Southeastern Peanut Farmer - March 2014

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Sen. Chambliss inducted into Peanut Hall of Fame n 2014 Weed Guidebook  n Farm Bill Update A communication service of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

Contents March 2014

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

The Georgia Peanut Commission inducted Sen. Saxby Chambliss into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame in January. This is the highest recognition one can receive from the growers in the state of Georgia.

Contributing Writers John Leidner johnleidner@bellsouth.net Teresa Mays Teresa2@alpeanuts.com Jessie Turk 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.

Sen. Chambliss inducted into Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame

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2014 Weed Guidebook The 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer Weed Guidebook features information on nutsedge, sicklepod, palmer amaranth and spiderwort control. Additional information focuses on new products and herbicide carryover, tolerance and injury.

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Harrell elected chairman of NPB Whigham, Ga., farmer John Harrell was recently elected chairman of the National Peanut Board. Harrell is proud to serve while NPB launches their new Perfectly Powerful Peanut campaign.

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

Washington Outlook ............................................................................ 20 Southern Peanut Growers Update ........................................................ 22 Cover Photo: Armond Morris (right) inducts Sen. Saxby Chambliss as the fifth recipient into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, Jan. 16, 2014.

Photo by Joy Crosby.

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Editorial

Calendar of Events

Celebrate Peanuts All Month Long here’s not a day goes by where I do not appreciate the fact that I was raised on a farm and an active member of FFA and 4-H. I learned what hard work is and the value of that hard work when it comes to producing food and fiber for consumers across the world. I also learned the value in communicating the importance of agriculture to those that are not that familiar with agriculture. Often times, we keep quiet too long when consumers are really wanting to know how a certain food grows or what this or that means on the farm. We are used to our ag jargon and acronyms and sometimes forget that we have to explain it a little better to consumers. Several opportunities exist to do just that and in fact two of them combine in one great month - March.

March is host of two great events - National Peanut Month and National Ag Week. Both events provide the agricultural industry a platform to begin telling our story if we haven’t already done so.

There is a lot of good news happening now for peanuts whether you are referring to health and nutrition, or production on the farm, or the final passage of the long-awaited farm bill. Now is the time to share that great message with those that are not familiar with how peanuts grow or the importance of peanuts to your local economy or the nutritional benefits of eating peanuts and peanut butter. In fact, did you know that a new Harvard study showed eating a handful of peanuts daily reduced risk of death from all causes by up to 20 percent. Now that is good news that everyone involved in the peanut industry should be sharing with consumers they see on a daily basis.

National Ag Week takes places March 23-29 with National Ag Day happening on March 25. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis. But too few people truly understand this contribution. That is where you come in - you can share your story with school children and adults in your local area. By building awareness, you may even encourage young people to consider career opportunities in agriculture.

So, I encourage you to tell your story to those you come across during the month of March. Who knows you may even be able to share information about how peanuts grow when you order that peanut dessert the next time you eat out this month.

If you have any stories to share on how you have helped spread the word about peanuts and agriculture then let us know. We would love to hear how you are working to educate others about peanuts and agriculture.

Also, be sure to listen out for special promotions in March by your state peanut checkoff association. More details will follow in the April issue regarding these special promotions. t

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Joy Carter Crosby Editor

National Peanut Month had its beginnings as National Peanut Week in 1941.

It was expanded into a month-long celebration in 1974.

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

u Georgia PB&J Day, March 17, 2014, Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta, Ga. For more information visit www.gapeanuts.com. u Peanut Proud Festival, March 22, 2014, Town Square, Blakely, Ga. The day-long celebration includes a 5k and Fun Run, parade, kid’s obstacle course, free entertainment featuring country music star Mark Wills, street dance and more than 100 vendors. For more info visit the festival’s Facebook page online at: www.facebook.com/PeanutProudFestival. u International Peanut Forum, April 9-11, 2014, Sheraton Roma Hotel, Rome, Italy. For more information visit www.peanutsusa.com. u USA Peanut Congress, June 19-23, 2014, Omni Nashville Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. For more information call 703-838-9500 or visit www.peanutsusa.com. u American Peanut Research and Education Society Annual Meeting, July 810, 2014, Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas.

For more information visit www.apresinc.com. u Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day, July 10, 2014. Moultrie, Ga. For more information visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. u Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 24-26, 2014, Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla. For more information visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org. u American Peanut Shellers Association Pre-Harvest Meeting, Aug. 5-6, 2014, Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club, Cordele, Ga. For more information, call 229-888-2508 or visit www.peanut-shellers.org. u Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center Field Day, Aug. 13, 2014, Midville, Ga. For more information call 478-589-7472. u Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center Field Day, Aug. 20, 2014, Plains, Ga. For more information call 229-824-4375. u Georgia Peanut Tour, Sept. 16-18, 2014.

For more information visit the tour blog at www.gapeanuttour.wordpress.com.

(Let us know about your event. Please send details to the editor, using the following e-mail address: joycrosby@gapeanuts.com)

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Sen. Chambliss inducted into Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame he Georgia Peanut Commission installed the fifth recipient into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame by inducting U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. A portrait of Chambliss, unveiled at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show in Jan., will be displayed in the GPC headquarters in Tifton, Ga. Induction in the Peanut Hall of Fame is the highest recognition one can receive from the growers in the state of Georgia.

Upon receiving his award, Chambliss said, “I am truly humbled and honored to be inducted into the Peanut Hall of Fame.

The peanut industry is critical to our state’s economy, and it has been my privilege to advocate for this industry during my 20 years in Congress. I commend the Georgia Peanut Commission for the outstanding work they have done for our state, and I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the peanut industry to keep it vibrant and thriving.”

Chambliss served as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry during the 109th Congress and as ranking member during the 110th and 111th Congresses.

Chambliss is the only senator since 1947 to have chaired a full standing Senate committee after serving in the chamber for only two years. During his time in both the Senate and House, Chambliss was instrumental in drafting three farm bills, and is currently working on his fourth and final one. Before his election to Congress, Chambliss specialized in representing farmers’ legal interests in South Georgia.

Chambliss was first elected to Congress to represent Georgia’s 8th District in 1994. Throughout his legislative career, he has been recognized numerous times by the public and private sectors for his work on agriculture, defense, budget

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Sen. Saxby Chambliss is inducted into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show in Jan. Presenting the award is Armond Morris, right, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission.

and national security issues.

On Dec. 2, 2008, Chambliss was elected to serve a second term in the United States Senate. Chambliss and his wife, Julianne, have been married since 1966, and reside in Moultrie, Ga. They have two children and six grandchildren.

Sen. Chambliss will retire in 2014 rather than seek a third term.

“When I think about how blessed I have been from the standpoint of holding a political office, I think about what’s going on in your industry and what changes we have seen over the 20 years while I’ve been in office,” Chambliss says. “Last year your state averaged about 4,700 pounds. In 1995 when I first went to Washington, the state average was 2,800 pounds.”

We’ve seen tremendous improvement from a technology standpoint that has helped increase yield, he adds.

View the Hall of Fame presentation to Sen. Saxby Chambliss online at: www.youtube.com/GaPeanutCommission

“What has pleased me to no end is to see the way this industry has come together, and now we have growers, shellers and manufactures, all of whom are working in the same direction, for the same cause, for all the right reasons” Chambliss says.

“We have always produced the highest quality, finest, safest agriculture product in the world and it’s you men and women that do that, and that’s why you make me so proud,” Chambliss says. “The state of Georgia still produces an excess of 50 percent of all the peanuts grown in the world and that is quite an accomplishment for all of you and I continue to commend you.”

Chambliss is only the fifth person to be inducted into the prestigious Peanut Hall of Fame Hall. The other members include U.S. President Jimmy Carter (2002), Georgia House Agriculture Committee Chairman Henry Reeves (2000), U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge (1990) and University of Georgia Peanut Agronomist J. Frank McGill (1982). t

BY JOY CROSBY

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

Awards presented during Georgia Peanut Farm Show ore than 2,000 producers were able to finetune their farming operations with information gained at the 38th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Jan. 16, 2014, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Ga. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission in cooperation with the University of Georgia Tifton Campus, Southeastern Peanut Farmer, Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association.

The one-day show offered farmers a chance to view the products and services of more than 100 exhibitors, as well as a day of education. The University of Georgia Peanut Team presented an educational peanut production seminar focusing on insect management, disease management, unmanned aerial vehicles for detection of field problems, economics of peanut production and more. An industry seed seminar was held which highlighted peanut varieties available for 2014 and calcium application for peanuts.

The Georgia Peanut Commission also presented awards to individuals and businesses for their service to the peanut industry and promotion of peanuts across the U.S. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Sen. John Bulloch, retired chairman of the Georgia State Senate Agriculture Committee. Bulloch was first elected to the Georgia Senate representing the 11th District in 2002. Bulloch served as chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and as vice chairman of the Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. He also served as a member of the Appropriations and Rules Committees.

Emory Murphy was honored with the Georgia Peanut Distinguished Service Award and the Georgia Peanut Research and Education Award. He has worked for the Georgia Peanut Commission for nearly 40 years. He first worked in 1975 for the commission for two semesters on a UGA Research Graduate Assistantship and returned as assistant executive director from August 1980 until present. He also served as interim executive director for 7 months and editor of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer magazine. During his time at the commission, Murphy directed the

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Georgia Peanut Farm Show Awards (pictured left to right) Armond Morris, Georgia Peanut Commission chairman, presents awards to John Beasley, Research & Education Award; Emory Murphy, Distinguished Service Award and Research and Education Award; Rick Treptow, Special Award; Randy Branch, Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer. Not pictured: Irisha Jones, WALB, Media Award.

investment in research which has grown from $150,000 his first year to more than $1 million today. These funds are derived from check-off dollars from the commission and the National Peanut Board.

Dr. John Beasley, retired University of Georgia peanut agronomist, was also awarded the Georgia Peanut Research and Education Award. Beasley retired as Professor of Crop and Soil Sciences and Extension Peanut Agronomist with 30 years of service at the University of Georgia effective Jan. 1, 2014. Beasley joined the faculty of the University of Georgia in 1985 as assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 1991, and was promoted to the rank of professor in 1996. Beasley’s extension and research programs focused on agronomic production of peanuts. Beasley served on the Graduate Faculty of UGA and served as the Research, Extension and Instruction Coordinator for the Crop and Soil Sciences Department at the UGA Tifton Campus.

WALB News Team in Albany, Ga., received the Georgia Peanut Media Award for their outstanding commitment to the peanut industry by providing information vital to peanut farmers and consumers in South Georgia. WALB Channel 10 has been the NBC affiliate for South Georgia for over 50 years. The station continues to grow, both in size and commitment to South Georgians, and added a new ABC channel April 27, 2011.

A Special Award was presented to

John Harrell, Georgia Peanut Commission advisory board member, presents Sen. John Bulloch, with the Distinguished Service Award.

Bulloch was unable to attend the awards ceremony during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show.

Rick Treptow, retired broadcaster for Georgia Farm Bureau. Treptow recently retired from Farm Bureau following 28 years of service to help promote Georgia peanuts and Georgia’s agricultural industry. His reports were aired on Farm Bureau’s “Georgia Farm Monitor” television show seen throughout Georgia and by satellite RFD-TV, the network devoted to agriculture. He was also a host of seven radio shows including a peanut report heard on the 40 station Georgia Farm Radio Network.

For photos and additional information on the Georgia Peanut Farm Show visit the Georgia Peanut Commission website at www.gapeanuts.com. t

BY JOY CROSBY

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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

Florida Peanut Producers Association promotes peanuts at the Florida State Fair The Florida Peanut Producers Association attended and exhibited at this year's Florida State Fair in Tampa. The Fresh From Florida breakfast kicked off opening day of the State Fair with the Governor of Florida, Rick Scott, Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam and many more of The Governor's Cabinet Members attending along with State Legislators and many local elected officials. FPPA served the crowd grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and made available recipe cards, health and nutritional information, peanut seed kits, roasted peanuts and general information about peanut production in Florida.

One day was designated "Peanut Day" and FPPA had a presence on the cooking stage in the Ag Hall of Fame building. We prepared a variety of recipes and provided recipe cards and tips on preparing the various recipes. After each recipe was demonstrated we served the crowd samples of the prepared dish.

We used this time on the cooking stage to spread the health and nutritional message about peanuts and peanut butter and had interactive conversations with attendees during the presentations.

Rhonda Barton, representing Florida Peanut Producers Association, visits with attendees during the Florida State Fair in February.

Florida Ag Literacy Day The Florida Agriculture Literacy Day is scheduled for Tuesday April 29, 2014. The annual reading event is a chance for farmers, ranchers, extension and 4-H agents, master gardeners, FFA teachers, students and agriculture industry representatives to read a children’s book about the Florida agriculture industry to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. This year’s book is about agriculture projects in classrooms. The title is Florida Farms at School.

Please check Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s website, www.faitc.org, for information about registering to read for the event.

Ken Barton, Florida Peanut Producers Association executive director, prepares peanut recipes on the cooking stage during the Florida State Fair in February.

Georgia Peanut Commission develops new recipes for Southern Women’s Show in Savannah The Georgia Peanut Commission and Southern Peanut Growers promoted peanuts and peanut butter at the Southern Women’s Show in Savannah, Ga., Feb. 21-23, 2014. Prior to the show Don Koehler, GPC executive director, and Brenda Morris, spouse of GPC chairman Armond Morris from Irwin County, developed new recipes to showcase to the attendees.

The new recipes include Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies, Peanut Chicken

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Chili, Peanut Spinach Salad, The PB Cuban and Red Velvet Reese’s Cake.

Koehler and Morris demonstrated how to make the new recipes on the main cooking state at the show.

Attendees were also able to sample the new recipes by visiting the Southern Peanut Growers and Georgia Peanut Commission exhibit. The recipes are available online at www.gapeanuts.com or www.peanutbutterlovers.com.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

Brenda Morris, spouse of GPC chairman Armond Morris from Irwin County and Don Koehler, GPC executive director, prepare Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies for the Southern Women’s Show.

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

Griggs retires, Cravey named interim executive director Randy Griggs has served as executive director of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association for the past 31 years.

He had not planned to retire for another year or two, but changes in retirement rules caused him to make an economic decision and retire Nov. 30, 2013.

Through the years, Griggs realized the importance and need for growers to unite across state lines and begin speaking with one voice. The need became more evident due to changes in the Randy Griggs peanut program during his tenure with APPA. Therefore, Griggs was instrumental in working with other states to form regional organizations to accomplish these objectives. With his assistance, the Southern Peanut Growers, the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, and the Peanut Leadership Academy were formed.

Griggs has been valuable to the peanut industry both in Alabama and across the nation. His hard work is appreciated by those that worked with him.

The board of directors of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association appointed Jim Cravey as interim executive director of APPA in Dec. 2013. Cravey who retired in 2006 as commodity director for the Alabama Farmers Federation was “a good fit” for this position, says Carl Sanders, APPA president.

“Cravey’s knowledge and love of agriculture is invaluable,” Sanders says. “He will work on a temporary basis as we seek to fill the position permanently.”

Cravey, who has a family farm near Florala, lives in Jim Cravey Shalimar, Fla., and will work at the Alabama Peanut Producers Association office in Dothan. He said he welcomes the opportunity to serve Alabama farmers again.

“I’m excited about helping the organization during this transition,” Cravey says. “I look forward to working with the peanut farmers across Alabama.”

Farm Bill update meetings held in Alabama and Georgia Many questions have arisen following the Congressional passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014. Those questions were addressed at Farm Bill Update Meetings held in Alabama and Georgia during February.

Stanley Fletcher, director of the National Center for Peanut Competitiveness and professor emeritus from UGA, spoke during the meetings in Alabama.

Speakers during the Georgia meeting included Fletcher, Nathan Smith, UGA Extension economist for peanuts and Bob Redding, Georgia Peanut Commission representative in Washington, D.C. The Georgia Farm Bill Update Meeting and Webinar is available for viewing online at the Georgia Peanut Commission’s Legislative Blog, www.AmericanPeanuts.com.

The GPC continues to offer electronic legislative updates to growers. If farmers are not registered, they can visit GPC’s legislative website to sign-up.

Legislative updates are provided throughout the year and all names and email addresses remain confidential.

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and Friday Night Under the Lights - A Winning Team The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association sponsored the Friday Night Under the Lights (FNUTL) radio show and website again during the fall of 2013. The football games covered by Friday Night under the Lights radio show and website exceeded expectations for promotion of peanuts during the 15-week football season.

The promotion included 126 audio spots, 126 posters in schools and 1.2 million viewers to the fnutl.com website.

MPGA and FNUTL sponsored the AhhhNuts-Play of the Year which received some 51,000 votes and the winning school was presented a 55-inch LED HDTV. This presentation was made to the school during an entire school assembly. Malcolm Broome, executive director for MPGA addressed the assembly on the value of peanuts in Mississippi and the healthy benefits of eating peanuts.

Broome and and Russ Robinson, FNUTL director, shot a video in the field of peanuts during harvest and this was added to the FNUTL website. The video has received 2,395 views and more people are viewing the video weekly since mid-December. Several individuals posted comments on the website regarding the video. One comment posted says, “we didn’t know peanuts grew underground.”

The MPGA also distributed peanuts and literature during the State Football Championship play-offs. Materials used during the 15-week run focused on health and nutrition of peanuts and peanut butter. The MPGA distributed their materials as well as brochures from the Peanut Institute, National Peanut Board and Southern Peanut Growers.

“MPGA entered into this sponsorship in hopes of keeping down negative publicity about peanuts and building relationships with the schools within the state,” Broome says.

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Farmers recognized during Georgia Peanut Farm Show in January he Georgia Peanut Commission recognized six farmers during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, Jan. 16, 2014, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. The farmers were all recognized for their leadership, production and conservation practices as well as their dedication to the peanut industry.

The Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award was presented to Randy Branch of Baxley, Ga. The award is presented to one Georgia peanut farmer based upon the applicant’s overall farm operation; environmental and stewardship practices; and leadership and community service activities.

This year’s winner demonstrates volunteerism and service to agriculture in his area. Branch developed his passion for farming while growing up on a diversified row crop operation including corn, soybeans and wheat.

Today, the farming operation consists of 4,000 acres of crops including peanuts, cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat.

On the farm, Branch takes a proactive approach to educate the public as to the practices he implements to preserve the land, soil and water. He educates consumers through farm tours where he showcases the land and soil management, as well as water use management and protection. Branch also uses terraces on highly erodible land; grass waterways to manage water to prevent soil erosion; and buffer strips in designated fields to assist with fertilizer and chemical control.

Presently, 25 percent of Branch’s production acreage is irrigated. He tries to make every effort to use surface water ponds for irrigation. At this time half of his irrigation water supply is from ponds.

Branch is also active in the agricultural industry. He is a member of the Georgia Farm Bureau State Commodity Committee for Peanuts,

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2014 Farmer of the Year Award Winners

Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer State Winner (left to right) Randy Branch, farmer from Appling County, Billy Smith, sales representative with Bayer CropScience, Armond Morris, GPC chairman.

Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year - District 1 (left to right) Tim Burch, GPC District 1 board representative, District 1 winner Charlie Burch, farmer from Baker County, and Joe Lawrence, Agri Supply Tifton store manager.

Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year - District 2 (left to right) Armond Morris, GPC chairman and District 2 board representative, District 2 winner Jerald and Sherry Carter, farmer from Worth County, and Joe Lawrence, Agri Supply Tifton store manager.

Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year - District 3 (left to right) Joe Boddiford, GPC vice chairman and District 3 board representative, District 3 winner Jimmy and Patricia Blitch, farmer from Bulloch County, and Joe Lawrence, Agri Supply Tifton store manager.

Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year - District 4 (left to right) Rodney Dawson, GPC treasurer and District 4 board representative, District 4 winner Helen and W.H. “Finn” Cross, farmer from Dooly County, and Joe Lawrence, Agri Supply Tifton store manager.

Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year - District 5 (left to right) Donald Chase, GPC District 5 board representative, District 5 winner Harold and Peggy Israel, farmer from Lee County, and Joe Lawrence, Agri Supply Tifton store manager.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

regional director of Staple Cotton Marketing Cooperative and served as the Georgia Young Farmer Association president in 1996. Currently, he is a member of Appling County Young Farmers, Appling County Farm Bureau and chairman of the Appling County Career Technical and Agricultural Education Advisory Committee. He also volunteers with Red Oak Baptist Church, Southern Truck and Tractor Pullers Association, Red Oak Volunteer Fire Department, Appling County Chamber of Commerce, Relay for Life and Fourth District Elementary PTO. Branch is married to Angie, and they have two children, Shane and Brandon, and a granddaughter, Taylor.

Branch receives a sign to display at his farm and a trip to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. This award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and Bayer CropScience.

In addition to the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award,

the Georgia Peanut Commission and Agri Supply presented the first-ever Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year Award to individuals representing each of the commission’s five districts. The GPC board members started this award to honor farmers each year who have the passion, diligence, leadership and desire to see the peanut industry in the state of Georgia continue to be the highest quality. Winners include: District 1, Charlie Burch, Newton, Ga.; District 2, Jerald Carter, Anderson City, Ga.; District 3, Jimmy Blitch, Statesboro, Ga.; District 4, W.H. “Finn” Cross, Unadilla, Ga.; and District 5, Harold Israel, Smithville, Ga. These farmers received a sign to display at their farm and a $100 gift card from Agri Supply.

For additional information on the award winners, visit the GPC website at www.gapeanuts.com. t

BY JOY CROSBY

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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AL/FL Peanut Trade Show held in January espite winter storms covering the southeast a few days prior to the annual ag event, the AlabamaFlorida Peanut Trade Show was held Jan. 30, 2014, at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan, Ala. Although there was great concern over the weather and traveling conditions, show coordinators made the decision to “carry-on.”

More than 60 exhibitors participated in this year’s show with some of them commenting how pleased they were with growers being there. It was evident that as the temperature rose the day of the expo, so did the number of attendees.

“We want to thank everyone for coming today,” says Jim Cravey, executive director of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association. “We know the weather had everything up in the air over the last couple of days. But, we had a great turnout, and we thank everyone for coming. We

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are looking forward to next year’s event.”

During the afternoon program Mitt Walker, director of National Legislative Programs with the Alabama Farmers Federation, gave an update on the status of the Farm Bill.

At that time, the House had approved the legislation, but had yet to get the okay from the Senate. Walker said he felt it would pass in the Senate and head to the President for him to sign.

A seed and production seminar Chris Long of Bascom, Fla., receives a $1,000 cash was also held during the afternoon portion of the day that included infor- from Danny Bennett, territory manager with Kelley Manufacturing Co. during the 2014 AL/FL Peanut mation on peanut seed and production, Trade Show. varieties and an update on current breeding research. were presented by Amadas, Ubly Bean There were several door prizes given Knife Manufacturing, the Alabama and throughout the day. Chris Long of Florida Peanut Producers Associations Bascom, Fla., was the winner of the and more. t $1,000 cash prize given by Kelley Manufacturing Company. Other top prizes

BY TERESA MAYS

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

WEED GUIDEBOOK urple and yellow nutsedge rank among the most troublesome weeds found in the U.S. Both types of nutsedge reduce peanut yields by directly competing for water, light and nutrients. Also, bitter-tasting tubers from both nutsedge species are a major cause of poor quality in harvested peanuts. Overall, the peanut yield losses from nutsedge may be small compared to the quality discounts nutsedge-contaminated peanuts receive in the marketplace.

A good herbicide program is one of the best ways of preventing nutsedgecaused yield losses and crop contamination, according to University of Georgia weed scientist Tim Grey.

Yellow nutsedge can be controlled by peanut herbicides such as Basagran and Dual Magnum, but these herbicides do little to control purple nutsedge.

Grey says Cadre herbicide is one of the best tools for controlling both yellow and purple nutsedge. He says farmers

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should use the full, labeled rate of Cadre to insure good control and to avoid the crop contamination that can come from the tubers of uncontrolled nutsedge plants.

This situation is complicated, however, because so many peanut farmers grow cotton as a rotation crop. The Cadre label prohibits cotton planting for an 18-month period following Cadre application.

The 18-month plant-back restriction is on the label for a good reason. Cadre can carry over in the soil from one season to the next and will harm the stands, growth, yield and quality of cotton that follows peanuts.

How and why Cadre damages cotton in some years and not others remains somewhat of a mystery. Such cotton injury doesn’t occur every year. It’s more common to see this damage take place about once every four or so years.

Moisture may also play a role. It appears that cotton is more likely to be harmed by Cadre carryover when drought occurs after the herbicide is applied.

Photo by Richard Old - www.xidservices.com.

Avoid nutsedge contamination

Yellow nutsedge.

Farmers may be tempted to apply low-rates of Cadre to help their next cotton crops escape this damage. Grey says this is a risky step, one that likely will lead to crop contamination by the tubers of uncontrolled nutsedge.

The only way to insure that no cotton will be injured by Cadre is to stop using the herbicide before planting cotton. The problem is that this will deprive growers of one of their best peanut weed control tools. And Cadre is the only herbicide that consistently controls both purple and yellow nutsedge. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Aminopyralid or picloram carryover minopyralid (the active ingredient in Milestone, Chaparral, and GrazonNext HL) and picloram (Grazon P+D, Surmount, others) have become commonly used herbicides in pastures. These herbicides provide control of many weed species while also delivering a significant amount of soil activity.

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Leaf rolling in peanut.

Although these herbicides have been very successful in pastures, we see incidents each year with carryover to rotational crops. Legume crops (such as peanut and soybean) are some of the most sensitive to these herbicides. In peanuts, the injury symptoms from soil uptake are generally leaf rolling. Regardless of what symptoms you observe, the effect on the crop can be quite dramatic. If any of these symptoms are observed, it is likely that crop yield will be reduced – if it yields at all.

Due to carryover concerns, most aminopyralid and picloram containing herbicides have been designated for use on “permanent grass pastures.” Because of this, limited data exists for how long one must wait between application and planting of a sensitive rotational crop. Our experience is that one should wait 2-4 years before planting a legume crop.

We have observed situations where a field received a broadcast application of aminopyralid that caused injury across the field when the rotational crop was planted (remember, the label states permanent grass pastures). But more commonly we see issues were the injury is spotty. This is likely to occur from one of two reasons: 1. Spot treatment. When spot treat-

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ing, most individuals mix a relatively potent herbicide solution and spray a significant amount on the individual weeds.

This causes abnormally high soil concentrations that are easily observed the next year.

2. Moving treated hay into an untreated pasture or moving cattle that have consumed aminopyralid/picloramtreated forage into a field. Both of these herbicides are fairly persistent in grass hay. There is no harm to the cattle from ingesting these herbicides, nor does it enter their milk supply, so the grazing and haying restrictions are 0-7 days. However, after ingesting treated hay, the active herbicide is released in manure and urine rather quickly. Again, this concentrates the herbicide onto small areas and increases the likelihood of carryover.

If you pasture cows on a treated field and then move them, it is possible to see damage to forage legumes in the second field after the cows release waste.

Additionally, sitting aminopyralid/picloram-treated hay bales in fields can result in the herbicide leaching out of the hay and into the soil.

These herbicides are highly effective and have many benefits for forage and animal producers across the Southeast.

Jason Ferrell, Weed Scientist University of Florida

But if aminopyralid/picloram is being utilized, it is important to be aware of the risks associated to potential rotational crops. It should not be applied broadcast to areas that will be used for crop production in the near future. Additionally, if you are leasing land, make sure you ask which herbicides have been used. Having a carryover issue is a bad way to start the cropping season. t

BY JASON FERRELL WEED SCIENTIST UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Sicklepod Strategy Georgia peanut growers have experienced more problems with sicklepod during the past two years, reports University of Georgia Extension weed scientist Eric Prostko.

Sicklepod, sometimes called round-leaf coffeeweed, can be a troubling weed in cultivated peanuts. Prostko says this is due in part to the sicklepod plant producing so many seed. One plant can produce up to 25,000 seeds. Sicklepod seed can remain viable in the soil for at least five years, according to Prostko. Also, none of the residual herbicides labeled for use in peanuts will provide adequate control.

For growers with sicklepod in their peanut fields, Prostko suggests planting in twin rows and making a timely application of Cadre herbicide. The weed plants should be three inches tall or shorter when the herbicide is applied, he adds.

Prostko says, “2,4-DB can be used to slow down the growth of sicklepod. But it rarely provides complete control.”

As a last resort, growers could apply Gramoxone (active ingredient paraquat) directly to the sicklepod plants with a non-selective applicator such as a rope-wick, wiper or sponge. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

Paraquat issues in peanut weed control araquat, the active ingredient in Gramoxone, Parazone, Firestorm and other herbicides, is widely used in peanut weed control. A broad spectrum contact herbicide, paraquat can cause damage to crops such as peanuts as well as to the targeted weeds.

The good news is that the widely grown Georgia-06G variety has adequate tolerance to paraquat, reports University of Georgia Extension weed scientist Eric Prostko.

This tolerance has been demonstrated time after time during the past several years by the 06G variety. The results come from many irrigated, weed-free trials, Prostko adds.

In this research, the paraquat-treated peanuts yielded 97-99 percent of nontreated peanuts. Prostko concludes that yield losses caused by weeds will greatly exceed any potential yield loss caused by paraquat.

In University of Florida tests with paraquat, peanut injury was lessened when paraquat was applied with Basagran

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Step-by-step guidelines for using Gramoxone tank-mixes 1.Fill the spray tank half-full with clean water or another approved carrier such as clear liquid fertilizer.

2. Begin tank agitation and continue this throughout the mixing and spraying.

3. Add the nonionic surfactant to the tank.

7. Add crop oil concentrate or methylated seed oil where needed.

8. Fill the remainder of the spray tank with water.

9. Always refer to labels of other pesticide products for mixing directions and precautions that may differ from those outlined here.

4. Add dry formulations to the tank.

5. Add liquid formulations to the tank.

10. It is also advisable to mix small amounts in a jar to check for physical compatibility.

6. Add Gramoxone SL 2.0.

(Developed by Syngenta)

(active ingredient bentazon).

One of the more popular paraquat formulations is Gramoxone SL 2.0 produced by Syngenta. Prostko says there have been some occasional compatibility problems when tank-mixing Gramoxone

with other agricultural chemicals. As a result, Syngenta has developed step-bystep guidelines for using Gramoxone tank-mixes. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Peanuts outgrow Valor injury field will likely recover with no adverse effects on yields,” Prostko says .

In recent field trials, he saw a good margin of crop safety, even at twice the normal Valor application rate. Averaged over three planting dates in 2013, Georgia-06G peanuts receiving Valor at a rate of three ounces per acre yielded 6,033 pounds per acre. In the same test, peanuts receiving six ounces of Valor per acre yielded 5,893 pounds per acre.

Prostko also notes that all 10 of the growers recognized for high yields in the 2012 Georgia Peanut Achievement Club used Peanut Yield Response to Valor - 2013 Valor. Their yields averaged 6,204 pounds Non treated control 5,883 lbs/A per acre.

Also, Prostko notes Valor @ 3 oz/A 6,033 lbs/A that generic versions of Valor @ 6 oz/A 5,893 lbs/A flumioxazin, the active ingredient in Valor, will Averaged over 3 planting dates (April 16, April 29, May 13) be coming onto the Variety: GA-06G market in 2014. Two of

ome growers are still concerned about peanut injury that the herbicide Valor can cause during cool, wet conditions at emergence, according to University of Georgia Extension weed scientist Eric Prostko.

Prostko says Valor will almost always cause crop injury if it rains when peanuts begin to crack the ground. “Both research and field experience have demonstrated that as long as the peanut stand is not significantly reduced, a Valor-damaged

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The herbicide, Valor, can cause peanut injury during cool, wet conditions at emergence.

these products will be named Outflank and Panther. Prostko suggests that these new generic formulations should be used with caution until more University of Georgia data can be collected regarding their use in Georgia peanuts. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Photo by John Leidner.

Seedbank key to Palmer Amaranth Control

he weed seedbank consists of viable weed seed on the soil surface and scattered in the soil profile. It includes newly shed weed seed and older seed that have persisted in the soil for years.

Eliminating the seedbank for Palmer amaranth will be a key to preventing this damaging weed from becoming a longterm threat to your crops, according to Ramon Leon, University of Florida weed scientist based in Jay, Fla. Leon says if you can block seed production from Palmer amaranth pigweeds for three years, you have a good chance of keeping the weed under control.

Palmer amaranth has developed resistance to herbicides more quickly than other pigweed species. Leon adds that male and female Palmer amaranth plants must cross before viable seed can be produced.

Herbicides are effective tools to prevent the weeds from producing seed, but control can be difficult. And timing is critical. For instance, if scouting is done when the weeds are four inches tall, and it takes a couple of days to get back to the field with the sprayer, the Palmer amaranth plants may be eight inches tall by the time spraying is completed. That’s too

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tall for herbicides to provide an effective kill.

Weeds that escape the herbicide treatments and grow to cross and produce viable seed will increase the number of viable seed in the seedbank, according to Leon. To prevent the weed threat from these escapes, Leon says growers must use preemergence herbicides. “If you don’t lower the seedbank, you face higher weed control costs,” he says.

If there’s any good news it is that the viable seed in the seedbank do not last too long. Leon cites University of Georgia studies that show the number of viable Palmer amaranth seed gradually decreasing over time. If Palmer amaranth weeds and seed production can be controlled, then over a three-year period, the amount of viable seed in the seedbank will go from 80 percent in the first year to about

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

10 percent in the third year. “This can be a very good situation after three years if you do not allow Palmer amaranth to go to seed,” Leon adds.

Likewise, the percentage of viable seed from tropical spiderwort (Benghal dayflower) also goes down over time.

Leon says that after 30 months, viable tropical spiderwort seed will go from 90 percent down to about 5-10 percent.

“If you have a serious Palmer amaranth problem, and if you do not let surviving plants go to seed, you can still get it under control after two to three years,” Leon says.

To manage the Palmer amaranth seedbank, Leon suggests using 2,4-DB, and not just glyphosate, in burndown treatments prior to planting peanuts. “The 2,4-DB will help in control of herbicideresistant Palmer amaranth,” Leon says.

Leon cites University of Georgia Extension recommendation that suggest, for heavy Palmer amaranth infestations, to use deep tillage to bury the weed seed below the zone from which they could germinate and emerge to the surface.

When growing peanuts, Leon suggests using preplant incorporated Sonolan or Prowl. “A field cultivator is more efficient for preplant incorporation than irrigation,” Leon says. He also suggests using Valor preemergence or Valor plus Prowl. Paraquat or Gramoxone will be needed at cracking time, he adds.

Paraquat plus Dual Magnum will help control the weed at the early postemergence stage. At layby time, Leon suggests using Cobra plus a crop oil or Cadre plus 2,4-DB. Overall, Ramon says some of the best control of Palmer amaranth occurs with at-cracking herbicide applications. He says peanuts have outgrown Cobra damage in his tests.

For late postemergence treatments, Leon says the herbicide Classic would be a good choice to help reduce Palmer amaranth. “We see more leaf spot after Classic, so if you use Classic, be sure you have your fungicides out there,” he adds.

As to rotation crops, Leon suggests planting either corn or bahiagrass. Both will help reduce Palmer amaranth as a viable weed in the field’s seedbank. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Where Warrant is warranted arrant is a new herbicide that is now labeled for use on peanuts. Georgia registration in peanuts is approved only for pre or early -post (before flowering) for the 2014 growing season. If Warrant gets the go-ahead, it should have a place in controlling Palmer amaranth, the pigweeds that have developed resistance to glyphosate and ALS herbicides mode of action.

ALS herbicides in peanuts include Cadre and Strongarm.

Warrant is a Monsanto product. It is a microencapsulated formulation of acetochlor, and is in the same mode-of-action group as Dual Magnum herbicide.

Acetochlor is currently labeled for use on soybeans, cotton, corn and sorghum.

Warrant’s mode of action is as a shoot growth inhibitor.

University of Georgia weed scientists Tim Grey and Eric Prostko evaluated Warrant to see if peanuts would tolerate

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the product. They evaluated Warrant for its weed control alone and in combinations with other pre-emergence herbicides and with post-emergence herbicides.

One of the most successful treatments with Warrant included Prowl herbicide applied two days after planting, followed by Gramoxone, Storm and Warrant 21 days after planting, along with Cadre and Warrant 37 days after planting. In these treatments, the Warrant was applied at a rate of 48 ounces per acre.

The overall results compared favorably with a similar weed control program where Dual Magnum was substituted for the Warrant.

Grey and Prostko concluded that no Warrant treatment was more injurious than similar treatments that contained Dual Magnum. Palmer amaranth control was good to excellent with Warrant, but they note that additional post-emergence herbicides will be required to achieve the best control.

They found that Valor plus Warrant

was less effective in controlling Texas millet than Valor plus Dual Magnum.

Texas millet control with other postemergence Warrant treatments was similar to current standards that included Dual Magnum.

While sicklepod control from preemergence treatments was poor, the weed scientists found that sicklepod control with other postemergence Warrant treatment was equal to the current standard that includes Dual Magnum.

The University of Georgia peanut weed science team has also evaluated other potential herbicides. Some of these include Brake, Fierce and Zidua. Of all the potential new peanut herbicides, Warrant is most likely will be the first to be registered.

Warrant will be used similarly to Dual Magnum, according to Prostko. He sees it being used mainly in tank mixes with Gramoxone plus Storm or with Cadre. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

Classic issues This past year, Eric Prostko and his University of Georgia weed science colleagues continued to test peanut varieties for their response to the herbicide Classic.

Georgia-09B was evaluated carefully in 2013 for tolerance to Classic (active ingredient chlorimuron). When Classic was applied 74 days after emergence, peanut yields were reduced by 5.3%. Applications of Classic at 60, 92 and 105 days after emergence had no effect on the yield of this variety.

Previous studies have demonstrated that Georgia-06G and Tifguard are the only varieties currently grown commercially to show an increased sensitivity to the herbicide. When applied to 06G and Tifguard, Classic caused significant yield reductions ranging between 7 and 11 percent.

In these studies, yield losses were not seen when Classic was applied to the Florida-07, Georgia Greener and Georgia-07W varieties.

BY JOHN LEIDNER March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Managing herbicide drift is important to the bottom line, environment eeping herbicides from drifting off target is the law and “it’s the neighborly thing to do,” says a University of Georgia weed specialist.

“If you look at our agriculture community, it’s family living next to family. If herbicide drifts onto another grower’s field, the impact from that drift could be significant. It could reduce the bottom line, damage the crop,” said UGA Extension weed agronomist Stanley Culpepper. “We need to manage drift, obviously, to be good neighbors, but essentially it’s the law.”

Culpepper implores farmers and pesticide applicators to exercise ‘common sense,’ when applying their chemical treatments. This task involves managing a

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lot of factors.

“Wind speed, spray pressure, sprayer speed, height of the boom above the target, herbicide product and formulation, and adjuvants must all be considered when developing a plan to avoid off-target herbicide movement,” Culpepper said.

Off-target movement comes from spray droplet drift or vapor drift. Droplet drift is a result of spray emerging from a spray nozzle and breaking into droplets of varying sizes; large droplets fall more quickly to the ground while smaller droplets remain in the air for a longer period of time and are more likely to move off-site.

Culpepper says growers have numerous options to help reduce spray droplet drift.

Droplet size matters Understanding spray droplet size is a fairly new topic for Eric Prostko to share with peanut farmers. Prostko is a University of Georgia Extension weed scientist.

Droplet size will become an important piece of information to know and use when applying 2,4-D or dicamba to the new crops genetically engineered to resist damage from these broad-spectrum herbicides.

Controlling drift from these herbicides will be critical to protect vulnerable crops such as peanuts.

Prostko says there can be tradeoffs between getting good coverage for weed and disease control and controlling the drift of the sprayed materials.

“We want both good coverage and we want drift control,” Prostko says. “With large droplets, you typically get less coverage but better drift control. Small drops will tend to give you more complete coverage but less drift control.”

He says spray droplet size is measured in microns. One micron equals 1/25,000th of an inch, he adds. Micron is one of the terms farmers will need to understand once they start using transgenic crops engineered to be resistant to the herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba.

Prostko says if you look at the T-Jet catalog, you will see a color code for nozzles of various sizes. Some herbicide labels will also recommend nozzle size. For instance, the Gramoxone label has specific information on spray nozzles to use.

“With 2,4-D or dicamba, you will need coarse or ultra-coarse nozzles,” says Prostko. You can use a combination of nozzle types and pressure to get the droplet size you want.”

Labels may also prohibit spraying during certain wind conditions, for instance if the wind is greater than 10 miles per hour. The time of day affects this, according to Prostko.

Prostko also cites University of Georgia weed scientist Stanley Culpepper’s work with Liberty herbicide. “He got better weed control when he used a medium droplet size than he got from coarse or very coarse droplet sizes,” adds Prostko. t

BY JOHN LEIDNER

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

Using nozzles and spray pressures that produce the maximum size spray droplets for the selected herbicide is one part of the drift control program. But Culpepper stresses farmers should do their homework as some herbicides are not effective when spray droplets become too large.

Vapor drift usually occurs with high volatile compounds when the herbicide contacts the target (plant/soil) as planned, but later lifts back into the air as a result of very specific environmental conditions.

Growers can limit drift by reducing the boom height to the lowest point that allows adequate spray coverage without boom destruction. Two-foot above the weedy target would be ideal when feasible, Culpepper said. Drift control agents, following herbicide label recommendations, can also be an effective part of a drift control plan.

The greatest method to reduce drift is common sense. Do not apply a product in winds that move the herbicide from the target area, he said. Most herbicides should be applied when wind speeds are between 3 and 10 mph, but even at these speeds care must be taken to avoid spray movement into sensitive areas.

Growers can also reduce the potential for herbicide volatility by avoiding product formulations that are highly volatility.

For example, 2,4-D esters are much more likely to produce damaging vapors compared to 2,4-D amines, Culpepper said.

As farmers adopt new technologies, off-target movement should be rapidly reduced, he said. “As these tools and methods become available, grower adoption will occur as managing off-target movement is critical for our agricultural communities as farmers strive to be good neighbors and true environmentalists,” Culpepper said.

To help farmers, real time wind speed data is available through UGA’s Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network. This weather data can be found at GeorgiaWeather.net. t

BY CLINT THOMPSON UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Spiderwort strategy eanut growers with tropical spiderwort, sometimes called Benghal dayflower, have several potential control strategies to use in controlling this weed, according to University of Georgia Extension weed scientist Eric Prostko.

The weed is a native of Asia and tropical Africa, first seen in the U.S. in 1928. It was classified by USDA as a noxious weed in 1983. The weed has thrived in conservation tillage fields because of its tolerance to the widely used glyphosate herbicide. The spiderwort plant has spread, in part, because it produces both above-ground and below-ground flowers and seed.

The steps suggested by Prostko include deep tillage with a moldboard plow. University of Florida Extension says deep tillage may be helpful, but this should be used only if herbicides and other cultural management programs proved ineffective.

Planting in twin rows will also help. Twin row planting provides rapid coverage of peanut plants on the soil surface and this helps shade the surface to interfere with weed seed germination and tropical spiderwort emergence.

Two residual applications of the herbicide Dual Magnum will also help provide control. Prostko says postemergence treatments with the herbicides Gramoxone, Cadre, Strongarm or Basagran will also help. In addition, Dual Magnum can be tank-mixed with these postemergence herbicides. t

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BY JOHN LEIDNER

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Washington Outlook

by Robert L. Redding Jr.

President signs 2014 Farm Bill he U.S. House-Senate Conference Committee completed its work on the Agricultural Act of 2014 or what’s better known in the agricultural community as the 2014 Farm Bill. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill 251 to 166. The U.S. Senate followed by passing the legislation 68 to 31.

The Conference Report received a strong vote in the both the House and Senate. The Georgia Peanut Commission and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation (SPFF) were pleased with the final Conference package. Overall the new law is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to cost $956 billion over the 2014-2023 period.

Approximately $756 billion will go for nutrition programs. The remainder will go for farm programs, crop insurance, conservation, research, forestry, etc. The bill will lower budget deficits by $16.6 billion over that 10-year period.

Southeastern peanut leaders were very pleased with the final Conference Report. The process began publicly for peanut producers on May 14, 2010, at a House Agriculture Committee hearing in Atlanta, Ga., and continued til the President signed the legislation on February 7, 2014.

At the May 14 hearing, Georgia Peanut Commission chairman, Armond Morris, outlined the need for a farm safety net and that revenue or crop insurance programs alone were not sufficient to sustain a healthy agricultural marketplace or vibrant rural communities. This continued with a similar message in testimony given

by Alabama Peanut Producers Association president, Carl Sanders, before the House Committee in Troy, Ala. This three plus years development of

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the 2014 Farm Bill required scores of meetings by peanut leaders and staff with other agricultural organizations, peanut associations, members of the House and Senate. The SPFF, the American Peanut Shellers Association and the National Peanut Buying Points Association sent a united message to the Congress on key Farm Bill provisions.

The Georgia Peanut Commission and the SPFF worked closely with USA Rice Producers Federation and the National Cotton Council throughout the Farm Bill process. Sugar producer organizations also worked with peanuts on the House and Senate floors.

The University of Georgia’s National Center for Peanut Competitiveness has developed two important documents for peanut producers - a summary of the peanut provisions and a paper on how the new base system will function. These can be found on the Georgia Peanut Commission legislative website at www.AmericanPeanuts.com.

The USDA Farm Service Agency has not completed work on the 2014 Farm Bill regulations to date but is working with the staff of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to assure as smooth a transition as possible for the 2014 crop.

Key Peanut Provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014 • $535 per ton Reference Price • $355 per ton Marketing Loan Rate • Base – Producers can either retain current farm base or have a one-time reallocation of base acres.

• Generic Base (former cotton base acres) – Generic base can be used on a year to year basis to temporary allocate to a covered commodity (excluding cotton) planted.

• Storage and Handling Provisions • Separate Peanut Payment Limit • Payment Limits – Combine the price loss and revenue loss limit with the Marketing Loan Gains/Loan Deficiency Payment limit with an amount of $125,000. There is no limit on forfeitures.

• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Limitation – Three year average of total AGI exceeds $900,000, ineligible for Title I and II. • Actively Engaged in Farming – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will define “significant contribution of active personal management” on a farm. Individuals and entities comprised solely of family members are no subject to the new rulemaking.

• Peanut Revenue Crop Insurance Program – The new law mandates that the Risk Management Agency implement the Revenue Program for the 2015 crop.

• Market Access Program (MAP) – MAP was authorized for the life of the Farm Bill.

• Sequestration Cuts - The new law blocks sequestration cuts to the Marketing Assistance Loan beginning with the 2014 crop year.

Legislative Updates available online at www.americanpeanuts.com

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2014

Harrell elected chairman of National Peanut Board ohn Harrell, a sixth-generation farmer from Whigham, Ga., has been elected as the 2014 chairman of the 11member National Peanut Board. Harrell’s term runs through Dec. 31, 2014.

In assuming leadership of National Peanut Board, Harrell will preside over quarterly meetings and is an ex-officio member of all Board committees. The farmer-funded National Peanut Board is the national research, promotion and education check-off program for the peanut industry.

“I am proud to serve in this tremendous time of growth in the peanut industry,” said Harrell. “One of the Board’s priorities this year is launching the new Perfectly Powerful Peanut campaign—a brand that the entire industry can get behind and support. This message highlights the peanut’s nutritional benefits— that peanuts have more protein than any other nut and we’ve found nutrition and wellness are what consumers are looking for.”

Additionally, Harrell plans to contin-

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John Harrell, Chairman National Peanut Board

ue the Board’s focus on funding production research as a valuable way to maintain efficiency and sustainability for growers.

Harrell began farming in 1975 growing peanuts and corn, later adding cotton.

Today, he, his wife Deena and son Douglas, along with his brother, Tommy Harrell, own and operate the family farm

and land north of Whigham. Harrell attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. after graduating from Whigham High School.

Along with the National Peanut Board, Harrell is involved in several other peanut and agricultural groups. He serves on the Georgia Peanut Commission Advisory Board and on the American Peanut Council Export Board. For his community, Harrell served as Grady County Commissioner from 1992 to 1996, and currently is the Grady County Supervisor for the Georgia Soil and Water Commission. Harrell also serves on the Grady County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, chairman of Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Advisory Committee for Peanuts, Grady County Extension Service Agricultural Advisory Committee and U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson’s Agricultural Advisory Committee and is a member of the Grady County Chamber of Commerce and Whigham Community Club.

Andy Bell of Climax, Ga., serves as the alternate Georgia representative on the

USDA announces continuance referendum for peanut promotion, research and information order he U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a document directing that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of peanuts to determine whether they favor continuance of the Peanut Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order), which authorizes the National Peanut Board.

The referendum will be conducted from April 7 through April 18, 2014. To vote in this referendum, producers must have paid assessments on peanuts produced during the representative period from January 1 through December 31, 2013, and must currently be a peanut producer.

Under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 (Act), the U.S. Department of Agriculture must conduct a referendum every five years or when 10 percent or more of the

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eligible peanut producers petition the Secretary of Agriculture to hold a referendum to determine if persons subject to assessment favor continuance of the Order. The Department of Agriculture would continue the Order if continuance is approved by a simple majority of the producers voting in the referendum.

Jeanette Palmer and Sonia Jimenez, Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406-S, 1400

Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0244, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct this referendum. The referendum agents will mail the ballots and voting instructions to all known producers prior to the first day of the voting period. Persons who are producers at the time of the referendum and who produced peanuts and paid assessments during the representative period are eligible to vote. Persons who received an exemption from assessments during the entire representative period are ineligible to vote.

Any eligible producer who does not receive a ballot should contact the referendum agent no later than one week before the ending of the voting period.

Ballots must be received by the referendum agent no later than close of business 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, April 18, 2014, in order to be counted. t

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Southern Peanut Growers Southern Peanut Growers “PB May Way” Recipe Contest Do you have hometown PB pride? Southern Peanut Growers’ (SPG) fifth annual “PB My Way” recipe contest is calling on individuals nationwide to submit their favorite peanut butter-powered recipe that is truly unique to their region of the “United States of Peanut Butter.”

From Peanut Butter Chicken Enchiladas in the Southwest to Maple Peanut Butter Donuts in the Northeast, SPG is spending March, National Peanut Month looking for peanut butter recipes that reflect the ingredients, palates and cooking styles from each entrant’s region. To inspire “PB My Way” participation, SPG is offering five of its own recipes – one for each region in the “United States of Peanut Butter.”

“The recipes we create and the foods we eat are among the only experiences we still have that are unique to our part of the country,” says Leslie Wagner, executive director, Southern Peanut Growers. “Through this year’s ‘PB My Way’ contest, we seek to spotlight regional, timehonored recipes and new creations alike, while uniting peanut butter lovers everywhere through the love we have for this versatile ingredient.”

Here’s how it works: • Through March 31, individuals can submit their favorite regional PB-powered recipe to SPG’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/southernpeanutgrowers). Recipe photos are encouraged, but not required.

• Individuals are encouraged to submit a recipe unique to their region: West, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast or Northeast.

• Throughout the month, SPG will post qualified entrants to its Facebook page.

• From April 1 through April 16, individuals will be able to visit SPG’s Facebook page to vote for their favorite regional recipe.

• Each regional winner will receive a year’s supply of peanut butter, and their recipe professionally photographed. From the five, SPG will select the grand winner, who also will receive an iPad.

Marketing arm of

Peanut Butter BBQ Ribs Makes: 6 servings Brine: 8 cups water 1 cup rice vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup salt 2 Tbsp. Chinese Five Spice 2 racks pork back ribs, about 2 lb. each Sauce: 1/4 cup ketchup 3 Tbsp. soy sauce 3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar 2 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. Chinese hot sauce, such as Sriracha Thinly Sliced green onion Crushed unsalted peanuts Brine: Combine water, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt and Chinese five spice in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes or until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and cool completely.

Place the ribs in a re-sealable plastic bag and fill with the brine. Refrigerate, turning occasionally for 6 hours or overnight. Remove ribs from brine; discard excess brine.

Sauce: Whisk the ketchup with the soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, honey and hot sauce; set aside.

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Arrange the ribs on a baking sheet fitted with a cooking rack; cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour; remove foil. Bake, basting with the peanut sauce every 30 minutes, for 2 hours or until bones move easily within the meat. Cut into 3-bone portions and arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle green onion and peanuts over the ribs.

Tip: Double the sauce recipe and save half to serve with the cooked ribs for dipping.

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

Southern Peanut Growers incorporates National Peanut Board’s new slogan “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” The industry met National Peanut Board’s new slogan “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” with great enthusiasm and Southern Peanut Growers has jumped right on board with new promotional materials incorporating the new theme. In addition to reprinting some of the new print ads as banners for exhibits, SPG also created two new banners with complementing colors incorporating SPG’s beautiful food photography featuring peanuts and peanut butter with ‘Powerful’ themed messages such as: Peanuts: Not Just Good. Powerful Good.; and Peanuts: Powerful Tasty.

Powerful Fun. The new banners debuted at the Southern Women’s Show in Savannah in February.

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/southernpeanutgrowers

Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/PNutButterLover

Find us on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/pnutbutterlover

March 2014 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Southern Peanut Growers Conference EDGEWATER BEACH RESORT July 24-26, 2014 Panama City Beach, Florida

Key topics: Legislation, Research and Promotion

l a u n n A 16th nt!

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For more information contact:

www.southernpeanutfarmers.org

Alabama Peanut Producers Association P.O. Box 8805 Dothan, AL 36304 334-792-6482 Florida Peanut Producers Association 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 1 Marianna, FL 32448 850-526-2590 Georgia Peanut Commission P.O. Box 967 Tifton, GA 31793 229-386-3470

Brought to you by the: Alabama Peanut Producers Association Florida Peanut Producers Association Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association P.O. Box 284 Petal, MS 39465 601-606-3547

Registration opens April 1, 2014.