July/August 2022 - Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Vol. 60 No. 5 | July/August 2022

2022

Peanut Harvest Guidebook

Utilizing Drones In Crop Production

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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A Look Inside

July/August 2022 | Peanut Harvest Guidebook

IN THIS ISSUE 14 | PEANUT HARVEST GUIDEBOOK

The Peanut Harvest Guidebook provides key tips for 2022.

18 | FIELD DAYS

View dates of upcoming field days for peanuts and additional row crops.

22 | MANA NUTRITION EXPANDS

MANA Nutrition expands to address malnutrition in the United States.

26 | PRECISION AGRICULTURE

UGA establishes Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture.

28 | MYIPM APP EXPANDS

The MyIPM app for pest management expands to include row crops.

DEPARTMENTS 12 | CHECKOFF REPORT

Alabama Peanut Producers Association Florida Peanut Producers Association Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

32 | WASHINGTON OUTLOOK 34 | SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS UPDATE

8 UTILIZING DRONES IN CROP PRODUCTION

Agricultural drones are some of the new tools being developed for crop management. Learn more about the positives and potential issues of using a drone for spraying.

On The Cover Steve Li, Auburn University Extension weed science specialist, conducts multiple spray drone projects which help to generate insight into best practicies and flight parameters to apply agrochemicals.

Photo by Abby Himburg Richardson.

SEPF TEAM Editor Joy Carter Crosby joycrosby@gapeanuts.com 229.386.3690

Director of Jessie Bland Advertising jessie@gapeanuts.com 229.386.3472

Contributing Abby Himburg Richardson Writing abby@alpeanuts.com 334.792.6482

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 229-386-3690.)

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.

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Editor’s thoughts A True Friend of the Farmer

W

e have lost a true friend of the farmer with the recent passing of retired Syngenta sales representative Frank Moore. I’ve known Frank for many years. In addition to him working for Syngenta, he was a friend. Recently, I talked to several farmers about Frank, and they all agree he was more than a salesman, he was a farmers' friend. You can read more about their view of Frank on page 10 in this issue.

I first met Frank in 2000 at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference. Through the years of conferences, leadership programs with farmers, peanut trade shows and more, we quickly became friends.

I have many fond memories of Frank. I remember him buying tickets to a baseball game one time for a few of his farmers participating in the Peanut Leadership Academy (PLA) while they traveled to Texas for a leadership session. He loved the trips to Texas, but he really did not care for the trip one year to Palo Duro Canyon to watch the Texas outdoor musical. It could have been the long drive or the fact that the show carried on even while we sat in the seats getting rained on. Who knows the real reason for sure, but he never forgot the trip or took every opportunity to remind everyone that we should never visit Palo Duro Canyon again.

No matter where we were for PLA sessions, Frank always made sure the farmers were having fun and were well taken care of.

One of my favorite memories with Frank was the 2009 Southern Peanut Growers Conference when we had an The Syngenta team with peanut industry Oscars themed event. During staff members during the 2009 Southern the planning of the event, we Peanut Growers Conference. Frank Moore had an idea for some of the staff dressed up as Michael Jackson for the and Syngenta team to dress up event. as celebrities. We suggested Michael Jackson to Frank, and he never wavered one bit. He even asked if he needed to do the moon walk.

Frank definitely stole the show that night with his moon walk.

However, let's be honest, Frank stole the show wherever he went with his smile and genuine love and care for the American farmer.

Frank was also joined at many of the conferences with his wife Nancy.

Nancy quickly became part of the peanut family and joined in on our tours, dress up events at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference and more.

Our prayers are with Nancy and the family during this difficult time.

As other farmers have said, Frank was more than a salesman. He was a true friend and will be missed by me and the rest of the peanut industry! 

Events

American Peanut Research & Education Society Annual Meeting July 12-14, 2022, Omni Las Colinas Hotel, Dallas, Texas. For more information visit the APRES website at apresinc.com.

Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day July 21, 2022, Moultrie, Ga. For more information call 229-985-1968 or visit the Expo's website at sunbeltexpo.com.

Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 21-23, 2022, Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla. For more information call 229-386-3470 or visit southernpeanutfarmers.org.

American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association Pre-Harvest Meeting Aug. 9-10, 2022, Albany, Ga. For more information call 229-888-2508 or visit peanut-shellers.org.

Georgia Peanut Tour Sept. 13-15, 2022, Tifton, Ga. For more information call 229-386-3470 or visit georgiapeanuttour.com.

Brooklet Peanut Festival Sept. 17, 2022, Brooklet, Ga. For more information visit the festival's website at brookletpeanutfestival.com.

Plains Peanut Festival Sept. 24, 2022, Plains, Ga. For more information visit the festival's website at friendsofjimmycarter.org.

Georgia Peanut Festival Oct. 15, 2022, Sylvester, Ga. For more info call 229-776-6657 or visit the festival's website at gapeanutfestival.org.

Sunbelt Ag Expo Oct. 18-20, 2022, Moultrie, Ga. For more info call 229-985-1968 or visit the Expo's website at sunbeltexpo.com.

Joy Carter Crosby SEPF Editor

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National Peanut Festival Nov. 4-13, 2022, Dothan, Ala. For more info call visit nationalpeanutfestival.com.

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

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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U.S. Senator Ossoff holds Ag tour in Georgia

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he Georgia Peanut Commission hosted U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, at the farm of Ross Kendrick in Sycamore, Georgia, June 2, 2022, for an ag tour. Kendrick serves as a board member for GPC. During the event farmers and industry representatives from GPC, the National Peanut Buying Points Association and the American Peanut Shellers Association attended the event to share information on the importance of the peanut industry to the state of Georgia.

Senator Ossoff toured Kendrick’s farm in Turner County and was briefed on critical peanut issues including:

• Importance of maintaining the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Program in the 2023 Farm Bill.

• Discussion of the increases in farm inputs in the last two years.

• Problems with non-tariff trade barriers in the EU for U.S. imported peanuts.

Above: Ross Kendrick (left), Georgia Peanut Commission board member from Sycamore, Ga., discusses key issues for farmers with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., during an ag tour June, 2, 2022. Below: Agriculture industry leaders and farmers gathered at the Kendrick Farm to discuss key issues for the farm bill with Senator Jon Ossoff.

"I'm proud of the work farmers do.

I encourage Georgia farmers to contact my office to let me know how I can help," Senator Ossoff says. "As we take up the farm bill, I'll continue to champion Georgia agriculture. As we prepare for the farm bill, which we will take up next year, it is vital that we have this open dialogue." 

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The keynote speakers include Audra Mulkern, founder of The Female Farmer Project, Cherisse Jones-Branch, award winning author, and Meredith Bernard, This Farm Wife. Additional topics during the conference include stress management, the importance of building community, agritourism, improving soil health, farm budgeting and bookkeeping, estate planning and more.

The conference is hosted by The University of Georgia, The Georgia Department of Agriculture, and The University of Tennessee. Funding was made possible in part by the USDA's Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grants. 

6 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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utilizing drones in crop production

By Steve Li Auburn University

Agricultural drones are some of the new tools being developed for crop management. Steve Li, Auburn University Extension weed science specialist, conducts multiple spray drone projects which help to generate insight into best practices and flight parameters to apply agrochemicals.

A

gricultural drones are some of the new tools being developed for crop management. The drones have evolved very fast in agriculture to allow farmers the ability to take advantage of these new technologies.

Several manufacturers produce multiple models of drones to compete in this market which also benefits end users. Two main uses of agricultural drones are remote sensing and aerial application.

Many growers are familiar with remote sensing because they can obtain free satellite images and NDVI from various farming apps and software. Remote sensing with drones works in a similar way as satellites, but with much higher resolution. One pixel in a satellite map usually represents several feet where one pixel in a

drone-based map can be as precise as 0.25 inch.

Therefore, farmers can view more details from their crop fields with a drone based map. Also, satellites can be blocked by clouds which makes remote sensing impossible for certain time periods.

Drones can still be helpful since they fly under the cloud. A drone pilot can also fly in early morning or late afternoon to avoid clouds.

Agriculture spray drones have been tested widely in the last five years and are now just being commercially used in production. The spray drones are perfect tools to spray field crops, vegetables, orchard crops and natural areas.

Their unique abilities to perform low altitude aerial applications can

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provide end users with multiple benefits compared to traditional ground sprayers and airplanes. Spray drones can fly when it is too wet for ground sprayers and cover small field and odd-shape fields much better than a ground sprayer or airplane.

Also, spray drones can be transported easily to operate in remote areas such as food plots, mountain areas or wildlife refuges.

Spray drones control drift better than an airplane which means the pilot can spray closer to homes and subdivisions.

Spray drones can also cover field edges, areas around tree lines, powerlines and telephone poles better than a large ground sprayer or airplane.

Terrain radar allows the spray

Photo credit: Scott Deavers.

Photo credit: Caleb Traugh.

Satellite NDVI showing GA-06G vs GA-12Y under leaf spot pressure. It is valuable information but resolution is low.

drone to move up and down along with the change of elevation, making them super useful to spray on terraces and hill sides. Traditional ground sprayers struggle in those areas due uneven surfaces.

A spray drone typically operates around one to three gallons per acre, which significantly reduces water usage when compared to ground sprayers. There is not a need to have a separate water wagon anymore and spray drones increase droplet penetration due to its propeller wash and down pushing force.

One of the latest Auburn research studies suggests Agras T30 increased droplet retention on corn ear leaf and top leaf by 230 percent compared to an airplane application. In addition, spray drones are also a perfect fit for spot spraying weeds in fields and spraying along fences and field edges.

At this point, each handheld controller can fly three spray drones, if they are the same make and model, simultaneously to increase efficiency.

In Auburn’s field testing, DJI Agras T30 finished a four-acre block in eight minutes at two gallons per acre. If a farmer considers the tank refill and the

NDVI maps generated with a drone. The north side of this peanut field was injured by Valor and recovered during the season.

time to change a battery takes one to one and a half minutes, therefore, it is possible to finish 25 acres in an hour with a single T30 unit. Flying three drones at the same time will triple operation efficiency.

The next generation of spray drones will come with 40L or 10.6 gallon size tank, making it more efficient to spray more acreage.

Spray drones operates with RTK and GPS signals and all flight passes are designed and controlled by software automatically. The pilot does not need to intervene a flight job unless there is an issue. The 360 degree radar will avoid possible collision and stop the drone before hitting an object on the ground. A mechanical spreader is also available if a pilot needs to spread fertilizer or cover crop seeds, which is an additional cost to the spray drone. The typical battery charging time ranges from 15-25 minutes depending on the charging voltage.

Current drawbacks related to spray drones are mainly centered around the limited tank volume, limited battery life, battery charging cycles, drone malfunctions, poor coverage/streaking, spray drift, and tank incompatibility. FAA regulation is also something to consider since it can take up to a year to obtain all the licenses required.

Moreover, drones belong to electronics because there are not

many mechanical parts on them.

This means that drones will become outdated in 3-5 years, similar to other consumer electronics such as cellphones, computers and televisions.

Recovering residual value as other farming equipment is mostly impossible unless selling them only after a few months. Liability insurance premium is largely unknown since insurance companies do not know how to set up proper rate to insure these new drones.

Last but not least, reliability of the spray drones still warrant further examination. There is not enough evidence showing how many acres they can finish before major repairs are expected.

Auburn University is currently conducting multiple spray drone projects to generate insights regarding best practices and flight parameters to apply agrochemicals and fly spray drones in crop field with funding provided by Alabama Peanut Producer Association, Alabama Cotton Commission and Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain Commission. More data and information will be available after the 2022 growing season.  For more information contact: Steve Li Auburn University 334-707-7370 steveli@auburn.edu

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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More than a salesman

Syngenta Sales Representative Frank Moore Was A Friend of the Farmer

By Joy Crosby

Frank Moore, retired Syngenta sales representative, visits with farmers during state peanut annual meetings, travels with the Peanut Leadership Academy and at the annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference. Moore passed away June 11, 2022.

H

e was more than a sales representative is the common message from farmers who were shocked to hear about the recent passing of their beloved friend, Frank Moore. Moore passed away suddenly on June 11, 2022.

Moore began his agricultural career as a sale representative for Riverside Industries in Middle Tennessee. For two years, he worked with local farmers assisting them with their agronomic needs to grow the best crop possible.

As Moore learned the ins and outs of agronomy, he came to work with Syngenta on Sept. 1, 1980. He worked with the company through various mergers beginning with Cib-Geigy to Novartis and then Syngenta.

Through the years, Moore was responsible for areas in North Florida, the panhandle of Florida, lower Alabama and Mississippi.

"My dad started working with Frank in 1985 and he became more than a sales representative, he was a friend," says Darrin Driskell of Grand Bay, Alabama. "He always checked on us following hurricanes and storms, and was willing to bring us a generator if needed."

Moore took pride in the fact that he was able to work with three generations of farmers building relationships with grandfather, then

father and then sons/daughters.

do this work.

Another long-time customer for 40 years from father, James, to son, Nick, includes Marshall Farms of Baker, Florida. Nick Marshall agrees with other farmers that Moore was more than just the Syngenta sales representative.

Moore dedicated many years to the Peanut Leadership Academy and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference. He traveled many miles with young farmers as they learned more about the peanut industry and visited with congressional leaders about issues facing farmers.

"Frank was a friend to many farmers in this area. He was very good to us and always came by with new products to try," Nick Marshall says.

"He was the sales guy that farmers look forward to seeing."

Moore was instrumental in the development of Syngenta’s peanut portfolio which is currently offered to peanut farmers across the Southeast.

He also received multiple awards for his leadership and dedication to agriculture.

"I worked with Frank for 25 years as a crop consultant for many farmers," says Trey Bullock of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. "He always had a smile on his face and was very positive. He took care of farmers and business while doing it with a smile."

Moore’s passion was working in the field with people who loved agriculture and enjoyed the lifestyle that goes with it. Along with the growers, he enjoyed the tireless dedication required to produce food and fiber for the world and loved the people he worked with who chose to

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"His efforts were apparent as he saw these organizations as a vehicle to build the leadership skills of young farmers that would strengthen the future of agriculture," says Lyle Stewart, Key Account Lead with Syngenta.

One graduate of the Peanut Leadership Academy, Levi Findley of Jay, Florida, echoes the sentiment of the years of service noting that his dad was one of Moore's first customers.

"He would stop by the barn, regularly, just to check on us and to see if we needed anything," Findley says. "He was always able to brighten the room with his presence. He will be deeply missed, but definitely never forgotten."

Moore retired from Syngenta in January 2021 and enjoyed a year and a half of retirement before his passing.

His love for agriculture, farmers and the peanut industry will live on through the many farmers he has helped through the years. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Checkoff Report

Investments Made by Growers for the Future of the Peanut Industry Alabama Peanut Producers Association sponsors Pediatrician, School Nutrition, and School Nurse Meetings The Alabama Peanut Producers Association sponsored the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Spring Meeting, April 28-30, held at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Attendees received packs of Alabama peanuts as well as peanut butter cookies at one of the mid-morning breaks.

Kaye Lynn Hataway, APPA promotions coordinator, visits with Tammy Scott from Slocomb High School at the Alabama School Nutrition Industry Show.

The Alabama School Nutrition Conference was held May 4-6 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. APPA sponsored and exhibited in the School Nutrition Industry Show on May 5. More than 170 school nutrition supervisors, managers and lunchroom workers received peanuts, peanut nutrition, peanut allergy information and other peanut “swag.” Visitors to the APPA booth received a special PB&J sandwich bag if they filled out a survey regarding peanut bans in their schools.

Alabama Peanut Producers Association celebrates Alabama Tourism Month

The eight Alabama Welcome Centers celebrated Alabama Tourism Month during May. APPA attended the Houston County Welcome Center May 12 and the Baldwin County Welcome Center May 20 for tourism celebrations. Visitors stopped by the APPA table to get peanuts and recipes. APPA staff shared with visitors about where and how peanuts are grown in the state.

APPA also exhibited at the Alabama Association of School Nurses annual conference on June 9-10 in Trussville, Alabama. More than 200 school nurses received peanut allergy information to take back to their schools to share with administration, teachers and parents.

Alabama Peanut Producers Association sponsors Alabama FFA

Abby Richardson, APPA communications coordinator, is pictured with Preston Stevens, from Dale County FFA, winner of the Fiber and/ or Oil Crop Production Proficiency Award.

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association sponsored the Alabama FFA Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production Proficiency Award and the Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Proficiency Awards during the state convention held in Montgomery, Alabama, June 8-10. The Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production Proficiency winner was Preston Stevens of Dale County FFA. The Agricultural Mechanics Repair/ Maintenance - Placement Proficiency winner was Blake Knuckles of Wetumpka FFA. The Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Entrepreneurship winner was Luke Pullen from Wetumpka FFA.

APPA also exhibited during the two-day FFA Career and Trade Show. This event allowed APPA to showcase how peanuts are grown, careers in the peanut industry and nutrition information to students, teachers and parents who stopped by the booth.

Alabama Peanuts promoted at the Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball game

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association promoted peanuts at a Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball game in Huntsville, May 27, 2022. APPA staff handed out recipes, activity books, allergy information and more. Due to a rained-out game earlier in the week, the team played a double header, therefore APPA staff were able to interact with more fans than anticipated. Fans received packs of Alabama peanuts when they exited the stadium. Over the last couple of years APPA has made an effort to reach consumers in the Huntsville area as it was recently named the fastest growing city in Alabama.

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Kaye Lynn Hataway, APPA promotions coordinator, poses for a picture with representatives from the National Peanut Festival at the Houston County Welcome Center Tourism Day - from the left, Terri Granger, Lydia Paulson, current Miss National Peanut Festival, Hataway and Carrie Cavendar

Alabama Peanuts promoted at the Magic City Wine Fest in Birmingham In partnership with The Peanut Institute, APPA collaborated with iHeart Media to promote peanuts at the Magic City Wine Fest held at the Birmingham Zoo May 14. More than 2,000 wine enthusiasts converged on the Birmingham Zoo for a night of wine tasting and of course, peanuts.

APPA sponsored the official photo booth for the Magic City Wine Fest.

Attendees stopped by the APPA tent to grab a pack of Alabama peanuts and a group selfie in the photo booth.

Prior to the event, APPA aired 20 radio commercials on WDXB-102.5 The Bull Country promoting peanuts and the wine fest from May 2-14.

Reports by

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and National Peanut Board sponsor "Peanut Day at the Ballpark

The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and the National Peanut Board co-sponsored Peanut Day at the Mississippi State vs. University of Tennessee baseball game on May 21, 2022. Nearly 8,000 fans attended the final game of the 2022 regular season and they were treated to all things peanuts. The fans were able to see the peanut mascot, Buddy McNutty, throw out the first pitch to start the game and answer trivia questions on the Jumbotron throughout the game. Malcolm Broome, executive director of the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association, spent Mississippi State fans were time during the game on the radio with the game treated to peanuts during a announcer discussing peanuts in Mississippi, the baseball game in May. U.S. peanut industry, sustainability and peanut nutrition. Two peanut grower families assisted in handing out over 3,600 packs of peanuts and foam peanuts under the peanut tent at the stadium entrance.

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Presents for Ag in the Classroom Workshop with Teachers and Volunteers

Malcolm Broome, executive director of the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association, presented information to 40 Ag in the Classroom teachers and volunteers during a two-day workshop at Mitchell Farms in Collins, Mississippi.

The workshop was sponsored by the Mississippi Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee which aims to educate students on food, fiber, energy and where it is produced. Broome presented information along with an educational packet of materials explaining the peanut industry from planting the seed all the way to the production of a jar of peanut butter. Several questions were asked on uses of the entire peanut and introduction of peanut protein to infants. The presentation also generated several requests for educational materials to share with summer camps and how to find the new products like peanut puffs for infants.

Georgia Peanuts promoted at the National Junior High Rodeo Finals in Perry, Georgia

Georgia Peanuts were promoted during the National Junior High Finals Rodeo held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia, June 19-26, 2022. The seven-day event brought nearly 65,000 visitors to the event. The National High School Rodeo Association is one of the largest youth organizations in the western industry with an annual membership of 12,000 students from 44 states, 5 Canadian provinces, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. More than 1,200 junior high school Georgia Peanuts were promoted contestants competed for the National Champion throughout the National Junior title during the rodeo finals. Competitions included High Finals Rodeo in Perry, Ga. tie-down roping, bull riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and more. Each exhibitor received a pack of Georgia Peanuts in their welcome bag and peanuts were promoted at the opening ceremonies during rodeo events throughout the week. Also, Georgia Peanuts were promoted in the program booklet at the event.

Georgia Peanuts Promoted at Atlanta Braves Game

The Atlanta Braves “School’s Out” Game took place May 29, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

Georgia Peanuts were promoted throughout the Atlanta Braves fans were treated to Georgia game via on-site Peanuts during a sampling and logo presence on baseball game in May. the bullpen LEDs and in-park TVs. In addition, GPC staff attended the “Kids Run the Bases” activation after the game and passed out books and peanut packs. GPC was proud to also have Atlanta Braves third baseman, Austin Riley, autograph GPC’s A Homerun for Peanuts book.

“Georgia Peanuts Live Exploration” Wins an Emmy

On June 18, Georgia Public Broadcasting Education took home a Southeast Emmy Award presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Southeast chapter for “Georgia Peanuts Live Exploration.”

The Georgia Peanut Commission teamed up with GPB Education last fall to help educate children about peanut production. The hour-long live program originally aired Sept.

30, 2021, and highlighted Georgia’s robust peanut industry. To view the program,” visit www.gpb.org/ education/liveexplorations/peanuts.

Georgia Peanuts Highlighted at NCAA Baseball Regional

Georgia Southern University hosted the NCAA Division I Baseball Regional June 3-6, at J.I. Clements Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia.

In addition to Georgia Southern’s baseball team, UNC-Greensboro, Texas Tech and Notre Dame teams were also in attendance. The Georgia Peanut Commission provided souvenir peanuts, canned peanuts and table tents for the fan hospitality areas.

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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2022 Peanut Harvest Guidebook Planning for Harvest in an Unpredictable Economy

By Abby Himburg Richardson

Carl Sanders and Jonathan Sanders of Alabama inspect their peanut picker during the 2021 peanut harvest.

D

espite many hopes, 2022 has turned out to be just as unpredictable as the last two years. As if harvest wasn’t arbitrary enough, add in the extremely fragile economy and supply shortages and farmers have one of the most capricious harvest seasons in decades.

Therefore, it is more important than ever for farmers to take the necessary precautions to prevent their harvest season from being one of the worst ones yet.

According to Kris Balkcom, Auburn University Extension peanut specialist, buying parts ahead of time could be the key to having a more successful and less stressful harvest season this year.

"We see less and less parts available at stores and it will only continue to get worse during harvest as these parts are in high demand," Balkcom says.

The price of peanut blades may remain the same but farmers may have

issues with availability in a couple of months. Balkcom recommends for farmers to go ahead and purchase one set of blades for every 10-15 acres of planted peanuts.

farmers to become more innovative than ever. Parker encourages farmers to be patient this season and focus on what they can do to creatively fix those issues that do arise.

"Hopefully you won’t need them but if you do, you’ll have them," Balkcom says. "Also, the blades don’t go bad, so you’ll have them for next year."

“Having faith, family and a fly rod goes a long way,” Parker says.

Balkcom also recommends for farmers to go ahead and purchase a few extra bearings, sprockets and belts. "We have no way of knowing what parts might be impossible to come by in a few months," he says. "This simple task could be the difference in saving you money in the long run."

Balkcom encourages farmers to check their equipment now instead of waiting until right before harvest to do so. If repairs are needed, he suggests for farmers to get the equipment into the shop for repairs now. Between supply shortages and staff shortages, farmers may experience a longer than usual turnaround time at the repair shop.

“If you know that your peanut picker is on its last leg, I would definitely purchase a new one before harvest," Balkcom says. "Now is the time to buy that extra piece of equipment you’ve been putting off purchasing.”

Summer preparation can pay off big when it comes time to harvest.

“Try to find ways to shift the focus away from the day-to-day stress of harvest by preparing now,” says Chris Parker, associate director of the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center. “This year will most likely pose challenges we’ve never experienced, but hopefully only man-made issues.”

This harvest season may push

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As harvest grows closer, Parker also recommends for farmers to keep spraying. Not applying a late fungicide spray never saves any money in the long run, he adds. Farmers need to protect those leaves until the digger pulls into the field.

"We all know that the weather is unpredictable," Parker says. “One lunch break watching the weather channel can change your entire harvest strategy when something sneaks into the gulf.”

Another challenge facing farmers is finding labor during harvest. Parker and Balkcom suggest for farmers to reach out to their local high school agricultural education teacher for short term labor needs. The teachers may have students interested in farming that hasn’t had the opportunity to work on a farm. If farmers reach out now and find a student, then they will have time to train them and have them ready to go for harvest.

The last tip from Balkcom includes taking advantage of local pod blasting clinics. The extension service host clinics in locations across Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi so Balkcom recommends for growers to check with their local extension office to see if one is being hosted in their area. Pod blasting is a great way to gauge optimal harvest time.

Harvest is always unpredictable and this year will be no different.

However, by planning ahead and taking a few extra steps, it might just save farmers major time and stress. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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HARVEST GUIDEBOOK

Optimum peanut Maturity Determining When to Dig

By Joy Crosby

K

nowing when to dig is the age old question as harvest nears.

Research has shown through the years that peanuts harvested too early or too late can have reduced yields by 500 to 700 pounds per acre.

Farmers may get restless come August and September, when wanting to get in the field but University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist Scott Monfort urges farmers to be patient and slow down.

"Don't try to get in a hurry and dig improperly. That can cause damage to the peanuts as we're harvesting," Monfort says.

Monfort also encourages farmers not to dig peanuts if they are too wet or too dry. He reminds farmers that digging under those conditions could result in pulling peanuts off the vine.

According to Monfort, each individual field should be addressed at harvest time.

"Farmers can plant the same variety on the same day in different fields and the peanuts may still mature at a different rate due to soil type differences, climate and weather differences and pest problem differences," Monfort says. "Checking each field individually is also important since the peanuts may not mature in the order in which they were planted."

One of the best ways to determine maturity of the peanut crop is through the hull-scrape method or pod blasting and using the peanut profile board. The hull scrape method is based on color changes in the middle layer of the peanut hull as the nut matures.

Farmers can take random samples of peanuts from their field and scrape off the outer layer of the peanut hull.

The inner hulls will show a range of

One of the best ways to determine maturity of the peanut crop is through the hull-scrape method or pod blasting and using the peanut profile board.

colors, from white to black. The darker the color, the more mature the crop.

Hulls that are white or yellow are immature. The orange to brown hulls are close to maturity. The dark brown hulls are mature, and the black hulls are either mature or a bit over-mature.

Monfort encourages farmers to make sure they get a good representative sample from the field.

He suggests pulling from at least five places in the field. Those pulls should be all over the field, not just on the edges.

Lastly, farmers must weigh out their options on when to harvest due to several factors including the number of acres to be harvested, equipment availability, labor and impending weather conditions. 

Stay Safe this Harvest Season Follow these simple reminders to have a safe harvest season.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Turn off power before adjusting, servicing or unclogging power-driven machinery.

Make sure loads being towed are properly hitched to the drawbar and that pins and chains are in place.

Display slow-moving vehicle signs on machinery towed or driven on the highways.

Have shields and guards in place and maintained at all times.

Inspect and maintain all hydraulic hoses and couplings.

Make sure tires are properly inflated.

Inspect and maintain all machinery, equipment and tools to keep them in proper working condition.

Have first-aid kits available and develop an emergency plan.

16 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

A

MADAS Industries has made a significant new investment to grow their Southeast base of operations, adding a 54,000 square feet building on ten acres of land. The new location at 1611 Krug Street in Albany, Georgia, will include an expanded parts department, enhanced service operations, as well as manufacturing, paint, & assembly capabilities.

AMADAS Industries’ investment reinforces their enduring commitment to customers and community in Georgia and grows employment opportunities by offering new skilled jobs to the workforce in Albany and the surrounding counties.

“Albany has been our Georgia home for more than 40 years, and we are pleased to continue our growth here. We are making thoughtful

investments in our plant, our people, and our processes to provide our customers with outstanding parts and service support, and to expand our manufacturing operations” says Jimmy Adams, AMADAS president and CEO. The new facility is now fully operational with parts and service, as all inventory and operational staff have been relocated from the former AMADAS facility on South Slappey Boulevard in Albany. AMADAS is currently hiring for a number of positions in manufacturing, service,

and parts operations.

For nearly 60 years, AMADAS has worked diligently to advance the technology of specialty agricultural and industrial equipment. AMADAS is an acronym that stands for American Made; Advanced Design; Absolute Service.

For more information on the products and services offered by AMADAS visit www.amadas.com. 

Harvest Equipment Checklist Peanut Digger Pre-harvest Checklist • Check the entire machine for loose or worn parts.

• Make sure the plow shanks are not bent and the digger blades run level.

• Straighten any bent rattler bars.

• Check all bearings and the gear box oil level.

• Check coulters and vine cutters for proper location and condition.

• Align the inversion rods before digging (see operator manual for proper spacing).

• Check for binding or unusual noises by operating the machine briefly.

• Have plenty of extra digger blades on hand.

Harvest Season Checklist • Check digger blades for proper sharpness and depth.

• Coulters should cut vines leaving no clumps.

• Check the flow of material through the digger. Make sure ground speed is synchronized to produce a smooth flow of vines and soil into the digger.

• Make sure drive belts are tight.

• Check for proper vine inversion and inversion rod spacing.

Combine maintenance checklist Pre-harvest Checklist • Clean inside and out, removing all dirt and residue from the previous crop.

• Check for loose, bent, broken, or missing parts such as pickup springs, cylinder springs and stripper springs.

• Check air lift ducts for holes, lodged objects and dirt buildup.

• Make sure all shields are functional and in good shape.

• Replace the “Slow Moving Vehicle” sign if it is not in good condition.

Harvest Season Checklist • Adjust settings according to windrow conditions. Remember, no combination of settings will remain optimal throughout a given day.

• Check combined peanuts periodically for LSK’s and foreign material.

• Check chaff passing through the combine for excessive pod loss. If problems occur, adjust stripper spring settings.

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

17

HARVEST GUIDEBOOK

Amadas industries opens new facility in albany georgia

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Upcoming field days

ield days throughout the summer months provide growers with educational information to assist them with production on their farm. Many of the updates presented include information on a variety of research projects including variety development, weed, disease and insect management, precision agriculture and more.

Many times the results of the research projects are new findings or updates on new products available for farmers. Also, many of the field days offer continuing education pesticide applicators credit so farmers should make sure they register in advance or complete proper paperwork at the field days in order to receive credit.

The Southeastern Peanut Farmer has compiled a list of the upcoming field days offered throughout the Southeast relating to peanuts or general crop field days.

Aug. 10, 2022 - Southeast Georgia Research & Education Center Field Day, Midville, Georgia The field day will be held at the research center located at 9638 Highway 56 South, Midville, Georgia 30441. Field day begins at 9:00 a.m. and concludes with lunch. For additional information, call 478-5897472 or visit https://segeorgia.caes. uga.edu.

August 11, 2022 - Florida Peanut Field Day, Marianna, Florida Registration begins at 7:45 a.m.

Central Time at the North Florida Research and Education Center, 3925 Highway 71, Marianna, Florida 32446.

For more information, call 850-5261611.

Aug. 11, 2022 - Alabama Row Crop Field Tour, Society Hill, Alabama The field tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be held on multiple farms in Society Hill, Alabama. For more

Scott Monfort, University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist, discusses peanut research projects during the 2019 Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day in Tifton, Ga.

information and to register, call 334-401-9164.

Aug. 19, 2022 - Wiregrass Row Crop Field Day, Headland, Alabama Field day begins at 9:00 a.m.

Central Time at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, 167 State Highway 134 East, Headland, Alabama. For more information, call 334-693-2010.

Aug. 23, 2022 - Pre-harvest Field Day, North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley, Live Oak, Florida The field day begins at 5:00 p.m. at 8202 County Road 417, Live Oak, Fla. 32060. For more details and to register, call 386-362-1725.

Aug. 25, 2022 - West Florida Row Crop Extension Field Day, Jay, Florida Field day will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude around 2:00 p.m.

West Florida Research and Education Center, 4253 Experiment Drive, Jay, Florida 32565. For more information,

18 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

call 850-393-7334.

Sept. 7, 2022 - Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day, Tifton, Georgia The field day will be held at the UGA Tifton Campus, Tifton, Ga. For more information, call 229-386-3696 or visit www.gapeanuts.com.

Sept. 20-22, 2022 - Tri-State Peanut Disease Tour The tour will be held in Tifton, Georgia on Sept. 20, Headland, Alabama on Sept. 21 and Florida on Sept. 22. For more information, email spotwilt@uga.edu.

Sept. 2022 - Mississippi Harvest Clinics Two harvest clinics will be held in George and Monroe County in Mississippi. For more information and the final dates, contact Brendan Zurweller at 662-769-9849 or through email at brendan.zurweller@msstate. edu or visit the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association website at www.misspeanuts.com. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Feral Swine Survey

USDA to Measure Feral Swine Damage to Southern Farmers

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he U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting a Feral Swine Damage survey to measure the costs of feral swine damage to crop operations. The survey is conducted in cooperation with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - Wildlife Services. Operators who have received this survey should complete it by Friday, Aug. 12, 2022.

“Completing your survey will help us understand the impact that feral swine or wild hogs have on crops across the country,” said Anthony Prillaman, Director of the NASS Southern Regional Field Office. The results of this survey will help provide a foundation for feral swine research.

In an effort to obtain the most accurate data, NASS will reach out to more than 11,000 producers across the U.S. between June and August,

Photo credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

By U.S. Department of Agriculture

including over 3,400 producers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

The USDA APHIS National Wildlife Research Center states that feral swine exist in at least 31 states, and the nationwide population is estimated at approximately 6 million animals. Feral swine damage pastures, agricultural crops, lawns, landscaping, and natural areas, due to feeding, rooting, wallowing, grazing, and trampling activities. This survey focuses specifically on damage to corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts and sorghum.

NASS recommends responding online using the new and convenient “Respondent Portal.” On the portal, you can complete your surveys and track upcoming surveys. Respondents can also complete their questionnaire and return it by mail. If we do not hear from you by Wednesday, July 13, 2022,

20 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

a representative may contact you to arrange a telephone interview.

APHIS will analyze these data as a baseline for future studies and any published information will be made available to the public through the APHIS Feral Swine Resources website:aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ resources/pests-diseases/feral-swine/ feral-swine-resources.

The information provided by producers will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with federal law, ensuring the confidentiality of all responses and that no individual respondent or operation can be identified.

Thank you for participating and for your support to U.S. agriculture.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the NASS Southern Regional Field Office (800) 253-4419. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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mana nutrition Expands MANA Expands to Address Malnutrition in the U.S.

by Joy Crosby

F

itzgerald is a small town in South Central Georgia with a population of 8,470. Even though the town is small in population, it is helping feed millions of children. It is home to MANA Nutrition, a nutrition-based company which has helped nearly 5.5 million children since its creation in 2009. The company is predicted to feed an additional 1 million children in 2022 alone.

MANA Nutrition produces readyto-use therapeutic food (RUTF); a fortified peanut paste designed specifically to treat children diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. On average, three packets of MANA per day for six weeks will save the life of a starving child. MANA Nutrition also seeks to spread awareness of severe acute malnutrition and find creative ways to get RUTF to the millions of children who need it each year.

Early Development of RUTF The fortified peanut paste, made

by MANA Nutrition, was developed

by Mark Manary, M.D., a pediatrician who currently serves as the Helene Roberson Professor of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and a nutrition research team from Doctors Without Borders. In the 90s, Manary spent time in Gambia, New Guinea and Malawi working with malnourished children and studying the traditional method of treating malnutrition at the time, which consisted of hospitalbased care and a milk-based formula.

According to Manary, he was dismayed to find that recovery rates for malnourished children were no better in 1999 than they were when he first worked in Africa in 1985; only about 25-40 percent of children recovered. So, work began to come up with a better solution.

Manary continued to explore home-based therapy options and

Mark Moore, CEO of MANA Nutrition, speaks at the ground breaking ceremony for the expansion of MANA Nutrition in Fitzgerald, Ga.

began working with Dr. André Briend, who worked with the World Health Organization and Nutriset, a French company that produced early versions of RUTF. Manary and Briend experimented with various ingredients until they created a formula that provided the specific, high-quality nutrition severely malnourished children needed to recover. The food became known as Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). RUTF is an energy-dense, peanut butter like paste, but it is more than just peanut butter. It consists of roasted ground peanuts (peanut paste), powdered milk, vegetable oil, sugar, and vitamins/minerals. Peanuts contain mono-unsaturated fats, which are easy to digest, and they are rich in protein and zinc, which is good for the immune system. RUTF’s intended use is for severely malnourished children ages 6 months to 5 yrs.

From 2000 to 2004, the doctors and their small teams tested various formulas with thousands of malnourished children in a series of controlled clinical trials within Malawi.

The Georgia Peanut Commission provided funding for some of the

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initial trials which resulted in 95 percent of the children recovering.

This led to the development of Project Peanut Butter which began producing food in Malawi in 2004.

In 2007, the United Nations, World Health Organization, and World Food Programme recognized RUTF with home-based therapy as the standard of care for severely malnourished children worldwide. Today, Project Peanut Butter continues to produce RUTF locally in the countries where the product is needed and uses many local ingredients to support local economies and build stronger communities by providing jobs for farmers, factory workers, administrators, nurses and more.

RUTF Development in the U.S. While Project Peanut Butter focuses their efforts on development of RUTF within the countries where the need is greatest, there wasn't a facility producing RUTF in the U.S. In steps a former missionary in Uganda and U.S. Senate legislative staff member who learned more about RUTF and the impact the product made in saving children's lives.

The individual, Mark Moore, began learning more about RUTF, making contacts, attending peanut meetings and then finally visiting the city of Fitzgerald, Georgia. In June 2010, he secured funding to build MANA's facility in Fitzgerald.

MANA operates as a nonprofit organization. The MANA production and warehouse facility is an 80,000-square foot factory that empowers over 70 people. MANA was built with help from investors around the world.

At its current production level, MANA can produce up to 121,000 pounds per day, which is enough to feed 4,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition for six weeks. The amount produced daily is enough to fill four shipping containers of RUTF every day and the product is shipped out at the port of Savannah.

“The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are crucial and can determine that child’s full growth prospects," says Mark Moore, co-founder and chief executive officer of MANA Nutrition.

"That is why it is critical that we get MANA to starving children today.”

In addition to the RUTF product, MANA Nutrition also produced Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food, Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement and Humanitarian Supply Ration. Each type of packet contains peanut butter but are a different calorie level based on the overall need of the individual consuming the packet.

MANA Nutrition Expansion In addition to the global need in fighting malnutrition, MANA Nutrition is beginning to focus their efforts in fighting domestic hunger issues throughout the U.S. To assist with these efforts MANA recently broke ground on an expansion of their facility in Fitzgerald.

With more than $36 million in investment, this is the company’s largest expansion investment to date.

MANA will also add 10 new jobs, bringing the company’s employment in the county to 80.

"We are excited to watch MANA Nutrition serve communities in need

MANA Nutrition in Fitzgerald, Ga. produces 121,000 pounds per day, which is enough to feed 4,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition for six weeks. In trials, 95 percent of the children recover when fed the RUTF product made with peanuts.

worldwide with products from our state's no. 1 agriculture industry," says Governor Brian Kemp. "We have been laser-focused on creating impactful opportunities across the state, and jobs like these will be good for the local community for years to come.”

The new expansion will increase MANA’s production of ready-to-use therapeutic food three-fold and mark MANA’s first step in addressing malnutrition in the U.S. “At MANA we are proud to harness two of Georgia’s greatest strengths: people and peanuts, to serve and feed the world. We are proud that our small, rural community is one of the world’s largest suppliers of Ready to Use Food for malnourished children,” Moore says.

“This upgrade to our facility will allow us to feed up to 3 million children a year. Hopefully our effort is an inspiration to others who might not have much but can do what they can with what they have to make our world a better place.”

The expansion will help with MANA’s current role of making RUTF for malnourished children across the world and hopefully serve domestic hunger by providing affordable peanut butter in jars to food banks.

“So far we have the ability to make peanut butter, but we can only put it in packets or pouches,” Moore says.

“Those packets look like a really big version of a fast-food ketchup packet.

Consumers in the U.S. are not used to peanut butter being served in packets so the ability to put peanut butter in a traditional jar is very big for food

banks.”

MANA Nutrition will construct a 38,000-square-foot addition to its existing facility at 189 Seaboard Road in Fitzgerald. The expansion will facilitate increased RUTF production and add a new jar line to serve the domestic market.

“Feeding the world from rural Georgia is not a new concept. The manner in which Mana Nutrition is doing it is,” said Jason Dunn, director of the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Development Authority. “Through the combination of Georgia Grown peanuts and the state-of-the-art production of life-saving therapeutic foods, Mana’s continued investment in Fitzgerald is not only strengthening, but also expanding the reach of Georgia’s ag legacy.”

Moore is thankful for the peanut industry and their willingness to feed the world.

"The work you do as peanut farmers, people in the industry, people who work all along that spectrum because it takes us all to make this peanut crop come out," Moore says.

"Whether your hands are in the soil or driving the tractor or one of the many that supply the industry, you are changing the world. You are the epicenter of the future of food aid."

For more information on MANA Nutrition, visit their website at www.mananutrition.org. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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2022 Georgia Peanut Tour set for Tifton area

T

he thirty-fourth annual Georgia Peanut Tour will be held Sept.

13-15, 2022, in Tifton, Georgia, and the surrounding area. The tour brings the latest information on peanuts while giving a first-hand view of industry infrastructure from production and handling to processing and utilization. Tour stops will be made in several peanut producing counties including Baker, Colquitt, Mitchell, Tift and Worth.

Attendees can expect to see first-hand nearly every aspect of peanut production in the state.

This year’s tour hosts many exciting stops including on-farm harvest demonstrations and clinics, as well as, research at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus.

The tour kicks off this year with the Hot Topics Seminar on Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Georgia. The seminar topics include an update on the 2022 Georgia peanut crop and a special focus on aflatoxin.

The Georgia Peanut Commission, University of Georgia-Tifton Campus and Griffin Campus, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service National

During the 2019 Georgia Peanut Tour, attendees were able to see how peanuts are harvested at Chase Farms in Oglethorpe, Ga.

Peanut Research Lab coordinate the tour.

reservation. The room block deadline is Aug. 23, 2022.

Hotel accommodations can be made at the Hilton Garden Inn, Tifton, Georgia by calling 229-3828484. Rooms are available at the rate of $130 plus tax for a standard room. Breakfast is included. Be sure to ask for the 2022 Georgia Peanut Tour room block when making a

Visit georgiapeanuttour.com to register and view tour schedule. The early bird registration rate is $125 prior to Aug. 5, 2022. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at 229-386-3470 or via email at hannah@gapeanuts. com. 

Georgia Peanut Commission 2023 Calendar Photo Contest

T

he Georgia Peanut Commission is hosting a photo contest through Oct. 1, 2022, featuring peanut farm families to fill the pages of the 2023 Georgia Peanut Calendar.

Photos will also be selected to be used in various promotional projects

by GPC throughout the year. Farmers from across Georgia are encouraged to submit their best high-resolution photo of their family on the peanut farm throughout the growing season.

Winning entries will be selected for each month of the calendar, as well as the cover page. Below are tips to consider when selecting a photo to enter:

easy to read corporate logos.

peanut farmer means to you.

• Think about the months of the year and select photos that represent them. For example, land prep work in the winter, planting in the spring, irrigation in the summer and harvest in the fall.

• Choose a photo you feel helps others understand more about how you care for the crop they love.

• Make sure photos are taken in horizontal format, so they will fill the entire page of the calendar.

• Showcase your family (young and old) and what being a Georgia

• Make sure the photo is not offensive and avoid photos with large,

24 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

Photo entries must be taken during the 2020, 2021 or 2022 peanut crop year and feature peanut production. Entries must also be high resolution (300 dpi), horizontal and not taken with a phone; otherwise, they may be disqualified.

Please submit photos in .jpg format and submit them with the online entry form provided on www. gapeanuts.com by Oct. 1, 2022, for consideration. Winning entries will be entered for a chance to win a Visa gift card. Visit www.gapeanuts.com for complete details. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

25

Precision Agriculture

UGA Establishes Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture

Photo credit: Andrew Davis Tucker, University of Georgia.

By Sam Fahmy University of Georgia

George Vellidis, a professor in the department of crop and soil sciences and University of Georgia professor, reviews surface water runoff data with students at the UGA Tifton Campus.

T

he University of Georgia is leveraging faculty expertise and strengthening industry ties through a new Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture whose research and outreach will help sustainably feed a growing global population.

The creation of the institute complements investments from the university and the state of Georgia in new faculty, seed grant funding and equipment.

“The Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture will be a key component of UGA’s future efforts to advance agriculture and economic development in the state of Georgia,” says UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “I am excited about the synergies it will create in growing research and innovation, cultivating industry partnerships and expanding learning opportunities for our students.”

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Precision agriculture maximizes yields through data-driven decision making enabled by technologies and tools such as such soil moisture sensors, drones, satellite imagery and robotics. Integrative precision agriculture expands the range of opportunities for optimization using artificial intelligence, machine learning and “big data” analysis. It also expands the scope of agricultural sectors involved by incorporating

insights from fields as diverse as engineering, plant genomics and forestry.

make greater use of the resources we have for agricultural production and processing.

“With integrative precision agriculture, we are taking the next step and enhancing the entire agricultural process,” says Jaime Camelio, professor and associate dean for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the College of Engineering and interim co-director of the institute.

“We recognize that farms, pastures, chicken houses and processing plants are not uniform,” he adds, “and that optimizing the potential across this variability takes integrating information from multiple sources such as weather, soil, drainage, other organisms, diseases and any other information we can gather and integrate.”

He noted that rather than focusing exclusively on row crops, Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture faculty will address a range of commercially important sectors that include poultry, peanuts, cotton, fruits, vegetables and controlled environment agriculture. Integrative precision agriculture researchers will be housed in departments within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as well as in units such as the College of Engineering, the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

Building on strengths Interim institute co-director Allen J. Moore, distinguished research professor and associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, noted that the institute builds on several of UGA’s strengths.

The university has internationally recognized programs in poultry science, entomology, and plant genetics and genomics. Its agricultural engineering program is one of the oldest in the nation and the only one in Georgia. UGA is ranked among the top 20 universities in the world for precision agriculture, according to the trade publication Precision Ag. “The Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture will bring faculty and students from across our campuses together, and it will create a conduit for industry engagement,” Moore says. “The word ‘integrative’ is key. While precision agriculture is not new, our ability to use data from multiple sources in making decisions brings the potential to

The institute will connect research with industry partners and will host workshops with participation from industry, government agencies, students and faculty—both from UGA and other institutions. Moore noted that while no degree programs are currently in development through the institute, faculty are exploring new course offerings that reflect the interdisciplinary nature of integrative precision agriculture.

Industry trends will inform the course offerings, and industry partners will be involved in joint research projects with faculty and students.

The institute will offer training and development for producers through the university’s statewide Extension and Public Service and Outreach networks as well as UGA’s growing Innovation District.

Investments to feed the future The potential of integrative precision agriculture to revolutionize food and fiber production in Georgia and beyond is reflected in the scale of recent investments by the university and the state.

UGA has launched cluster hiring initiatives that will complement existing faculty searches to bring a total of nine new faculty members with expertise in integrative precision agriculture to campus.

The state of Georgia recently supported integrative precision agriculture at UGA through a total of $4.4 million in funding. The funding will enable the university to recruit a GRA Eminent Scholar with nationally renowned expertise in integrative precision agriculture and provide seed grant funding to jump-start faculty

“The Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture will be a key component of UGA's future efforts to advance agriculture and economic development in the state of Georgia."

Jere W. Morehead President, University of Georgia research.

“With the establishment of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture and generous support from the state, UGA is poised to further strengthen the state’s largest industry while promoting agricultural resilience and food security,” says S. Jack Hu, the university’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

What is integrative precision agriculture?

Integrative precision agriculture optimizes yields and promotes sustainability through data-driven decision making and the incorporation of insights from fields as diverse as engineering, plant genomics and forestry. At UGA, integrative precision agriculture researchers have: • Provided farmers with yield and profit maps for cotton, allowing them to identify the most profitable areas of their fields.

• Developed automated methods of harvesting blueberries, a crop that is increasingly important to Georgia agriculture.

• Helped identify the financial benefit of applying GPS guidance to planting and inverting peanuts, as well as the feasibility of variably applying defoliants and other critical inputs on cotton.

• Developed information-centric approaches to improve greenhouse production and increase value to the grower.

Learn more online at www.precisionag.caes.uga.edu. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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MyIPM app series expands to include row crops

By Emily Cabrera Integrated Pest Management Program at the University of Georgia

N

ew insect wreaking havoc in your cotton field? Troublesome disease in your peanut stand you don’t recognize? No idea where to start? There’s an app for that.

This year, farmers have a new tool to help them diagnose and combat pests and diseases in row crops. A companion app to the original MyIPM app for fruit and nut crops, Clemson University IPM Coordinator Francis Reay-Jones led the development and release of the new MyIPM Row Crops app that promotes integrated pest management tactics for the most common insect pests and diseases in corn, cotton, grain sorghum, peanuts and soybeans.

The original MyIPM app was first developed by plant pathologist Guido Schnabel at Clemson University to address strawberry disease management, said Brett Blaauw, peach specialist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and collaborator on the app series.

But over time, as demand for this resource grew, additional

specialists were invited to contribute to expanding these services to meet the needs of other crops and commodities.

The apps are designed to work in tandem with annual Cooperative Extension production guides and the Georgia Pest Management Handbook by providing image galleries, fact sheets and audio descriptions to help users identify and manage pests.

The apps are regularly updated through a collaboration of Extension specialists from several land-grant universities and the Southern IPM Center.

“And that’s really the most amazing thing about these apps, is that with as much input as they receive from specialists around the country, the apps are completely free,” Blaauw explains.

Updates are instantly pushed out to devices with the downloaded apps, and once content is downloaded or updated on a device, the information can be accessed offline for use in the field.

APP FEATURES •

MyIPM app screens for late leaf spot in peanut and bollworm in cotton.

•

Updates are instantly pushed out to devices with downloaded MyIPM apps, and once content is downloaded or updated on a device, the information can be accessed offline for use in the field.

•

Diagnostics, including descriptions and picture galleries of fruit crop diseases, pests and disorders.

•

Name and description of the causal agents, including two- to fourminute audio from the regional specialist.

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Chemical, biological and cultural control tactics.

•

Interactive tables featuring registered conventional and biological active ingredients for each disease or pest, sortable by FRAC codes, FRAC risk and efficacy.

•

Active ingredients and trade names that are linked to each other.

•

Trade names and their rates per acre, PHI values and REI values plus their risk to the environment, field workers and pollinators.

•

Search feature to list active ingredients and trade names for each disease or pest together with efficacy and rate per acre.

28 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

Updates are instantly pushed out to devices with downloaded MyIPM apps, and once content is downloaded or updated on a device, the information can be accessed offline for use in the field.

Users can quickly see which crops and diseases a product is registered for, at what rate it is used and how effective it will be. One of the most important features of both apps helps users sort chemicals by groups and generate a plan to rotate or mix active ingredients to optimize performance and mitigate fungicide resistance.

Information about resistance risk for each product reminds users to be careful and follow strict resistance management guidelines.

And while the target audience is primarily commercial growers in terms of the chemical recommendations provided by both apps, Blaauw explains that many of the identification, diagnostic and cultural management tools are beneficial for homeowners as well.

For more information on the MyIPM and MyIPM Row Crops apps, visit apps.bugwood.org. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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USA Peanut Congress Held in June Peanut Industry Meeting and Awards Presented

T

he peanut supply chain returned in full force for the 26th annual USA Peanut Congress, co-hosted by the American Peanut Council and the American Peanut Shellers Association. Held June 13-16, 2022, in Charleston, South Carolina, the event attracted over 325 delegates. That is the largest attendance since 2017.

The event started with APC business sessions on June 14, including committee meetings on Sustainability, Export, Aflatoxin, Packaging & Handling, Membership, Peanut Butter for the Hungry, as well as the semi-annual APC board of directors meeting and four caucus meetings – Sheller, Grower, Allied, and Manufacturer. New this year was a special session on how Codex and international trade regulations work.

The following two days included general sessions around such topics as peanut research and diabetes, food inflation and farming, introduction to the Metaverse, competing internationally, the global peanut crop and weather risk outlook, as well as the 2022 U.S. peanut crop update.

The American Peanut Council presented three awards to individuals who have made an impact through the years in service to the peanut industry and in their research focus.

APC Hall of Fame During the USA Peanut Congress, Armond Morris was inducted into APC’s Peanut Hall of Fame for his significant contributions as a leader in the American Peanut Council.

This award is the highest award for individuals who have made significant contributions as a leader in the American Peanut Council.

Over the years, Morris served as APC’s board chairman in 2011-12 and export board chairman, as well as service on many committees within

Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award in 2021, JE Leger Agribusiness Award in 2017, National Peanut Board Buying Points Association- Distinguished Service Award in 2017, Sunbelt Expo Swisher Sweets Farmer of the Year in 2002 and the Master Farmer Award from ABAC and the Georgia Young Farmers Association and Irwin County Young Farmers Association Farm Family Award.

APC. Morris supported the APC export programs and accompanied many trade teams on international missions and hosted many international buyers and journalists on their farm in Irwin County, Georgia.

Morris also served on the Peanut Butter for the Hungry task force and has been very supportive of the industry's food aid efforts, particularly the donations of peanut butter from Peanut Proud to food banks and in various natural disasters.

Morris dedicated more than 40 years of service to the Georgia Peanut Commission as an advisory board member, board member and chairman. Morris has been a spokesperson and advocate for Georgia’s peanut farmers on the state, national and international level.

Through the years, Morris has represented farmers as president of the Georgia Young Farmers Association and secretary of the National Young Farmers Association.

Within his hometown of Irwin County, Armond has served as president of the Rotary Club, chairman of the Irwin County Commissioners, president of the Irwin County Young Farmers, serves on the board of the Ben Hill-Irwin County FSA and is a member of the Irwin County Farm Bureau.

Morris received the Southeast

30 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

APC Lifetime Achievement Award The APC’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award winner is Kim Cutchins, former executive officer of the American Peanut Research and Education Society (APRES). Cutchins made significant contributions to the peanut industry throughout her career as president and director of industry services at the American Peanut Council and as executive director of APRES. Cutchins served as executive officer of APRES for the past decade before retiring in May 2022. Cutchins brought APRES to new heights in many ways over the past decade.

Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach beyond the United States. She has led an effort to make sure Peanut Science journal remains in stellar shape, providing essential information to the membership and the peanut community at large.

Cutchins served as president and director of industry services at the National Peanut Council, now known as the American Peanut Council.

Cutchins established, operated and served as the first president of the National Peanut Research Foundation, raising more than $2.5 million within its first 3 years.

Cutchins lead a group of 30 private and public sector members that organized the Southeast

American Peanut Council Hall of Fame Armond Morris (left), farmer from Tift County, was inducted into the APC Hall of Fame during the USA Peanut Congress in June. He is pictured with his wife, Brenda Morris.

American Peanut Council Lifetime Achievement Award - Kim Cutchins, former executive officer of the American Peanut Research and Education Society was awarded the APC Lifetime Achievement Award during the USA Peanut Congress in June.

American Peanut Council Peanut Research and Education Award - Juliet (Ye) Chu, research professional at the University of Georgia, was awarded the APC Lifetime Achievement Award during the USA Peanut Congress in June.

Bioenergy Conference for 7 years.

Held in Tifton, Georgia (2006-2012), this conference annually attracted between 250 and 550 attendees from 20 states and 7 foreign countries.

to have some of the most talented and easiest to talk to of any crop I’ve ever been associated with."

to breeding and research programs.

Chu’s crossing skills are unparalleled and have resulted in the development of cultivars and germplasm of high value to the industry.

APC Peanut Research and Education Award Juliet (Ye) Chu was presented with the APC’s top scientific honor, the Peanut Research and Education Award, for the significant impacts her research has made on all aspects of peanut genetic enhancement. She was an essential part of the peanut genome initiative and her market development research resulted in the release of germplasm lines which are important to the future of peanut breeding.

The Peanut Research and Education Award is sponsored by Bayer CropScience.

"Compared to many other higher acreage crops, a relatively small group of scientists are dedicated to peanut research and education, but I would put the list of winners of this award up against any group of scientists anywhere," says Steve Brown, executive director of The Peanut Research Foundation. "And while high performing scientists in general may have a reputation of being aloof and difficult to talk to, we are so fortunate

According to Brown, this year’s winner is certainly no exception to that rule. Ye Chu, known to many in the peanut industry as Juliet, has a bachelor's and master's degree from universities in China and a doctorate in foods and nutrition from the University of Georgia.

Since 2001, Chu has been affiliated with the Peggy Ozias-Akins lab in Tifton, and as such has worked closely with the Corley Holbrook peanut breeding program at USDA. "If you know Juliet, you know that she has a wonderful personality and has repeatedly shown that she is willing to collaborate with an emphasis on the final result, not personal gain," Brown says. "As such, she has worked collaboratively with many other peanut scientists across the U.S. and across the world."

Chu has made significant impacts on all aspects of peanut genetic enhancement, from breeding to genomics. She has streamlined the joint USDA-UGA breeding program with strict organization of workflow for parental genotyping, timing of crosses, efficiency, and record keeping. The skill necessary to efficiently make crosses between two parent plants is extremely valuable

For example, she was a key contributor to the development of TifNV-High O/L (released in 2014), TifNV-HG and TifJumbo (released in 2021). All were created with the use of molecular markers for nematode resistance and high oleic acid, trait-associated markers that she developed. She has also made major contributions to Corley Holbrook’s soon to be released leafspot resistant varieties, which will change the disease control dynamic of growing peanuts.

Chu was an essential part of the peanut genome initiative, having coordinated and conducted the generation of eight recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations; led the phenotyping of multiple populations for disease resistance traits such as leaf spot, TSWV, and white mold; and provided the materials for sequencing of the tetraploid peanut genome.

Her marker development research in structured populations resulted in release of germplasm lines which are so important to the future of peanut breeding.

Congratulations to these deserving award winners. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Washington Outlook

By Robert L. Redding Jr.

U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Holds Trade Hearing

USPF Testifies About Peanut Trade Issues

U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade Chairman Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia, held a hearing on “Agricultural Trade: Priorities and Issues Facing America’s Farmers”. Peanut grower Karla Thompson, JET Farms Georgia and Integrity Farms in Camilla, Georgia, represented the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF) in providing testimony. Thompson discussed the primary peanut export markets and non-tariff trade barriers for U.S. peanuts entering the European Union (EU). Thompson summarized the state of peanut exports early in her statement.

“Our primary peanut export markets are Canada, Mexico, Japan, the European Union (EU), and China. To fully understand our peanut trade markets, we need to look at the numbers since the 2002 Farm Bill. In the 2002 Farm Bill, peanuts went from a historical supply-management program to a marketing loan program similar to other Title I commodities. This new market oriented program, now the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, reduced the price of peanuts for U.S. growers and should have made U.S. peanuts much more attractive to other countries importing peanuts. After the 2002 Farm Bill reforms, U.S. peanut world market share did show a slight increase; however, since 2015 our U.S. share of the world market has been declining. The implementation of non-tariff trade barriers in the EU and United Kingdom (UK) have only exacerbated this problem. The U.S. peanut industry’s share of the world peanut market is less today than the U.S. market share in the 1990’s.”

Thompson provided more context in her comments to the subcommittee during the trade hearing.

“Why is there a struggle for U.S. peanut exports to the EU and, more recently the UK? Mr. Chairman, as you and Senator Tuberville and 17 of your colleagues noted in a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative, peanuts are susceptible to a naturally-occurring aflatoxin. U.S. peanut growers are subject to stringent testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assure our peanuts are safe to enter the food supply, both domestic and international. The EU, and now the UK, however, are requiring expanded testing criteria for U.S. peanut imports. What does this mean? The EU, and now UK, select 20 percent of U.S. shipments (containers) for aflatoxin testing, and they test 100 percent of the selected peanuts. In contrast, they only select 10 percent of shipments from China and 5 percent of shipments from Argentina. These new requirements for the U.S. are far more extensive than those required of our competitors in the EU and are costing the U.S. peanut industry hundreds of millions of dollars each year.”

U.S. Senators Warnock and Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, have led the bipartisan Senate efforts to cure the peanut industry’s issues with the EU non-tariff trade barrier.

32 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

U.S. House Appropriations Committee Completes Fiscal Year 2023 Ag Legislation Bishop Peanut Provisions Included in Bill The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has approved the Agriculture, Rural Development and Food and Drug Administration appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2023. Included in the bill were peanut provisions proposed by Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Sanford Bishop, D-Georgia, and supported by the peanut industry.

Chairman Bishop has been working with the peanut industry on two priority research initiatives, aflatoxin and nutrition. Total funding for Fiscal Year 2023 is $4 million for aflatoxin research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Georgia, and $1.5 million for the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to work on nutrition priorities.

Peanut Research The Committee provides an additional $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2022 level to support research activities to mitigate aflatoxin contamination in peanuts. The Committee directs ARS to enhance ongoing collaborations with land grant institutions to further advance research efforts.

Peanut Nutrition Research The Committee recognizes the need for more research to identify how peanut consumption contributes to overall health, wellness, and reduces chronic disease risk in various groups and across the lifespan.

The Committee encourages research topics to include chronic diseases, nutrition and wellness across the lifespan, health disparities, dietary patterns for optimal health, and nutrition for the future. The Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 to continue this peanut nutrition research.

The Appropriations legislation will now go to the House floor for consideration. The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has not passed their version of the Agriculture Appropriations bill to date.

USDA Releases Planted Acreage Report

T

he U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the planted acreage report on June 30, 2022.

Peanut planted area is estimated at 1.54 million acres in 2022, down 3 percent from 2021. Area for harvest is estimated at 1.50 million acres in 2022, down 3 percent from last year.

Peanut Area Planted and Harvested - States and United States: 2021 and 2022 State

Area Planted

Area Harvested

2021 (1,000 acres)

2022 (1,000 acres)

2021 (1,000 acres)

2022* (1,000 acres)

Alabama

185.0

190.0

183.0

187.0

Arkansas

36.0

30.0

35.0

29.0

Florida

170.0

160.0

162.0

150.0

Georgia

755.0

730.0

750.0

725.0

In Georgia, the largest peanutproducing State, planted area is down 3 percent from 2021. As of June 19, sixty-six percent of the acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, compared with sixty-nine percent rated in these two categories at the same time last year.

Mississippi

18.0

20.0

17.0

19.0

New Mexico

11.2

11.0

11.0

11.0

North Carolina

115.0

120.0

114.0

119.0

Oklahoma

16.0

15.0

15.0

14.0

South Carolina

69.0

65.0

66.0

62.0

Texas

180.0

170.0

162.0

155.0

In Alabama, peanuts are estimated at 190,000 acres, up 3 percent from 2021. In other crops, corn is estimated at 300,000 acres, down 15 percent from 2021 while cotton is at 425,000 acres, up 5 percent from 2021.

Soybean planted area in Alabama is estimated at 350,000 acres, up 13 percent from last year and winter wheat planted area is at 180,000 acres, is up 3 percent from 2021.

Virginia

30.0

32.0

30.0

31.0

1,585.20

1,543.0

1,545.00

1,502.0

In Florida, peanuts are estimated at 160,000 acres, down 6 percent from 2021. In other crops, corn is estimated

United States * Forecasted.

at 80,000 acres, down 16 percent from 2021 while cotton is at 95,000 acres, up 3 percent from 2021.

In Georgia, peanuts are estimated at 730,000 acres, down 3 percent from 2021. In other crops, corn is estimated at 430,000 acres, down 10 percent from 2021 while cotton is at 1.20 million acres, up 3 percent from 2021. Soybean planted area

in Georgia is estimated at 130,000 acres, down 7 percent from last year.

Tobacco harvested area in Georgia is at 8,000 acres and unchanged from the previous year. Winter wheat planted area, at 210,000 acres, is down 5 percent from 2021.

Increase in planted peanut acreage was also noted in Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia. 

USDA Announces New Emergency Relief Program President Biden signed into law the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 117-43), which includes $10 billion in assistance to agricultural producers impacted by wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, winter storms, and other eligible disasters experienced during calendar years 2020 and 2021.

According to USDA, the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) covers losses to crops, trees, bushes and vines due to a qualifying natural disaster event in calendar years 2020 and 2021. For impacted producers, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will be administering emergency relief to row crop and specialty crop producers through the following two-phased process:

• Phase 1 will leverage existing Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data as the basis for calculating initial payments.

• Phase 2 will be intended to fill additional assistance gaps and cover eligible producers who did not participate in existing risk management programs.

This two-phased approach enables USDA to streamline the application process to reduce the burden on producers, proactively include underserved producers who have been left out of past relief efforts and encourage participation in existing risk management tools that can help producers handle future extreme

weather events.

Eligible crops include all crops for which federal crop insurance or NAP coverage was available and a crop insurance indemnity or NAP payment was received, except for crops intended for grazing. Qualifying natural disaster events include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including apolar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions. For ERP eligibility, “related conditions” are damaging weather and adverse natural occurrences that occurred concurrently with and as a direct result of a specified qualifying disaster event. 

July/August 2022 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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1025 Sugar Pike Way · Canton, Georgia 30115 | (770) 751-6615 | lpwagner@comcast.net

National Grilling Month Satellite Media Tour Summer time is outdoor cooking and entertaining season!

Whether it’s a holiday cookout or a get together with family and friends, peanuts and peanut butter are the surprise ingredient of the season.

Southern Peanut Growers worked with A-1 Broadcast and Chef David Olson to put peanuts and peanut butter front and center Chef David Olson presents grilling with television stations ideas using peanuts and peanut butter nationwide. David Olson during National Grilling Month. is a nationally-recognized American Culinary Federation Chef, television personality and social network influencer, and the creator behind, “LiveFire Republic” and “A Bachelor and His Grill.”

Chef David did 27 live television and radio interviews for four hours on June 27 promoting peanuts and peanut butter, Stella Rosa Wines, Save A Lot, and Off! for outdoor entertaining and grilling.

Chef David shared Grilled PB&J Wings, Nutter Butter Banana Pudding, and how roasted peanuts are always a tasty crunch at any gathering.

Georgia American Academy of Pediatrics Southern Peanut Growers exhibited at the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting June 17-18 in Amelia Island, Florida. Leslie Wagner, executive director of SPG, spoke to nearly every pediatrician in attendance focusing on early introduction to prevent peanut allergy and the newest Dietary Guidelines for Americans which address infant and maternal Leslie Wagner, Southern Peanut Growers executive director, exhibits feeding for the first time to at the Georgia Chapter of the specifically recommend early American Academy of Pediatrics introduction of peanuts and Annual Meeting in June. other food allergens to prevent peanut allergy and also to advise pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to not avoid food allergens unless necessary for their own health.

This year’s meeting had a higher number of pediatricians from outside the state of Georgia than ever before. Doctors placed orders to have 50—250 of each of the handouts and copies of the poster sent to their offices so they can distribute to patients at the appropriate visit. The Spanish language version was popular and sincerely appreciated. In addition to what was picked up at the booth, about 1,200 Early Introduction cards in English, 750 in Spanish, and 20 posters promoting early introduction have been sent directly to doctors’ offices for use with their patients as a result of these orders.

PB&J Grilled Wings Ingredients

12-16 chicken wings BBQ seasoning ½ cup creamy peanut butter

½ cup grape jelly 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha hot sauce 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Directions Heat grill to a medium-high temperature (400 – 450 degrees). While grill is heating, remove and discard the wing tips and season the wings with your favorite BBQ seasoning. Place wings over direct heat and grill, flipping once, until the wings reach an internal temperature of 163 degrees.

While chicken is grilling, combine peanut butter, grape jelly, Sriracha, and vinegar is a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until thoroughly combined.

When the wings are at an internal temperature of 163 degrees, toss the wings in the sauce or brush the sauce on both sides of the wings. After saucing, continue cooking the wings about 2 minutes per side until the sauce is sticky to the touch.

Remove from heat and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

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September 13 - 15, 2022 Tifton, Ga. & Surrounding Area

For more information contact: Georgia Peanut Commission P.O. Box 967, Tifton GA 31793 Phone: 229-386-3470 Fax: 229-386-3501 Email: hannah@gapeanuts.com www.georgiapeanuttour.com 36 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | July/August 2022

Tour Coordinated By: GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA Tifton Campus and Griffin Campus USDA/ARS, NATIONAL PEANUT RESEARCH LAB