ARC & PLC FARMERS FINALLY GET SOME HELP  

                        House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) championed vital investments of $13.8 billion in the farm safety net improvements through the Working Families Tax Cuts that are now being administered by the Farm Service Agency. They issued the following statement as farm families are experiencing the benefits delivered with improvements to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) including increased reference prices, modernized payment limitations, and the allocation of 30 million new base acres. 
                        “Farming is an inherently risky business. America’s producers need adequate risk management tools that deliver certainty and predictability to continue growing our food and fiber. After years of operating under an outdated farm safety net, congressional Republicans delivered enhanced policies to protect and manage against market volatility and diminished yields. The ARC and PLC payments farmers are receiving this month are critical to supporting our hardworking farm families, strengthening the stability of the industry and planning for a future in farming.” 
                        These updates are the first meaningful investments to the farm safety net since 2002. Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts will provide $13.8 billion in ARC/PLC support, more than double what farmers were expected to receive before these changes. 
                        Implementation for improvements to ARC and PLC follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of other Working Families Tax Cuts provisions, including expanded access to and eligibility for standing disaster programs including the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Forage Program (LFP), in addition to making crop insurance more affordable.

2025 PEANUT PLC PAYMENT

     USDA-NASS has reported a 2025 Marketing Year average peanut price of $470/ton, triggering a PLC payment for the 2025 peanut crop.  Here are the numbers:

                 MARKET YEAR AVERAGE PRICE (12 Mo)- $470 per ton

                 PLC payment rate: $160 per ton ($630 Reference Price -- $470 per ton)

                 Average PLC Yield (GA) 3,870 lbs/acre  

                 Estimated Payment : $263.21 per base acre Subject to a 5.7% sequestration rate.

CENTRAL FLORIDA PEANUT FESTIVAL – The Williston Florida Chamber of Commerce sponsored the Central Florida Peanut Festival in Williston, Florida last Saturday.  In the mix of 100 exhibitors was John Gray of Williston Peanut Company and Tyron Spearman of the National Peanut Buying Points Association grilling PB&J’s.  Also working over the grills were Andy Robinson and Scott Robinson, Thanks to the Peanut Institute, Williston Peanut Company, NPBPA, JIF and Smuckers for the 1000 sandwich samples of PB&Js.

SANDERS ANNOUNCES BRIDGE LOAN TO DELTA PEANUT TO SAVE ARKANSAS PEANUT HARVEST           

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward today announced a $5 million loan from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund to facilitate Delta Peanut’s purchase of this year’s peanut harvest as it works to be acquired by an outside firm.

            “Peanuts are an expanding crop market in Arkansas, and we can’t allow this year’s harvest to rot in the field and kill the entire industry,” said Governor Sanders. “My administration is stepping in to offer this short-term bridge loan and facilitate the purchase of this year’s harvest. Looking forward, this is an industry we believe can stand on its own two feet and add diversity to the agriculture industry in the Delta.”

            “Governor Sanders took immediate and decisive action to save nearly 80 percent of Arkansas’ peanut crop and help keep ​several farmers from being forced out of business,” said Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “This bridge loan provides a responsible, short-term solution that will allow our producers to harvest this year’s crop, stay in business, and preserve the future of Arkansas’ peanut industry.”

            In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it was pulling Delta Peanut’s federal warehouse bond, and the company told its nearly 90 growers that it would not be able to dry, process, or store their harvest. The only other federally bonded peanut warehouse in Arkansas is already operating at full capacity, and transporting the crop out of state is not financially feasible for most farmers.

            The loan announced today would be used solely for operational costs like staff, utilities, and overhead. Farmers will be required to agree to both a $60-per-ton delivery fee and a bank subordination agreement, granting the State priority lender status for repayment of the operating loan.

            The length of the loan agreement with Delta Peanut is not to exceed six months and will be repaid as payments are received from USDA and delivery fees.

            Delta Peanut is currently engaged in negotiations with a third party to purchase the company and transfer operations after this harvest season. Delta Peanut has been provided with a $2.7 million line of credit to allow USDA to reinstate its warehouse license, but the company still needs funding to cover operational costs to allow it to process this year’s harvest.

NPB CONTINUES CAMPUS VISITS

The National Peanut Board has the fall semester in full swing. In between college game days and late-night study sessions.  Students across the country are getting a delicious taste of how peanuts can fuel their school. Mini worlds from the “It’s Not Nuts, It’s Peanuts” campaign have been turned into life-size experiences for NPB’s college campus tour, including a giant inflatable peanut butter “toast” to kick hacky sacks on and a full DJ booth mixing tunes atop a peanut “protein bar.” A giant truck-turned-museum shows off all the benefits of peanuts, while a vending machine gives out bright harvest merchandise. Our final stops: Auburn then Oklahoma State on October 12, and Mississippi State on October 19!  Follow @USApeanuts on Instagram to catch all the fun in real-time.

GEORGIA PEANUT FESTIVAL

The Annual Georgia Peanut Festival is a celebration and a "THANK YOU" to our community and most importantly, our local farmers. It is held at T.C. Jeffords Park near downtown Sylvester GA, on October 17.  Activities include one of the largest parades in the Southeast and craftsmen from all over the state showcasing their creations.  Everyone is invited for this day full of southern food, fun, and entertainment with fun for the entire family, including the free Percy's Peanut Patch for the little ones. We hope that you will join us in celebrating one of the largest industries in Georgia, right here in the Peanut Capital of the World!

PLAINS PEANUT FESTIVAL

Fans from all across the country visited Plains, Georgia this past weekend to honor the life and legacy of the 39^th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter. A special salute was given to Congressman Sanford Bishop for his assistance in securing grant funds to open the Carter Home as a new museum.

            Sponsors this year were Hormel/Planters of Chicago, Il, Golden Peanut Company, Birdsong Peanuts, the National Peanut Board, Buffalo Peanut Company of Plains, Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Buying Points Association, American Peanut Shellers Association and the Peanut Institute. The Friends of Jimmy Carter organization coordinated the festivities.  The event Chairman is John Powell.  Leading the parade was Mr. Peanut with Tyron Spearman, announcing.

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO HIGH YIELDING PEANUTS?

Recently, the 2025 Georgia Peanut Achievement Club was honored for their high yields last season, some as high as 6,794 pounds per acre. What is the secret?  Growers agreed that having a good rotation, good quality seed and good weather make all the difference with their yields. Additionally, the timing of applications for disease, weed and insect management are keys in achieving high yields.

            Another component of the farmers' success is following recommendations from the Extension service and asking questions. The majority use a 3-year rotation plan with other crops such as cotton or corn. Most of the winners plant in twin rows during the month of May.  Another trait among the high yield winners is cultivar selection with many of the winners planting the Georgia-06G cultivar. Other cultivars planted by the winners include TifNV-HG, Georgia-12Y and Georgia-16HO.

FLORIDA ANNOUNCES THE 15^th PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE -

            The UF/IFAS Extension offices will collect peanut butter donations in October and November. All collected peanut butter will be distributed to local food pantries.  A total of 38 of Florida’s Extension service offices will be collecting the protein-packed favorite. The event is collaboration between University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and Florida A&M University (FAMU) Extension Collection begins October 1 and runs through the month and, in some counties, into November.

            Participating county Extension offices will collect sealed, unexpired peanut butter in any brand, size or type of container, from the individual cups to the big family-sized jars. The project has gained popularity every year with schools and organizations conducting friendly competitions to see who can collect the most. The 2025 event resulted in 44,472 pounds of peanut butter donations, or roughly enough to make 622,608 sandwiches based on a 2-tablespoon serving size per sandwich. The event is also supported by the Florida Peanut Federation and Florida Peanut Producers Association and community partners throughout the state. For info visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutbutter.