same price and the price volatility is 15 percent, then the producer-paid premium would be 23 percent higher than the premium paid in the previous year, yet the grower would now have revenue (the combination of both price and yield) coverage instead of just yield coverage. If the grower also elected Enterprise Units with the Revenue Protection, the premium would only be

around 46 percent of that of the producerpaid premium for the yield-based Optional Unit coverage in 2014. This is further illustrated in the Premium Example and Loss Example tables.

With the new peanut crop insurance program, growers will have many more insurance options for their crops in 2015 and will be able to better manage risk in growing peanuts. This now puts peanuts on a more level playing field with other insurable commodities. t

BY CLIF PARKS AGRILOGIC CONSULTING, LLC 1 This is assuming all other variables are held constant: the rate yield, the approved yield, etc.

January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Checkoff Report Investments Made by Growers for the Future of the Peanut Industry.

Georgia Peanut Commission promotes peanuts to school children in Tifton The Georgia Peanut Commission hosted first and third grade students last fall from Len Lastinger Elementary School in Tifton, Georgia, for a day of peanut education. The students visited the GPC headquarters and learned more about the history of peanuts, how peanuts grow and nutrition. The students also played some nutty games and were able to plant their very own peanut seed.

The third grade students also received a special treat when they visited by being able to see peanuts dug firsthand. The peanuts in the GPC crop demonstration plot were ready for digging when the students visited so they were able to see the tractor and digger up close work to dig the peanuts out of the ground. For many students this was the first time they had ever seen peanuts dug.

Above: Joy Purvis, GPC staff, helps first grade students at Len Lastinger Elementary School plant peanut seed.

Below: Third grade students are able to see peanut digging up close at the Georgia Peanut Commission crop demonstration plot.

Boddiford, Burch renominated for Georgia Peanut Commission board seat

Georgia Peanut Commission promotes peanuts through billboards and joins the Georgia Grown Trail: 41 Association The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) continues to promote peanuts to tourists traveling through the state by billboards, agritourism signs and by joining the Georgia Grown Trail: 41 Association.

This fall GPC placed two new billboards south of Tifton, Georgia on Interstate 75. The billboards continue with the peanut industry’s national campaign, The Perfectly Powerful Peanut.

One billboard features Georgia farmer Charles Hardin of Arabi, Georgia, and the other highlights peanut butter.

In addition to the billboards, GPC installed several

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Peanut Balloon at National Peanut Festival A new attraction caught the eyes of fair-goers during this year’s National Peanut Festival Fair in Dothan, Alabama.

The fair’s Peanut Pavilion, hosted by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, is a special peanut education exhibit that began a few years ago, but has grown quickly to be on the “must see while at the fair” list.

Attendees had a much easier way to locate the exhibit with a huge 12-foot long peanut balloon flying over the tent. The location for the pavilion has changed a few times in the recent year so creating such an enormous balloon helped find the special peanut exhibit.

Georgia Agritourism signs on the exit ramps off of Interstate 75 at Exit 63B to help tourists locate the GPC headquarters.

Once at the headquarters, tourists can learn more about peanuts through watching a 3D video.

The GPC also joined the Georgia Grown Trail: 41 Association to further enhance GPC’s ability to attract consumers and visitors traveling through Georgia to visit the headquarters in Tifton and learn more about peanuts. The Georgia Grown Trail: 41 Association, Inc., is dedicated to the promotion,

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

Two Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board seats were filled without opposition recently at nomination meetings. District 1 Director Tim Burch of Baker County and District 3 Director Joe Boddiford of Screven County will each serve another three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Burch and Boddiford were renominated without opposition during meetings held Dec. 15 and 16, 2014. The meetings were conducted by Georgia Farm Bureau.

Counties in District 1 include: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell and Seminole.

Counties in District 3 include: Appling, Bacon, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Washington and Wayne. preservation, and development of regional agritourism in a 12-county corridor traversed by U. S. Highway 41.

Reports from the: Alabama Peanut Producers Association Florida Peanut Producers Association Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

Florida Peanut Producers and Southern Peanut Growers exhibit at Southern Women’s Show The Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Southern Peanut Growers (SPG) promoted peanuts and peanut butter to the 30,000 plus crowds at the Southern Women’s Show in Jacksonville, Florida, held Ken Barton, FPPA execuOct. 16-19, 2014. During tive director, talks about the health and nutritional the four-day event FPPA and SPG distributed thou- benefits of consuming peanuts and peanut prodsands of recipe cards and ucts while preparing Pea brochures, reusable grocery and Peanut Salad on the bags, peanut butter spread- cooking stage during the Southern Women's Show ers and of course, Fresh in Jacksonville.

From Florida roasted peanuts.

Friday, Oct. 17, was designated

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association sponsors high school radio show The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association (MPGA) checkoff dollars were used along with National Peanut Board (NPB) co-promotion funds to sponsor a 15-week program called Friday Night under the Lights (FNUTL). The program covers high school football through a call-in radio and web page show on Friday night.

Malcolm Broome, MPGA’s executive director, in cooperation with the FNUTL video staff helped narrate a video of peanuts being dug during harvest. The video aired on the FNTUL website at www.fnutl.com has had 65,000 viewers plus over 200 downloads.

The FNUTL staff publicized the video to 109 schools across the state, noting MPGA as the sponsor. Since then many teachers began utilizing the video in their classroom. This is what we hoped for, Broome says, since many people thought peanuts grew on trees. The MPGA board of directors are hoping this will be beneficial to keep peanuts friendly to the schools.

Peanut Lovers Day and was recognized with special prizes, signage and announcements throughout the day.

“We hosted cooking shows several times each day highlighting the versatility and the health and nutritional benefits of cooking with peanuts and peanut butter,” says Ken Barton, FPPA executive director. “The Southern Women’s Shows provide excellent opportunities for us to interact with and share the healthful message of peanuts and peanut products to consumers who make food purchases for their families.”

Florida Peanut Producers Association exhibit at Benefit and Wellness Event The Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) exhibited at the Benefit and Wellness Event at the Jack McLean Community Center in Tallahassee, Florida. Approximately 1,000 employees for the City of Tallahassee attended the Health Fair and were provided the opportunity Sherry Saunders, FPPA, for various health screen- shares information on the heart health benefits of ings, such as peanuts with attendees at blood pressure, the Benefit and Wellness Event in Tallahassee. diabetes and cholesterol checks. The FPPA provided information on the heart healthy benefits of consuming peanuts and peanut products. The FPPA also made available packages of Florida Peanuts with the American Heart Association Heart Healthy Check Logo.

New Agriculture and Forestry Museum opens at Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds Peanuts are now a highlight of the new Agriculture and Forestry Museum that officially opened in September as part of the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds in Mobile, Alabama.

Both local and state agriculture and forestry organizations collaborated to make the new museum possible. Additionally, the museum features booth displays and information on aquaculture, forestry, fruits and vegetables, bees, livestock, row crops, ornamentals and greenhouse nurseries.

The museum showcases the state’s commodities, which will highlight its specific place in the state economy and culture.

January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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State, federal and private peanut breeding programs are actively involved in the development of improved varieties with desirable traits for increasing dollar value, yield, grade, disease resistance, insect resistance, virus resistance, nematode resistance, aflatoxin resistance, drought tolerance, better shelling characteristics, longer shelf-life, and enhanced flavor and nutritional qualities.

“Possibly, no other single research effort can benefit the whole peanut industry as much as an improved variety,” says Bill Branch, University of Georgia peanut breeder.

In the U.S., there are four peanut market types (runner, virginia, spanish, and valencia), and within each market type, there are different varieties. The varieties contained in this guidebook reflect those varieties commonly planted in the Southeast and those varieties recommended by agronomists for this area due to resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV).

Variety selection is an important process in the overall management of the farm. This guidebook serves as a resource for growers when they select a variety for the 2015 crop year.

Runner Type Florida-07 is a medium-late (140± days) runner market-type peanut with runner growth habit. It was released from the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida, in 2006. It has shown excellent yield potential (7000+ lbs/A) with good grades. Seed of Florida-07 is similar in size to C-99R and for this reason, gypsum is recommended. It has good to excellent resistance to TSWV with some white mold resistance, and tolerance to leafspot. Florida-07 has high oleic (80±%) oil chemistry with good to excellent roasting, blanching and processing characteristics.

FlorunTM ‘107’ is a medium maturity runner-type variety released by the

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University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida, in 2010. The seed size of FlorunTM ‘107’ is similar to Georgia Greener and it produces a high percentage of medium kernels in the grading process.

FlorunTM ‘107’ has demonstrated very good yields and grades with good resistance to spotted wilt (TSWV) and moderate resistance to white mold. The maturity of FlorunTM ‘107’ is similar to Georgia Green and requires about 135 days to maturity under irrigated conditions in Florida. The oil of FlorunTM ‘107’ is high oleic and will help fill the need for a medium-sized runner peanut seed with high oleic oil chemistry.

Georgia Greener is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, typical-seeded, runnertype peanut variety that was released in 2006 by the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia. Georgia Greener has a high level of resistance to spotted wilt disease caused by tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and CBR. In multi-location tests conducted in Georgia during the past several years, Georgia Greener was found to have among the lowest disease incidence, highest pod yield, highest TSMK grade, and highest dollar value return per acre compared to other runner-type varieties tested each year. Georgia Greener has darker green foliage, a typical runner seed size, and a medium maturity similar to Georgia Green.

Georgia-06G is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, large-seeded, runnertype peanut variety that was released in 2006 by the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Georgia-06G has a high level of resistance to TSWV. In multilocation tests conducted in Georgia during the past several years, Georgia-06G was found to have among the lowest disease incidence, highest pod yield, highest TSMK grade, and highest dollar value return per acre compared to other runner-types tested each year. Georgia-06G combines high

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

TSWV resistance with medium maturity and excellent yield and high TSMK grade which results in greater dollar value return per acre.

Georgia-07W is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant and white mold-resistant, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2007 by the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Georgia-07W has a high level of resistance to TSWV and to white mold or stem rot. Georgia-07W combines high TSWV and white mold resistance with medium maturity and excellent yield, grade, and dollar value return per acre.

Georgia-09B is a high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, mediumseeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2009 by the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia. Georgia-09B has a high level of resistance to spotted wilt disease caused by TSWV. Georgia-09B also has the high-oleic and low-linoleic fatty acid ratio for improved oil quality and longer shelf-life of peanut and peanut products. Georgia-09B originated from the first backcross made with Georgia Green as the recurrent parent. It has an intermediate runner growth habit and medium maturity, similar to Georgia Green. Georgia-09B has a medium runner seed size as compared to the larger-seeded, high-oleic, runner-type variety, Florida-07. Georgia-09B combines the excellent roasted flavor of Georgia Green with the high-oleic trait for longer shelflife and improved oil quality of peanut and peanut products.

Georgia-12Y is a new high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, white-mold resistant, medium-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2012 by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations.

It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Georgia-12Y is similar to another runner-type variety ‘Georgia-10T’ in having low TSWV disease incidence

Table 1: Official State Variety Yield Data and total disease incidence. However, during several years averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-12Y had significantly higher pod yield and higher dollar value return per acre compared to Georgia-10T. Georgia-12Y also has a smaller seed size (greater number of seed per pound) than Georgia-10T. During 2012, Georgia-12Y and Georgia-10T were compared to two other new runner-type varieties over multilocation tests in Georgia. Georgia12Y and Georgia-10T were both found to have among the best overall performance compared to FloRunTM ‘107’ and TUFRunnerTM ‘727’. Limited seed supplies will be available for Georgia-12Y in the 2014 planting season. Georgia-12Y should be an excellent variety for an earlier planting (April) option in the southeast because of its high TSWV and white mold-resistance and later maturity, similar to Georgia-10T. Georgia-13M is a new high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, small-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2013 by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia. Georgia-13M is similar to other high-oleic, runner-type varieties in having higholeic and low-linoleic fatty acid profiles. However, during several years averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-13M had significantly less total disease incidence and greater dollar value return per acre compared to four other high-oleic, runner-type varieties. Georgia-13M was also found to have a smaller runner seed size as compared to these larger high-oleic runner-type varieties which should save growers in seed cost.

Limited seed supplies will be available for Georgia-13M in the 2015 planting season. So, interested growers should consider an early seed request for the upcoming growing season.

Tifguard is a high-yielding, medium-maturity, runner market-type peanut variety. It was jointly released by the USDA-ARS and the University of Georgia. It is the first peanut variety with a high level of resistance to both the peanut root-knot nematode and TSWV. Tifguard has a runner-type growth habit with dark green foliage and a prominent main stem.

It has demonstrated very good yields and grades when tested with no nematode pressure in tests in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina.

When tested in fields with high nematode pressure it has demonstrated very good yields and grades without the use of nematicides. Tifguard also has a moderate level of resistance to leaf spot.

TUFRunnerTM ‘297’ is an extra-large seeded runner-type peanut with high oleic oil chemistry

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2011 Yield GA - Tifton1 Variety Irrigated Dryland

FL-Marianna, AL-Headland2 Gainesville & Jay Irrigated Marianna & Gainesville

Irrigated

Dryland

Runner Florida-07

5260

5364

6251

5980

3702

FloRunTM ‘107’

5433

4383

6215

5809

3715

Georgia Greener

5185

5179

6297

6542

4132

Georgia-06G

5345

4580

6235

6453

4333

Georgia-07W

5115

4924

5723

6238

4204

Georgia-09B

4949

4029

5825

5827

4277

Georgia-12Y

6434

5282

-

-

-

Georgia-13M

6002

4429

-

-

-

Tifguard

5061

4350

5382

6006

4132

TUFRunnerTM ‘297’

-

-

6656

-

-

TUFRunnerTM ‘511’

-

-

6665

-

-

TUFRunnerTM ‘727’

4982

4117

6022

-

-

developed by the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida. It was released in 2014.

TUFRunnerTM ‘297’ has demonstrated very good resistance to white mold, good resistance to TSWV and is susceptible to leaf spots. Yield and grade of TUFRunnerTM ‘297’have been excellent. It has a prominent center stem with a semi prostrate growth habit. Seed supply will be limited to production of Foundation and Registered seed in 2015.

TUFRunnerTM ‘511’ is a a large seeded, medium maturity runnertype peanut with high oleic oil chemistry. The University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida released TUFRunnerTM ‘511’ peanut in July 2013. It has very good resistance to white mold, moderate resistance to TSWV, and is susceptible to leaf spots.

Yield and grade of TUFRunnerTM ‘511’ have been excellent. The seed size is similar to Georgia-06G with a similar out-turn of medium, number one and jumbo kernels. The growth habit of TUFRunnerTM ‘511’ is prostrate with a good center stem. The seed supply for 2015 will be limited.

TUFRunnerTM ‘727’ is a medium to medium maturity, high oleic, runner market type peanut cultivar with very good resistance to white mold, resistance to TSWV and some resistance to late leaf spot developed by the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida. It has a prostrate, runner growth habit with large vines and medium large runner seed size. Yield and grade of TUFRunnerTM ‘727’ have been excellent. The prefix “TUF” is an acronym for The

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

2012 Yield

2013 Yield

2014 Yield

GA - Tifton1

FL-Marianna & Gainesville

ALHeadland2

GA - Tifton1

FL-Marianna, Gainesville & Jay

Irrigated Dryland

Irrigated Marianna & Gainesville

Dryland

Irrigated Dryland

Irrigated Marianna & Gainesville

Irrigated

Dryland

AL Headland2

GA - Tifton1

FL -Marianna, Gainesville & Jay

AL Headland2

Irrigated Dryland

Irrigated Marianna & Gainesville

Irrigated Dryland

6286

5161

6250

5826

5151

5119

5408

4828

6244

5739

4113

5344

6153

3439

5530

4460

6590

4792

5388

4834

5258

5962

4683

5928

4155

5637

5754

3621

5158

5147

5328

5463

5031

5016

5262

6398

5273

5877

4242

5692

5881

3131

5614

5924

5902

6026

5264

5291

5525

6870

5409

6026

4562

6176

5844

3748

5974

4734

6301

6262

5324

5369

5360

6089

5209

5743

4583

6595

6280

3585

5651

5288

5969

5227

5118

4548

5359

6062

5909

6140

3031

5930

5899

3222

5974

6162

-

-

5838

5880

5963

6579

5971

7058

4837

6416

5699

3113

5696

5037

-

-

5149

5203

-

-

-

5372

4449

5928

5527

2986

5239

5475

5714

5790

5460

4628

4783

5663

4556

5676

4262

5570

5617

3258

-

-

6607

-

-

-

5780

-

-

5964

4336

6305

-

-

-

-

6429

-

-

-

5569

-

-

5930

4881

6274

6334

3603

5400

4280

6098

-

5149

5143

5386

6207

5481

5724

4773

5509

6461

3694

Table 1: The data above contains the yield results from the 2011-2014 state variety trials by the University of Georgia in Tifton, Ga., North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Gainesville and Jay, Fla. and Auburn University Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Ala. 1 - Complete Test data is available online at www.swvt.uga.edu.

2 - Complete Test data is available online at www.aaes.auburn.edu/peanutvarietyreports.

University of Florida from which it was released in 2011. TUFRunnerTM ‘727’ was developed at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida. t

Peanut Seed Seminar Sponsored by the American Peanut Shellers Association Committee on Variety and Seed Development

Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference Jan. 15, 2015 - 10:35 to 11:35 a.m.

University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Georgia

AL/FL Peanut Trade Show Feb. 12, 2015 National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds Dothan, Alabama

2014 Mississippi Peanut Yield Data City

Raymond

Starkville

Stoneville

Tchula

Overall Average

lbs/A

lbs/A

lbs/A

lbs/A

lbs/A

Florida 07

6116.3

3190.8

5504.9

5231.0

5010.7

FloRunTM ‘107’

4695.7

2425.0

5016.8

5108.7

4311.6

Georgia-06G

5233.5

3137.1

4818.8

5929.6

4779.7

Georgia-09B

4706.8

2566.4

5696.5

5649.9

4654.9

Georgia-12Y

5537.9

2501.0

5828.6

6218.7

5021.6

Georgia-13M

5658.2

2018.8

5800.6

5587.9

4766.4

Tifguard

4896.7

2895.2

4340.9

5072.9

4301.4

TUFRunnerTM ‘511’

6507.3

4084.8

6180.5

5661.5

5608.5

TUFRunnerTM ‘727’

5563.8

3495.9

5698.3

5518.3

5069.1

Variety

January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

13

Keep an eye on Georgia-13M f you’re looking for the next big breakthrough runner peanut variety, it may be the Georgia13M cultivar released by Bill Branch’s University of Georgia peanut breeding program.

The peanut industry in the Southeast has had only three major widely planted runner varieties during the past 40 years.

For many of those years, Florunner dominated until tomato spotted wilt virus ended its reign during the early 1990s.

During the mid 1990s, Georgia Green offered high yields and improved tolerance to spotted wilt. It quickly replaced Florunner as the most widely planted runner in the Southeast.

Georgia Green was essentially replaced by Georgia-06G. Released in 2006, 06G became the most widely grown runner due to its high yields and strong disease resistance.

Scott Tubbs, University of Georgia cropping systems agronomist, spoke on the new variety when he met this past summer with high-yield farmers who gained membership in the Georgia Peanut Achievement Club.

He addressed the overall topic of where the industry is headed with new varieties. He noted that peanut product manufacturers have been pushing the industry to grow high oleic varieties known for having a healthy oil profile and longer shelf life. “We’ve seen a $50 per ton premium for high oleic peanuts,” Tubbs noted.

I

Georgia-13M u High-Oleic u TSWV resistant u Small seeded u Runner-type variety u Limited seed supply for 2015 At first, just one peanut product manufacturer wanted the high oleic peanuts, but now several more manufacturers want peanuts with this trait, according to Tubbs.

He said Georgia-09B was one of the

14

Georgia-13M is a new high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, small-seeded, runner-type peanut variety released in 2013 by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia.

high oleic varieties that attracted premium contract prices. “It would have made sense to sign the contract for the premium to grow 09B this year,” Tubbs says.

A number of the University of Florida-developed runner varieties offer the high oleic trait. But grades can hurt the acceptance of these varieties and their seed size is trending in the wrong direction, according to Tubbs. “The industry wants both the high oleic trait and small seed size,” Tubbs says.

Seed size of 13M is about the same as for Georgia Green. Tubbs says Georgia-13M has 828 seed per pound compared to Florida-07 that has about 700 seed per pound.

At one point, Tubbs thought Georgia-12Y would be the next major runner variety. “Last year, 12Y looked tremendous in multiple disease scenarios,” he recalls. “I thought 12Y would be the next 06G. The 12Y variety produces small seed, so that is trending in the right direction, but 12Y is not a high oleic peanut.”

“The new 13M variety is a wild card,” Tubbs says. In addition to its high oleic trait, the variety offers extremely high yields and strong disease resistance.

He says 13M is as good as or better than

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

06G in yields. In disease resistance, 13M is rated as the best available for tomato spotted wilt resistance.

In three years of testing, it has been the highest yielding high oleic runner variety by about 200 plus pounds per acre. At multiple locations in Georgia, 13M has outyielded Georgia-09B, Florida-07, FloRuntm ‘107’ and Georgia02C. Seed supplies for 13M will be extremely tight in 2015. Tubbs said only 100 pounds of 13M seed were made available to the University of Georgia research and Extension peanut scientists for planting in 2014. “We’re still a few years away from widespread commercial availability for 13M,” Tubbs says.

In conclusion, Tubbs says 13M looks to be a strong variety, and the industry may see a shift in acreage to 13M. “This is based on consumer demands, the high yields of 13M and its small seed size,” he adds.

“Dr. Branch has hit home runs with his work on the Georgia Green and Georgia-06G cultivars,” Tubbs says. “I’m hoping Dr. Branch hits another home run with 13M.” t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Some unexpected benefits to nematode resistance exas A&M scientists have found some unexpected benefits in peanut plants bred for resistance to root knot nematodes.

For instance, they saw yellowing plants in peanuts with susceptible germplasm, while plants with nematode resistance remained a healthy dark green in color. They believe the yellowing was caused by micronutrient deficiencies brought on by irrigation during severe drought.

In another example, peanuts were attacked by a late season infestation of armyworms. Varieties and breeding lines without the nematode resistance suffered defoliation losses of up to 35 percent from the armyworms. However, peanut plants with the nematode resistance showed 0 to 5 percent defoliation.

Their third observation was made in

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an area where grub insects were a problem. Peanut lines with no nematode resistance suffered premature aging or senescence, resulting in early death of the plants. However, the peanuts with the gene for nematode resistance suffered no premature aging.

Corley Holbrook, USDAAgricultural Research Service peanut breeder based in Tifton, Ga., isn’t surprised by what the Texas scientists found.

Holbrook developed and released the nematode-resistant Tifguard runner variety. He has recently developed a new nematode-resistant runner that will also have the high oleic trait.

“The nematode resistance gene comes in a fairly large chromosome segment that has been introgressed into the cultivated peanut species from a related

wild species,” Holbrook explains.

He says it’s possible that other nontarget benefits may be discovered from studies of the new nematode-resistant peanut varieties.

Holbrook also points to a study by Patricia Timper, a USDA-ARS plant pathologist based in Tifton, who found much less aflatoxin in the nematoderesistant Tifguard variety than in nematode-susceptible peanut plants. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

15

Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference set for January 15 roducers can fine-tune their farming operation with information gained at the 39th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Jan. 15, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Peanut farmers and those involved in the peanut industry will be able to learn more about the latest products, services and peanut research at the 2015 Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission in cooperation with the University of Georgia Tifton Campus.

During this year’s show Kelley Manufacturing Company is providing the Grand Door Prize Package of one season’s use of a new six row peanut combine. At the end of the 2015 season the winner has the option of purchasing the combine from a KMC dealer with $15,000 off the list price. Also, KMC is providing a second drawing for $1,000 cash.

Additionally, farmers can register to win the Grower Prize, donated by Amadas Industries. This prize is the choice of one season’s use of a new Amadas 4-row or 6row peanut inverter or a certificate good for the amount of $5,000 towards the purchase of any new Amadas pull-type combine.

The winners of the Grand Door Prize and the Grower Prize must be a certified peanut farmer with an FSA farm number.

The one-day show offers farmers a full day to view the products and services

P

Check out the Georgia Peanut Farm Show UGA Peanut Team Seminar and Seed Seminar presentations online at www.gapeanuts.com.

The presentations will be available following the Georgia Peanut Farm Show.

16

Kelley Manufacturing Co. is providing the Grand Door Prize Package and two lucky farmers have the opportunity to win. The separate drawings will be held for one season’s use of a new six row peanut combine and $1,000 cash.

of more than 100 exhibitors and a day of education. A free luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m. for all peanut farmers in attendance and an opportunity for farmers to win more than $40,000 in door prizes.

The Georgia Peanut Commission will present a short program beginning at 12:15 p.m. that will cover award presentations and other special recognitions.

The University of Georgia will present an educational peanut production seminar from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. Topics focus on marketing, SDHI chemistries and the changing face of disease and nematode management and insect management.

An Industry Seed Seminar will also be held from 10:35 to 11:35 a.m. during the show. This event is sponsored by the American Peanut Shellers Association Committee on Variety & Seed Development, Peanut Foundation, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and the Georgia Peanut Commission. Growers will be able to learn about farm saved

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

seed, peanut varieties available for 2015 and varieties on the horizon.

Farmers will also have the opportunity to earn credit towards their private or commercial pesticide applicators certification.

The Georgia Peanut Commission, in cooperation with the American Red Cross, will hold a blood drive from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center during the show.

Following the Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, the Georgia Peanut Commission will host a workshop on the new crop insurance program available for peanut farmers. Representatives with AgriLogic will be available to explain the program and answer any questions from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the small auditorium.

At the close of the day, the presentation of the Grand Door Prize donated by KMC will be presented to one lucky peanut grower. For more information on the show, contact GPC at 229-386-3470 or online at www.gapeanuts.com. t

Drones: buy or service rones are causing more than just a buzz above Southern fields these days; they have been a hot topic in every Ag Industry conference and trade publication in 2014 and it’s likely the buzz will not go away anytime soon.

The proponents of drone technology in agriculture identify many benefits such as more effective and efficient scouting, earlier detection of nutrient, water or disease stress and greater precision application of inputs such as fungicides and PGRs. Many experts in the field point not only to savings in input costs but substantial gains in yield and quality due to better informed management decisions throughout the growing season.

While the potential benefits of implementing this technology in growers’ operations are significant, many industry experts urge farmers to be cautious before diving head first into the drone revolution.

“Buying and flying an inexpensive Drone seems like an easy way for a grower to benefit from the technology,” says

D

18

Patrick Macke, a drone operator for Atlanta-based VSG-Unmanned. “But it can be difficult to identify problem areas from a short video or a few photos.

Professional Drone service companies use advanced sensors and processes to assess 100 percent of a field and create a permanent, data-enriched map. This is where informed decision making and true cost savings for the grower can be realized.”

The option for an individual grower to buy and fly his own Drone is probably a good solution for certain situations.

Simple visual scouting and keeping an eye on problem areas is definitely enhanced through Drone use. But for many of the benefits touted in the news, it requires a much higher level of technology for the drone itself, the sensors that collect the data and the software that turns that data into information a grower can actually use to make an informed decision.

For many producers, the cost of the equipment and the time required to learn, operate, process and maintain it is simply

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

not justified by the potential savings. To meet this need, several professional drone service companies have stood up across the country providing everything from consulting to image processing to full service data solutions. These service providers can fly, process and analyze the data for a flat per acre fee as well as help navigate the sometimes murky issues of safety, privacy and federal regulations surrounding the technology. For many growers, this is an ideal way to dip their toe into the world of drones without having to spending an arm and a leg.

Another consideration for growerowned and operated Drones is compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The agency is set to release proposed rules for the use of small drones (under 55 lbs.) by the end of 2014.

Among the rules expected to be released are licensing requirements similar to a private pilot license. While it’s unclear exactly what the government will require, the cost of obtaining similar licenses can currently run in the tens of thousands of

Registration open for UGA's 2015 Ag Forecast rom new varieties to new technologies and new markets, Georgia’s agricultural landscape is guaranteed to change every year. The University of Georgia’s team of agricultural economists will provide valuable insights into what 2015 will hold for the state’s largest industry during the 2015 Georgia Ag Forecast series.

The annual seminar series will be held Jan. 14-23 in Gainesville, Cartersville, Bainbridge, Lyons, Tifton and Macon.

Registration for the series is open at www.georgiaagforecast.com.

The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences hosts the annual seminar series, and its attendance grows every year. Nearly 1,000 business people, producers and community leaders attended their local seminars in 2014.

“The main objective of the Ag Forecast is to provide Georgia’s producers and agribusiness leaders with information on where we think the industry is headed in the upcoming year,” says Kent Wolfe, director of the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. “It helps farmers plan what they’re going to plant in the next year, but it’s also good for bankers and other businesspeople who do business with farmers or who will be impacted by the farm economy.”

Economists from the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development and from the UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics will deliver the economic outlook, which will focus on Georgia’s major commodities and the way that global markets, weather patterns and historical trends will affect those commodities.

In addition to the annual economic outlook, Douglas Britton, program manager for the Agricultural Technology Research Program at Georgia Tech, will speak about research being done in conjunction with UGA and will provide insight into the next wave of innovation in agricultural technology — from remotesensing systems to unmanned aerial vehicles.

The 2015 Ag Forecast sessions will be held Jan. 14 in Gainesville, Jan. 15 in Cartersville, Jan. 16 in Bainbridge, Jan. 21 in Lyons, Jan. 22 in Tifton and Jan. 23 in Macon.

For more information on the 2015 Ag Forecast, see www.georgiaagforecast.com or follow @UGA_CollegeofAg on Twitter. t

F

BY MERRITT MELANCON UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Drones: continued from page 18

dollars. This type of requirement would be prohibitive to many growers looking to be DIY drone pilots. So before you add “flying farm robot” to your wish list this year, consider some of the other options for taking advantage of this growing technology or contact your extension service for a list of drone professionals in your area. t

BY BEN WORLEY VISION SERVICES GROUP, LLC January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

19

Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show set for February 12 he annual Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show is fast approaching. This year’s show will be held Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, located on Hwy. 231 South in Dothan, Alabama.

Sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the one-day event offers farmers a full day to view the products and services of more than 70 exhibitors and a day of education. The show opens at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until noon.

Peanut growers who attend will not only be able to fine tune their farming operations, but will have a chance to win prizes valued at thousands of dollars.

During the catered lunch, a legislative update will be presented followed by a grower production segment and a seed

T

seminar during the afternoon.

Topics and guest speakers for the seed seminar are as follows: Farm Saved Seed, Know the Law - Jim Bostick, Alabama Crop Improvement Association; Varieties Currently in Production and on the Horizon - Bill Branch, University of Georgia peanut breeder, Corley Holbrook, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service peanut breeder, Barry Tillman, University of Florida peanut breeder; and Current Breeding Research Update - Marshall Lamb, research leader of the National Peanut Research Lab. All peanut growers are invited and encouraged to attend.

For more information on the show, including exhibit space availability, contact Teresa Mays at APPA (334) 792-6482 or email: teresa2@alpeanuts.com. t

AL/FL Peanut Trade Show FEBRUARY 12, 2015 NATIONAL PEANUT FESTIVAL FAIRGROUNDS 5622 U.S. Hwy. 231 South DOTHAN, Ala. Registration/Exhibits 8:30 a.m. (central time) v Inside & Outside Exhibits

v Production Seminar

v Door Prizes

For more information contact:

Alabama Peanut Producers Association 334-792-6482 Florida Peanut Producers Association 850-526-2590 20

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

Peanut Leadership Academy begins Class IX wenty-two peanut growers and sheller representatives from across the Southeast, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia began Class IX of the Peanut Leadership Academy hosted by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, Dec. 15-17, 2014, in Panama City Beach, Florida. During the first session of the program, leadership academy attendees were introduced to one another, presented an overview of the peanut industry and attended the annual Southern Peanut Farmers Federation annual meeting where they had the opportunity to listen to grower and industry reports.

The Peanut Leadership Academy is a cooperative effort between Syngenta Crop Protection, the American Peanut Shellers Association, grower organizations and agricultural extension. The program began in 1998 with the first class of 14 peanut growers from Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Since then, the academy has continued to grow to include growers from Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and sheller representatives.

Lyle Stewart, Syngenta district manager, believes the Peanut Leadership Academy is critical to building successful leaders in the peanut industry.

“Syngenta is proud to support the Peanut Leadership Academy,” Stewart says. “We recognize the significance of the program and the importance of educating young peanut farmers who will become strong leaders in the industry.”

Activities in the leadership program

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Class IX of the Peanut Leadership Academy. Pictured left to right: Kelton Coleman, Lamesa, Texas; Marshall Speake, Eufaula, Ala.; B. Jones, Ridgeland, Miss.; Wade Stanaland, Bladenboro, N.C.; Dexter Gilbert, Campbellton, Fla.; Paul Huber, Birdsong Peanuts; Jeff Heard, Newton, Ga.; Colton Farrow, Golden Peanut Company; Meredith Rogers, Camilla, Ga.; Japheth Saecker, Birdsong Peanuts; Jeremy Sessions, Grand Bay, Ala.; Levi Findley, Jay, Fla.; Justin Harrell, Nicholls, Ga.; West Drake, Newsoms, Va.; Zach Thaggard, Leesburg, Ga.; Russ Walters, Andalusia, Ala., Brian Byrd, Ariton, Ala.; Jeremy Rolling, Westville, Fla., and Trey Sanchez, Old Town, Fla. Not pictured are: Bubba Curry, Shellman, Ga.; Austin Warbington, Pinehurst, Ga. and Rusty Strickland, Wellington, Texas.

are structured to give participants a thorough understanding of the U.S. peanut industry. The leadership sessions range from field trips, meetings with industry leaders and professional development training. Each class has one leadership session in Washington, D.C. where class members have an opportunity to visit with their congressmen about issues affecting the peanut industry.

John Powell, executive director of the American Peanut Shellers Association, sees the Peanut Leadership Academy as a program that can unite shellers and farmers.

“This program allows young farmers the ability to learn more about the manufacturer’s side, the sheller’s side, legislative aspects and more,” Powell says. “But it also allows our young shellers to understand more of the farmer’s side Participants in Class IX of the Peanut Leadership Academy participate in a team of the busibuilding exercise during the first session held in Panama City Beach, Fla. ness, which is

22

Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

also important.”

The Peanut Leadership Academy Class IX members are: Alabama – Brian Byrd, Ariton; Jeremy Sessions, Grand Bay; Marshall Speake, Eufaula; and Russ Walters, Andalusia; Florida – Levi Findley, Jay; Jeremy Rolling, Westville; and Trey Sanchez, Old Town; Georgia – Bubba Curry, Shellman; Justin Harrell, Nicholls; Jeffrey Heard, Newton; Zack Thaggard, Leesburg; and Austin Warbington, Pinehurst; Mississippi – B. Jones, Ridgeland; North Carolina – Wade Stanaland, Bladenboro; Texas – Kelton Coleman, Lamesa; and Rusty Strickland, Wellington; Virginia – West Drake, Newsoms; sheller representatives – Colton Farrow, Golden Peanut Co.; Paul Huber, Birdsong Peanuts; and Japheth Saecker, Birdsong Peanuts; National Peanut Board – Dexter Gilbert, Campbellton, Florida; and Meredith Rogers, Camilla, Georgia.

For more information on the Peanut Leadership Academy contact the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, Mississippi Peanut Growers Association or visit the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation online at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org. t

BY JESSIE BLAND

Peanut Profitability Awards seeking nominees rom a year of extremes in the lower Southeast to ideal conditions throughout the Virginia-Carolina and Southwest regions, the 2014 peanut crop saw a little bit of everything, says Marshall Lamb, research director for the National Peanut Research Laboratory and advisor for the Farm Press Peanut Profitability Awards.

“Lower Southeast growers saw everything devastating drought that almost eliminated some yield and quality, to some of the highest yielding and highest quality peanuts that we’ve seen, or at least similar to what we’ve seen in recent years,” Lamb says.

This past year clearly demonstrates that U.S. peanut growers have established a new yield plateau, Lamb says. “We’ve seen great yields the last few years with pretty good weather, and we’ll see some really high average yields this year with extremes in the weather. With the final U.S. yield just under 4,000 yields, it was

F

an extremely good year for average yields,” he says.

“I think we’ll have a good batch of nominees for 2015 because growers have become so adept at managing their peanut crops. A lot of them will be selling at lower prices. Marketing expertise definitely has given an edge to recent winners of the award.

Lamb was instrumental in developing the criteria for the awards program and has been advisor since the program’s inception. He says it’s no easy feat for growers to be nominated for and then to win the award.

The Farm Press Peanut Profitability Awards are based on production efficiency, honoring those growers who produce the highest yields at the lowest cost per acre. Awards are presented to growers from the Lower Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Arkansas; the Upper Southeast, including Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and the Southwest,

including Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

The awards program has honored 15 classes of winners from throughout the U.S. peanut belt. Since the program’s beginning in 2000, the Peanut Profitability Awards have honored 45 deserving growers or farms.

Winners of the 2015 awards will receive an expenses-paid trip for two to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, set for July 24-26, 2015.

Growers may submit their nomination form directly to the National Peanut Research Laboratory, or they may submit it to their county Extension agent, peanut specialist or economist. The deadline for all nominations is April 15, 2015.

Growers can access the nomination form online at southeastfarmpress.com, southwestfarmpress.com, and deltafarmpress.com. To receive a hard copy of the form, call Farm Press headquarters at 662-624-8503. t SOURCE: SOUTHEAST FARM PRESS

January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

23

Washington Outlook

by Robert L. Redding Jr.

U.S. House and Senate issue committee appointments for the 114th congress The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate leadership have completed some but not all committee assignments for the 114th Congress. In the House, U.S. Congressmanelect Rick Allen, R-Ga., has been appointed to the House Agriculture Committee joining fellow Georgians Austin Scott, R-Ga., and David Scott D-Ga. Congressman Austin Scott will chair the Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit Subcommittee. Congressman David Scott, a senior member of the committee will serve as Ranking Member of a key subcommittee soon to be finalized.

Congressman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., is a senior member of the committee. The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation’s (SPFF) keynote speaker at the 2014 Southern Peanut Growers Conference, Congressman Rick Crawford, R-Ark., will chair the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee. The SPFF’s Growers Conference 2013 speaker, Congressman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, will chair the House Agriculture Committee.

In the U.S. Senate, Senator-elect David Perdue, R-Ga., has been appointed to the Senate Agriculture Committee. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., will remain a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and could be selected chairman of the Trade subcommittee.

Major trade issues roll til the 114th Congress The Congress did include Trade Adjustment Assistance funds in the Fiscal Year 2015 Omnibus Appropriations legislation that passed at the end of the 113th Congress. These funds will be used for unemployment benefits and retraining for workers negatively impacted by trade agreements.

Both the administration and some key congressional leaders hope to address Trade Promotion Authority in the 114th Congress.

New Peanut Crop Insurance Program released The Risk Management Agency at the U.S. Department of Agriculture has released regulations for the new Peanut Crop Insurance Program. These can be viewed online at http://www.rma.usda.gov/policies/2015/15-pt-075.pdf .

This new program was included in the 2014 Farm Bill and supported by the Georgia Peanut Commission and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation. The GPC will be offering an educational workshop following the Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference on Jan. 15, 2015, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. for Georgia producers. During the workshop Stanley Fletcher, director of the National Center for Peanut Competitiveness, will provide an overview of the program and how it was developed while representatives with AgriLogic will present details on how the program works and answer questions.

2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill goes to the President Before adjourning for the year, the Congress passed the 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill funding the government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2015.

The bill included language that seeks to protect farmers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s water regulation efforts.

The bill included provisions that restrict the application of the Clean Water Act in certain agricultural areas, including farm ponds and irrigation ditches.

In addition, the bill contained language to assist producers with potential issues relative to the marketing loan: The Secretary is directed to operate the marketing assistance loan program in a way that encourages redemption and minimizes forfeitures of loan commodities to the Federal government, and enables the orderly marketing of loan commodities throughout the year. Further, the Secretary shall ensure that the marketing assistance loan program remains a viable tool for all producers to use in marketing loan commodities freely and competitively.

USDA announces support for producers of advanced biofuel The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across the nation to support the production of advanced biofuels, and is awarding more than $4 million in additional grants that will advance the bioeconomy and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“Producing advanced biofuel is a major component of the drive to take control of America’s energy future by developing domestic, renewable energy sources,” Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says. “These resources represent the Obama Administration’s commitment to support an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy that seeks to build a robust bio-based economy. Investments in biofuels will also help create jobs and further diversify the economy in our rural communities.”

The funding for producers is being provided through USDA’s Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of advanced biofuel produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch.

Examples of eligible feedstocks include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal, food and yard waste; vegetable oil; and animal fat.

Legislative Updates available online at www.americanpeanuts.com

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer January/February 2015

FSA announces new yield data for safety net calculations Farmers can Update Yield History through Feb. 27, 2015 .S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini recently offered farmers new information to update program payment yields that will help them better select protections offered by the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. The new programs, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, are cornerstones of the commodity farm safety, offering farmers protection when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices and revenues.

“The Farm Bill provided landowners with the option of updating their farm program payment yields. This is the first

U

time that many producers have been able to update yields since 1986,” Dolcini says. “We’ve worked with the Risk Management Agency to make available certified yield data that producers can use to better calculate how the new safety net programs can offer the best protection against market swings.”

Producers can check with their local FSA county office to see if data is available for them. This data belongs to the producer and only the producer associated with the crop insurance records will be provided this service. Updating yield history or reallocating base acres can occur until Feb. 27, 2015.

FSA also issued a reminder that from Nov. 17, 2014, to March 31, 2015, pro-

ducers will make a one-time election of either ARC or PLC for the 2014 through 2018 crop years. For more information, producers are encouraged to make an appointment to go into their local FSA county office. To find a local FSA county office, visit www.offices.usda.gov.

Additional information on the new programs is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.

These programs were made possible through the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. For more information, usda.gov/farmbill. t

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association annual meeting set for Jan. 28-29, 2015 he Mississippi Peanut Growers Association plan to hold their annual meeting and trade show Jan. 2829, 2015, in Hattiesburg, Miss. The event provides growers with the latest information on peanut production, research and new products.

The early bird session on Wed., Jan. 28, includes information on peanut production and research, disease control, insect defoliation, rotation and planting dates.

On Thurs., Jan. 29, growers will have the opportunity to visit with several exhibitors showcasing equipment and services for the peanut industry.

The annual meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday with an update on Mississippi State University, why the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation was formed, peanut market outlook, USDA research update, National Peanut Board report, as well as information on wild hog control and weed control for 2015. The meeting is free for all peanut farmers to attend. t

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January 28-29, 2015 Lake Terrace Convention Center Hattiesburg, Miss.

Jan. 28 - 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Jan. 29 - 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST)

Lake Terrace Convention Center 1 Convention Center Plaza Hattiesburg, MS 39401 For More Information, contact:

Malcolm Broome, Executive Director Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

(601) 606-3547 or malcolm@misspeanuts.com January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Southern Peanut Growers More than 1 million reached during November, Peanut Butter Lovers Month promotion: What Peanut Butter Combo are You? Southern Peanut Growers celebrated November, Peanut Butter Lovers Month with the creation of a “PB personality quiz.” People were invited to take the quiz, hosted on the SPG website PeanutButterLovers.com, through a targeted social media campaign including SPG social media posts, blogger outreach, Facebook advertising and a #PBLove Twitter party.

People answered a series of personality questions ranging from how they like their peanut butter (creamy, crunchy, etc.) to their idea of fun to what kind of food they would be if they were a food. Possible PB combinations ranged from the sweet (PB and chocolate) to the healthy (PB and celery) to the wild (PB and pickles).

More than 2,500 people took the quiz, with 40 percent of them finding out they were Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Results also showed that 45 percent of respondents preferred creamy, 19 percent preferred crunchy and 36 percent like both. One lucky respondent was randomly selected to win a year’s supply of peanut butter.

PeanutButterLovers.com had an increase in web traffic of nearly 80 percent during the month of November with nearly 22,000 page views.

The top three pages viewed were the home page, the quiz page and the recipes page. Facebook generated 181,243 impressions through SPG posts and a small, targeted Facebook advertising campaign.

On November 18, SPG hosted a #PBLove Twitter party with co-host Rebecca Lang, a cookbook author, contributing editor to Southern Living magazine. This Twitter party generated 861,600 impressions.

Peanuts take center stage for holiday entertaining with Chef Virginia Willis Most holiday celebrations involve food in some way so Southern Peanut Growers put peanuts right up front as an important part of all holiday entertaining with Chef Virginia Willis’ satellite media tour. With her new cookbook, Bon Aptetit, Y’all, hot off the presses, Chef Virginia Willis was a hot commodity for television and radio interviews all over the country.

She promoted roasted peanuts – with their high protein content - as a healthy snack to offer guests. Chef Willis also called out peanut brittle as a holiday necessity in her house not just for a make-ahead holiday sweet but also as a beautiful gift to make for friends and neighbors.

Total audience for all television and radio airings had reached more than 11.9 million at press time.

Purchase of that same air time in advertising would have cost Southern Peanut Growers more than $200,000!

Peanut Butter Breakfast Bread Pudding Warm up those cold mornings with this warm breakfast!

Ingredients: 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter 2 eggs 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup milk 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 cups cubed brioche or challah bread (cut into 3/4 inch cubes) 2/3 cup pure maple syrup 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter 1/3 cup crushed peanuts

Marketing arm of

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter four 4-ounce ramekins.

Mix 1/3 cup peanut butter, eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla and salt. Toss bread cubes in mixture until thoroughly coated. Divide evenly among prepared dishes. Bake until custard is set in the middle and the top is golden, about 35-40 minutes. Note: If tops of bread brown too quickly, cover ramekins loosely with aluminum foil.

While pudding is baking, blend 1/3 cup peanut butter with maple syrup; transfer to small saucepan and heat on low until thoroughly warmed. To serve, drizzle ramekins with maple-peanut sauce and garnish with chopped peanuts and powdered sugar.

Southern Peanut Growers 1025 Sugar Pike Way · Canton, Georgia 30115 (770) 751-6615 · FAX (770) 751-6417 email: lpwagner@comcast.net Visit our website at http://www.peanutbutterlovers.com

Florida Peanut Producers Assn.

40th Annual Membership Meeting March 19, 2015 Jackson County Agricultural Complex & Conference Center 2741 Penn. Ave., Marianna, Florida Registration begins at 6:00 p.m. (CST) Dinner at 6:30 p.m. (CST)

For More Information: Phone: 850-526-2590

January/February 2015 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Georgia’s Largest Commodity Show January 15, 2015 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton, Georgia Free farmer lunch Pesticide applicators certification More than 95 Exhibits Nearly $40,000 in doorprizes

Learn more about the 2015 Georgia Peanut Farm Show by scanning this code with your smartphone.

www.gapeanuts.com

For more information contact: Georgia Peanut Commission P.O. Box 967, Tifton GA 31793 Phone: 229-386-3470 Fax: 229-386-3501 Email: info@gapeanuts.com