In its fourth year, grower enrollment for the 2024 crop is now open for the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts program.
14 | ALABAMA-FLORIDA PEANUT SHOW A SUCCESS
More than 400 growers and industry partners from Alabama and Florida attended the 2025 Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show in Dothan, Ala.
15 | MISSISSIPPI PEANUT GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING
Mississippi farmers attending the 20th MPGA annual meeting were able to visit exhibits and hear updates on research and peanut promotions.
2025 PEANUT WEED GUIDEBOOK
The
information
weed control failures and
xes, tropical spiderwort management and an overview of the spot spraying workflow research project.
Spraying peanuts in Burke County, Georgia.
Photo by Joy Crosby.
Editor’s thoughts Events
Celebrate! It's National Peanut Month!
National Peanut Month, celebrated each March, may seem like a niche observance at first glance, but it holds significant importance when we consider the broader cultural, economic, and health impacts of peanuts. This month is an opportunity not only to celebrate a beloved snack but also to acknowledge the unsung contributions of peanut farmers, the nutritional value of peanuts and the role this humble legume plays in both local economies and global food security.
Peanuts may sometimes be thought of as a mere snack food, but the peanut's versatility extends into a variety of recipes along with its nutritional qualities. Peanuts and peanut butter can be included in a variety of recipe options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. This legume is a critical protein source, especially in developing countries, where it is a staple food, essential in the fight against malnutrition. Peanuts are rich in healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them a cornerstone of affordable and accessible nutrition.
National Peanut Month is also a reminder of the significant role peanuts play in American agriculture. The United States is the 4th largest producers of peanuts, and the crop supports thousands of farmers, many of whom operate family-owned businesses. Peanuts are grown commercially in 13 states. In many states, peanuts are not just a crop but a critical element of local economies. For these farming communities, National Peanut Month is a celebration of their hard work and contribution to the agricultural sector, as well as an acknowledgment of how essential their crop is to both domestic and international markets.
Furthermore, peanuts are a naturally sustainable crop and one of nature's original "zero-waste" plants. Every part of the peanut plant, from roots to shells, is utilized throughout the planting, growing, harvesting and production process. They are legumes, which means they enrich the soil with nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Peanuts are water efficient, requiring only 3.2 gallons of water to produce one ounce of peanuts. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, supporting crops like peanuts that have a smaller ecological footprint can be part of a broader movement toward sustainable agriculture.
As we celebrate National Peanut Month, this serves as a timely reminder of the importance of peanuts—not just as a tasty snack but as a key player in nutrition, agriculture and sustainability. It's a month to recognize the hardworking farmers who bring peanuts from the field to our tables and to celebrate the many ways peanuts contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world. Whether you're enjoying a peanut butter sandwich or a handful of roasted peanuts, take a moment this March to appreciate the vital role that this small but mighty legume plays in our lives.
Joy Carter Crosby SEPF Editor
Peanut Proud Festival
March 22, 2025, Blakely, Ga. For more info visit peanutproudfestival.com.
International Peanut Forum
April 9-11, 2025, Seville, Spain. For more info visit peanutsusa.com.
USA Peanut Congress
June 9-12, 2025, Nashville, Tenn. For more information call 229-888-2508 or visit peanut-shellers.org.
American Peanut Research and Educational Society
July 15-17, 2025, Richmond, Va. For more info visit apresinc.com.
Southern Peanut Growers
July 23-25, 2025, Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla. For more info visit southernpeanutfarmers.org.
American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association Pre-Harvest Meeting
Aug. 19-20, 2025, Albany, Ga. For more information call 229-888-2508 or visit peanut-shellers.org.
Brooklet Peanut Festival
Sept. 20, 2025, Brooklet, Ga. For more information visit the festival's website at brookletpeanutfestival.com.
Plains Peanut Festival
Sept. 27, 2025, Plains, Ga. For more information call visit the festival's website at jimmycarterfriends.org.
Georgia National Fair
Oct. 2-12, 2025, Perry, Ga. For more info visit georgianationalfair.com.
Sunbelt Ag Expo
Oct. 14-16, 2025, Moultrie, Ga. For more info visit sunbeltexpo.com.
Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Oct. 27-29, 2025, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information visit floridafarmbureau.org.
Let us know about your event. Please send details to the editor at joycrosby@gapeanuts.com.
enrollment open through April for the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts
The American Peanut Council is currently taking grower enrollments for the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts’ (SUSP) 2024 crop. The first 300 growers who enroll will receive a $250 gift card. Growers can enroll now through April at sustainableuspeanuts.org.
In its fourth year, SUSP is an industry-supported data-collection platform for growers to voluntarily input information on their individual farming practices, such as crop rotation, cover crops, water usage, and breeding and nesting habitats, just to name a few.
Never before has collecting information on growers' sustainability practices been so important. Not
Aonly are consumers demanding sustainable food production practices, but manufacturers, retailers and even our international trading partners are increasingly having the same expectations. SUSP is supporting America’s peanut farmers with metrics on the most efficient use of on-farm resources, as well as encouraging farm operation sustainability practices that will help meet these expectations, lead to increased demand for peanuts and set the stage for long-term economic viability.
Growers can enroll in SUSP by completing an annual self-assessment (20-40 minutes) and field-level survey (20-30 minutes). Subsequent years’ enrollments are much faster after a
grower’s initial enrollment. If a grower is already enrolled in the Cotton Trust Protocol, they can join that account with SUSP to streamline their enrollment.
To make the process seamless for growers, APC has created a grower toolkit, which includes a step-by-step how-to-enroll video, an in-depth FAQ page, a one-pager on the initiative and industry testimonials, which can be found here: sustainableuspeanuts. org/resources.
Growers can enroll now through the end of April at sustainableuspeanuts.org, or by contacting Allie Randell via email at arandell@peanutsusa.com.
Peanut Efficiency Awards seeking nominees
chieving high yields and grades are only part of the equation for efficient, longterm sustainable peanut production.
The Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award is based on production efficiency, honoring growers who produce the highest yields by using inputs wisely. The awards are presented based on the producer’s entire peanut operation and not on individual farms or small plots.
A second major component of the Peanut Efficiency Award is education. Southeast Farm Press, Delta Farm Press and Southwest Farm Press support the education element by publishing articles throughout the year focusing on peanut production efficiency.
Awards are presented to growers from the Lower Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida; the Upper Southeast, including Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; the Southwest, including Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico; and the Delta, including Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri.
"The elements of production cost and price are equally important
factors in our evaluation of nominees. Marketing expertise definitely has given an edge to recent winners of the award," says Marshall Lamb, research director for the National Peanut Research Laboratory and primary advisor of the PEA program.
Please submit nomination forms directly to the National Peanut Research Laboratory. The deadline for all nominations is April 15, 2025. The PEA nomination form is online at www.farmprogress.com/peanuts. To receive a hard copy of the form, call Farm Press headquarters at 662-6248503.
The awards program has honored
25 classes of winners from the U.S. peanut belt. Since the program's beginning in 2000, the Peanut Efficiency Awards have honored over 74 deserving growers and farms. The awards program began with the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in conjunction with the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and the two have grown together over the years.
Each winner of the 2025 awards will receive an expense-paid trip for two to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 23-25 at the Edgewater Beach Resort Conference Center, Panama City Beach, Florida.
The 2024 Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award winners are (left to right) Delta: Milton and Drew Parrish, Lexington, Mississippi; Southwest: Jesse Dyck, Denver City, Texas; Lower Southeast: Shannon Nixon, Baker, Fla., and Upper Southeast: Kevin and Drew Monahan, Waverly, Virginia. Not pictured is Upper Southeast winner, Brad Monahan.
Checkoff Report
Investments Made by Growers for the Future of the Peanut Industry
FPPA exhibits at Florida State Fair in Tampa
The Florida State Fair in Tampa was held from Feb. 6 - 17, 2025. The Florida Peanut Producers held an exhibit in the Ag Hall of Fame. The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame building honors men and women who have made lasting contributions to agriculture in the state and to mentoring our youth, representing the future of agriculture in Florida. During the two weeks of the fair, FPPA spent time at the booth visiting with fairgoers and handing out peanut literature, roasted peanuts and other educational materials. The University of Florida IFAS Research and Education Center in Greenwood, Florida, grew peanut plants to use as a visual aid at the booth. The Florida Peanut Producers sponsored the Ag Hall of Fame Holographic Performance. The hologram experience travels the rich history of Florida Agriculture.
Fresh from Florida Breakfast features Grilled PB&Js
On the opening day of the Florida State Fair, the Florida agricultural community and the Florida State Fair Authority invited state legislators, political officials, and representatives in the agricultural industry to enjoy the company of Florida ag leaders for a fresh-fromFlorida-grown breakfast. The Florida Peanut Producers Association grilled more than 400 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, visited with those in attendance and promoted Florida Peanuts. During the event, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson stopped by the FPPA booth to sample the grilled PB&Js.
FPPA assists in Peanut/Cotton Tour for Leadership Program
The Agriscience Education Leadership Program (AELP) group gathers at Clover Lead Gin after touring the American Peanut Growers Group buying point in Malone, Fla.
The Florida Peanut Producers Association assisted in coordinating a peanut and cotton tour for the Agriscience Education Leadership Program (AELP) sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. During the peanut harvest, the attendees visited the American Peanut Growers Group buying point in Malone, Florida, to see how peanuts were dried, graded, and stored. The group also visited a local peanut farmer, where peanuts were dug and harvested. Then the group visited a cotton farm where cotton was harvested and visited a cotton gin for a tour of the ginning process.
This was the first time most of the group visited a peanut or cotton farm. The Agriscience Education Leadership Program helps agriscience teachers, science teachers, and administrators improve their agriscience programs to provide quality agricultural education for students. This program allows participants to expand their curriculum to include all components of agriculture and help lay a strong foundation that students can build on. The participants travel four times throughout the year to various areas of the state to focus on diverse aspects of agriculture, including forestry, fruits and vegetables, row crops, nursery and landscape, livestock, aquaculture, and more.
APPA attends Rocket City Marathon
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association attended the Rocket City Marathon, Dec. 15, 2024, in Huntsville, Alabama. Around 4,000 runners were met with fresh-off-the-grill peanut butter and honey sandwiches and farm-fresh satsumas at the finish line. Medders Family Farm provided homemade peanut butter for the sandwiches. Jason Weber, APPA board member and Alabama peanut farmer, finished the half-marathon alongside his wife, Joyce, then continued to promote the power of peanuts with other runners.
APPA hosts peanut grower production meetings
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association hosted six peanut grower production meetings across the state during February 2025. More than 200 growers came out to hear Alabama peanut researchers from Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension share their latest research and best practices for the 2025 growing season.
Topics and speakers were: Peanut Disease Management – Dr. Amanda Strayer-Scherer; Herbicide Control in Peanuts – Dr. Steve Li; Insect Control in Peanuts – Dr. Scott Graham; Peanut Market Outlook – Dr. Marshall Lamb; Varieties and Agronomic Management – Kris Balkcom.
Sponsors for the production guide and production meetings were: Alabama Ag Credit, BASF, First South Farm Credit, Sanbuck Insurance, Syngenta, Southern Ag Services, Valent and Visjon Biologics.
Brittany Peacock, FPPA program coordinator, and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, at the 2025 Fresh from Florida breakfast.
FPPA exhibit during the Florida State Fair in Tampa.
Jason Weber, Alabama Peanut Producers Association board member and farmer, hands out grilled PB&Js to runners at the Rocket City Marathon.
Boddiford elected chairman of Georgia Peanut Commission
Joe Boddiford, peanut farmer from Sylvania, Georgia, was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission during the February monthly board meeting. This is Boddiford’s fourth consecutive term serving as chairman. He previously served as chairman in 2000.
"I look forward to working with Georgia peanut farmers and our industry partners to help enhance the peanut industry and the profitability of farmers," Boddiford says. "Farmers can contact me at any time if they have suggestions for the work of the Georgia Peanut Commission on their behalf."
Other officers elected during the board meeting include Donald Chase, Oglethorpe, Georgia, as vice chairman, and Rodney Dawson, Hawkinsville, Georgia, as treasurer. Additional board members include Tim Burch, Newton, Georgia, representing district 1 and Ross Kendrick, Sycamore, Georgia, representing district 2.
Georgia Peanut Commission promotes peanuts as poultry feed ingredient at the IPPE
The Georgia Peanut Commission promoted peanuts as a poultry feed ingredient at the International Production and Processing Expo hosted at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 28-30, 2025.
Georgia is the No. 1 producing state for broilers and peanuts and ranks 6th in egg production. In recent years, GPC has funded research conducted by Ondulla Toomer with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service examining the use of unblanched high-oleic peanuts as a preferred alternate feed ingredient in layer and broiler diets.
The feeding trials have resulted in a premium quality, nutritionally enriched end product.
IPPE is the world’s largest annual display of technology, equipment, supplies and services used in the production of processing eggs, meat and poultry and those involved in feed manufacturing.
Representatives from GPC, the research team and industry suppliers, were available to answer questions and provide additional during the event. Toomer presented a TECHTalk presentation during the event which showcased some of her recent research results using peanuts as a poultry feed ingredient.
Georgia Peanut Commission exhibits at American Farm Bureau annual meeting
The Georgia Peanut Commission exhibited at the Georgia Farm Bureau annual convention held in December and the American Farm Bureau Convention held in January. The events provided GPC an opportunity to visit with farmers from across the state and nation. The GPC provided educational information and roasted peanuts. Additionally, in January, GPC exhibited at the Georgia Young Farmer state convention at Jekyll Island, Georgia.
Georgia Peanut Commission holds Research Report Day
The Georgia Peanut Commission held its annual Research Report Day, Feb. 5, 2025, in Tifton, Georgia. The event provides growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports and newest information available on peanut research projects funded by GPC in 2024.
"The commission works to wisely invest peanut farmers' dollars into research projects across Georgia in an effort to reduce production input costs and improve agronomic techniques," says Donald Chase, GPC Research Committee chairman. "Although some of the findings are preliminary, the projects are exciting, and many times new recommendations or observations are announced."
GPC awarded $791,139 to peanut research facilities in the state during 2024. This effort funds 40 research projects from the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, as well as pests, weed and disease management.
The 2024 research reports are available online at the GPC website, www.gapeanuts.com.
Tim Brenneman, University of Georgia plant pathologist, provides an update on his research evaluating seed treatment fungicide applications during the annual Research Report Day, Feb. 5, 2025.
Joe Boddiford, Sylvania, Ga., was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission.
Donald Chase, GPC board member, and Don Koehler, GPC executive director, visit with attendees during the International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta, Ga.
2025 Peanut WEED Guidebook Weed Control Failures and Fixes
Apply lessons learned from mistakes
By Joy Crosby
University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Eric Prostko witnessed his share of mistakes and issues farmers faced in 2024 regarding weed control. Some of those issues were preventable and he hopes growers can learn from the mistakes to prepare for weed management in 2025.
One of the first issues is realizing which herbicides are labeled for peanuts and not for peanuts. Prostko reminds growers who also have cattle that aminopyralid herbicides are great for grass pastures but they are not for peanuts. Peanut plants are very sensitive to low rates of aminopyralid.
Growers need to make sure that the sprayer is properly cleaned out if applying aminopyralid prior to using the sprayer for peanuts. Common products with the active ingredient aminopyralid include Chaparral, DuraCor, ForeFront, GrazonNext HL, Gunslinger AMP and Milestone.
"Since peanut plants are super sensitive to aminopyralid, only a small amount left over in a sprayer can cause significant peanut injury and yield loss," Prostko says.
Another herbicide not registered for use prior to planting peanuts is dicamba. Some farmers may use dicamba preplant prior to planting tolerant cotton or soybean varieties. However, Prostko reminds growers that if they change their mind and decide to plant peanuts instead, there can be problems.
"A negative response to soil applications of dicamba is dependent on many factors including use rate, rainfall and time of application before peanut planting," Prostko says.
Another issue Prostko has witnessed in recent years is zinc toxicity. There is a relationship between soil pH and zinc soils levels. If growers keep their soil pH levels at or above the line in the above graph, there should not be any problems with zinc. Growers should be looking at their soil tests now to make sure that this problem does not happen.
Zinc toxicity cannot be fixed after the peanuts have been planted. According to Prostko, most growers like to blame this injury on Valor.
However, old hog barns, pecan orchards, and excessive poultry litter are sources of soil zinc, Prostko adds.
Many lessons can be learned from mistakes made in previous years. However, Prostko encourages growers to be timely with their various applications and to start with a clean, weed-free field at planting.
Prostko also recommends a boom height 20 to 24 inches above the target (when practical), as well as proper nozzle selection based on what the farmer is spraying. He encourages farmers to slow down their tractor speed to somewhere less than 18 mph to obtain consistent and uniform coverage across the field.
Tropical Spiderwort management in 2025
By Layla Wallace
Twenty years ago, peanut farmers were facing the threat of the Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort) on their crops. At the time, it was one of the most prevalent and destructive pests. Today, it appears the weed has become prevalent again in the southern states, imposing a threat to peanut farmers.
"If we don't manage tropical spiderwort in the fall after corn harvest, then it will be a problem on the next year's rotational crop," says Eric Prostko, University of Georgia Extension weed specialist, "The more you know about a pest the better able you are going to be to control it."
Tropical spiderwort is a noxious and invasive species to the United States, native to Asia and Africa. It is a monsoon weed, having rapid germination and completion of its lifecycle when soil moisture is plentiful. This weed can produce anywhere from 8,000-12,000 seeds per plant and can go from seed to seed in just 42 days.
Certain parts of the Southeastern United States have received excessive rainfall in some locations within the last five years which results in reduced effectiveness of residual herbicides. Consequently, these herbicides cannot protect the crop as effectively from tropical spiderwort. Tropical spiderwort is also a host for nematodes and southern stem rot (white mold). The seed is spread by doves and other birds, making it difficult to keep confined to a field.
Tropical spiderwort is a part of the Commelinaceae (dayflower) plant family, which has at least nine species that look very similar. This can make it difficult to determine if a weed is truly tropical spiderwort. However, there are two characteristics to separate tropical spiderwort from the other dayflower species: leaf width and its below ground flowers. Tropical spiderwort leaves tend to be shorter in length, with a leaf length to width ratio of 3:1. Additionally, tropical spiderwort is the only dayflower with
Tropical spiderwort, part of the Commelinaceae (dayflower) plant family, is a monsoon weed, having rapid germination and completion of its lifecycle when soil moisture is plentiful.
both above and below ground flowers. These characteristics help set tropical spiderwort apart from its species lookalikes.
Once you have determined there is a tropical spiderwort problem, Prostko recommends focusing on four aspects to help with management: planting date, row pattern, tillage and burial depth.
Research from the University of Florida shows planting earlier will reduce the amount of tropical spiderwort. This is because the weed is a later emerging plant and 60 percent of the population of the plant does not emerge until after June. As far as row patterns are concerned, research from the University of Florida also shows that peanuts planted in a twin row pattern had a 12 percent increase in spiderwort control, rather than a single row pattern. Concerning tillage, it is recommended to utilize conventional tillage practices over para-till and strip-till practices.
"Where we're not turning that land, we tend to see more problems," Prostko says.
With burial depth, it is recommended to bury the seed
somewhere between 4-5 inches, so the weed does not have enough power to emerge. In addition to these practices, it is encouraged to utilize a residual herbicide from the WSSA/ HRAC Group 15 class (Anthem Flex, Dual Magnum, Outlook, Warrant, Zidua). Postemergence herbicide options include: Gramoxone, Cadre, Strongarm and Basagran.
"All these things have an influence on spiderwort," Prostko says, "If you hear me talk about tillage, burial depth or planting date; those things don't come out of the air. We don't make recommendations until we have a significant amount of research to back up what we think is going to work."
Tropical spiderwort is the only dayflower with both above and below ground flowers.
2025 Peanut Weed Control Recommendations for Georgia
by Eric Prostko Professor and Extension Weed Specialist, University of Georgia
Five Important Things to Consider:
1. Start clean using a combination of tillage (deep-turning), cover crops, and/or herbicides.
2. Planting in twin rows will improve weed control by ~5-10%, depending upon the weed.
3. Use multiple residual herbicides in the system.
4. Cracking or early-postermergence applicaitons of paraquat may not always be needed in peanut fields that started off weed-free and where at-planting residual herbicides (Dual Magnum, Prowl, Outlook, Sonalan, Strongarm, Valor and Warrant) were moisture activated with timely rainfall or irrigation.
5. Make timely postemergence applications (tallest weeds < 3” tall, not the average).
6. Hand-remove weed escapes before seed is viable.
Table 1: Herbicide Programs for Peanuts.
System Tillage Method
Non-Irrigated (Dryland)
Strip-till3
Preplant Burndown1
Preplant Incorporated
Preemergence
No Rain in 7-10 DAP
Paraquat + Prowl
Glyphosate or Paraquat + 2,4-D amine + Valor
ConventionalProwl or Sonalan + Strongarm4
Rain in 7-10 DAP
Paraquat + Prowl + Valor + Strongarm4 or Paraquat + Brake + Strongarm4 or Paraquat + Valor + Brake5
No PRE if rain is not expected in 7-10 DAP
Rain in 7-10 DAP
Either Valor or Brake5 or Valor + Brake5
Timing
EarlyPostemergence (~10-20 DAP2)
Postemergence (~30-45 DAP)
Paraquat + either Storm or Basagran + either Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Anthem Flex or Outlook6 ALS Resistance:
Cobra or Ultra Blazer + (either Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Anthem Flex or Outlook6) + 2,4-DB
No ALS Resistance:
Paraquat + either Storm or Basagran + either Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Anthem Flex or Outlook6
Cadre4 + (either Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Anthem Flex or Outlook6) + 2,4-DB
** A 4-way tank-mixture can be used if required
LatePostemergence (~60 DAP)
Dual Magnum or Outlook
PHI (days)
Dual Magnum = 90 Outlook = 80
Max Total Rate/A/ Season (oz)
Dual Magnum = 44 Outlook = 21
* Use of other Group 15 herbicides is limited by peanut stage of growth and should not be applied latepostemergence:
Strip-till3
Irrigated
Conventional
Gyphosate or Paraquat + 2,4-D amine + Valor
1 Apply at least 7 days before planting.
2 DAP = days after planting.
Paraquat + Prowl + Valor + Strongarm4 or Paraquat + Brake5 + Strongarm4 or Paraquat + Valor + Brake5
Prowl or Sonalan + either Valor + Strongarm4 or Brake5 + Strongarm4 or Valor + Brake5
(Cadre4 + Cobra or Ultra Blazer + 2,4-DB + either Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua or Outlook6)
Anthem Flex = R3 (beginning pod)
Warrant = R1 (beginning bloom)
Zidua = R3 (beginning pod)
3 Annual grass control in strip-tillage systems is often more difficult thus additional applications of a postemergence grass herbicide (i.e. Fusilade, Poast and Select) will be needed.
4 Before using Cadre and/or Strongarm, rotational crop restrictions must be considered.
5 Do not apply Brake to the same field more than 2 years in a row.
6 Dual Magnum/Warrant/Outlook are in the same herbicide family (chloroacetamide) and have the same mode of action (inhibit very long chain fatty acids). Zidua/ Anthem Flex are not in the same herbicide family (isoxazoline) but have the same mode of action. Multiple applications (> 2) of these herbicides in a single year should be avoided when possible to prevent or delay the evolution of resistance. These residual herbicides have no postemergence activity.
Spot spraying workflow
Auburn University conducts research on spot spraying with drones and ground sprayers
Spot spraying is receiving more widespread attention from farmers looking to save on their input costs from herbicides and fuel. Since the cost of the John Deere See & Spray may be out of reach for many farmers, Auburn University weed specialist Steve Li is exploring a workflow for spot spraying using drones in conjunction with a ground sprayer.
Li has conducted this research project since 2022 on five locations throughout Alabama. The spot spraying project has mainly focused on peanut fields but has also included cotton and corn fields.
Li begins by using drones to map the crop field, then he stitches images and identifies weedy patches within the field. Then Li generates a prescription program for the weed patches and exports the prescription to spray drones and ground sprayers.
Through the research project, Li uses a John Deere ground sprayer with PWM which can read the spot spray prescription. The system can also change the spray volume according to the prescription as the sprayer moves through the field.
According to Li, the spray drone is set up a little differently than a drone broadcast application.
"The speed needs to be slower, and a narrow swath is preferred to increase spot spray accuracy with the drone," Li says. "The drone will also have a relatively lower fly height and more GPA in spot spraying versus the whole field broadcast applications."
Li identifies the primary benefit of this workflow system as its costeffectiveness, particularly for farmers who already have access to spray drones. Li's workflow spot spray project works on multiple crops and even non-crop areas compared to the see and spray which only works
By Joy Crosby
on corn, soybeans, cotton and fallow ground. However, the workflow system for spot spraying using drones and a ground sprayer does have some disadvantages, Li adds.
"It is way more time-consuming, and the operator needs to map the field first," Li says.
According to Li, the mapping drone cannot fly too high or too fast which limits mapping efficiency. Then, it takes time to stitch drone images, select weedy patches and generate a prescription program for spot spraying.
"The John Deere See & Spray can do all of these steps at the same time while the sprayer is driving in the field with higher accuracy," Li says. "The See & Spray can even target individual small weeds."
On the other hand, the workflow spot spraying research project by Li cannot identify very small weeds effectively due to mapping height and flight speed. Li agrees that more details need to be refined in future with the research.
According to Li, he plans to continue the research by increasing the mapping efficiency and accuracy with RTK signal and a better camera. Li also plans to identify software that can automatically label weedy patches more effectively and precisely. Lastly, Li plans to increase spray accuracy from the drone and ground sprayer on weedy patches and identify the best herbicides and adjuvants
for spot spraying in multiple crops.
Although this new drone-based workflow shows promising results to save herbicides and avoid crop injury, Li reminds farmers that it is not a silver bullet.
"Residual herbicides should be applied to prevent weed germination, which is the best way to fight weeds," Li says. "The first herbicide application over the top of crop should be done timely to prevent large escapes surviving the herbicide application."
Weed specialists recommend farmers to begin the season with a clean, weed-free field at planting. Throughout the season, Li encourages growers to be timely with their various applications for weed control no matter what system they use.
2025 Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade show a success
by Kaycee Rippey
Peanut growers from Alabama and Florida were able to finetune their farming operations with information gained at the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show Jan. 30, 2025, at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. The trade show was hosted by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Producers Association and sponsored by the National Peanut Board. The venue sponsor was the National Peanut Festival.
Over 400 peanut growers and industry partners from Alabama and Florida attended to view industry products and services offered by more than 60 exhibitors.
Researchers from Auburn University and the University of Florida were on hand to showcase the peanut research they are working on with the support of grower check-off dollars. Growers could talk to the researchers one-on-one about the research projects.
Trade show attendees enjoyed a special visit from the Planters® NUTmobile and Mr. Peanut®. The Peanutters, as the NUTmobile crew is called, visited with growers and learned more about how peanuts are grown. Mr. Peanut provided joy and entertainment to the trade show attendees.
“I thought the crowd and number of vendors were really good. Overall, it was a really great and informative meeting,” said Billy Hixon, peanut farmer and APPA Board Member from Banks, Alabama.
During the lunch program, attendees received an update from the National Peanut Board by Lindsay Dominy. Bob Redding of the Redding Firm gave a legislative update, and Dr. Marshall Lamb, from the National Peanut Research Lab, spoke to growers about the 2025 peanut market outlook .
Several door prizes were given out
by vendors throughout the morning of the trade show, but the prizes everyone was most looking forward to winning were announced after lunch.
The Grand Door Prize, provided by Kelley Manufacturing Co., was a $5,000 voucher that can be used toward $5,000 off the price of any one piece of equipment or for $5,000 worth of parts for KMC equipment, was won by Gaylan Shelly of Brewton, Alabama.
Rene Jordan, of Bascom, Florida won a free trip to the 2025 Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Allen Mininger, of Walnut Hill, Florida won a Benelli 12 gauge shotgun.
Kasey Luke (left) and Roy Moore (right) present the Grand Door Prize from Kelley Manufacturing Co. to Gaylan Shelly, Brewton, Ala., during the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show, Jan. 30, 2025, in Dothan, Ala.
More than 400 peanut growers and industry partners from Alabama and Florida were able to visit the Planters Nutmobile during the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show, Jan. 30, 2025, in Dothan, Ala.
Attendees visit with researchers from Auburn University and the University of Florida during the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show, Jan. 30, 2025, in Dothan, Ala.
Ken Barton (left) and Brittany Peacock (right) from the Florida Peanut Producers Association present Rene Jordan, Bascom, Fla., with a free trip to the 2025 Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July, during the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show, Jan. 30, 2025, in Dothan, Ala.
Mississippi holds 2025 annual meeting
The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association held its 20th annual meeting Feb. 19, 2025, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. During the meeting, Mississippi peanut growers had the opportunity to hear from peanut industry representatives and specialists, as well as visit with agricultural companies during the trade show.
"The discussion among growers at the meeting focused on the cost of production due to inputs needed to grow both peanuts and cotton," says Malcolm Broome, MPGA executive director. "A big thanks is due to our industry sponsors and exhibitors who attended and supported the meeting."
During the annual meeting, Mississippi peanut growers received information on peanut variety research projects from Mississippi State University’s peanut agronomist, Brendan Zurweller, and cotton production updates from Brian Pieralisi, MSU Extenstion cotton specialist. Marshall Lamb, research director at the National Peanut Research Lab, provided an update on USDA ARS research and an economic update for 2025. Following lunch, growers received a program update from Samantha Laird with Mississippi Farm Bureau, and spray drone regulatory updates from Madison Dixon with MSU Agricultural Autonomy Institute.
Mississippi peanut growers also received promotional updates from Ashton Pellom of the National Peanut Board and peanut nutrition research and promotions from Miriam Crosby of The Peanut Institute. Lonnie Fortner, chairman of the Mississippi Peanut Promotion Board, and Malcolm Broome, MPGA executive director presented an overview of some of the promotional activities throughout the past year.
During the annual meeting, MPGA members elected members to the board of directors. The officers elected include Lonnie Fortner,
Farmers elected a new board of directors during the 2025 Mississippi Peanut Growers Association annual meeting, Feb. 19, 2025, in Hattiesburg,
Malcolm
Port Gibson, Miss., president from District 2 and Alan Atkins, Hamilton, Miss., vice president from District 3. Additional board members elected include Drew Parrish, Lexington, Miss., for District 4, Steve Seward, Lucedale, Miss., for the At-Large Position B and Pallas Fair, Caladonia, Miss., for the At-Large Position C.
At the close of the annual meeting the Grand Door Prize was presented to Mark Rogers, Collins, Mississippi. He received a $5,000 voucher for a discount on KMC equipment or for parts. The Grower Door Prize was presented by Amadas Industries to Brad Hensarling, Richton, Mississippi. Morgan received a certificate for the
Mississippi State University Peanut Agronomist Brendan
provides growers with information on variety trials conducted throughout the state during the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association annual meeting, Feb. 19, 2025, in Hattiesburg,
purchase of new Amadas peanut equipment
Miss. Pictured left to right are Van Hensarling, Gibson, Miss.; Joe Morgan, Hattiesburg, Miss.; Alan Atkins, Hamilton, Miss.; Drew Parrish, Lexington, Miss.; Pallas Fair, Caladonia, Miss.; Steve Seward, Lucedale, Miss.; Lonnie Fortner, Port Gibson, Miss.; and
Broome, MPGA executive director.
Jason Knox (left) and Chris Beaty (right) present the Grower Door Prize from Amadas Industries to Brad Hensarling, Miss., during the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association annual meeting, Feb. 19, 2025, in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Kasey Luke (left) and Danny Bennett (right) present the Grand Door Prize from Kelley Manufacturing Co. to Mark Rogers, Collins, Miss., during the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association annual meeting, Feb. 19, 2025, in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Zurweller
Miss.
Washington Outlook
By Robert L. Redding Jr.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing on Feb. 5, 2025, titled "Perspectives from the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part 1." The U.S. Peanut Federation was honored to have representation by Garrett Moore of Moore Family Farm LLC in Chancellor, Alabama.
Moore's testimony highlighted the struggles facing the peanut industry, including growers, shellers, and buying points. He outlined the major financial challenges over the past few years, including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, inflation, non-tariff trade barriers and low market prices. Despite the recently passed economic assistance package, farmers will still face significant deficits, with input costs rising dramatically.
According to peanut economist Stanley Fletcher, professor of policy at the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the 2021 cost of production was $546.54 per ton, and reports the 2024 cost of production at approximately $656.80 per ton, a 20.17 percent increase over the course of three years.
During his testimony, Moore gave anecdotal evidence supporting the rising cost of production, stating, "On our farm alone, many of our expenses have almost doubled since 2018, and we are seeing no signs of relief in the cost of production area. For example, we need specific fertilizers to sustain
2025 Farm Bill Update
In December 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed a 1-year extension of Farm Bill programs at the same levels authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. This extension will expire on
nutrient levels in the soil, both for the peanuts we are growing and to protect the land for future crops. In the past few years, the significant increase in fertilizer costs has caused tough management decisions."
Additionally, Moore emphasized the need for Congress to pass a new farm bill this year, and to include an increase in the reference price for the peanut Price Loss Coverage program (PLC) and a voluntary base update that will assist newer growing regions and younger growers.
"This testament to our current farm economy clearly conveys why we need a new farm bill. Peanut growers, shellers, and buying points all support the PLC program as included in the 2018 Farm Bill, but with a reference price increase. While the 2018 Farm Bill’s PLC program has been beneficial for peanut growers in the past, the rise in cost of production requires a reference price increase if this
program is to remain relevant and valuable as a farm safety net," Moore says.
"Additionally, the U.S. Peanut Federation supports a voluntary base update that includes growers with and without peanut base acres. While the 2014 Farm Bill allowed for base updating for peanut growers that already had base acreage on their farms, it excluded many young farmers and new production areas," Moore adds.
In closing, he stressed the importance of the peanut industry in the global food supply and urged continued support for farmers to ensure the future of agriculture.
"I am proud to be an American peanut grower and am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to our nation's food supply. I hope to continue my family's farm for a 5th generation, which cannot be done without increased support for our industry," Moore says.
In addition to Moore, Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, also testified, as well as representatives from other commodities including cotton, corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, soybean, sugarbeet and rice.
The full hearing is available online at the Senate Agriculture Committee website at agriculture.senate.gov.
September 30, 2025. U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman have expressed their commitment to passing a new farm
bill this year. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committees have begun hosting informational hearings in preparation for farm bill discussions.
USPF witness testifies at U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing
Garrett Moore of Moore Family Farm LLC in Chancellor, Ala., testifies at the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry hearing on Feb. 5, 2025.
The farm economy has been in tough shape in recent years and needs substantial support to turn the tide. As the now-Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’m committed to delivering the relief and assistance necessary to improve that outlook.
Last week, the committee held our first policy hearing of the 119th Congress. We asked several agriculture industry leaders and farmers from leading commodity associations to leave their farms and families to travel to Washington to share their experiences with us.
This hearing was the first in a series our committee will hold examining the current state of America’s rural economy from the perspective of our farmers, ranchers and rural leaders. They will help inform our decisions as we draft a new farm bill and ensure we are putting forward policies that enable current and future generations of farm families to survive, and ultimately thrive, in an unpredictable world.
Every member of the committee has heard directly from farmers in their states about the current difficult conditions they face. I’ve been blessed to join many of those conversations around the country and have taken note of the common theme.
High interest rates, elevated production costs and depressed commodity prices, coupled with a frayed safety net worn out over time, have left many producers exposed to financial ruin. Since 2022, ag producers have lost more than $50 billion and net farm income is forecast to decline.
There is no room for error in this scenario. Farm families like Jennifer James’ are looking at the next generation and trying to determine if this career, that requires more sacrifice than many others, is viable. The Newport, Arkansas, rice farmer testified at the hearing that 2024, her 30th crop year, was unquestionably “the most difficult year financially that we have endured.”
Nathan Reed, a cotton farmer from Marianna, shared the same fears. He told our committee that, over the last few years, he has “endured steep losses due to a sharp increase in input costs and low commodity prices.” He, too, is asking whether he can continue to risk his family’s future by continuing to farm.
They are not alone. The prospect of losing untold numbers of farm families across the country if we do not act is growing rapidly.
The Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University reports that since it began projecting farm financial performance, the crop outlook for its representative farms “is the worst in terms of the number of farms in each of the four commodity types (feed grains, cotton, rice and wheat) that are not currently expected to have a positive cash flow over the next five years.”
My highest priority for the next farm bill is to improve the farm safety net, whereby every farmer in every region of the country will have access to modernized risk management tools regardless of the commodity they grow. If we fail to modernize the safety net, agriculture will see further consolidation as farm families leave the business, and the ripple effects to our country will be profound.
Agriculture producers in Arkansas and across our country are counting on Congress to update these vital programs that help them stay in business feeding, clothing and fueling the world. That task is great, and the Senate Ag Committee will prioritize it until the job is finished. I am honored to lead our efforts in the weeks and months ahead and look forward to the momentum we will build as well as the progress we must make.
Source: Feb. 10, 2025 Weekly Column from U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
Brooke Rollins Sworm in as USDA Secretary
On Feb. 13, 2025, the U.S. Senate voted 72-28 to confirm the nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. This vote followed the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee's nomination hearing held on Jan. 23, 2025.
"Every day, I will fight for American farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture community. Together, we have an historic opportunity to revitalize rural America and to ensure that U.S. Agriculture remains the best in the world for generations to come," Secretary Rollins said upon being sworn in on Feb. 13.
U.S. Peanut Federation supports USDA Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agrcultural Nominee
The U.S. Peanut Federation signed a letter with other agricultural organizations to U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, supporting the nomination of Luke Lindberg as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The letter stated, "We look forward to Mr. Lindberg's leadership and strong advocacy on behalf of the farmers, ranchers, growers, hunters, forest owners, conservationists, cooperatives, state departments of agriculture, renewable fuel producers and agribusinesses that we represent nationwide. Mr. Lindberg has a wealth of experience in this area, having served in multiple key capacities vital to trade and agriculture. Throughout his career, Mr. Lindberg has been a proponent of using trade to strengthen U.S. agriculture. His enthusiasm in addressing the record agriculture trade deficit we are currently facing will be welcomed by farmers and exporters across the country."
Southern Peanut Growers exhibited at the Health and Wellness Expo during the 2025 DONNA Marathon weekend Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. The weekend included a 5K, a Dash, a half marathon, and a marathon.
Participants picked up their packets and race numbers for all events inside the Health and Wellness Expo on Thursday and Friday hosted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the indoor Dream Finders Homes Flex Field at EverBank Stadium. The 5K and the Dash also were hosted at this venue on Saturday. Approximately 10,000 people came through the Health and Wellness Expo during the two-day event.
Leslie Wagner and Michelle Chase staffed the exhibit and distributed packs of Georgia peanuts, peanut butter spreaders, early introduction information, recipes, and nutrition information.
DONNA Marathon Weekend is an official event of The DONNA Foundation, established to meet the critical financial needs of the underserved living with breast cancer. Over the last two decades, The DONNA Foundation has served more than 20,000 families, securing more than $6.5M in financial services and debt relief. The organization has also disbursed more than $3.3 million in support of research.
SPG and GPC exhibit at the Georgia Association of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference
The Georgia Peanut Commission and Southern Peanut Growers exhibited at the Georgia Association of Nutrition and Dietetics annual conference, Feb. 27 - 28, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Leslie Wagner manned the exhibit to distribute nutrition information, recipes, information on early introduction of peanuts to prevent peanut allergy, peanut samples and promotional items. Business cards were collected at the booth for a drawing for a Georgia Peanuts and GeorgiaGrown gift box. There were 85 registered dieticians in attendance.
Southern Peanut Growers also partnered with Georgia Grown to sponsor the Georgia AND member social at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse which offered two peanut items in the appetizer mix. Members had an opportunity to mingle while having fun with a photo booth and games with peanutty prizes. A grand prize winner received a Georgia Peanuts and Georgia-Grown gift box.
Peanuts highlighted at Georgia Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference
Southern Peanut Growers exhibited at the Georgia Association of Family & Consumer Sciences annual conference, Feb. 27, 2025, in LaGrange, Georgia. There were more than 300 middle and high school teachers in attendance who teach career tech classes like food and nutrition sciences, culinary, and early childhood development. SPG offers peanut-based curriculum for these classes. Leslie and Melinda Jones manned the exhibit to distribute QR code cards for curriculum and supply forms, nutrition information, recipes, information on early introduction of peanuts to prevent peanut allergy, information on how to manage food allergies in schools, peanut samples and promotional items.
Athletes of all levels can benefit from sports nutrition to improve performance and get the most out of a workout. Peanuts and peanut butter contain a healthy mix of fats, fiber and protein to support sustained energy and a healthy metabolism.
Georgia Grown gift box to Lucy Balogun, MPA, RD, LD at the Georgia Association of Nutrition & Dietetics conference in February.
SPG exhibits at The DONNA Marathon Weekend
Leslie Wagner, Southern Peanut Growers executive director, visits with Pam Caraway, executive editor of Farm Futures, during the Health and Wellness Expo. Caraway had a team of 11 people at The DONNA Marathon Weekend in Jacksonville, Fla.
Leslie Wagner, Southern Peanut Growers executive director, presents the Georgia Peanuts and
Leslie Jones, GPC advisory board member, visits with Family and Consumer Sciences teachers during the annual conference in February.
