March 2020 - Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Inside: n n n

Farm Recovery Grants Weed Guidebook New Children’s Book

A communication service of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

Contents March 2020

5

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

Online applications for $347 million in block grant funds opens March 18, 2020 in Georgia. Farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties who suffered losses from Hurricane Michael can enroll online at farmrecovery.com.

Director of Advertising Jessie Bland jessie@gapeanuts.com Contributing Writers Kaye Lynn Hataway klhataway@alpeanuts.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 229-386-3472.

Georgia Block Grants Available

10

Weed Guidebook The 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer Weed Guidebook features information on new herbicides on the horizon, effect of nozzle type and application pressure on weed management, evaluation of cover crops for weed suppression and control of tropical spiderwort.

16

New Children’s Book for Peanuts The Georgia Peanut Commission recently published a new children’s book about peanuts titled, “A Home Run for Peanuts.” The book was written for second through fourth graders and includes a lesson plan for teachers to incorporate into their classroom.

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

Washington Outlook ............................................................................ 28 Southern Peanut Growers Update ........................................................ 30 Cover Photo: Mississippi State University researchers are studying the effect of nozzle type and application pressure on weed management in peanuts. The cover photo shows weed control in a field using the GAT nozzle type at 80 PSI. Article on page 10.

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

3

Editorial

Calendar of Events

Welcome Baby Nut he new year began with a surprise announcement about the death of Mr. Peanut. The announcement by Planters took social media by storm. It seemed that everywhere I looked individuals were so upset about the announcement and couldn’t believe Planters would end the life of a 104-year-old icon. Then there were those who thought Planters had something up their sleeve. Well, it appears they did by introducing Baby Nut who was born Feb. 2, 2020.

In case you missed this, then here’s a recap. Planters killed off Mr. Peanut in a pregame ad, “Road Trip,” that first appeared online on Jan. 21.

In the 30-second spot, Mr. Peanut was ejected from his Nutmobile along with actors Wesley Snipes and Matt Walsh, then let go of the branch the three were hanging onto, plummeting to the ground and exploding, along with his vehicle.

Planters then ran a 30-second spot of Mr. Peanut’s funeral during the third quarter of the Super Bowl. During the funeral, Baby Nut was born after a tear from Kool-Aid Man watered the ground. Planters did a great job of showing how peanuts grow in the television spot.

So, changes are sometimes necessary in the marketing world, as well as thinking outside of the box. So, let’s give it up to Planters for the thousands of social media posts that had almost everyone talking about peanuts, especially Mr. Peanut and Baby Nut. t

T

Joy Carter Crosby Editor Letter to the editor Dr. & Mrs. J.G. Woodruff leave their legacy to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia Interestingly, both husband and wife committed their lives research at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station, the Griffin Experiment Station and Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College.

During the early and late 40s & 50s, Mrs. J.G. Woodruff conducted extensive peanut research at the Tifton Station where she developed several fungicides that effectively controlled leafspot diseases in peanuts. Mrs. J.G. Woodruff also enjoyed walking through her peanut plots to pull weeds in her bare feet. She was reported to say that the sandspurs never bothered her feet!

Back then using females to conduct research was very uncommon.

Dr. J.G. Woodruff, her husband, was an equally gifted researcher, first at Griffin Experiment Station and later at the Tifton Experiment Station and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Both wife and husband were equally gifted in their research at the college and experiment stations at Tifton, ABAC and the Griffin Experiment Station.

In their later research work at Tifton, both scientists contributed a sizeable acreage of land named, “The Woodruff Farm” that will enable the students to conduct more research.

J. Frank McGill Tifton, Georgia

4

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

u Peanut Efficiency Award Deadline, April 15, 2020. For more information visit southeastfarmpress.com or call 662-6248503. u USA Peanut Congress, June 13-17, 2020, Amelia Island, Fla. For information visit peanut-shellers.org. u American Peanut Research Education Society Annual Meeting, July 14-16, 2020, Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, Dallas, Texas. For more information visit apresinc.com or call 229-329-2949. u Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 16-18, 2020, Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla. For more details visit southernpeanutfarmers.org. u Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day, July 23, 2020, Moultrie, Ga. For more information visit sunbeltexpo.com or call 229-985-1968. u American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association Pre-Harvest Meeting, Aug. 12, 2020, The Bindery, Leesburg, Ga. For more information visit peanut-shellers.org or call 229-888-2508. u Georgia Peanut Tour, Sept. 15-17, 2020, Bainbridge, Ga. and surrounding area. For more information visit the tour blog at georgiapeanuttour.com. u Brooklet Peanut Festival, Sept. 19, 2020. For more information visit the festival’s website at brookletpeanutfestival.com. u Plains Peanut Festival, Sept. 26, 2020.

For more information visit plainsgeorgia.com. u Georgia Peanut Festival, Oct. 17, 2020, Sylvester, Ga. For more information visit gapeanutfestival.org. u Sunbelt Ag Expo, Oct. 20-22, 2020, Moultrie, Ga. For more information visit sunbeltexpo.com or call 229-985-1968. u National Peanut Festival, Nov. 6-15, 2020, Dothan, Ala. For more information visit nationalpeanutfestival.com.

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

Farm Recovery Program Block Grants Available for Farmers Farmers can begin submitting applications for federal recovery aid on March 18, 2020 eorgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black announced recently the Farm Recovery Block Grants for farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Michael. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) will begin accepting online applications for the $347 million in block grant funds on March 18, 2020. Georgia farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties who suffered losses to beef, dairy, fruit and vegetable, pecan, poultry, timber, and uninsured infrastructure will need to enroll in the recovery program at farmrecovery.com.

The federal block grants seek to help recover losses not covered under existing USDA Farm Service Agency programs.

“While we recognize that the recovery aid won’t make Georgia farmers and farm families whole again, it is our hope that the Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant will bring much relief and stability to our farming communities,” Commissioner Black says. “I commend every member of the Georgia Department of Agriculture team who has worked tirelessly since June 2019 to craft and finalize this program. I thank our federal

G

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black announces $347 million in Farm Recovery Block Grants for farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Michael during a press conference at Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Ga.

partners and want the farm families of Georgia to know that we are here to serve them.”

The enrollment process can only be completed online through the website, www.farmrecovery.com. While mobile phones may be used to sign up and log in, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application using a computer to ensure proper upload and attachment of required documentation. Applications must be submitted by the April 8, 2020, deadline.

In 2018, Georgia agriculture suffered

a $2.5 billion economic loss from Hurricane Michael. Since June 2019, the GDA has worked closely with the USDA to reach an agreement on a disaster relief package. Last November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) earmarked $800 million in block grant funds to aid states impacted by the storm, allocating $347 million for Georgia farmers and landowners.

For more information and a guide to help prepare applicants for enrollment visit, www.farmrecovery.com. t

Farm Recovery Block Grants Online Application Only at www.farmrecovery.com.

Applications open March 18 and close April 8, 2020.

Questions: farmrecovery@agr.georgia.gov.

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

5

Spreading Good Campaign Aims to Spread Goodwill he National Peanut Board is Spreading Good in 2020 through a series of purpose-driven initiatives centered on doing good with peanuts and peanut butter. The new campaign will give back to local communities by facilitating peanut-and peanut butterbased activities that will trigger product donations throughout the year.

Spreading Good offers peanut and peanut butter fans the opportunity to put their love and passion back into the community. To kick it off, the Spreading Good campaign will be spreading more than peanut butter — it will be spreading goodwill, too.

On Jan. 24, in celebration of National Peanut Butter Day, the National Peanut Board gave the peanut emoji substance by turning all those digital peanuts into real peanuts. Every peanut emoji used on Twitter will be turned into real peanut butter donations to food banks across the nation.

“With emojis, we’ve been able to create a simple and straightforward campaign that is very user-friendly.

Emojis are a universal language to communicate feelings and emotions.

Thus, it makes it easy to engage with a broad range of audiences,” says Ryan Lepicier, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the National Peanut Board.

In addition to making a donation based upon all the U.S. peanut emojis used to-date on Twitter, National Peanut Board is encouraging consumers to continue to use the peanut emoji on Twitter to fuel even more peanut butter donations to food banks. Since its inception in 2016, the peanut emoji has been shared more than four million times in the U.S. on Twitter – 4,271,560, to be exact.

To help, consumers can simply tweet using the peanut emoji until March 31.

The goal is to reach 6,000,000 peanut emojis by the end of March for this

T

6

Follow @PeanutsHere on Twitter & Instagram. #SpreadingGood portion of the Spreading Good campaign.

For every 540 times the peanut emoji is used from Jan. 24 to March 31, 2020, one jar of peanut butter will be donated to a food bank.

“The Spreading Good campaign is all about shareable content and a sense of unity. For these reasons, we felt Twitter was our strongest platform to bring this fun campaign to life,” Lepicier adds.

Throughout the year, the National Peanut Board will continue to spread good with more peanut-and peanut butterbased activity – by the end of the year, the campaign aims to donate up to 17,000 pounds of peanuts and peanut butter.

Be sure to follow @PeanutsHere on Twitter and Instagram and join the peanut industry in the #SpreadingGood campaign.

Several industry partners are helping with the campaign in 2020. Those partners include Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter, Georgia Grinders Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Co., The J.M. Smucker Company, Eliot’s Nut Butters and Tara Foods, LLC. As part of the yearlong consumer campaign, the National Peanut Board recently launched an augmented reality (AR) filter on Instagram. The new filter plays into the popular AR filter trend that has taken over Instagram since late 2019.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

The Google search for “Instagram filter” skyrocketed the first week of 2020.

The first viral filter discovered was the “Which Disney Character Are You?” filter, which gained traction after celebrities and influencers started using it in their Instagram Stories. The top three Instagram filters have been viewed more than 50 million times.

Leaning into this trend, NPB’s Spreading Good AR filter randomly prompts users to spread more good this year with uplifting options such as spreading more: music, compliments, friendship, puppy GIFs, PB&Js and more.

Users start recording a video and the options shuffle through over their head, randomly stopping on one to reveal the user’s fate.

All consumers that follow the @PeanutsHere handle on Instagram will get the AR effect automatically recommended to them as an option on their Instagram Story. The NPB will also run paid promotion of the filter, and to drive additional awareness to the filter, NPB is partnering with six wellness and lifestyle influencers that will share the filter on their Instagram Stories.

More details about the Spreading Good campaign can be found on NationalPeanutBoard.org. t

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

Georgia Peanut Commission holds Research Report Day The Georgia Peanut Commission held the annual Research Report Day, Feb. 5, 2020, at the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. The event provided growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports and newest information available on University of Georgia peanut agronomist Scott peanut research projects funded by Monfort, presents the results of his research GPC in 2019. projects funded by the Georgia Peanut GPC awarded $653,901 to peanut Commission in 2019. research facilities in the state during 2019. This effort funded 35 research projects from the University of Georgia, USDA Agricultural Research Service and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management as well as pests, weed and disease management.

The annual research reports are available online at www.gapeanuts.com.

Peanuts promoted through Cinemas in Georgia During the month of November, the Georgia Peanut Commission celebrated Peanut Butter Lovers Month by airing a 30 second commercial at 426 movie screens in 39 theaters across Georgia. The commercial, which highlighted Georgia peanut farmers and peanut products as a nutritious, affordable and sustainable product, ran prior to every movie, for every showtime and every day of the week.

The campaign garnered more than 327,000 impressions and encouraged viewers to visit the GPC website to learn more about Georgia’s official state crop. Due to the quality of the commercial, it aired again in January and February at no additional charge.

According to Screenvision Media, moviegoing is the No. 1 form of entertainment in the United States and reaches 77 percent of people age 12+ annually.

Morris elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission Armond Morris, peanut farmer from Tifton, Georgia, was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission during the monthly board meeting in January.

“I look forward to serving Georgia’s peanut growers as chairman in 2020. It is a pleasure to serve peanut producers in the state of Georgia and the commission is continually working to serve all peanut farmers in the state through research, promotion and education,” Morris says.

Other officers elected during the board meeting include Joe Boddiford, Sylvania, Georgia, as vice chairman and Rodney Dawson, Hawkinsville, Georgia, as treasurer. Board members Tim Burch, Newton, Georgia, and Donald Chase, Oglethorpe, Georgia, represent District 1 and District 5, respectively.

The peanut producing counties of Georgia are divided into five districts in which peanut farmers elect a representative to serve on the GPC board.

8

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

Georgia Peanuts promoted through digital media Throughout the fall, the Georgia Peanut Commission invested in targeted display digital advertising through Salem Media and WSB-TV. The Salem Media campaign, which ran from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, highlighted peanut harvest, Peanut Butter Lovers Month and the holidays with banner ads reflecting engaging graphics that led viewers to the GPC website. Overall, the campaign resulted in more than 1.3 million impressions, which were captured via Geofence technology, keyword searches and GPC website visits.

GPC is continuing its partnership with Salem Media this spring by airing a 30 second commercial on Internet TV platforms across Georgia, which have the potential to result in more than 70,000 impressions. According to Salem, 65.3 million homes in the United States have an Internet-enabled device capable of streaming content to the TV. This group accounts for 59 percent of the total population.

The campaign through WSB-TV focused on Peanut Butter Lovers Month in November. The campaign included social media advertising, native advertising and online streaming. The social media advertising garnered 1.35 million impressions with 6,543 clicks to the GPC website. The native advertising included an article, “4 Ways to Superfood your Meal Prep,” which appeared on the WSBTV website. The article reached 233,200 impressions.

The online streaming portion of the campaign featured a 30 second commercial about peanuts which aired through Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. The commerical garnered 623,383 impressions.

The total delivered impressions for the entire campaign with WSB reached 2.2 million in November 2019.

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

APPA hosts peanut production meetings across the state The Alabama Peanut Producers Association, along with the Alabama Extension System and Auburn University, coordinated eight peanut production meetings across the state. Growers were provided with the most up-to-date peanut research news on diseases, weed and insect management, peanut varieties, Kris Balkcom, Auburn University production and the market outlook for 2020. The peanut agronomist, discusses speakers included Auburn University researchers planting date research at grower Austin Hagan, Steve Li, Ayanava Majumdar and Kris meetings across Alabama.

Balkcom, as well as Marshall Lamb, research leader of the National Peanut Research Lab in Dawson, Georgia.

Alabama promotes peanut sustainability on social media During January, APPA shared a post on Facebook about how the peanut is the most sustainable nut. The post reached over 8,500 people, with 685 reactions, comments, and shares. More than 230 people clicked on the link and picture to read the article.

Peanuts use less water than comparable sources of nutrition. For a one-ounce serving of shelled peanuts, it only requires 4.7 gallons of water to grow.

Additional information regarding the sustainable peanut is available online at peanutvision.org.

APPA continues to post peanut production information, recipes and nutrition information on their Facebook page so be sure to follow along.

Florida Peanuts promoted in Superbowl program ad The Florida Peanut Producers Association and the National Peanut Board partnered to create an ad in The Official 2020 NFL Super Bowl LIV Game Program. The program was distributed several days prior to game day in Miami, Florida, and surrounding areas. More than 1 million copies were sold on game day at the Super Bowl which produced a readership of approximately 5 million people. A digital version of the program is available for viewing on the NFL website and FPPA social media.

“It was great to partner with the National Peanut Board to produce this ad featuring peanuts at such a popular event,” says Ken Barton, executive director of the Florida Peanut Producers Association.

Marshall Farms wins the Commissioner’s Agricultural Environmental Leadership Award For the past 25 years, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has recognized agricultural operations that demonstrate leadership by utilizing environmentally sustainable practices to reduce water use, protect Florida lands and maximize efficiency with the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. The 2019 award was presented to Florida Commissioner of Marshall Farms in Okaloosa County, Florida.

Agriculture Nikki Fried presents Marshall Farms consist of a father and son team the 2019 Ag-Environmental of James and Nick, and they produce peanuts and Award to Marshall Farms of Okaloosa County. Pictured left to cotton on 2,600 acres. Marshall Farms own one of right, Nick, Landen, James and most technologically advanced agricultural operations Commissioner Fried. in Northwest Florida. They embrace technology and are quick to implement practices on their farm that will increase efficiency and they are always environmentally conscious of their farm as well as neighboring properties.

James and Nick Marshall are perfect examples of farmers who take every advantage that research and technology offers for improving the farm’s efficiency and protecting the local environment.

James and Nick take leadership roles off the farm as well. James has served as a director of Farm Credit, FSA Committee and continues to serve on the FPPA Board of Directors. Nick serves on the Okaloosa County Farm Bureau Board and as a Florida Delegate on the National Cotton Council.

Applications for the 2020 award are due April 1 and online at freshfromflorida.com.

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

9

2020 WEED GUIDEBOOK Nozzle Type and Application Pressure The Effect of Nozzle Type and Application Pressure on Weed Management in Peanuts pplication settings like nozzle selection and spray pressure are two of the most crucial decisions growers make – sometimes without considering how important those decisions are. With an optimized nozzle tip and application pressure, an already effective weed management program can be improved – all without spending additional money to do so. From the most intricate self-propelled sprayers to the simplest sprayers, that little piece of plastic at the end of your boom can make applications better or worse – just from proper nozzle tip selection.

A two-year research project at Mississippi State University conducted by Kayla Broster, a master’s weed science student and Connor Ferguson, assistant professor of weed science sought to answer this question.

Nozzles and application pressures were selected based on grower feedback and nozzle design aspects: single vs. dual fan nozzles & asymmetric vs. symmetric dual fan nozzles. The study compared the same season-long weed control program applied using six different nozzle types (AIXR, ULD, AULDC, GAT, TTI60 and TADF) at 40, 60 and 80 PSI. All applications were made at 15 gallons per acre over plots planted with Georgia-06G.

A

10

Nozzles used in the research study are pictured above. Top row, left to right, AIXR, ULD and AULDC. Bottom row, left to right, GAT, TTI60, and TADF.

The study was conducted in Newton, Mississippi at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station. The season long herbicide program was Strongarm 84WG (0.45 ounces per acre) followed by Gramoxone 2SL (16 ounces per acre) + Broadloom 4SC (13.5 ounces per acre) + Zidua 4.17SC (3 ounces per acre) applied 28 days “at-cracking” followed by Ultra Blazer 2SL (24 ounces per acre) + 2,4-DB

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

2SL (16 ounces per acre) applied 30 days after the “at-cracking” application. Grass weeds were controlled using a blanket application of Select Max 0.97EC (16 ounces per acre) applied at the 30 days after the “at-cracking” application – which was not applied using separate nozzle types as with the rest of the treatments in the study. Weed control ratings were recorded for grasses,

nutsedge, and broadleaf weeds across species throughout the study. Finally, yields were collected at the end of the season.

Across both seasons, weed control was consistent across nozzle type and pressure – indicating that at 15 gallons per acre, 40, 60, and 80 PSI are optimal pressures using one of the six nozzle types we assessed. Though statistical separations for nozzle type were observed at 80 PSI, all control ratings were above 90 percent. Yields were not affected by the nozzle type nor spray pressure across both seasons. The program resulted in effective control of morningglory, sicklepod, hemp sesbania, and other broadleaf species in the plots.

Based on this study, we would recommend growers apply herbicides between 40 and 60 PSI simply due to the reduced strain and wear-and-tear that higher pressures place on application equipment. It would also be recommended to keeping pressures between 40 and 60 PSI to reduce the potential for

ULD at 80 psi

off-target movement (spray drift) from higher application pressures. All nozzles at higher pressures produce smaller droplet sizes which are more prone to move off-target and damage non-target crops and vegetation.

Proper nozzle tip and application

GAT at 80 psi

TADF at 80 psi

pressure were fine-tuned in this study and use of any one of the six nozzle types tested will be optimized at 15 GPA between 40 and 60 PSI for weed control in peanut. t

BY CONNOR FERGUSON & KAYLA BROSTER MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

Untreated check plot taken 28 days after treatment.

New Herbicides on the Horizon Peanut growers are fortunate in the fact that there are 22 herbicide active ingredients registered for use. That’s quite a few herbicides especially since peanuts are considered a minor use crop in the realm of herbicide development and discovery (when compared to field corn and soybean). Sadly, there is not much happening in the area of peanut herbicide development and discovery but there are a few potential new products in the pipeline.

Anthem Flex from FMC (pyroxasulfone + carfentrazone) Anthem Flex is basically a pre-mixture of Zidua + Aim. Anthem Flex will compete in the peanut herbicide market with Dual Magnum, Warrant, Zidua, and Outlook for use in postemergence tank-mixtures with Gramoxone, Cadre, Cobra, or Ultra Blazer.

Anthem Flex provides strong residual control of Palmer amaranth and many annual grasses. The Anthem Flex peanut label is very likely for 2020.

Brake from SePRO (fluridone) Brake is under evaluation for preemergence (PRE) use in peanut. It was recently registered for PRE use in cotton and is sold in the aquatic weed control market as Sonar. Brake has a unique mode of action (WSSA #12, inhibitor of phytoene desaturase in carotenoid biosynthesis) that is not currently being over-used in row crop weed control systems. Thus, its registration in peanut would help delay the inevitable increases of herbicide-resistant weeds. Currently, field research is focusing on fine tuning application rates and

monitoring peanut variety tolerance.

Vulcarus from BASF (trifludimoxazin) Vulcarus is a new PPO-herbicide (WSSA #14) also under evaluation for PRE use in peanut. In the preliminary field work that I have conducted thus far with Vulcarus, it has performed similarly to Valor (when used in a program) but with less crop injury potential. There is some data out there that suggests that Vulcarus might even provide control of PPO-resistant weeds, but I am skeptical of that claim.

The development of Vulcarus for use in peanut is in the infancy stage so it will likely be a few more years before or if this herbicide makes it to a grower’s field. t

BY ERIC PROSTKO UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

11

Tropical Spiderwort A 2020 control recommendation ropical spiderwort is a very problematic weed in south Alabama, Florida panhandle and south Georgia in cotton production. It has natural tolerance to glyphosate and fairly good tolerance to Liberty and Dicamba. It can produce new shoots constantly from April to September through both seeds and underground stolon, making it very hard to control compared to annual weeds which only establish by seed.

The Auburn extension weed science program has been conducting tropical spiderwort control studies at several locations in south Alabama and the Florida panhandle for the last three years.

Previous trials in Alabama have confirmed that Strongarm at full rate (0.45 ounces per acre) or even half rate is very effective on tropical spiderwort with almost 100 percent control. Combine Valor 2-3 ounces or Warrant 3 pints per

T

acre with full rate or half rate of Strongarm PRE is a very good practice to reduce shoot abundance at the start of crop. Add Gramoxone to the tank mix to remove any existing tropical spiderwort at planting.

Outlook and Dual Magnum were the other two PRE herbicides that produced over 80 percent control. Outlook will be evaluated again in a 2020 trial and if it produces acceptable control as PRE, it will be included in the recommendation for tropical spiderwort control in Alabama. Gramoxone has been very effective against this weed. For 3 pounds material, 1.5-2 pints per acre, Gramoxone at 15-20 gallons per acre can wipe out tropical spiderwort up to 12 inch wide with a MSO or COC surfactant without the need to add additional 2,4-D. This is the best option to clean up tropical spiderwort before planting or after corn harvest.

When it comes to controlling tropical

Tropical spiderwort is also known more formally as Benghal dayflower. It’s an annual or perennial herb and is native to tropical areas of Asia and Africa.

12

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

Steve Li Alabama Extension weed scientist spiderwort over the top, I recommend using either Cadre or Cobra to combine with Dual Magnum at 22 ounces per acre.

Add 2,4-DB at 16 ounces per acre to enhance sicklepod, pigweed, coffeeweed and morningglory control but DB does not provide any control to tropical spiderwort (do not get confused, 2,4-D amine or Enlist one is very effective on this weed, but 2,4-D and 2,4-DB are two totally different things).

A good practice to consider is adding half rate of Strongarm to the first POST treatment over the top around 30-35 days after planting. Cadre + Strongarm has been used by multiple farmers in south Alabama and they have reported good control of tropical spiderwort and morning glory. Please also note that Cadre and Strongarm do not control ALS-resistant Palmer amaranth. Cobra, Ultra Blazer and other residual herbicides are needed to control Palmer amaranth.

The current Auburn University recommendation for tropical spiderwort control in peanuts is starting clean with Gramoxone sprayed preplant or with PRE. Use Valor 2-3 ounces + Strongarm 0.225 ounces per acre (if Palmer co-exist with tropical spiderwort), or Warrant 3 pints + Strongarm 0.225 ounces per acre (if grasses and tropical spider are main

2020 Peanut Weed Control Recommendations for Georgia

by Eric Prostko Professor and Extension Weed Specialist University of Georgia Five Important Things to Consider: 1. Start clean using a combination of tillage, cover crops, and/or herbicides.

2. Use twin rows when practical.

3. Use at least 2 residual herbicides in the system.

4. Make timely postemergence applications (tallest weeds ≤ 3” tall, not the average).

5. Hand-remove weed escapes before seed is produced.

Table 1: Herbicide Programs for Peanuts.

Timing System

Tillage

Preplant Burndowna

PPI

EPOST (~10-20 DAPb)

PRE

Paraquat + Storm + Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua

No Rain in 7-10 DPA Paraquat + Prowl strip-tillc

Glyphosate or Paraquat + 2,4-D

Rain in 7-10 DPA Paraquat + Prowl + Valor

Non-Irrigated (Dryland)

Prowl or Sonalan

ALS Resistance: Cobra or Ultral Blazer + (Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua) + 2,4-DB No ALS Resistance:

No PRE if rain is not expected in 7-10 DAP conventional

POST (~30-45 DAP)

Paraquat + Storm + Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua

Cadred + (Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua) + 2,4-DB

Rain in 7-10 DPA Valor Strip-tillc

Gyphosate or Paraquat + 2,4-D

Paraquat + Prowl + Valor + Strongarmd

Irrigated Conventional

Prowl or Sonalan + Valor + Strongarmd

** A 4-way tank-mixture can be used if required (Cadre + Cobra or Ultra Blazer + 2,4-DB + Dual Magnum or Warrant or Zidua)

a

Apply at least 7 days before planting. If there will be a long delay between the burndown application and planting (>10 days), consider adding a residual herbicide (Valor or Dual Magnum or Warrant) to the burndown treatment. b DAP = days after planting. c Annual grass control in strip-tillage systems is often more difficult thus additional applications of a postemergence grass herbicide (i.e. Fusilade, Poast and Select) will be needed. d Before using Cadre and/or Strongarm, rotational crop restrictions must be considered. **SPECIAL NOTE: Dual Magnum and Warrant are in the same herbicide family and have the same mode of action (inhibit very long chain fatty acids). Zidua is not in the same herbicide family but has the same mode of action. Multiple applications (> 2) of these herbicides in a single year should be avoided to prevent or delay the evolution of resistance. These residual herbicides have no postemergence activity.

issues, still control Palmer pigweed) as PRE with Gramoxone.

Apply Gramoxone 3 pounds at 8-10 ounces per acre + Dual Magnum 16 ounces per acre 2-3 weeks after cracking with NIS if PRE did not get activated properly or was not sprayed due to lack of rain. If PRE is working as expected, scout fields regularly and apply either Cobra or Cadre with 2,4-DB 16 ounces + Strongarm 0.225 ounces + Dual Magnum

16 ounces per acre + NIS when new tropical spiderwort shoots begin to show up again. Use 12.5 ounces per acre for Cobra and 3-4 ounces for Cadre. If carryover to cotton is a concern or resistant Palmer pigweeds exist in this field, use Cobra.

The sooner peanut close canopy, the sooner it shades out tropical spiderwort.

Therefore, twin row planting pattern and choosing variety with faster leaf growth

will help with reaching that goal faster.

Cultivation between crop rows may also help controlling this weed in single row peanut. Excellent control of tropical spiderwort can be achieved in Enlist cotton due to its high sensitivity to 2,4-D. Therefore, use Enlist cotton as rotational crop with peanut in a heavy tropical spiderwort field is also recommended. t

BY STEVE LI AUBURN UNIVERSITY

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

13

Cover Crops Evaluation of Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in Peanut Production Systems ith increasing prevalence of herbicide resistant weeds and limited modes of action in postemergence weed control, peanut producers have to utilize additional weed control methods. More producers utilize residual herbicides to maintain a weed-free field during crop emergence and to control Palmer amaranth early in the season.

The combination of high cover crop residue with residual herbicides can provide additional early season weed control. Cover crops can also provide many other benefits to peanut cropping including conserving soil moisture for planting, increasing soil organic matter, and reducing soil erosion.

Additionally, previous studies have shown that cover crop residues do not increase disease pressure in peanut compared to conventionally tilled systems which has been a concern for producers.

This study compared the weed control benefits of high cover crop residue with residual herbicides to a conventional tillage system with the same herbicides.

The study was conducted in Headland Alabama by Katilyn Price, an Auburn University doctoral student and weed science program technician, along with Steve Li, Alabama Extension weed scientist. The research involved four different residual herbicide treatments including Warrant, Valor, Strongarm, Dual Magnum and a non-treated check in both high residue cover crop and conventional-

W

High cover crop residue with residual herbicides provided greater overall early season weed control during peanut emergence than conventional.

14

ly tilled plots. There were no postemergence herbicide treatments applied sprayed on these plots as the researchers wanted to evaluate preemergence herbicide control only.

In the fall 2018, cereal rye was planted at 100 pounds per acre, it was then rolled and sprayed with glyphosate in March 2019. The field had an initial rye residue of 6,500 pounds per acre at the day of planting and had degraded to 3,000 pounds per acre at 56 days after planting.

The conventionally tilled plots were planted next to the high residue cover crop plots to ensure similar weed pressure. Weed counts and control ratings were recorded for grasses, nutsedge, pigweed, morningglory, and sicklepod throughout the study. Finally, a total field weed biomass was collected at 56 days after planting in each plot.

Residual herbicides with the high cover crop residue had less grasses, nutsedge, and broadleaf weeds compared to the conventionally tilled treatments at 21 and 35 days after planting. Overall, all herbicide treatments with cover crop residue had 65-88 percent less weed biomass at 56 days after planting compared to the conventionally tilled non-treated check.

By 35 days after planting, Warrant, Strongarm, and Dual Magnum in conventionally tilled plots had 45-65 percent more broadleaf weeds than the high cover crop residue plots with the same herbicide treatments. Strongarm and Valor with cover crop residue had nearly clean plots at 68 days after planting while peanuts could hardly be found in the conventionally tilled plots with the same herbicide treatments.

In this study, high cover crop residue with residual herbicides provided greater overall early season weed control during peanut emergence than conventional. It also provided weed control longer into the

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

Valor with high residue 68 days after planting.

Strongarm with high residue 68 days after planting.

Nontreated check with high residue 68 days after planting.

season compared to the conventionally tilled system which allowed time for the peanuts to canopy without additional herbicide treatments.

Utilizing high residue cover crops in peanut production could reduce herbicide applications, preserve current modes of action in peanuts as well as provide an additional control method for herbicide resistant Palmer amaranth. Valor and Strongarm with high cover crop residue had the most effective weed control and are viable options for peanut producers.

This study will be continued at Headland and Fairhope, Alabama, in the summer of 2020 to gather more results. t

BY STEVE LI & KATILYN PRICE AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Georgia Peanut Commission publishes, “A Home Run for Peanuts” book ust in time for National Ag Day, the Georgia Peanut Commission is proud to announce the release of a newly published children’s book, “A Home Run for Peanuts.” Written by South Dakota author Amanda Radke and illustrated by Minnesota artist Michelle Weber, “A Home Run For Peanuts” takes young readers on fun adventures from a peanut farm to the baseball park.

“The Georgia Peanut Commission created this book for children to help them understand the process of growing and harvesting peanuts,” says Hannah Jones, Georgia Peanut Commission research and education project coordinator. “The information is told by a fun and colorful narrator, straight from the viewpoint of the farm.”

Readers will meet the story’s main character — a farm kid, Jake, and his dog, Max — as they explore his family’s peanut farm through the seasons. Along the way, Jake is studying at school and practicing with his baseball team, and he fuels his busy days with protein-rich peanut butter, of course.

“Through this vibrant and memorable story, we hope students learn about life on the farm, as well as peanut farming,” Jones says. “We want readers to know peanuts are not only delicious, but they are good for you, too! We hope to convey that message through this story and inspire families to incorporate peanuts into their daily menus.”

Throughout the book, Jake enjoys a wide array of peanut meals, from classic peanut butter sandwiches, to peanut butter protein balls, to peanut butter cookies and more. Jake is able to ace his tests and hit home runs, thanks to his nutrient-dense on-the-go peanut snacks. The book even features a kid-friendly, parent-approved recipe for, Game Day Peanut Butter Protein Bites.

“A Home Run for Peanuts” was written for second through fourth graders and includes a lesson plan and vocabulary list, perfect for teachers to incorporate into the classroom.

“We are excited to share this story

J

16

with young readers and show them how farm families are just regular people who take pride in their way of life as they produce a home run crop to feed the world,” Jones says.

Copies of “A Home Run for Peanuts” are available at www.gapeanuts.com, on Amazon or in the Georgia Peanut Commission Gift Shop. t

Operation Peanut Butter Digital Game Now Available on Mobile App In 2016, the National Peanut Board, Georgia Peanut Commission, Florida Peanut Producers, Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Virginia-Carolina Peanut Promotions, Southern Peanut Growers and American Peanut Council launched an online peanut learning game, Operation Peanut Butter, as part of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s My American Farm games.

Recently, AFBFA released a STEM mobile app for four of its My American Farm games. Operation Peanut Butter is included in the app lineup and corresponds to the STEM component for math; other available farm games on the STEM app are: Keys to Stewardship (science); The Great Seed Search (technology); and Thrive (engineering). All mobile games meet the national educational standards.

The app can be downloaded at www.myamericanfarm.org/mobile_app_download and from the App Store or Google Play. Games in the STEM app are ideal for students in grades three to five. In Operation Peanut Butter, players follow peanuts from the field to the peanut butter on their sandwiches, calculating acreage and yields all along the way. At the end, students visit an online food bank database and challenge friends to join them in donating a jar of peanut butter to their local food bank.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

Special Review

January 16, 2020 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton, Georgia

2020 Georgia Peanut Farm Show photos & videos from production and seed seminars are available online at www.gapeanuts.com.

Georgia Peanut Farm Show Award Winners The Georgia Peanut Commission presented awards to individuals and businesses for their service to the peanut industry and promotion of peanuts across the United States during the 44th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show held Jan. 16, 2020, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Ga. Pictured left to right: (first row) Armond Morris, GPC chairman; Jody Redding, accepting the Peanut Hall of Fame Award for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson; Distinguished Service Award - Joe West, assistant dean for the University of Georgia Tifton Campus; Media Award – David Maxwell with the Donalsonville News; Research & Education Award – Marshall Lamb accepting for the National Peanut Research Lab; (second row) Special Award – Tony McBrayer and Junior Morgan accepting on behalf of Peanut Butter & Jesus Tifton; Special Award - Hugh Nall accepting on behalf of Southern Ag Carriers; Media Award (posthumously) - Mark, Laura and Andrew Leidner accepting on behalf of their dad, John Leidner and Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award – Jonathan Hitchcock, Tennille, Ga.

Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame - U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson The Georgia Peanut Commission welcomed their sixth inductee, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame. Induction into the Peanut Hall of Fame is the highest recognition one can receive from the growers in the state of Georgia.

Senator Isakson holds the distinction of being the only Georgian ever to have been elected to the state House, state Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. In addition, in 2016 he became the first Georgia Republican ever to be elected to a third term in the U.S. Senate. He officially retired from the U.S. Senate on Dec. 31, 2019. Senator Isakson served as chairman of both the Senate Ethics Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and he remains the only Republican in the Senate chairing two committees.

Senator Isakson has been an avid supporter of Georgia agriculture and peanuts through the years. His support was demonstrated as he leaned on his cane at the table on the Senate floor, asking each Senator as they come forward to vote, to support disaster funding for farmers affected by Hurricane Michael. Senator Isakson has shown his dedication, determination and love for the citizens of the State of Georgia.

Distinguished Service Award - Joe West, University of Georgia The Distinguished Service Award honors professionals who have made important contributions to Georgia’s peanut and agriculture industries. The award was presented to Joe West, assistant dean for the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. Dr. West became assistant dean in January 2008 and is responsible for all operations associated with the Tifton Campus. Through his leadership he has coordinated the renovation of landmark historic buildings, improved field laboratory operations and developed partnerships with agribusinesses in the area. West also led efforts for the celebration of the campus centennial marking 100 years of progress in agricultural research, education and outreach. West’s contributions also include providing support for farm managers and technical staff, and equipping scientists with the necessary tools to continue making agriculture the No. 1 industry in Georgia. Those contributions have led to the success of scientists at UGA-Tifton, especially those specializing in peanuts. Numerous new scientist positions have been added to the campus in recent years to meet the changing needs of agriculture, now beginning the campus’ second century of service to agriculture.

Research and Education Award – National Peanut Research Lab The Georgia Peanut Research and Education Award was presented to the National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Georgia. Fifty years ago, citizens and community leaders in Dawson, Georgia, came together to unite and secure the location of the National Peanut Research Laboratory in their hometown. This lab was established in 1965 for the purpose of improving farming practices. Since that time, scientists have studied a variety of factors involved in peanut production from better planting practices to better irrigation practices. Scientists have also researched ways to improve harvesting methods, storage methods, and the better use of environmental and financial resources. The NPRL is one of the only USDA Agricultural Research Science labs that is solely dedicated to peanut research. Through 50 years of research, scientists at the lab have created a tremendous amount of technology that is being used in the industry today. Originally, the focus at NPRL was on engineering and aflatoxins. However, over the years scientists have migrated to look at cropping systems type work and irrigation scheduling. The lab continues to partner with universities and organizations for peanut breeding research and sustainability efforts.

18

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award – Jonathan Hitchcock, Tennille, Georgia The Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award was presented to Jonathan Hitchcock of Tennille, Georgia. He owns over 1,200 acres, but also farms more than 3,000 acres which includes peanuts, cotton, corn, soybeans, oats, sorghum, hay and a cow/calf beef operation. In Hitchcock’s 12 years of farming, innovative stewardship practices have been a top priority. He strives to reduce his carbon footprint through no till practices and reduce water usage through irrigation mobile technology and soil moisture sensors.

Hitchcock also credits the use of GPS technology, planting a winter cover crop to help reduce soil erosion and the ongoing practice of crop rotation which helps to play a major role in production yields and management. Hitchcock is a stock owner with Producer Peanut Buying Point, Producer Ag Services and Premium Peanut Shelling Plant. He has been involved with a variety of agricultural organizations including the Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Cattleman’s Association, Georgia and National Corn Growers Association, Georgia Young Farmers Association, AgGeorgia Farm Credit, and the Georgia Soybean Association. He currently serves on the board of directors for Washington County Farm Bureau, Washington County Cattlemen’s Association and the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Soybeans. He served as co-chair of the Georgia Farm Bureau State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee in 2018. Since 2010, Hitchcock has been recognized for his high corn yields from the National Corn Growers Association and he is a graduate of the association’s New Leader’s Program. In 2016, he was named the state winner in the Georgia Farm Bureau Achievement in Agriculture and advanced as a top 10 finalist in the American Farm Bureau Achievement in Agriculture in 2017. Hitchcock is married to Bridget and they have one daughter, Andie who is 6.

Media Award – David Maxwell, Donalsonville News The Georgia Peanut Media award is presented to David Maxwell, managing editor of the Donalsonville News. Maxwell has led efforts within the Donalsonville Community to be a champion in boosting local business, civic, religious and cultural interests and in educating all on topics from local government and education to the next town event. Over the past six years, the Donalsonville News, under the leadership of Maxwell, has been the driving force for positive change in the community. Maxwell’s editorials and feature articles have helped to bring the pride back to the community. Multiple projects of his creation were in motion when with the devastation of Hurricane Michael arrived. From the moment the storm was over, Maxwell used the platforms of the Donalsonville News to serve his community. During the initial 21-day period of no electricity or Internet he comforted and calmed this community with his daily – and sometimes hourly – messages of hope and survival. Using printed flyers, Facebook and eventually, after power was restored, the pages of the Donalsonville News and its website, Maxwell provided vital survival information, emergency contact information and comforting and encouraging messages of neighbors helping neighbors and strangers becoming friends. Maxwell is currently the chairman of the board of the Seminole County BetterWay Initiative, president of the Donalsonville Lions Club, past chairman of the Donalsonville-Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, and former board member of the Georgia Press Association.

Media Award posthumously - John Leidner, Southeastern Peanut Farmer The Georgia Peanut Media award is presented posthumously to John Leidner, freelance writer for the Southeastern Peanut Farmer magazine. Leidner brought articles focusing on the latest peanut research or production advice to farmers for the past seven years within the pages of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer. Prior to joining the Southeastern Peanut Farmer, Leidner was the Southeast Regional Editor for Progressive Farmer magazine for 30 years, producing countless articles and several cover photos. He also worked closely with the Sunbelt Expo, writing in all 41 of their programs and writing press releases for the Farmer of the Year program. In 2007, John wrote a book on the history of the Expo entitled, “The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition: A Thirty-Year Perspective.” Additionally, he covered the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award and interviewed the state winners annually for the Expo and Southeast Farm Press.

Special Award - Southern Ag Carriers The Georgia Peanut Special Award is presented to Southern Ag Carriers. The company began in December 1990 with a small private fleet of 5 tractors and 10 dry van trailers serving customers in the peanut processing industry in Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina. Southern AG Carriers, Inc. has grown to operate a fleet of 250 company owned tractors and over 1,000 trailers serving a wide array of customers across 27 states. Southern Ag Carriers has been instrumental in promoting Georgia Peanuts by allowing the Georgia Peanut Commission to print messaging on the side of their trailers. Each message promotes Georgia Peanuts as the fleet travels across the United States. Additionally, Southern Ag Carriers has been delivering Peanut Proud peanut butter since 2009 to food banks and humanitarian relief organizations through special events and natural disaster cases. All of the deliveries have been complimentary in their support of Peanut Proud and the peanut industry.

Special Award - Peanut Butter & Jesus The Georgia Peanut Special Award is presented to Peanut Butter & Jesus in Tifton, Georgia, for their outstanding contributions through humanitarian efforts. Every Saturday, volunteers show up to make and deliver peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to children throughout Tifton. Bright green vans drive through neighborhoods playing Christian Bible songs similar to an ice cream truck as kids run out of their homes waiting for their delivery. The outreach effort began in September 2017 with 141 sandwiches and today, the group delivers 1,600 bags of sandwiches and snacks every Saturday. The primary focus with the ministry is to make sure that kids who are at risk of going hungry on the weekends get something to eat, as well as giving them an inspirational message to encourage them and teach them about Jesus. The program relies strictly on volunteers and donations from area businesses and individuals.

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

19

Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmer of the Year District Winners The Georgia Peanut Commission presented the Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmer of the Year awards to one farmer in each of the commission’s five districts. This award is designed to honor farmers who have given life-long devotion to peanut farming and who have the passion, diligence, leadership and desire to see that the peanut industry in the state of Georgia continues to represent the highest quality possible. The awards were presented during a breakfast held prior to the opening of the Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference on Jan. 16, 2020, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center.

This award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and Agri Supply.

Pictured left to right: Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, District 1 honoree – Barbara Greene, accepting on behalf of Jud Greene, Brinson, Ga.; District 2 honoree – Charles Paulk, Ocilla, Ga.; District 3 honoree – Wade McElveen, Brooklet, Ga.; District 4 honoree – Ronney Ledford Sr., Vienna, Ga.; District 5 honoree – Mike McLendon, Oglethorpe, Ga., and Matt Cato, Agri Supply representative.

District 1 posthumously – Jud Greene, Brinson, Georgia The District 1 winner is Jud Greene of Brinson, Georgia. Unfortunately, Greene passed away on Dec. 27, 2019, before he could be recognized for this award. His mother, Barbara, and brother, Joel, accepted the award on his behalf.

Greene followed in his father’s footsteps and became an award-winning farmer. He farmed in Decatur County where he grew peanuts, cotton and corn. In 1997, Greene was named Ag Man of the Year for Decatur County and he was recognized with the peanut award in 1997, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

Greene graduated in Class 4 of the Peanut Leadership Academy. During his graduation he was asked to bring a few remarks regarding the program. Greene took this seriously and prepared a set of handwritten notes about what the program meant to him.

Above all, he valued the friendships he gained through the program. He also loved attending the annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference with his wife Rhonda and keeping in touch with his peanut family.

Through the years, Greene was credited for the research work he did with the University of Georgia Peanut Extension Team and with Dow Agrosciences (now Corteva). He worked on several research trials with University of Georgia plant pathologists Bob Kemerait and Tim Brenneman through the years, especially work on nematode management. Much of what we know about managing root-knot nematodes on peanut was confirmed for growers in field trials conducted on Greene’s farm. Greene worked on research trials with Corteva since the mid-1980s. Through the on-farm research, Greene helped Corteva develop a number of insecticides and herbicides in peanuts, not to mention a number of other varieties, traits and products in cotton.

Greene was named the valedictorian of his high school and a proud graduate of ABAC and attended the University of Georgia.

He was a member of the Iron City Methodist Church and was a member of Gideons International.

District 2 – Charles Paulk, Ocilla, Georgia The District 2 winner is Charles Paulk of Ocilla, Georgia. Paulk, a seventh-generation farmer, has had a successful career with farming, operating the local John Deere franchise, representing farmers with a national organization and creating a Farming for Fun board game. Paulk began farming after high school graduation for 17 years. During those years, he grew peanuts, cotton, corn, wheat, tobacco, watermelon and cantaloupes, as well as raised beef cattle and swine on the farm in Irwin County. He operated the first successful mechanical cotton picker in his area and was one of the first to test certain chemicals in his cotton fields. He was also one of the first farmers in the area to irrigate peanuts.

In addition to farming, Paulk operated Irwin County Tractor Company for 14 years. John Deere offered him the local franchise two times but it was the third time when Paulk officially accepted the offer. He enjoyed helping farmers in the area with their tractor needs but upon advice from doctors about a health issue he eventually decided he would return to farming and he closed the

20

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

franchise. Before jumping back into farming, Paulk decided to develop a board game, “Farming for Fun.” His entire family participated in helping with the invention of the game.

In 1986, his love for farming continued for another ten years on the family farm where he grew peanuts, cotton and corn. His last crop in 1996 included one of his favorite crops - peanuts. Through the years, he has received awards for his high yields in the county for peanuts and cotton.

In addition to farming, he served farmers as the marketing area chief in Georgia and Florida for the National Farmers Organization and served on the board of GFA Peanut Company for 14 years. He is a member of Georgia Farm Bureau and was a member of FFA in high school, Ocilla Rotary Club and Irwin County Young Farmers.

Paulk is married to Annelle and they have two daughters, Debbie and Julie, as well as four grandsons.

District 3 – Wade McElveen, Brooklet, Georgia The District 3 winner is Wade McElveen of Brooklet, Georgia. McElveen began full time farming in 1976 after part-time farming with his Dad. In the beginning, he grew peanuts, corn and soybean along with a hog operation. Through the years, he ended the hog operation and added cotton to the crop rotation. Today, McElveen grows peanuts and cotton exclusively. His son, Matthew joined him on the farm in 2012. Together they farm 384 acres of timber, 900 acres of cotton and 400 acres of peanuts.

McElveen currently serves on the county FSA Committee for Bulloch and Candler Counties. He has served on the advisory board of the Georgia Peanut Commission, served on the board of the Georgia Peanut Producers Association and as a state delegate to the National Cotton Council. McElveen has also been awarded the Bulloch Co. Farm Family of the Year in 1994 and the Soil and Water Conservationist for Bulloch County in 2004.

He also is a member and deacon of Lanes Primitive Baptist Church where he serves as music director. Additionally, McElveen serves on the board of directors for Bulloch Telephone Cooperative and the Primitive Baptist Music Workshop as well as the board of trustees for Bethany Assisted Living Facility.

When McElveen is not farming, he enjoys fishing, hunting, playing guitar and traveling. He is married to Debbie and they have two children; a daughter named LeeAnna and her husband, Eric, and a son named Matthew who is married to Valerie.

District 4 – Ronney Ledford Sr., Vienna, Georgia The District 4 winner is Ronney Ledford Sr. of Vienna, Georgia. Ledford is a third-generation farmer who started farming with his dad in 1959. The farm started out as 200 acres which has grown into 6,000 acres of peanuts, cotton and timber with his son, two grandsons and cousin. Being a family farm business, his daughter, Claire is the bookkeeper.

Through the years, Ledford has been involved with a variety of agribusiness enterprises including Findley Gin Co., Vienna Cotton Warehouse and Mid South peanut buying point. Additionally, he has served for 20 years as a board member of Flag Community Bank and 30 years on the board for AgGeorgia Farm Credit. Ledford is a Georgia Farm Bureau member and has served as the Dooly County Farm Bureau director. He has also been a member of the Georgia Peanut Producers Association and was a member of FFA in high school where he received his American FFA Degree in 1960.

Ledford is also involved in his community where he has served on the board of Crisp Regional Hospital for 12 years and served on the board of Fullington Academy for 10 years. He is also a member and deacon at Smyrna Baptist Church.

Ledford served for 6 years in the Army National Guard and graduated from ABAC with an agriculture degree. Ledford is married to Gloria and they have two children; Ronney Ledford Jr. and Claire Krause, and five grandchildren.

District 5 – Mike McLendon, Oglethorpe, Georgia The District 5 winner is Mike McLendon of Oglethorpe, Georgia. McLendon grew up on the farm his dad purchased in 1941 in Macon County. Together they grew peanuts, cotton and corn from 1969 to 1973. Upon his father’s death in 1973, McLendon continued to farm and adopted Frank McGill’s package approach to his peanut production. In 1975, he installed irrigation on the farm and continued to follow advice from the University of Georgia Extension Peanut Team which allowed him to achieve higher yields in the years ahead. Today, the farm includes 300 acres of cropland and 450 acres of timber. In 2019, peanuts grown on McLendon’s farm yielded 7,385 pounds of peanuts.

Farming was a family affair for McLendon and his children assisted with some of the farming activities including pulling weeds. McLendon says, he has been blessed to grow crops he loves on a farm with good land and to raise a family who all love the farm and will remember the special smell of fall during peanut harvest. One of his favorite activities now involves nurturing a love of the farm in his grandkids through their “cousin time” activities on the farm throughout the year and “Camp Mac” during the summer. He also supports the bluebird population and encourage all pollinators especially hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

McLendon has served on the Macon county Farm Bureau board since 1973 and has been the President for 19 of those years. He has also served three terms on the Macon County FSA Board, served on the advisory board of the Georgia Peanut Commission and served on the Credentials Committee of Flint EMC for more than 10 years. He currently serves as the chairman of the board of trustees at Oglethorpe United Methodist church where he has been a member since 1973.

McLendon is married to Marilyn and they have 4 children - Janet, Lynn, David and Laura, as well as 9 grandchildren.

Thanks to Agri Supply for sponsoring the Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmer of the Year award and to BASF for sponsoring the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer.

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

21

Thanks to the 2020 Georgia Peanut Farm Show Exhibitors Able Ag Solutions, LLC Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) ADAMA Adkinson Motorsports Advanced Trailer AgAmerica Lending AgLogic Chemical, LLC Ag Nutrients, LLC AgResource Management Agri-AFC Agri Supply Alltech Crop Science Amadas Industries American Peanut Council/The Peanut Research Foundation American Peanut Research & Education Society AMVAC Atlantic & Southern Equipment Avery Crop Insurance BASF Corporation Bayer CropScience Chandler Equipment Co. Chemical Containers, Inc. Colombo North America, Inc. Conger LP Gas Corteva Agriscience Crosby & Associates Custom Ag Formulators Drexel Chemical Company Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort Farm Credit Associations of Georgia Farm Journal Farmers Harvest Inc. Flint Ag & Turf Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. FMC Corporation Georgia Corn Growers Association Georgia Crop Improvement Association Georgia Department of Agriculture Georgia Development Authority Georgia Farm Bureau Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service Georgia’s Integrated Cultivar Release System Georgia Organic Solutions, LLC Georgia Peanut Commission Greenleaf Technologies, LLC Hays LTI Heliae Agriculture Informed Ag Jager Pro JLA International Kelley Manufacturing Co. Lasseter Tractor Company LeafFilter North of Florida, LLC Lindsay Corp.

LMC Ag LLC MacKinnon Equipment & Services Meherrin Ag & Chemical Miller Chemical National Peanut Board

National Peanut Buying Points Association Newton Crouch Inc. Nichino America Inc. Nolin Steel Novozymes BioAg Nutrien Ltd. O2YS Corporation Omya Inc. Oro Agri Peanut Proud, Inc. Peerless Manufacturing Co. Perry Brothers Oil Company Phytogen Cottonseed Pioneer Poly Tech Industries Propane Education & Research Council Quail Forever Rabo AgriFinance Rainbow Manufacturing Co. Reinke Irrigation Rhonda Griffin Fine Art R.W. Griffin Industries LLC South Georgia Banking Company Southeast Farm Press Southeastern Peanut Farmer Southern AGCOM, Inc. Southern Drawl Cotton Southern Peanut Farmers Federation Southern Peanut Growers Specialty Sales Co. Stallings Crop Insurance Staplcotn Sumner Ag Services, Inc. Sunbelt Ag Expo Syngenta Synthetic Materials Terral Seed The KBH Corporation The Peanut Grower The Peanut Institute Tidewater Equipment Co. Trellis, Inc. Triangle Chemical Company Ubly Peanut Blades University of Georgia American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers University of Georgia Peanut Team University of Georgia Tifton Campus UPL Ag Chemical U.S. Ag LLC USDA-ARS Nat. Peanut Research Lab USDA Farm Service Agency USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA National Research Conservation Service USDA Rural Development U.S. Peanut PAC Valent USA LLC Valley Irrigation Vantage Southeast

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association holds annual meeting Jan. 28-29, 2020 he Mississippi Peanut Growers Association held its annual meeting and trade show Jan. 28-29, 2020, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Throughout the course of the event, nearly 150 growers and industry representatives had the opportunity to hear from peanut industry leaders, university specialists and visit with agribusinesses during an exhibit trade show.

The event began with updates from peanut industry representatives. Leslie Wagner, executive director of Southern Peanut Growers, gave updates on a variety of peanut promotions throughout the past year. Following the report, MPGA held its annual meeting with an update from the promotion board, a review of association activities and election of board members.

The MPGA board members elected include: Joe Morgan, district one representative and president, Hattiesburg; Lonnie Fortner, district two representative and vice president, Port Gibson; Alan Atkins, district three representative, Hamilton; Patrick Martin, district four representative, Greenwood; and members at large Scott Flowers, Clarksdale; Van Hensarling, Richton; and Drew Parrish, Greenwood.

Day two of the meeting began with an update from Mississippi State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Wes Burger, interim head of the MSU Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, provided an update on the college and research centers across the state. Mike McCormick, president of the Mississippi Farm Bureau, brought greetings and an update on farm bureau activities within the state.

Bob Parker, president and CEO of the

T

National Peanut Board, provided an overview of the promotional efforts of the NPB as well as information on new initiatives including the Spreading Good campaign for 2020. He also provided an update on the 4 - 6 month Early Introduction Campaign to prevent peanut allergies and how growers can help by sharing information with moms and doctors.

Dr. Marshall Lamb, research leader at the USDA ARS National Peanut Research Lab, discussed current research and provided a market outlook for 2020.

The two-day event also included several speakers who covered peanut production topics. Tim Brenneman, University of Georgia plant pathologist, discussed soilborne diseases of peanuts.

Brendan Zurweller, Mississippi State University peanut agronomist, provided an update on soil fertility and harvest timing consideration for peanuts. Ian Small, University of Florida plant pathologist, covered management of leaf spot diseases while Conner Ferguson, Mississippi State University weed scientist, provided an update on peanut growth regulator research.

The meeting concluded with door prize drawings from several businesses and organizations including Kelley Manufacturing Co. and Amadas Industries. Leslie Tisdale and Don Mitchell of Mitchell Farms, received the Grand Door Prize of one season’s use of a new KMC peanut combine. Johnny Yielding of Tremont, Mississippi, received a certificate for $10,000 toward the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled combine or $5,000 toward a new Amadas pull-type combine or $1,000 toward a new Amadas peanut dump cart. t

President Joe Morgan (District 1), Hattiesburg, Miss.

District 4 Patrick Martin, Greenwood, Miss.

Vice President Lonnie Fortner (District 2), Port Gibson, Miss.

Members At Large Scott Flowers, Clarksdale, Miss.

Van Hensarling, Richton, Miss.

Drew Parrish, Greenwood, Miss.

24

The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association presented an Outstanding Service Award to the Mississippi Farm Bureau during the 2020 MPGA Annual Meeting in Hattiesburg, Miss.

MPGA President Joe Morgan (right), presents the award to Mike McCormick, MFB president.

BY JOY CROSBY

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Board Members

District 3 Alan Atkins, Hamilton, Miss.

The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association presented an Outstanding Service Award to George Hooper, dean of the Mississippi State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, for his support of peanut research at the university and extension centers. Wes Burger (left), interim dean of MSU agricultural and biological engineering department, accepts the award of behalf of Dean Hooper from MPGA President Joe Morgan, during the 2020 MPGA annual meeting in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association presented an Outstanding Service Award to Marshall Lamb, research leader at the National Peanut Research Lab, recognizing the lab’s 50 years of research during the 2020 MPGA Annual Meeting in Hattiesburg, Miss. MPGA President Joe Morgan (right), presents the award to Lamb.

Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show held in February he 15th annual AlabamaFlorida Peanut Trade Show was held Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. More than 500 peanut growers and industry partners from Alabama and Florida attended to view industry products and services offered by more than 60 exhibitors. The trade show is sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Producers Association and the National Peanut Board.

A complimentary lunch was provided to trade show attendees. Following lunch, Bob Parker, NPB president and CEO, brought greetings from the NPB and updated growers on how their check-off dollars are being spent on the national level. Marshall Lamb, researcher leader with the National Peanut Research Lab, provided an update on the 2020 peanut market and crop outlook. Bob Redding, of The Redding Firm, presented a legislative update as well.

Several door prizes were given out throughout the morning of the trade show, but the prizes everyone was most looking forward to winning were announced after lunch.

The Grand Door Prize, provided by Kelley Manufacturing Co., was presented to Chris Long, Bascom, Florida. He received one season’s use of a new KMC

T

Marshall Lamb, research leader at the National Peanut Research Lab, provides the 2020 market outlook for peanuts during the 15th annual Alabama Florida Peanut Trade Show held Feb. 6, 2020.

peanut combine and the option to purchase, at the end of the season, with $15,000 of the list price.

The Grower Prize, provided by Amadas Industries, was presented to Joey Koptis, Robertsdale, Alabama. He received a certificate for $10,000 toward the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine or $5,000 toward the purchase of a new Amadas pull-type peanut combine or $2,000 toward the purchase of a new Amadas peanut digger or $1,000 toward the purchase of a new

Amadas peanut dump cart.

Colombo North America presented a certificate for $10,000 off the purchase of a Colombo combine to Jace Miniger of Walnut Hill, Florida.

Clay Mixon of Dothan, Alabama, won a free trip to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Sammy Williams of Columbia, Alabama, won a Benelli Nova 12 gauge shotgun. t

BY KAYE LYNN HATAWAY

Alabama Peanut Referendum set for April 9, 2020 The Alabama Peanut Producers Association has been certified by the Alabama Board of Agriculture and Industries as the authorized association to conduct a referendum among the peanut producers in the state of Alabama to determine whether or not an assessment shall be collected on all peanuts marketed in Alabama.

The referendum will be held on April 9, 2020, during the established office hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at polling locations throughout Alabama. A list of the polling locations is available

online at www.AlPeanuts.com. All persons engaged in the production of peanuts for the years 2017, 2018 or 2019 are eligible to vote.

In the event the referendum is carried by a majority of those voting, the assessment will be collected upon an order of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to all persons, firms and corporations engaged in the business of purchasing peanuts in the state of Alabama by deducting from the purchase price of peanuts at the rate of twelve and one-half cents ($.125) per one hundred

pounds of peanuts sold.

The proceeds from the funds derived from the assessment will be administered by the APPA and used for the purpose of contributing toward the financing of programs in research, education, promotion and other methods designed to increase the consumption of peanuts and peanut products, as well as the general well-being of the peanut producers.

If you have questions, please contact Jacob Davis, APPA executive director, at 334-792-6482 or via email at jdavis@alpeanuts.com. t

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

25

Congratulations to these Door Prize winners!

Kelley Manufacturing Co. representatives Keith Weeks, Bennie Branch and Roy Moore, present the grand door prize to Waylon Hitchcock of Tennille, Ga., during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show. Hitchcock receives one season’s use of a new KMC peanut combine and the option of purchasing the combine from a KMC dealer with $15,000 off the list price at the end of the 2020 season.

Walter Bloodworth (left) of Kelley Manufacturing Co., presents the grand door prize to Leslie Tisdale and Don Mitchell of Mitchell Farms in Collins, Miss., during the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Annual Meeting. Tisdale and Mitchell receive one season’s use of a new KMC peanut combine and the option of purchasing the combine with $15,000 off the list price at the end of the 2020 season.

Glen Gulledge (left) and Danny Bennett (right) of Kelley Manufacturing Co., presents the grand door prize to Chris Long of Bascom, Fla., during the Alabama/Florida Peanut Trade Show held in Dothan, Ala. Long receives one season’s use of a new KMC peanut combine and the option of purchasing the combine with $15,000 off the list price at the end of the 2020 season.

Mark Mathis (left) of Amadas Industries presents the Amadas door prize to Gregg McClellan of Alapaha, Ga. and Wayne Nash of Ray City, Ga., during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference held in Tifton, Georgia.

McClellan receives a certificate for a discount off of a New Amadas self-propelled peanut combine, pull-type combine, peanut digger or dump cart. Nash receives a $1,000 certificate for Amadas parts and a Grizzly cooler.

Chris Beaty (left) of Amadas Industries presents the Amadas door prize to Johnny Yielding of Tremont, Miss., during the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Annual Meeting held in Hattiesburg, Miss. Yielding receives a certificate for $10,000 toward the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine or $5,000 toward the purchase of an Amadas pull-type peanut combine or $2,000 toward the purchase of an Amadas peanut digger or $1,000 toward the purchase of a dump cart.

Chris Beaty (left) of Amadas Industries presents the Amadas door prize to Joey Koptis of Robertsdale, Ala., during the Alabama/ Florida Peanut Trade Show held in Dothan, Alabama. Koptis receives a certificate for $10,000 toward the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine or $5,000 toward the purchase of a new Amadas pull-type peanut combine or $2,000 toward the purchase of a new Amadas peanut digger or $1,000 toward the purchase of a dump cart.

Thanks to KMC and Amadas for their generous donation!

Contact KMC and Amadas at: KMC 229-382-9393 www.kelleymfg.com

26

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

Amadas (229) 439-2217 www.amadas.com

Washington Outlook

by Robert L. Redding Jr.

Ag Disaster Block Grant Update Hurricane Michael agricultural disaster block grants were established by the U.S. Congress, in 2019, as a program to be provided growers and agribusinesses for losses not addressed by WHIP +. These commodities included specialty crops, timber, livestock and poultry. In addition, there are some provisions for farm structures as well as uninsured irrigation.

These funds are provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency to State Departments of Agriculture. Approximately $347 million has been allocated to the State of Georgia. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and his disaster team have been working with USDA and members of Congress to establish a program that addresses agricultural losses from Hurricane Michael. Congress appropriated an additional $400 million for block grants to states impacted by the disaster in the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations legislation. The $400 million in additional funds has not been allocated to date.

Rouzer Discusses Policy and Politics U.S. Congressman David Rouzer, R-North Carolina, attended the National Peanut Buying Points Association Winter Meeting and discussed important trade policy items being considered by the Congress and the Administration. In addition, Congressman Rouzer offered insight into agricultural policy and the current Congress as well as a political outlook for the peanut industry.

Farmers Join Forces for Sustainability and Responsible Climate Policy The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation joined with twenty farm and ranch groups to launch the Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF). The coalition, which represents millions of U.S. farmers and ranchers, is committed to environmental and economic sustainability, and will serve as a primary resource for lawmakers and policymakers as they consider climate policies.

The coalition will share with elected officials, media and the public U.S. agriculture’s commitment to sustainability and the incredible strides already made to reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint. As policy proposals are developed and considered, the goal is for the coalition and its guiding principles to serve as a foundation to ensure the adoption of meaningful and constructive policies and programs affecting agriculture.

Farmers and ranchers are committed stewards of the land, leading the way to climate-smart farming by promoting soil health, conserving water, enhancing wildlife, using nutrients efficiently, and caring for their animals. For decades, they have pushed past the boundaries of innovation thanks to investments in agricultural research and the adoption of practices that improve productivity, provide clean and renewable energy, enhance sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon.

FSF’s guiding principles call for policies that support sciencebased research, voluntary incentive-based conservation programs, investment in infrastructure, and solutions that ensure vibrant rural communities and a healthy planet.

More about the coalition members and sustainability achievements can be found at www.SustainableFarming.us.

28

Southeastern Peanut Farmer March 2020

House Agriculture Chairman Comments on Administrations’ Proposed Ag Budget The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation joined other agricultural organizations in asking the Administration not to cut key agricultural programs in a Dec. 13, 2019, letter that was published in the Jan./Feb. 2020 issue of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer. The Administration has released its proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal. Congress will hold hearings on the proposal.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota released a statement in response to the release of the White House’s proposed budget request for fiscal year 2021. The budget includes a call for an 8.2 percent reduction in discretionary spending at USDA when the Department’s field operations are significantly understaffed, as well as proposing billions in mandatory cuts to crop insurance, conservation spending, disaster assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other programs.

“This is what happens when ideologues decide to cut programs just for the sake of cutting. We will make sure that the farm bill isn’t cut during this year’s budget process. What’s worse is the President is proposing all these cuts without any attempt to balance the budget,” says Chairman Peterson. “The past year has brought serious economic damage to farmers and rural communities, yet the Administration is proposing to cut billions in programs that they count on in many different ways. This budget also continues to short-change the funding needed to provide adequate service to USDA customers in field offices.”

U.S. House Reviews Conservation Programs Freshman House Agriculture Committee member and Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry Chair Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia, held a hearing to review 2018 Farm Bill conservation program implementation. Chair Spanberger met with peanut industry leaders in Washington, D.C., last year.

At the hearing, Spanberger stated, “Now, our focus should be on implementation and watching to see what’s working, and what—if any—barriers there are to making sure each of these programs is operating in a way that is consistent with what this committee intended when it wrote the bill, and what the overall goals of the program are. I look forward to receiving a candid look at those efforts, as well as a discussion of the agencies’ rulemaking process.”

“But when we talk about implementation, we must also talk about the staff doing the implementing. Programs, no matter how good they look on paper, or no matter how noble their goals may be, will only ever be as good as the people delivering them.

Because of that, it’s extremely important that both NRCS and FSA are operating at full staff to achieve program benefits. In that regard, there are serious questions about the ability of other USDA agencies to retain and empower staff to achieve their mission, and I want to ensure that isn’t an issue at NRCS and FSA. “Furthermore, it’s just as important that NRCS and FSA staffers are enabled and equipped by their agencies to deliver these programs in a manner that’s consistent with what we want them to achieve. That means consistent and genuine engagement with farmers and landowners on the ground.”

March 2020 Southeastern Peanut Farmer

29

Southern Peanut Growers Promotion with the Southern Food and Beverage Museum

Southern Peanut Growers exhibit at Georgia and Mississippi Peanut Farm Shows

Southern Peanut Growers will be partnering with the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, to promote Georgia Peanuts throughout 2020. The Southern Food and Beverage Museum is a non-profit living history organization dedicated to the understanding and celebration of the food and cultures that create the South’s unique culinary heritage.

In addition to revamping the Georgia exhibit in the Hall of States over the summer to feature Georgia Peanuts, there will be events each quarter to highlight peanuts starting with a Kid’s Event highlighting peanuts and peanut butter in May. Georgia Peanuts will be the focus of a Sustainable Table dinner that same month.

The Southern Food and Beverage Museum’s social media posts, blog posts and podcasts will highlight peanut messaging throughout the year including plans to showcase the peanut sustainability story, new peanut allergy recommendations and treatments, and peanut fun and nutrition.

Leslie Wagner, executive director of Southern Peanut Growers, helped with event set-up and exhibited at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show in Tifton, Georgia on Jan. 16, 2020. Southern Peanut Growers distributed sandwich keepers, peanut butter spreaders, Peanuts & Diabetes brochures, Peanut Fuel brochures, and recipe cards while visiting with farmers during the show.

Leslie Wagner exhibited and spoke at the Mississippi Peanut Leslie Wagner, Southern Peanut Growers executive director, exhibits Growers Annual Meeting in at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Jan. 28-29.

Jan. 16, 2020, in Tifton, Ga. At the event, SPG distributed sandwich keepers, peanut butter spreaders, and recipe cards and brochures while visiting with farmers during the show.

March - National Peanut Month March is National Peanut Month, time to celebrate our favorite food! Follow Southern Peanut Growers on Facebook (Facebook.com/southernpeanutgrowers) and Instagram (Instagram.com/peanut.butter.lovers) to get all our great ideas on celebrating peanuts throughout the month.

Kick off the celebration with this new Peanut Butter Banana Pudding recipe. We’ve improved the protein content of the Southern favorite with peanut butter!

Peanut Butter Banana Pudding Ingredients: 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 3 cups low fat milk 4 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 4 bananas, sliced 1 (11-ounce) box reduced fat vanilla wafers 1 (8-ounce) container light frozen whipped topping, thawed Servings: 16

Directions: To start, make the custard by whisking together the sugar, cornstarch, milk, and egg yolks in a medium saucepan. Place the pan over medium-low heat and bring to a simmer stirring very frequently to prevent scorching.

Simmer for about 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens.

Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and peanut butter. Mix well. Allow the custard to cool completely before proceeding.

In a trifle bowl or large deep bowl, assemble the dish by layering the cookies, then bananas, and then custard.

You should get about 4 layers of each. Top with the whipped topping and serve immediately for crunchy cookies or allow the cookies to soften by storing the dish covered in the refrigerator for about 4 hours or overnight.

Southern Peanut Growers 1025 Sugar Pike Way · Canton, Georgia 30115

Phone: (770) 751-6615

email: lpwagner@comcast.net

Visit our website at http://www.peanutbutterlovers.com

Southern Peanut Growers Conference EDGEWATER BEACH & GOLF RESORT July 16-18, 2020 Panama City Beach, Florida

l a u n n A 22nd t!

Even

Key topics: Legislation, Research and Promotion For more information contact: 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, 2020. www.southernpeanutfarmers.org