Southeastern Peanut Farmer - Oct/Nov 2013

A communication service of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

Contents October/November 2013

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Joy Carter Crosby Editor joycarter@gapeanuts.com 229-386-3690 Contributing Writers Jessie Turk jessie@gapeanuts.com Teresa Mays Teresa2@alpeanuts.com John Leidner johnleidner@bellsouth.net 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.

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Harvesting the sun for peanuts Solar power has come a long way since the late 1970s when the first research on solar power to dry peanuts took place.

Today farmers and buying points are harvesting power from the sun to irrigate fields and dry peanuts.

2013 Southern Peanut Growers Conference 2013 marked the 15th year for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference which included a large agenda for the more than 600 people registered. This year’s theme was “Making Sustainability Work.”

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Market Swings USDA agricultural economist Marshall Lamb likens U.S. peanut acreage and the peanut markets to a roller coaster ride. Lamb said he and the peanut industry wishes that something could be done to even out the sharp swings in production from year to year.

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

Washington Outlook ............................................................................ 16 Southern Peanut Growers Update ........................................................ 18 Cover Photo: On Glenn Heard's farm near Brinson, Ga., solar power helps offset the cost of electricity to run his irrigation pivots.. Photo by John Leidner.

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Editorial

Calendar of Events

Good things come in small packages

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ood things come in small packages is an old saying and one that means more to me now after delivering a baby boy weighing in at 2 lb. 14 ounces on Aug. 7. Eli James Crosby or “Lil’ Peanut” came into this world 8 weeks early. He was an early surprise to all and especially his dad and me. Before he was born he was given a nickname of “Lil’ Peanut” since we had not decided on an official name yet.

Prior to his grand entrance, we had so many questions race through our minds - would he be okay, fully developed and able to breathe on his own?

However, we had faith that everything would be okay since we had a tremendous amount of support and prayers from the folks in the peanut industry. And, on the day of delivery, everything was okay. Eli came into this world breathing on his own and he did not have any medical issues.

Early on we knew he was a fighter and a wiggle worm. He was so determined to leave the hospital that he tried to show the doctors and nurses he didn’t need an IV when he pulled it out three times. When the doctors decided he no longer needed the feeding tube, he even helped them out by removing it himself before the nurse did. Eli only needed to grow and grow he has done. He is now at 5 lbs. 13 ounces and continuing to do great.

So, this summer and early fall I traded in the trek through peanut fields, field days and tours to days of feeding, diaper changes and most importantly sleep! Most moms would agree that sleep is the most important. I love it all but I do miss seeing so many of my friends throughout the peanut industry that have supported me during this time. However, there is a time for everything and it’s my time to take care of my new little bundle of joy.

As I’ve had time to reflect on the peanut industry and the families I’ve met during my nearly 14 years with the Georgia Peanut Commission I realize that the bond is stronger than just peanuts. There has been a genuine friendship developed through the years with so many farm families and industry representatives and one that I do not take for granted. In July when I first entered the hospital and realized I would not be able to attend the Southern Peanut Growers Conference I was disappointed because I would not be able to see so many of the peanut folks that I have grown to become close friends with through the years.

However, little did I know how great an impact all of those folks in the peanut industry would make on me. So, I wasn’t able to attend but I heard from so many folks at the conference that were checking in on me to make sure me and Lil’ Peanut were going to be okay. I received so many emails and Facebook messages from folks who were praying for me and Lil’ Peanut. All of the notes, messages and phone calls were greatly appreciated.

The staffs of the peanut checkoff organizations have been great too and have jumped in to work on projects that I would normally have been doing. I’m so thankful to work in an industry where folks work as a team and are there to help others when need be.

The Georgia Peanut Commission even ran an “Eli Special” in the gift shop on Saturday, Aug. 24 where customers who purchased a 2 lb. can of peanuts receive another can free.

I’ll be returning soon to work at the commission but in the meantime I better get back to Eli. It’s feeding time! t

Joy Carter Crosby Editor

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer October/November 2013

u Sunbelt Ag Expo, Oct. 15-17, 2013, Moultrie, Ga. For more information call 229-985-1968 or visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. u 50th Annual Georgia Peanut Festival, Oct. 19, 2013, Sylvester, Ga. For more information call 229-776-6657 or visit www.gapeanutfestival.org. u National Peanut Festival, Nov. 1-10, 2013, Dothan, Ala. For more information call 334-793-4323. u Georgia Farm Bureau, Dec. 8-10, 2013, Jekyll Island, Ga. For more information call 478-474-8411. u American Peanut Council Winter Conference, Dec. 11-12, 2013, Washington Court Hotel, Washington, D.C. For more information call 703-838-9500 or visit APC online at www.peanutsusa.com. u Georgia Peanut Farm Show, Jan. 16, 2014, University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Ga. For more information call 229-386-3470 or visit www.gapeanuts.com.

National Peanut Festival Dothan, Ala. November 1-10, 2013 Farmers’ Night – Monday, Nov. 4 Visit the Peanut Pavilion located across from the Agri-Center Building on the south side of the fairgrounds.

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

Harvesting the sun for peanuts S

olar power has come a long way since the late 1970s when the first research on solar power to dry peanuts

took place.

This is especially true in Georgia where a recent vote from the state’s Public Service Commission is requiring Georgia Power Company to start using more solar power to produce the electricity this utility company purchases and then resells to its customers.

Of course, peanut farmers have long relied on solar energy when they opted for field curing of inverted peanuts left in the field before harvesting with a combine.

Solar power was a big topic at the recent Southern Peanut Growers Conference held in Panama City Beach, Fla. Mitchell Burke, chief operating officer with American Peanut Growers Group in Donalsonville, Ga., said that solar power became operational at their facility during December of 2011. “At that point, we received a Federal tax credit, a state credit plus bonus depreciation to help make it a valuable investment,” he said, “We did not expect the state tax credit, so we were pleasantly surprised with that.”

The American Peanut Growers Group mounted the solar panels atop their peanut drying sheds. These drying sheds are now home to the largest roof-mounted solar array in Georgia. “Our goals are to generate 1,700 kilowatt hours per day, or 51,000 per month, or 612,000 per year,” says Burke. “Doing that will achieve our goal of achieving 20 percent savings on our energy costs.”

Burke says, “The idea of possibly saving 20 percent of our energy costs through a solar program and being an environmentally friendly company was exciting for our board of directors and the company.”

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The company has peanut shelling facilities and is owned by 86 peanut growers from the Donalsonville area.

Peter Marte heads Hannah Solar, a five-year-old Atlanta-based company that installed the solar panels at the American Peanut Growers Group facility. “Solar power is not expensive anymore,” says Marte.

Marte says the cost of solar energy generation has dropped dramatically, by about 80 percent in recent years. Much of the cost reduction has been due to a drop in the prices for solar panels, especially for the silicon that is a major component of the panels.

New solar panels should have a useful life of at least 30 years, according to Marte.

“The Georgia solar market went from zero a few years ago to $450 million today,” says Marte. “By the end of 2016, we expect to see a $1 billion investment in solar power generation in Georgia.”

Solar is a worthwhile investment, according to Marte, due to the drop in the cost of solar panels, tax credits, depreciation allowances and buyback agreements whereby electric utility companies agree to pay for the solar power generated over a set number of years.

“During the past five years, we have seen a 1,400 percent increase in solar power due to the 30 percent Federal tax credit, bonus depreciation and 80 percent drop in the cost of solar panels,” says Marte.

Marte says solar is an energy source that is reliable, abundant, homegrown and free.

“Tax incentives especially make solar power a good investment for the agricultural community,” says Marte. He says a $1 million investment in solar power is offset by $300,000 in tax credits and

Southeastern Peanut Farmer October/November 2013

On Glenn Heard's farm near Brinson, Ga., solar power helps offset the cost of electricity to run his irrigation pivots.

$350,000 in depreciation value, including 50 percent in year one. As a result, the $1 million investment will have a real cost of only $350,000, and should have a useful life of at least 30 years, according to Marte. He says the investment should pay for itself in less than five years.

Marte says Georgia Power Co., is now offering contracts to buy solar power for 13 cents per kilowatt hour for a 20-year period. Most all of his agricultural clients are not directly using the solar power they generate for their own operations, but are rather selling this electricity back to Georgia Power.

A long-term contract for 13 cents per kilowatt hour makes sense for utility companies, according to Marte, because the utilities can be assured of a steady supply of power at a cost that will not put upward pressure on utility rates to consumers.

During the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, Marte announced that Birdsong Peanuts will put in a one megawatt solar farm on a four-acre site at Birdsong’s Fudge Buying Point located on U.S. Hwy. 27 in the town of Colquitt, Ga. “The one megawatt facility will cost $2.3 million to build,” says Marte. “They will get a $690,000 tax credit, and $805,000 approximate depreciation in year one.

Birdsong will recover all of the investment in five years.”

George Birdsong, chief executive officer of Birdsong Peanuts, based in Suffolk, Va., says the solar panels at the site will feed electricity directly to Georgia Power Company’s electrical grid. “We will be paid by Georgia Power for what we feed to them,” he adds. “We will also be using some electricity from Georgia Power to dry our peanuts. Until now, we have used propane gas to dry most of the peanuts at this site.” Birdsong adds that he was very pleased that one of his facilities was selected for this solar power project.

The solar investment at the American Peanut Growers Group facility in Donalsonville led to other solar investments on the individual operations of some of the farmer-owners of the Growers Group.

For example, Marte pointed to farmer Glenn Heard of Brinson, Ga., who installed solar panels to help offset the cost of electricity to run his center pivot irrigation systems. Marte says Heard was able to get an earlier contract with Georgia Power to pay him 17 cents per kilowatt hour for the electricity generated on his farm.

Heard is planning to add more solar power to his farm. Marte adds that Heard is being compensated for the energy he produces even during winter months and wet summer months when he does not use his center pivots.

Marte also reported that Tommy Dollar of Dollar Farm Products in Bainbridge, Ga., will be using solar power to offset electricity expenses for his office facilities.

Also, Greg Calhoun of Green Circle Farms of Bainbridge is using solar power to offset electricity costs needed for a sweet corn packinghouse.

Marte also mentioned that Will Harris, owner of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Ga., has installed solar panels to provide some of the power needed for his on-farm animal slaughtering facilities. The solar panels on his barns produce enough electricity to offset about 40 percent of the power that Harris uses each year. Harris was selected as the 2013 Georgia winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award.

Cotton gins in South Georgia are also investing in solar power, according to Marte. However, he learned that the solar panels need to be located far enough away from the ginning facility so that dust will not accumulate on the panels and interfere with the reception of sunlight.

In addition, Marte said that a 100-acre solar farm will be constructed near Camilla, Ga. Once operational, these solar panels will generate enough electricity to power more than 3,000 homes. t

By John LeiDner

Solar panels cover the peanut drying sheds at the American Peanut Growers Group facility in Donalsonville, Ga.

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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

FPPA announces scholarship winners The Florida Peanut Producers Association awarded four students with $1,200 scholarships each. This year’s scholarship winners are Samantha Sandlin, Williston, Fla.; Kendall Hall, O’Brien, Fla.; Whitney Thomas, Grand Ridge, Fla., and Travis Bergdoll, Williston, Fla. The scholarships are awarded each year to students who demonstrate high academic achievement, involvement in community and extracurricular activities and have a personal agricultural experience. Other requirements for the applicants include they or someone in their family must be a Florida peanut farmer and attend or plan to attend a Florida community college or university.

Congratulations to these outstanding students.

Tillis wins Florida FFA Fiber and Oil Crop Production Award Harold Tillis of the Chiefland FFA Chapter is this year’s winner of the Fiber and Oil Crop Proficiency Award. He and other finalists of this award were recently recognized at the 85th annual Florida FFA State Convention and Leadership Conference.

Tillis and the top four finalists received awards sponsored by the Florida Peanut Producers Association as a special project of the Florida FFA Foundation.

Harold Tillis is a fourth generation farmer and has been involved in his family’s peanut operation since he was old enough to hold a shovel and help level peanut wagons. Today, he is learning the more technical and financial side of the operation. He looks forward to the opportunity of farming approximately 60 acres of peanuts on his own next season. Tillis is a member of the Chiefland FFA Chapter and his advisor is Dallas Locke.

FPPA delivers peanut butter to House of Hope FPPA assisted with a peanut butter drive in Martin County, Fla., where we delivered 1,212 jars of Peanut Proud Peanut Butter. The peanut butter drive is a summer project that was started and organized by Anthony Golino, 14 and his sister Alyssa Golino, 12. This is the third summer the Golino kids have organized the peanut butter drive and Florida Peanut Producers Association delivers Peanut Proud Peanut Butter they have exceeded their collection to House of Hope in Martin County to goal each year. They have established assist in the Golino kids peanut butter more than 30 drop-off or collection drive. points throughout the county. The peanut butter is taken to the House of Hope food pantries in Martin County and from there distributed to residents in need. Last year the agency gave out nearly 200 tons of food.

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer October/November 2013

Georgia Peanut Commission sponsors NASCAR driver, David Ragan, in Advocare 500 The Georgia Peanut Commission sponsored Georgianative, David Ragan, in the Sprint Cup NASCAR race September 1, 2013, at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ragan piloted the number 34, Peanut Patch car with the Georgia Peanuts logo adorning both rear quarter panels for thousands to see during the Advocare 500, where he placed 23rd overall. Prior to and during the race, Georgia Peanuts were overflowing in the garage area and pit row. Pit crews and hundreds of race fans were able to snack on peanuts while they waited for the race to begin, and even while the race was going on.

Days before the race, representatives from GPC promoted peanuts and peanut nutrition at David Ragan’s annual fan club party August 29, 2013, at David Ragan Ford in Perry, Ga. Fried peanuts, recipe cards and slices of Beverly Reed’s famous peanut cake were served to over 200 people at the event.

Joe Boddiford, GPC vice chairman and chairman of the GPC Promotions Committee, was excited about the race and the opportunity to support one of Georgia’s own, as well as Georgia’s official state crop.

“David Ragan is a Georgia boy and Georgia is the No. 1 peanut-growing state in the nation,” Boddiford says. “The Georgia Peanut Commission was very excited to have this opportunity to help sponsor him in the Atlanta race.”

This promotional event was one that supported one of Georgia’s own, as well as brought great exposure to Georgia’s agricultural industry; particularly peanuts.

Georgia Peanut Commission representatives promoted peanuts during the Advocare 500 NASCAR race by sponsoring Georgia-native, David Ragan.

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

Mississippi holds Peanut Field Day A peanut field day was held August 29, 2013, on the Rolling Hills Ranch just North of Lucedale, Miss., with 40 growers and industry representatives in attendance. Marshall Lamb, research leader of the National Peanut Research Laboratory, presented his current research and updated the growers on peanut production across the nation and world. Jeff Gore, research entomologist from the Mississippi State University (MSU) Delta Branch Experiment Station presented his findings on thrips and leafhoppers which is part of a grant he received from the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association through the National Peanut Board. Alan Henn, MSU Extension plant pathologist explained his study being conducted on the farm and lead the growers through the different treatments in his study; interest was very keen on the white mold situation.

Malcolm Broome, executive director of the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association concluded the day with a “show and tell” of peanut plants from each of the eight varieties in the current Mississippi Peanut Yield Verification trials at five locations across the state. The varieties were dug from the nearest trial about 30 miles away near Beaumont, Miss. The group then adjourned to a nearby restaurant for comments from industry and a catfish lunch.

MPGA promotes peanuts during football season The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association (MPGA) has teamed up with “Friday Night Under the Lights” (FNUTL) radio show to promote peanuts in the schools during the course of the football season across the state. MPGA will receive commercial air time on 11 radio stations covering most of the state with 45 radio spots, sponsor the Ahh Nuts play of the week where a plaque from MPGA and FNUTL will be awarded to the lunch room of the winner each week, plus the Ahh Nuts Play of the Year. The play of the year winning school will be presented a 55 inch Smart HDTV for the lunch room and the student submitting the winning play will also receive a 40 inch HDTV. These presentations will be made by the MPGA Board of Directors on the show the night of Championship Week in Jackson, Miss.

Running during the season will also be video ad’s on the FNUTL website where the students will go to vote for the Ahh Nuts Play of the Year. A Banner Ad will be seen at over 126 High Schools in Mississippi. The intent of the MPGA is to help keep schools friendly toward peanuts and peanut products.

FNTUL will provide the MPGA at the conclusion of the season contact data from across the State including number of calls into the FNUTL program plus website contacts; data shows nearly 900,000 in previous years participate in this program.

APPA participates in FFA South District Leadership Workshop Rehobeth High School, located in Houston County, Ala., was the host facility this past July for one of two South District Alabama FFA 2013 Chapter Officer Leadership Workshops. More than 100 students from across the Southeast participated in the day-long meeting. This was one of two such meetings held over the summer for leaders in the high school FFA program. The Alabama Peanut Producers Association along with the Houston County Alabama Farmers Federation sponsored the meal and refreshments for the session. This meeting was held to encourage the teenage leaders and help motivate them for the upcoming year and extend to them suggestions to make their agriculture group the best it can possibly be.

Georgia Peanut Commission airs tv spots during high school football games across the state The Georgia Peanut Commission is promoting peanuts this fall during high school football games aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting. During each Friday night game a Georgia peanut television spot is aired. Also, advertisements are featured on the GPB website and throughout other GPB television programs. The advertising campaign impressions exceeds 2 million viewers.

Tune in each Friday night during a high school football game to view the GPC commercial. For more information visit www.gapeanuts.com.

Banks celebrate Georgia Peanut Bank Week across the state October 14-18, 2013 Banks and financial institutions across Georgia will be celebrating Georgia Peanut Bank Week, October 1418, 2013. Financial institutions in communities across the state are saluting peanut farmers’ contributions to the state and local economy during this weeklong event. The Georgia Peanut Commission, in cooperation with the Georgia Bankers Association, promotes Georgia’s official state crop by sponsoring Georgia Peanut Bank Week annually.

This year’s theme is “Bank on Peanuts!” The theme’s intent is to showcase the importance of peanuts to Georgia’s growing economy, as well as the close tie between peanut farmers and financial institutions. During the week-long event, banks and financial institutions will distribute peanuts and recipes. For more information visit www.gapeanuts.com.

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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2013 Southern Peanut Growers Conference

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013 marked the 15th year for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference which included a large agenda for the more than 600 people registered. This year’s theme was “Making Sustainability Work.”

One of the topics that caught everyone’s attention was the current status of the farm bill. A current update on the bill was presented by Congressman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, says there has been no shortage of controversy in this farm bill.

“Convention wisdom was that you needed to keep the nutrition title and the farm bill together in order to gain enough votes in the House to get the bill passed,” he says. “So we went with conventional wisdom, we took it to the floor and we failed.” The position now is a farm-only bill passed out of the House and a combined bill from the Senate going to conference, but Conaway says the House still intends to get a nutrition bill passed.

Other topics discussed during the three-day meeting included: peanut genomics initiative; how marketing and research is making the peanut industry more sustainable and becoming more profitable; production and disease management techniques; and improving energy efficiency on farming operations.

For more on this year’s conference visit the Southern Peanut Farmers Federaiton web site at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org. t

Conference Blog Reports Daily The 15th annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference was highlighted again this year through a blog.

Be sure to check it out for photos, stories and interviews at http://spgc.wordpress.com.

The blog is sponsored by Ag Technologies.

Brought to you by the: Southern Peanut Farmers Federation Alabama Peanut Producers Association Florida Peanut Producers Association Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Southern Peanut Growers 10

Southeastern Peanut Farmer October/November 2013

Thanks to the 2013 Conference Sponsors Syngenta Bayer CropScience John Deere Ag-Pro Company Albany Tractor Company Blanchard Equipment Lasseter Equipment Company Smith Tractor Company Sparrow & Kennedy SunSouth LLC BASF National Peanut Board DuPont Crop Protection Ag Leader Technology Ag Technologies Aimtrac Birdsong Peanuts Colombo North America Farm Press Kelley Manufacturing Co. Valent U.S.A. Corporation Amadas Industries First South Farm Credit National Peanut Buying Points Assn.

Olam Edible Nuts Peanut Grower Southeastern Peanut Farmer AMVAC Chemical Dow AgroSciences Alabama Farmers Federation Georgia Farm Bureau Golden Peanut Company INTX Microbials McCleskey Mills Nichino America, Inc. Novozymes BioAg Quantum BioTek AMG Farm Credit Florida Georgia Organic Solutions LLC Jim Cary Consultant Newton Crouch Sessions Co. Inc. Snyder’s-Lance The KBH Corporation

Peanut Profitability Award winners recognized

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Programs is not a yield contest for ith many small acreages, Lamb says. “It’s not peanut produceven a yield contest on the entire ers averaging farm. Instead, we take a complete record-breakview of the farm in terms of yield, ing yields this past year, it all came both irrigated and non-irrigated, and down to management in determinoftentimes those are treated sepaing the winners of the 2013 Farm rately because the cost structure Press Peanut Profitability Awards.

“Our 14th class of winners varies between the two,” he says.

This year was a very interesting presented to us the highest level of one in that aspect, says Lamb, management as a group we’ve posbecause at least in the Southeast, the sibly ever seen,” says Marshall differential between irrigated and Lamb, advisor for the awards proWinners of the 2013 Farm Press Peanut Profitability Awards non-irrigated yields was very close gram and research leader for the were recently honored at the 15th Annual Southern Peanut because of plentiful rainfall throughNational Peanut Research Growers Conference held in Panama City Beach, Fla. Pictured left to right are: Paul Hollis, editor of Southeast Farm Press, Laboratory in Dawson, Ga. out the growing season.

This year’s honorees included Lower Southeast winner Tim McMillan of Southern Grace Farms “Cost of production also is conin Enigma, Ga.; Upper Southeast Region winner Jart Hudson of the following: Southwest Region sidered, and this is where some of Turkey, N.C., and Roy Roberson, associate editor of Southeast the nominees become very frustrated — Murray Phillips, Frio County, Farm Press. Not shown is Southwest region winner Murray with me because we have a compliTexas; Lower Southeast Region — Phillips of Frio County, Texas. cated nomination form. We are truly Tim McMillan, Southern Grace trying to get a very accurate idea of the Farms, Enigma, Ga.; and Upper Southeast diverse farms in terms of the crops they grow and in some of the ventures they true cost of production. And we’re not Region — Jart Hudson, Turkey, N.C. have that support the farm, and that adds talking just about variable inputs such as This year’s awards were presented in to their overall management capabilities.” seed and fertilizer. We also look at fixed Panama City, Fla., as part of the 15th “This awards program has been a real costs, looking at equipment inventory and Annual Southern Peanut Growers eye-opener for those of us at Farm Press, how that is allocated to the peanut enterConference. Producers from each growing just to be able to meet top-notch peanut prise, and also the depreciation schedules. region of the U.S. Peanut Belt were honfarmers and get a close-up look at their That’s where it gets very complicated ored for their production efficiency. outstanding farming operations,” adds “All these individual farmers did a within the program. t Forrest Laws, director of content for Farm great job of management on their respecPress. rePrinTeD FroM SoUTheAST FArM PreSS tive farms,” Lamb says. “They are very The Peanut Profitability Awards

Chastains honored with Valor Award

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ack and Norma Chastain were honored with the Valor Award presented by John Altom of Valent. The award was presented during the Southern Peanut Growers Conference held July 18-20, 2013, in Panama City Beach, Fla. “Valor is defined as courage and boldness, as in battle, bravery, courage in defense of a noble cause,” Altom says while presenting the award. “Our recipients have spent a lifetime providing that kind of leadership to the peanut industry.

They have made a life mission of integrity and service to their community, their employees, their neighbors, and their customers.”

Jack and Norma met at the University of Georgia and both had a knowledge of the peanut business. He knew how to

John Altom with Valent presents the Valor Award to Norma and Jack Chastain during the Southern Peanut Growers Conference held recently in Florida.

stack peanuts and her father financed farmers and bought their crop.

In 1966 Jack graduated from the University of Georgia and he and Norma moved to Rochelle where Norma’s father Norman had what may have been the largest peanut buying and warehousing

business in the state. Doster Warehouse added a shelling plant in 1970 and Jack bought the business from Norma’s father.

The Chastain’s are innovators and upgraded from a five ton an hour plant to a 15 ton an hour facility and added a 27,000 square foot storage for shelled peanuts.

They also worked with local farmers by providing seven year interest free financing for irrigation systems and more than 50 pivots were installed.

In 2005, Jack introduced the peanut industry to storage domes. The Chastain’s constructed three storage domes bringing their total in hull peanut storage capacity in Rochelle to 32,000 tons.

Jack has been involved in multiple industry organizations and has worked to move the industry forward. t

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Peanut Leadership Academy holds session in West Texas

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eanut farmers and sheller representatives from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Texas visited West Texas during the Peanut Leadership Academy, sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection and the American Peanut Shellers Association, in August to learn about Texas peanut production, as well as participate in leadership training in media relations.

Day one of the academy consisted of media training from local news representatives and communication specialists.

Farmers were able to participate in interviews and receive feedback on those that were well-done, ways to improve, how to answer the media’s questions, etc.

Additionally, farmers visited the American Cotton Growers Denim Textile Plant of Littlefield, Texas, owned by a farmer-owned cotton marketing cooperative. During this visit, academy participants were able to see first-hand the process of turning bales of cotton into sheets of denim.

Peanut farm tours were at the start of day two. Farmers toured peanut acreage in Brownfield, Texas, and discussed the differences in peanut production among fellow leaders compared to production in

Participants in the Peanut Leadership Academy tour West Texas during their third session in the program. The session in Texas focuses on media training and provided tours of the area including field stops in Brownfield, Texas.

Texas. The afternoon was spent touring Birdsong Peanuts’ shelling facility in Brownfield and Lost Draw Vineyard, locally-owned by Andy Timmons.

The Peanut Leadership Academy, which is coordinated by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, provides leadership training for young farmers and sheller representatives throughout the peanut industry. Through the training, par-

ticipants gain valuable leadership skills to be used in the future. Additionally, it gives growers and industry representatives an insight into many different types of issues the peanut industry faces.

Additional information on the Peanut Leadership Academy is available online at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org. t

By JeSSie TUrk

KMC’s Lanier Carson named Peanut Pioneer

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he National Peanut Buying Points Association recently named Lanier Carson, CEO of Kelley Manufacturing Co.’s (KMC) as the 2013 Peanut Pioneer.

The presentation was made during the association’s annual pre-harvest meeting and summer conference in August.

The Peanut Pioneer award recognizes an individual that has helped the peanut industry evolve into a powerful economic engine and pioneered new and innovative developments to better the peanut buying point segment and the entire peanut industry.

“This year’s recipient is like Christopher Columbus” says Kenny Brownlee, NPBPA president. “He has a

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new idea, launches it and watches it work.”

Carson was born in Baxley, Ga., and grew up working on his uncle’s farm in Appling County, where they farmed tobacco and peanuts.

In May of 1972, Carson joined KMC as their production engineer. Today, Carson serves as a Co-Trustee of the Employee Trust, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the company. He is a handson man. KMC leases a 486 acre farm in Tift County from Carson for the purpose of testing equipment.

During his career, Carson has donated more than $1 million personally to various groups, mainly agricultural and religious. t

Southeastern Peanut Farmer October/November 2013

Kenny Brownlee (right), president of the National Peanut Buying Points Association, presents Lanier Carson (left) with the 2013 Peanut Pioneer Award. Carson has been instrumental in developing peanut equipment through his management of Kelley Manufacturing Co., located in Tifton, Ga.

Lamb explains market swings

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SDA agricultural economist Marshall Lamb likens U.S. peanut acreage and the peanut markets to a roller coaster ride.

Speaking during the recent Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City Beach, Fla., Lamb said he and the peanut industry wishes that something could be done to even out the sharp swings in production from year to year and equally gyrating peanut prices.

Lamb serves as research leader at the National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Ga. He looked at peanut production and exports from China, India, the U.S. and Argentina, and reported that Argentina now has 25 to 28 percent of the world peanut export market. “China exported 36 percent of world peanut volume in 2007, but exported much less in 2012,” he observed. “The U.S. exported more peanuts in 2012 due to the lack of monsoon rain patterns in India which dropped India’s share of exports to China.”

Lamb says 70 to 80 percent of all peanut exports in most years are filled during the first four months of the marketing year. “I don’t think we’ll reach the 300,000-ton export level to China,” he says. “China left the market all of a sudden. Also, the monsoon rains came back to India.”

As a result, Lamb says the export markets now of most importance to the U.S. include Canada, Mexico, the European Union and Japan. “Exports to the European Union have doubled,” he says. “Mexico is our fastest growing export market. And in Canada, per capita peanut consumption is higher than in the U.S.” “We’ve been on a roller coaster ride in U.S. peanut acreage,” he says. “These ups and downs in acreage are due to price.” In other words, high prices encourage more peanut plantings, while low prices prompt farmers to reduce peanut plantings the following season.

Lamb says up and down swings are evidence that the market system is working and is self-correcting in response to over and under supplies. “We’re coming off our biggest crop in 2012 and our

largest amount of peanuts carried forward,” he says. “As a result, farmers reduced acreage drastically when planting their 2013 peanuts. We don’t know what the 2013 yields will be yet, but there may be opportunities in late 2013 or early 2014 to make money with farmer stock USDA agricultual economist Marshall Lamb discusses the peanut peanuts.” market to attendees during the Southern Peanut Growers Conference He observed that held recently in Florida. changes in the peanut program, especially the deliveries come in. And carryout is the elimination of the quota system, has number of peanuts to get you from one changed the way peanuts are marketed. crop to the next crop.”

“It’s more of a free market system now,” “In 2010, there were a lot of peanuts he explained. “The free market is working from the Southeast that went to crushing, for peanuts. These up and down swings in and this lowered the amount of edible carproduction are evidence that supplies and ryout,” Lamb says. “As a result, by the demand eventually come into balance.” end of 2011, farmers with uncontracted Commenting on prospects for the peanuts were offered more than $1,000 2013 crop, he acknowledged that field per ton.” conditions have been wet in the The high yields from the 2012 crop Southeast. Despite the wet weather, he year led to a July 31, 2013, carryout estifeels this year’s crop can still produce mated at 1.26 million tons, according to good yields. But he warned that a highLamb. He believes a good carryout numpressure weather system could quickly ber that will benefit the entire industry dry the crop out and reduce yield would be about 600,000 tons. “Producers prospects. Another possibility would be want to see a 400,000-ton carryout. rainfall during the harvest season such as Shellers would like a 700,000-ton carryin 2002, and that could result in losing out, while manufacturers want even more peanuts at harvest. peanuts to be carried forward.”

Since 2008, and despite droughts in Lamb says, “We need 1.5 million 2010 and 2011, U.S. peanut yields tons produced this year to get supply back reached a fairly stable plateau of about in balance. We have a lot of peanuts in the 3,348 pounds per acre. That all changed loan now. We also need to see the Farm with the 2012 crop when U.S. yields Service Agency certified acreage reports peaked at a record 4,192 pounds per acre, before we know the actual acreage plantaccording to Lamb. As a result, U.S. ed in 2013.” growers produced a total of about 3.4 milHe concluded by saying that markets lion farmer stock tons. are in transition now and there is a lot of The peanut marketing year begins in uncertainty. He advised farmers to look August and extends through July of the closely at acreage and yield combinations. following year.

He noted that excitement over exports has If there is one key number that waned. “Watch loan maturity dates, and explains peanut acreage and prices, it is consider offers for your peanuts before the carryout. “I stop on July 31 to look at they are forfeited,” he says. the carryout number at the end of the In summary, he says, “I just wish marketing year,” he says. This date is key there was something we could all do because it is the transition from one crop about the wide swings in production.” t to the next. October is when new crop

By John LeiDner October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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2012 Peanut Achievement Club winners

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he University of Georgia has recognized ten farmers as members of the 2012 Peanut Achievement Club for producing high yields in 2012.

The farmers were honored at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference held this past summer in Panama City Beach, Fla. The Georgia peanut producers recognized included Art Dorminy of Irwin County with a yield of 6,808 pounds per acre from 322 acres, Al Sudderth of Calhoun County with a yield of 6,623 pounds per acre from 411.9 acres, Eddie Miller, Jr., of Seminole County with a yield of 6,752 pounds per acre from 637.9 acres, Michael David Selph of Wilcox County with a yield of 6,610 pounds per acre from 577.3 acres, Philip Grimes from Tift County with a yield of 6,474 pounds per acre from 659.1 acres, Jimmy Webb of Calhoun County with a yield of 6,465 pounds per are from 890 acres, Kevin Rentz of Decatur County with a yield of 5,376 pounds per acre from 974.9 acres, Ken Hall from Worth County with a yield of 5,252 pounds per acre from 1,266 acres, Wayne Sayer of Irwin County with a yield of 5,301 pounds per acre from 3,889 acres, and Eddie Miller, III of Seminole County with a yield of 6,383 pounds per acre from 179 acres.

Many of these high yield producers or members of their families have been recognized by the Achievement Club in previous years.

Statewide yields increased considerably in 2012, from 3,625 pounds per acre in 2011 to the whopping 4,550 pounds per acre for 2012. However, average yields for the newest members of the Achievement Club were up only slightly in 2012, from 6,202 pounds per acre in 2011 to 6,204 pounds per acre in 2012.

Nathan Smith, University of Georgia Extension economist, has analyzed some of the production practices from the highyield producers. He says most of the farmers are using four-year crop rotations.

In addition to peanuts, the other crops in their rotations typically include cotton and corn.

The dominant peanut variety for all of the 2012 growers was Georgia-06G. Three of the ten farms planted Georgia

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Highest Average Yield in the 100-300 acre category Eddie Miller III - Seminole County 6,383 lbs/acre on 179 acres Highest Average Yield in the 300 acres and above category (and highest overall average yield in Georgia in 2012) Art Dorminy - Irwin County 6,808 lbs/acre on 322 acres The remaining eight producers are recognized for highest yields in the 300-700 acre category and 700 acre plus category: 300-700 acre category Al Sudderth – Calhoun County 6,623 lbs/acre on 411.9 acres Eddie Miller Jr. - Seminole County 6,752 lbs/acre on 637.9 acres Michael David Selph - Wilcox County 6,610 lbs/acre on 577.3 acres Philip Grimes – Tift County 6,474 lbs/acre on 659.1 acres 700 acres plus category Jimmy Webb - Calhoun County Kevin Rentz - Decatur County Ken Hall - Worth County Wayne Sayer - Irwin County

6,465 5,376 5,252 5,301

lbs/acre lbs/acre lbs/acre lbs/acre

on on on on

890 acres 974.9 acres 1,266 acres 3,889 acres

The Georgia Peanut Achievement Club is sponsored by Syngenta and BASF.

Greener and Georgia-07W in addition to Georgia-06G. “All but one of the Achievement Club farmers from the past three years planted in twin rows,” said Smith. “These farms used seeding rates of six to ten seed per foot.”

Bottom plowing was also used extensively in land preparation, according to Smith. He sees a declining trend among the high yield producers in the use of disk harrows and field cultivators.

Ken Hall of Worth County was the only producer from the 2012 Achievement Club to use strip till planting. “I plant my peanuts into rye cover crops,” he says. “I started farming in 1980 right out of high school.” He was recognized for his yields by the Achievement Club in 2008, 2009, 2011 and for 2012.

“We missed being recognized in 2010

Southeastern Peanut Farmer October/November 2013

because another farm had a higher yield by one pound per acre,” he adds.

In earlier years, his father, Ken Hall, Sr., won the high yield award many times.

This year, the Halls have not needed irrigation for their peanuts. Last year, the high yields were produced with about eight inches of water in ten irrigation applications.

Phillip Grimes of Tift County has been a consistent member of the Achievement Club, going back some 20 years when he said he was first recognized for a yield of about 5,200 pounds per acre.

John Beasley, University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist, explained that the Achievement Club winners are recognized by region within the state and by acreage category. Separate awards are

Beasley retires from UGA, heads to Auburn

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ongtime University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist John Beasley has announced that he will be retiring from his University of Georgia position later this year, and that he will accept an administrative position with Auburn University.

Beasley made the announcement while at the recent Southern Peanut Growers Conference held in Panama City Beach, Fla. His announcement came during a dinner honoring high-yield Georgia farmers recognized as members of the 2012 Peanut Achievement Club.

At Auburn, Beasley will head the Dept. of Agronomy and Soils. This department was recently re-named as the Dept. of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. He sees his new position as a great opportunity. He hopes to have a positive influence on the faculty, staff and students in the department. He also looks forward to working with other commodity groups such as those for cotton and soybeans. While he will miss his close association with the Georgia peanut industry, he promises that he will continue to attend major peanut industry meetings.

Beasley begins his new job on Jan. 1, 2014 and will replace longtime department head Joe Touchton. Touchton is retiring after working 33 years on the Auburn faculty and spending 24 years as department head.

While working as Extension peanut agronomist, Beasley made significant contributions to peanut farming in the Southeast, especially in the areas of planting dates, variety selection, row spacing, seeding rates and maturity determination.

His advice helped peanut farmers deal

with the threat of tomato spotted wilt virus and other yield-damaging conditions.

Beasley began his career as a University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist in 1985, and from 1987-2005 he worked closely with another Extension peanut agronomist, John Baldwin. The two filled positions previously held by Ron Henning and Frank McGill.

When he was first hired, Beasley joined the Georgia Extension peanut team whose members then included plant pathologist Sam Thompson, entomologist Herb Womack, agricultural engineer Lawton Samples and weed scientist Charles Swann. “They trained me,” Beasley recalled. Two other members of the UGA Peanut Team at that time were Carroll Johnson (agronomist) and Mark Eason (agricultural economist).

Beasley paid tribute to past and present Extension peanut team members and the many Georgia county Extension agents he has worked with over the years.

“No university means as much to peanut growers as the University of Georgia,” he said. “We have a great team. Our peanut team is a resource for our agents. And our county agents are terrific. We believe strongly in the county delivery system.”

Returning to Auburn will be like going home for Beasley. He is a 1979 graduate of the department he will soon lead. Beasley also received a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University.

He earned his Ph.D. in crop science from Louisiana State University in 1985, the year he was hired to be Georgia Extension peanut specialist.

Beasley has been widely recognized for his work with peanuts. He retires from

presented for producers with 100 to 300 acres, for those with 300 to 700 acres, and for farmers with more than 700 acres of peanuts.

The highest yields recognized were produced by Art Dorminy of Irwin County.

Kevin Rentz of Decatur County said his farm produced 6,200 pounds per acre in 2011 to win in the same category that year.

The father and son duo of Eddie Miller, Jr. and Eddie “Dee” Miller, III did

well last year. This was the first year for Dee to be recognized by the Achievement Club for producing the highest yields in the 100 to 300 acre category. Dee started farming on his own as a senior in high school during 2005. He received a twoyear ag business degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, while farming on the weekends during his time at ABAC. His dad was recognized by the Achievement Club for the third time for his high yields.

Beasley was especially impressed

While working as Extension peanut agronomist, John Beasley made significant contributions to peanut farming in the Southeast, especially in the areas of planting dates, variety selection, row spacing, seeding rates and maturity determination.

the University of Georgia with the academic rank of professor. He has been named a Fellow for both the American Society of Agronomy and the American Peanut Research and Education Society.

He is a native of Columbia, Ala. The announcement by Beasley caught many of the farmers at the dinner by surprise. One of those farmers was Ken Hall of Worth County. On behalf of Georgia peanut farmers, Hall stood up and thanked Beasley for his many years of service and wished him well in his new assignment.t

By John LeiDner with the 2012 yields of Wayne Sayer in Irwin County. Sayer produced 5,301 pounds per acre from 3,889 acres. Sayer says his 2012 crop received timely rainfall during the crop’s pegging stage. His 2012 yields were his highest ever, and he says he has been recognized by the Achievement Club five or six times.

In addition to the University of Georgia, the 2012 Peanut Achievement Club awards were sponsored by Syngenta and BASF. t

By John LeiDner

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Washington Outlook

by Robert L. Redding Jr.

Farm Bill continues to stall in Congress The U.S. Congress took its August Break without completing work on the 2013 Farm Bill. The Senate has passed the Farm Bill and the House of Representatives has passed Farm Bill provisions excluding the Nutrition Title.

The House is expected to address the nutrition provisions upon its return. The current 2008 Farm Bill extension expires on September 30, 2013.

Both the Senate and the House have included peanut program provisions in their legislative packages passed prior to the August Break. The Georgia Peanut Commission and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation are encouraging members of Congress to move forward with the completion of the Farm Bill versus another extension.

House democrats ask speaker to include nutrition title During the August break, House democrats led by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, stressing the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Nutrition Title.

The letter stated, “Unfortunately, the Republican leadership recently forced through a Farm Bill reauthorization, H.R. 2642, which did not include the nutrition title, a major part of the Farm Bill that would reauthorize SNAP. We voted against this bill in large part because of this intentional omission. We strongly believe in the critical importance of SNAP. Given the essential nature of this program to millions of American families, the final language of the Farm Bill or any other legislation related to SNAP must be crafted to ensure that we do not increase hunger in America.”

Senate confirms Krysta Harden as Deputy Secretary After a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, the full Senate confirmed Camilla, Ga., native Krysta Harden as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Deputy Secretary Harden previously served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Deputy Secretary Harden has begun her duties at the U.S. Department of Agriculture having been sworn in by Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Adminstration issues executive order for chemical facility safety and security President Obama has signed an Executive Order intended to improve the safety and security of chemical facilities and reduce the risks of hazardous chemicals to workers and communities. The Executive Order on Improving Facility Safety and Security directs the Federal Government to: • improve operational coordination with state and local partners; • enhance Federal agency coordination and information sharing; • modernize policies, regulations and standards; and • work with stakeholders to identify best practices.

New EPA Chief to work closer with ag Gina McCarthy, new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, discussed improving EPA’s relationship with the agriculture industry in comments reported by the Des Moines Register. Administrator McCarthy, in an Iowa speech, committed to build a “stronger, more productive, more trusting relationship between EPA and the agriculture community.”

The U.S. House of Representatives has held multiple hearings and much legislation has been introduced related to the impact of EPA’s regulatory efforts on the agriculture industry.

Chairwoman Stabenow introduces ag research legislation U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow has introduced the Charitable Agricultural Research Act, Senate Bill 1280, which amends the tax code to allow for the creation of new charitable, tax-exempt agricultural research organizations. Chairwoman Stabenow wants to help spur new agricultural research by leveraging private dollars to create charitable partnerships between universities and private entities.

“Innovation is critical in protecting the health and welfare of our rural communities and expanding our agriculture economy,” Chairwoman Stabenow says. “American agriculture outpaces and outperforms every other nation in the world because of decades of research that has led us to be more efficient with fewer resources.

This productivity has created an American agricultural sector that’s 16 million jobs strong. This is a ‘win-win’ effort that builds on decades of success and momentum by continuing to pursue new research, and doing so in a cost-effective way by engaging the private sector.”

Legislative Updates available online at www.americanpeanuts.com

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Southeastern Peanut Farmer October/November 2013

Airplane trivia wins a fifth of Jack Editor’s note: Frank McGill, retired University of Georgia peanut agronomist, shares a lighthearted story regarding the farm bill from the late 1970s.

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t’s September! At press time, there is still no agreement between the two houses of Congress on a Peanut Bill for the 2013 crop year. The hot button political issues are still alive, which is normal; however, they have agreed on one big political issue: that Food and Nutrition will be separated from the General Farm Bill. It is not yet known whether this will be good or bad.

Historically, some Congressional urban representatives have often reluctantly supported the Farm Bill in exchange for rural Congressional representatives reluctantly supporting the Food and Nutrition components. Some Georgia peanut growers have become increasingly agitated since Food and Nutrition accounts for approximately 80 percent of the cost with farm subsidies accounting for the remaining 20 percent. They contend that it should not be called just a Farm Bill.

Back in the late 1970s the Farm Bill, including peanuts, was another political cliff hanger, but not without a dash of humor along the way. That year, a full day of hearings in Washington had been set for all segments of the U.S. peanut industry to testify, either for or against the language contained in the Peanut Bill.

During previous hearings that spring, the peanut grower representatives had taken a beating and the outlook for favorable peanut legislation was dismal, with little hope of holding on to any kind of peanut legislation.

On the way up, there was time for a little humor. On the Delta flight from Atlanta to Washington to attend the oneday hearing, the flight attendant said, “It’s time for a little game on the flight to Washington this morning.” My question is, “How many passengers do you think Delta Airlines usually carries on any given day in their entire worldwide flight network?” A card was passed out by the stewardess to each passenger to record his estimate with a five-minute time limitation.

Having absolutely no clue, I put

“75,000 passengers” on my card. There were five other Georgia peanut growers on board. The cards were collected andthe stewardess said, “Will the person in seat #32B please come forward to receive your prize? The answer is 72,460 passengers.” She proudly presented me a fifth of Jack Daniels liquor. Knowing I was a “dry” bone, an attempt was made to pass it to any other grower representative, but each refused.

About that time we heard, “Buckle your seat belts for landing in Washington.” I reached for my briefcase and the Jack Daniels bottle would not fit in it. Everyone had a big laugh except me.

The president of the Georgia Farm Bureau was on board and said, “I can’t wait to get back to Georgia. If they want to know why we are having such a time with this peanut bill, it is because I saw our peanut man get off the airplane in Washington, D.C., with a briefcase in one hand and a fifth of Jack Daniels liquor in the other hand!” t P.S. The liquor was traded for cab fare from the airport to the meeting place.

By FrAnk MCGiLL

USDA to survey peanut producers

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n October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will begin contacting peanut growers to learn about their production practices during the 2013 growing season for the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). NASS and USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) jointly conduct this three-phase survey, the second phase of which gathers data on farmers’ chemical use, pest management and irrigation practices for the peanut crop.

“In recent years there have been significant changes in the peanut industry,” said NASS Southern Region Director Doug Kleweno. “The results of this survey will update information on these major sectors of agricultural production and will ensure that agricultural leaders, legislators, and producers themselves can base their decisions on accurate data that

comes directly from the growers.”

ARMS, which is conducted in three separate phases during the growing season, serves as the primary source of information on production practices, resource use and economic well-being of America’s farm operations and farm households.

During the second phase of ARMS, NASS will collect information only through personal interviewing. Trained representatives will conduct face-to-face interviews with approximately 900 peanut growers nationwide beginning in October and continuing through mid-December.

Kleweno said interviewers will ask peanut growers to provide information on their fertilizer or nutrient use and biocontrol or chemical use, and their pest management and irrigation practices. Some participants will be asked to provide additional economic and cost of production data early next year.

All sectors of the agricultural industry rely on this information. These data are relevant for farmers, producer organizations, agribusinesses, policymakers, and even users outside of the ag community.

NASS will publish the chemical use data in a May 2014 report.

As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes data only in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual operation or grower can be identified.

For more information on NASS surveys and reports, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov or call the NASS Georgia Field Office at 800-2534419. t rePrinTeD FroM GeorGiA FArM BUreAU LeADerShiP ALerT

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Southern Peanut Growers Southern Peanut Growers selects 2013 Chef’s Recipe Contest WInners The Southern Peanut Growers has selected the winners in the 2013 Chef’s Recipe Contest. The winners will be announced at the International Foodservice Editorial Council meeting October 28 – 30 in Portland, Ore. Of all entries submitted, nine finalists were tested. The four winning recipes were photographed for placement along with the recipe in foodservice trade publications in the 2014 editorial year.

The winners are:

Appetizer Warm Thai Peanuts Submitted by Katy Keck, Savoir Faire Foods, New York, N.Y.

Side Dish Spicy Peanut Sauce with Spaghetti Squash Submitted by Jim Cuzzolina, The Hot Spot, Pacentia, Calif.

Main Dish (and Grand Prize Winner) Peanut and Tomato ‘Pesto’ Submitted by Fortunato Nicotra, Felidia Restaurant, New York, N.Y.

Dessert Peanut Crostata Submitted by Fortunato Nicotra, Felidia Restaurant, New York, N.Y.

Peanut and Tomato ‘Pesto’ yield: 4 to 6 servings ingredients: 2 ½ cups cherry tomatoes 16 large basil leaves 1 large clove garlic, peeled and crushed ½ cup roasted peanuts ½ tsp. salt ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil Directions: Rinse the cherry tomatoes and basil and pat dry. Drop the tomatoes into a food processor bowl, followed by the basil, garlic, peanuts and ½ tsp. salt. Process for about one minute to form a fine puree; scrape the bowl and process again. With the machine still running, pour in the olive oil in a slow stream to emulsify into a thick pesto.

Serving suggestions: Use tomato pesto like traditional pesto in such dishes as spaghetti and seafood. For the dish, toss cooked pasta with half the pesto and then top with breadcrumbs, chopped toasted peanuts, chives, the remaining pesto and seafood such as poached or grilled shrimp or scallops.

Peanuts and peanut butter take center stage at Southern Women’s Shows this Fall

Peanuts sponsoring high school football game night on Comcast Sports South

The Southern Peanut Growers and Alabama Peanut Producers Association will showcase peanuts and peanut butter at the Southern Women’s Show in Birmingham, Ala. October 3 – 6. Friday at the show will be Peanut Lover’s Day .

The SPG and Florida Peanut Producers Association will showcase peanuts and peanut butter at the Southern Women’s Show in Jacksonville, Fla. October 17 – 20. Friday at the show will be Peanut Lover’s Day. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend one of six cooking demonstrations celebrating our favorite food during the four-day shows. New this year will be new product sampling from manufacturers, new recipe cards and our new gluten-free recipe brochure.

Peanuts will headline during 15 weeks of big-time high school football match ups live on Comcast Sports South beginning with a double-header Friday, August 30. The Southern Peanut Growers has negotiated, as part of the National Peanut Board co-promotion, four 30-second commercials per game, a customized in-game feature including the peanut trivia question of the week, one half-page ad in the in-game program, one halfpage ad in Score Atlanta newspaper, one banner ad on CSSSports.com, on-site activation and a ‘peanut scoreboard’ during the games to update the television audience on other big game scores that evening. Look for peanuts during the games this fall!

Marketing arm of

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

National Peanut Board approves new brand platform “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut”

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he National Peanut Board held its quarterly board meeting in Atlanta, Aug. 6-8 and unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 14 Program of Work with a new NPB brand platform, “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” and a heightened consumer-focused campaign addressing peanut allergy education.

The board unanimously approved a budget of $8.6 million for FY14, which begins Nov. 1 and ends Oct. 31, 2014.

Before implementation, the FY-14 budget and program of work must be reviewed and approved by USDA. “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” brand platform advances NPB’s strategic brand direction based on consumer trends toward health and wellness. One of the main reasons consumers are buying nuts today is for their health benefits. The new brand platform provides a message that is unifying to the entire peanut industry and leverages peanuts’ competitive consumer benefits.

“The Perfectly Powerful Peanut connects with health and wellness news that peanuts have 7 grams of plant-based protein and are a Superfood with more than 30 vitamins and minerals,” said Vic Jordan, NPB chairman and farmer from Louisiana. “We want to build on these nutrition benefits and the love Americans of all ages have for peanuts and peanut butter, while increasing our competitiveness in the market place.”

“The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” lines up the National Peanut Board’s messaging with any industry initiative and works equally well across all industry groups, brands and with other stakeholders. It is an opportunity to galvanize the entire industry and garner broad support for a common theme and direction.

To maximize reach for “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut” brand platform, NPB will execute an integrated advertising media campaign and public relations initiative during the first quarter of 2014 to work effectively with consumer and trade

audiences.

Peanut Allergy Education Effort Expands In other initiatives, the Board voted unanimously to approve a more vigilant program to educate consumers on the subject of peanut allergy. The program of work will increase understanding about accurate diagnosis and provide sciencebased allergy information to consumers.

While the Board recognizes that scientific data shows approximately one to two percent of Americans are allergic to peanuts, consumer research shows that millions of American consumers who think they have a peanut allergy may be misinformed or were never properly diagnosed by a trained physician.

Since its inception in 2001, National Peanut Board has invested more than $9 million in allergy research and education initiatives.

Before implementation, the FY-14 budget and program of work must be reviewed and approved by USDA. t

Introducing the peanut novelty items including . . . belts, money clips, wallets, key chains, photo frames, and more.

To place an order, contact: Georgia Peanut Commission Phone: 229-386-3470 Email: info@gapeanuts.com Website: www.gapeanuts.com Click on Photo Gallery to view photos of Georgia Peanut Commission Gift Shop items.

October/November 2013 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Georgia’s Largest Commodity Show January 16, 2014 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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

Learn more about the 2014 Georgia Peanut Farm Show by scanning this code with your smartphone.

www.gapeanuts.com

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