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Management Strategies for Peanut Harvest
| Name | Jonathan K. Croft | | Situation | The proper timing of peanut harvest is one of the most important aspects of peanut production. Improper timing of peanuts can cause farmers to lose yield and profits if done either too early or too late. During the 2007 season, determining digging date was extremely important due to drought conditions which resulted in several different stages of peanut crops across the state and individual counties. Currently, the best solution to properly timing peanut digging is proper monitoring of crop maturity. | | Response | In September of 2007, Clemson Extension Agent Jonathan Croft of Berkeley and Dorchester Counties initiated a monitoring program to assist farmers with this situation. Croft began by conducting farm visits to check the maturity of the peanut crop in Berkeley and Dorchester Counties. Over the next several weeks, peanuts were checked on 11 farms by the pod blast method. After determining the maturity of a field, Croft was able to recommend that the producer either start or delay digging the crop. To further educate farmers on the current situation and practices needed to produce a peanut crop, they were provided with copies of the Peanut Newsletter prepared by Dr. Jay Chapin, State Extension Specialist at Edisto Research and Education Center, through direct mailing or by email. These newsletters provided detailed information about peanut production in South Carolina. | | Impact | Over 40 peanut producers in Berkeley and Dorchester Counties were given timely information on current management options for peanuts in South Carolina. In Berkeley and Dorchester Counties, there are on average 4,000 acres of peanuts producing on average 3,000 lbs of peanuts per acre. Significant yield losses, 50% or more, can occur when peanuts are allowed to over mature in the ground especially for Virginia types. |
Last update9/2/2008
This website is maintained by Amy West.
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