University of Georgia
Extension Peanut Agronomist
The only way to know for sure if soil pH and nutrient levels in a field that will be planted in peanut in 2010 are sufficient is to take a soil sample. It is important to break fields up into management zones based on soil texture differences or sections of the field that were planted to two different crops and fertilized differently the year before.
Be sure to sample the field as deeply as it will be plowed, especially if using a moldboard or deep-turning plow. If you sample only eight inches deep in the winter but then turn the soil deeper than eight inches, you have brought untested soil to the surface, which might be very low in pH or deficient in nutrients. Some of the problems we see each year with poor early season growth are sometimes because of low soil pH. For peanut production, we shoot for a target pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
Texas A&M University
Last year was tough. In late July and early August, the crop appeared excellent. However, two weeks of hot, dry weather in August followed by a cold September and Octob-er led to disappointing yields and grades. While disappointing, some individual fields produced good yields. The highest yields were on fields with an excellent soil moisture profile going into August and plenty of water to continue to irrigate. In cases of wet weather, we often start the water too late. In other cases, we do not have enough water to keep up with demand during periods of severe heat. High-yielding peanuts in Texas require plenty of water. It may be best to reduce acreage planted under a particular pivot to ensure enough water to adequately irrigate the crop. It is also critical to set an early crop so as to not be decimated by cold weather late in the season.
North Carolina State University
Like 2009, there is no firm idea on the number of acres of Virginia market-type peanut that will be planted in the V-C region. Supply and demand affect contract prices and will dictate what is planted. Although acreage dropped considerably from 2008 to 2009, yields this past season were on par with the record crop of 2008 at 3,700 pounds per acre. The reduction in acreage has affected rotation, with a result being more years between peanuts. This increases yield.
Soybean prices have been strong, and with excellent yields in this crop, peanut contracts will have to be higher in 2010 to get peanuts planted. It is hard to argue with $10-per-bushel soybeans that have a yield potential of 40-plus bushels per acre. However, keep in mind the negative impact of soybeans on peanut yield when peanuts go back into rotation. Getting soybeans “situated” in the rotation with respect to peanut will be important.
Some of the new varieties show promise for the future. The amount of white mold pressure in Georgia 06G was a concern. However, it still made some phenomenal yields and exceptional grades. A number of farms faced calcium issues with Georgia 06G and Florida 07, with levels too low for these larger-seeded varieties. Georgia Greener has a slight advantage over these varieties with its smaller seed size, saving money at planting and in terms of lower calcium requirement, plus it performed well with a good yield and grade. Tifguard held on until full maturity, giving producers a respectable yield where peanut root-knot nematodes were present. There will not be any more Georgia 03L for seed unless it is farmer-saved. Some producers will miss this variety for its disease package.