Peanuts are growing in popularity and Clemson University has several tools that can help South Carolina peanut producers grow a profitable 2016 crop.
Among these tools is the 2016 Peanut Production Guide. Featured during the 2016 Peanut Growers’ Meeting, the guide provides information about varieties, crop rotation, tillage, planting, fertility, management of pests and more designed specifically for South Carolina growers. Dan Anco, Clemson University peanut specialist, said the guide is something peanut growers can use as a quick reference for questions they may have as the peanut season progresses.
“The purpose of this guide is to help peanut producers make timely management decisions,” Anco said. “This guide provides a step-by-step ‘game plan’ for peanut production under South Carolina conditions. Producers can use this (guide) as a reference for questions they may have about peanut production.”
The Peanut Production Guide has been updated to contain the latest research-based information related to South Carolina peanut production.
In addition to the production guide, Anco also talked about top varieties and recently released varieties. The top Virginia varieties are Bailey, Sullivan, Sugg and Wynn. Top runner peanut varieties are Georgia 06G, Georgia 09B, Georgia 12Y and TUFRunner 511.
Emery is a Virginia variety released in 2015. Runner varieties recently released are Georgia 13M, Georgia 14N, TUFRunner 297, FloRun 157 and TifNV-High O/L. All of the runner varieties are high oleic, meaning they contain high levels of oleic acid, or healthy fat.
Anco also gave a fungicide update. Propulse’s label now includes in-furrow use, but no longer covers banded application. Elatus is a new product highly effective for late leaf spot and white mold, among other diseases. Anco also recommended that two of the newer premixed products should be used with additional Bravo for effective late leaf spot control (Muscle ADV + 0.5 pt/A Bravo and Custodia + 1 pt/A Bravo).
In addition to learning about the updated production guide and new varieties, participants also learned how to control thrips, as well as diseases, in their crops.
Jay Chapin, recently retired Clemson peanut specialist, was recognized for his service to the state’s peanut growers.
The meeting continued with peanut experts offering other information including how overwatering could hurt peanut yields. Wesley Porter, a precision agriculture and irrigation specialist from the University of Georgia said that a sensor-based method produced the most consistent and highest yield in all varieties studies in 2014. The year 2015 was a “wet” year, he said. Two irrigation tools that proved valuable for producers during 2015 were IrrigatorPro and the University of Florida’s PeanutFarm. These websites contain information that has the potential to better guide producers in determining their irrigation needs.
Clemson University researchers are working on an irrigation tool that uses sensors to determine when crops need irrigation. At the Edisto Research and Education Center, sensor engineer Joe Mari Maja, is developing a circuit board that will automatically engage an irrigation system based on readings from soil moisture sensors in a field.
Hugh Weathers, South Carolina commissioner of agriculture, said the state’s agribusiness economy has grown 23 percent since 2006.
“Agriculture and forestry have a $42 billion impact on the South Carolina economy” he said. “Agriculture and forestry support 212,000 jobs in our state. It’s exciting to see this growth in jobs and our agribusiness economy. The numbers also help portray the magnitude and powerful influence of this great industry in our state. We must continue to actively support our farmers and producers in South Carolina to generate an even greater impact on the rural economy, as well as job growth.”
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