2022 U.S. PEANUT CROP

                  U.S. peanut production is forecast at 5.85 million pounds (2,924,850 tons) in 2022, down 6 percent from the previous forecast and down 8 percent from 2021. USDA made this prediction in September.

                   Acreage updates were made in several States based on a thorough review of all available data. Planted area at 1.46 million acres is down 5 percent from the previous estimate and down 8 percent from 2021 planted area.  Area harvested is expected to total 1.41 million acres, down 6 percent from the previous forecast and down 9 percent from 2021.

                  Based on conditions as of September 1, the average yield for the United States is forecast at 4,145 pounds per acre, up 16 pounds per acre from the previous forecast and up 10 pounds per acre from 2021. Record high yields are forecast for Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.  On September  4, seventy percent of the United States peanut acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, compared to 74 percent the same time last year.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS COULD SLOW THE FARM BILL

                  U.S.  Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa. recently told a farm group that he’s ready to get legislative work back to normal order with accomplishing an on-time farm bill in 2023. He also believes the farm bill is the one piece of legislation most likely to move in 2023, which also brings the opportunity to provide greater oversight of USDA. The current farm bill expires September 30, 2023.

                 He says the number one thing he’s hearing from his farmers is the frustration with high input costs, including fuel and fertilizer. He understands that farming is a business, and despite higher commodity prices, farmers still need to find ways to remain profitable despite the lack of a margin.

                   Thompson says the House Agriculture Committee is two and a half years behind on legislative oversight of the last farm bill.  In 2018, a total of 130 field hearings had been held. To date, not one bipartisan field hearing has been held, although there has been seven field hearings hosted by Democrats. If the House changes to Republican control after the 2022 election, Thompson says there will be a change in intensity of getting out to the countryside to hear firsthand from farmers and agricultural stakeholders what changes should be made.  

LIFTING MARKETING BARRIERS

                U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade, secured commitments from Alexis Taylor, the nominee to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, to further the interests of Georgia’s farmers.

                The Senator submitted Questions for the Record (QFR) to Ms. Alexis Taylor about how she would work alongside Senator Warnock to improve the issues impacting Georgia farmers and agri-businesses. Senator Warnock received guarantees that, if confirmed, Ms. Taylor would work with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to ensure that U.S. trade policy works for all producers from Georgia, as well as work with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service to explore export promotion opportunities for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. Additionally, the Senator secured Ms. Taylor’s commitment to work with the USTR to lift European market barriers for Georgia peanuts and work to reduce burdensome pecan tariffs in India.

FARMER STOCK PROBE PATTERN STUDY

               The frequency of semi-drying trailers has dramatically increased since their introduction in the southwest peanut production area. Many buying point owners/operators state that more than 75% of their tonnage is dried on semi-drying trailers. According to current instructions for sampling loads of farmers’ stock peanuts more than 10 tons must be probed 15 times using approved probe patterns. One of bottlenecks in the farmers’ stock grading process is the acquisition of a representative sample from the conveyance.

               The increased use of high-capacity dump carts during harvest has resulted in thoroughly mixed farmers’ stock peanuts when dumped into the semi-drying trailers in the field. Therefore, variability of official farmers’ stock grade factors is reduced, and the number of probes required to obtain a representative sample can be reduced from 15. The study is for Flat Bottom Trailers exceeding 10 Tons.         

                 The research study is headed by Chris Butts, Quentin Read, Joseph McIntyre, Marshall Lamb, Research Agricultural Engineer, Southeast Area Statistician, Research Agricultural Engineer. The project is in collaboration with USDA, AMS and the State Federal-State Inspection Services.  Joe Boddiford, Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission is chairing the meetings as the protocol is determined.

 

MEASURING PEANUT IN-SHELL MOISTURE AT THE START

                    Over the past several years, Clint Faircloth, Project Manager with Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, has lead a project to develop a device that measures the moisture of peanuts in the shell. It has proven to be a huge challenge to find the right company to finalize the research and manufacture a device that is reliable and accurate. Within the past several months, it seems that all the effort may have finally come together to show some promise of light at the end of the tunnel. Currently, there are two devices being tested during the 2022 peanut season.

The first is a prototype using microwave technology patented and licensed by USDA,ARS to measure in-shell moisture content. The technology has been patented for several years, but has encountered many hurdles on the road to commercialization. Georgia FSIS has licensed the technology, and has secured a company to develop a commercial model.  They have produced two prototypes and both Georgia FSIS and the USDA, ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory are conducting preliminary evaluations during the 2022 peanut harvest. The manufacturer will continue making modifications during and following the harvest based on data and user feedback.

                The second meter is commercially available, and has been used for a number of commodities including almonds, pistachios, pecans and walnuts. It uses approximately a 40 gram sample, and work has been under way to calibrate for use on peanuts. Data is being collected by Georgia FSIS and USDA, ARS during the 2022 harvest to determine its accuracy.

BUYING POINT ASSOCIATION HONORS SPEARMAN WITH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

                  At the Pre-Harvest Meeting, Robin Singletary, Education Committee Chairman of the National Peanut Buying Point Association, presented Tyron Spearman with a UGA Certificate of Gratitude that read:

                  “A Certificate of Gratitude is presented for your positive impact on the peanut industry in the State of Georgia. Your career serves as an inspiration example to current students about the value that comes from hard work, passion and a strong educational foundation from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.”

                  “In your honor, The National Peanut Buying Points Association, along with several companies and individuals who have been touched by your work in the peanut industry, have established the TYRON SPEARMAN CAES Scholarship Fund.  This endowed scholarship will provide support to future leaders of agricultural and environmental sciences as they complete their education in UGA’s Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.”

                  Singletary reported that already $50,000 had been added to the FUND and the Buying Point Association committed $5,000 annually in support of the scholarship.  The Fund was to support a college freshman that may attend ABAC and a sophomore majoring in agriculture at the University of Georgia.  Guidelines will be developed by the Scholarship Committee and Spearman. 

                  Persons interested in supporting the scholarship fund should contact Angela Elder at [email protected].

MEXICO PEANUT MARKET

                  Victor Galindo, CEO of Galdisa in Mexico was featured speaker at the Pre-Harvest Meeting and presented updated facts about Mexico and the peanut market.  Population is now over 130 million, the 11th largest economy by GDP. 

                  Mexico peanut demand totals an estimated 219,000 metric tons with peanut production estimated at 65,000 MT.  Imports in 2021 were 154,000 MT with a value of $189 million USD.

                  Galdisa is the largest importer of peanuts in Mexico. The family-owned business has 60 years experience in the peanut industry with over 400 employees.  The Company has 5 facilities in Mexico and the U.S. with 3 business divisions including distribution, snacks and ingredients 

                  Imports into Mexico of shelled peanuts totaled 150,974 metric tons in 2021.  A total of 87.425 were USA peanuts, 8.43% from Nicaragua, 2.49% from China, 1.42% from Brazil and .23% from Argentina.  In-shell imports in 2021 showed 68.42% imported from China and 31.58% from the US. 

                Victor said that the U.S. had some non-price advantages that helped imports to Mexico.  These include ‘Phyto’ no longer required, neither is fumigation.  Being a member of US-Mexico-Canada-agreement is a positive. Also, transit times are about 2 weeks, over the road (no ships), plus Mexico is easy to travel to and the U.S. industry is providing some marketing support in cooperation with the American Peanut Council.

EXPORTING PEANUTS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

                     Faced with increased aflatoxin testing levels on U.S. peanuts entering the European Union (EU), an American Peanut Council (APC) delegation travelled to Rotterdam and Brussels recently to provide information in support of lowering inspection rates on imports of U.S. peanuts.

                    In a key meeting with the European Commission’s DG Sante (health ministry), APC explained the updated Memorandum of Understanding, which details the steps that U.S. peanut shellers take to meet EU requirements before product is exported. In addition, an update on the high quality of the 2021 peanut crop was provided. APC will continue to provide ongoing information to DG Sante to build confidence in the quality of U.S. peanuts, although DG Sante officials made it clear that compliance with EU requirements at point of import needs to improve before inspection rates could be lowered.

               The delegation also visited peanut facilities in Rotterdam witnessing sampling procedures and meeting with the Dutch food safety agency.

HISTORY OF U.S. PEANUT INDUSTRY

                    The Peanut Farm Market News enters its 35th year.  The entire 35 years of individual issues (over 5,000 pages – about 150 issues each year) are available on JUMP DRIVE as industry history memoirs.  Our goal is to provide you and your company information about the US peanut industry and the people who have made this industry grow and prosper.  Thanks for subscribing and always thanks for your friendship and helpful information.  Copies will be sold with no restrictions for $400 each.  To reserve, contact Angela at [email protected].

GEORGIA PEANUT BANK WEEK BIG SUCCESS

                  The Georgia Peanut Commission and Georgia Bankers Association will join forces Oct. 10-14, 2022, to promote the 46th annual Georgia Peanut Bank Week. Financial institutions and local banks across the state will offer a tribute to Georgia’s 4,000 peanut farm families and the sustainability they provide to Georgia’s state and local economies.

                The 2022 theme, “Georgia Peanuts: Accounting for Your Daily Health,” will showcase the affordable and nutritious peanut. Recent research studies indicate and highlight regularly eating peanuts can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Individuals can reap these benefits by taking one daily ounce (about a handful) of peanuts or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter.  

                The annual promotion will be taking place during an opportune time of the year: peanut harvest. In 2022, Georgia peanuts were planted on more than 680,000 acres throughout Georgia and accounted for 52 percent of peanut production in the United States. Peanuts were planted in 76 of Georgia’s 159 counties with an average yield of more than 4,450 pounds per acre.

PEANUT PROUD HELPING HURRICANE VICTIMS

                Peanut Proud, the humanitarian are of the peanut industry recently ordered 2 truckloads of peanut butter which to deliver to southwest Florida. probably to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.        Two more truckloads which should deliver November 3 have been ordered for Florida delivery.  So, two truckloads totaling 60,480 jars of peanut butter will go to Hurricane Ian victims within 4 weeks and all is appreciated.  All contributions are welcomed.  The peanut butter is processed locally by Tara Foods in Albany, GA and is made possible by donations from all segments of the peanut industry plus individuals and organizations. Donations are being accepted to buy more peanut butter for future shipments.  Contact Peanut Proud at P.O. Box 446, Blakely, GA 39823.  See www.peanutproud.com.

GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW SET

                Make plans to attend the 46th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The one-day show is free and open to all farmers and industry representatives.

                Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with nearly 100 agribusinesses and organizations in the peanut and agricultural industry. Farmers will be able to earn private and commercial pesticide applicator certification, as well as learn about cutting-edge research and developments during the University of Georgia Peanut Production Seminar and industry-wide sponsored Peanut Seed Seminar.

                Farm Show chairman Rodney Dawson said, “I encourage farmers to attend this one-day show in Tifton. The knowledge they will gain from industry representatives and seminars is an investment in the future of their farm.”

                The Georgia Peanut Commission, in cooperation with OneBlood, will host a blood drive from   9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19. At the close of Thursday, there will be nearly $10,000 in door prizes presented to farmers, as well as a Grand Door Prize, vendor products, certificates and equipment.

                For more information on the show, contact the Georgia Peanut Commission office at 229-386-3470 or visit www.gapeanuts.com.