2020 yielding farmer from above the lakes was Joel B. Rivers (5,333 lb/acre over 118 VOL. 69 No. 2 State Peanut Production acres). Below the lakes, Colt Farms, Inc./ Champions B.C. Farms of , Inc. had Spring/Summer the highest farm yield (6,714 lb/acre over 736 acres). In addition to personalized 2021 award plaques, the two top yielding farm- ers were each gifted a pallet of peanut seed for use in the 2021 crop year in part- nership with Birdsong Peanuts in Fairfax, South Carolina and Rogers Brothers Pea- nuts in Hartsville, South Carolina.

Virginia 2020 The 2020 North Carolina Peanut Yield State Peanut Production Winner is Earl White and Sons of Hert- ford County. Earl and his son Jr. pro- Champions duced 5,828 pounds per acre on 350 acres. Earl, a longtime resident of Hertford County has been farming since he was 13 years old. This year the Whites were the only farm in the state to accumulate yield and acreage points of 60 or more. Con- gratulations to Earl and Jr. White.

South Carolina 2020 State Peanut Production Champions Greg and Seth Edwards, who farm in the Little community of Southampton County, are the 2020 peanut yield cham- pions. They produced 5749 pounds per acre on 260.6 acres. This is the third time in the last four years that Greg and Seth have been the champions.

The father and son operation raises most- ly peanuts and cotton along with some soybeans and corn. Greg, who began farming on his own in 1985, grew peanuts until 2002 but stopped when the peanut The South Carolina Peanut Yield Contest program changed. He resumed growing for 2020 is pleased to recognize five farm- them again along with Seth in 2016. facebook.com/VCPPromotions ers for total farm peanut production above Seth, a fire fighter, also farms some on his 5,000 lb/acre: James Hunt Bookhart, Colt own. The two represent the 4th and 5th Farms, Inc./B.C. Farms of South Carolina, generations of their family to farm. They twitter.com/VCPPromotions Inc., Delano Kneece & Son, Inc., Joel B. are active in community and agricultural Rivers, and Triple G Farms, LLC. The top organizations, including the Farm Bureau. instagram.com/powerofpeanuts/ 1 Virginia Carolinas Peanut Promotions s I mentioned in the last serves as the promotion/market A issue, I will be retiring development organization for North July 31 of this year. So this will Carolina be my last Sutter Sez column. At South Carolina the end of one’s career it seems and Virginia that looking back is a meaningful Peanut Grower Associations. activity. I went to the file of past Virginia Carolina Peanut News and pulled one from 1957, one from 1989 and one from 2002.

In 1957 the Association had been SUTTER SAID in existence for four years and Robert R. Sutter For the Executive Director was Joe Chief Executive Officer subscriptions, Sugg. Joe’s column was titled North Carolina advertising information Joe Sez. In 1989 the Executive Peanut Growers Association and to submit articles Director was Fleet Sugg, whose contact: column was entitled Fleet Sez. same thing at every county pro- So when I was hired in 1993 I duction meeting over the past 27 Marianne Catalano chose an original title for my col- years. Executive Director umn, Sutter Sez. I realize there is Virginia Carolinas Peanut a tradition going here, so for my Joe also sez “There is one general Promotions last attempt at saying something rule, regardless of the outlook for relevant, I changed the title to the market, and that is it’s neces- phone: Sutter Said. sary to do a good job in stack- 252-459-9977 ing ...... of your peanuts.” Now By July there will be a new CEO that has changed. In the column email: of the Association. I don’t know adjacent to Joe’s, J.W. Dicken’s [email protected] if the “Sez” tradition will be con- column is titled Cure Peanuts Cor- tinued, but I’m very sure the in- rectly or Don’t Try It. We don’t stack peanuts anymore but we are Virginia Carolinas Peanut formative CEO column will be in still concerned with correctly dry- Promotions each issue. ing the peanuts. P.O. Box 8 So what was Joe saying back in Nashville, NC 27856 In this 1957 issue there is an ad for 1957. He calls attention to the Manager’s report for the Peanut the Goodrich two row Digger. Henry Goodrich, a direct descend- Growers Marketing Association and how important their services ant of the inventor, is still living Visit Us At and farming peanuts on the www.aboutpeanuts.com were. Over the past 8 decades Womack Lee, Harry Marks and Goodrich farm. There were also now Dell Cotton made sure that ads for Frick peanut picker, Co- VC peanut farmers marketed lumbian peanut Company, Ben- their peanuts for the highest thall peanut picker and bagger and price. peanut Combine and Lilliston Im- plement Company. Joe “urged all growers to be very careful about planning their dig- On the front page of the fall 1989 ging operations to allow the pea- issue of VC Peanut News, leaders nuts to stay in the ground until of the VC Peanut industry were they are fully matured.....I be- featured. Lennie Hinton, Jr. was lieve from my observation that NCPGA president, John Massy more peanuts are dug too early Brock, Jr. was Virginia Peanut than are dug too late.” Some Growers President and Wayne things never change. I know I Barnes was Chair of the Virginia have heard Dr. Jordan say the Peanut Board. 2 Fleet writes that “155,000 acres of replaced the peanut import re- en a leadership role in the associa- peanuts were planted in North Car- striction with a tariff rate quota, tion over the past 68 years. We are olina that year and producers with the tariff starting at 35 cents lucky to have one of the finest re- yielded 2,435 pounds per acre. He per pound and reducing to 0 after search institutions in the world, writes that Research and Extension 6 years. This put peanut quota on North Carolina State University, Committee Chair, Everett Byrd a collision course with market as a partner. Over the past 28 years and the Committee allocated forces. This battle would reach a North Carolina members of Con- $66,300 to research at NCSU. Ev- conclusion in the 2002 Farm Bill. gress from both parties have been erett’s son Wade and grandson responsive to the needs of Agricul- Robert are now active peanut In my column in the fall 2002 ture during the writing of Farm farmers in Bladen County. Another issue of VC Peanut News I write Bills and the years in between. topic covered is the 1990 Farm “The peanut program that has That has allowed success in pro- Bill and the General Agreement of been the backbone for the agri- tecting the interests of peanut Tariffs and Trade (GATT). As it cultural economy since 1938 was farmers. turns out, that was the beginning of replaced with a new program. the end of the Peanut Quota Pro- The phrase most often used for I know that NCPGA is well pre- gram. It was a little over a decade this new program is market ori- pared for a new CEO. The Board later when things change drastical- ented. What this really means is has ensured the association is ly and the quota is eliminated. producers will be at the mercy of sound financially. VCPP is well the market.” Quota owners were positioned to promote peanuts. The issue also included an article bought out of the quota system at The Peanut Team at NCSU is out- about $4,532,000 in USDA fund- the rate of 55 cents per pound of standing and will move profitable ing for Aflatoxin research. Thirty- quota owned in 2001. The new peanut production forward. two years later we have not solved peanut program looked like corn, the problem. which meant it was a covered So, I am sad to be leaving a won- commodity with a target price derful group of people, but I am Fleet also writes that “all peanut and a loan rate. very optimistic about the future of growers had been informed that the North Carolina Peanut Grow- VC shellers would not purchase Since NC Peanut farmers would ers Association. The Board is Kylar treated peanuts.” Producers be at the mercy of the market, working very hard to select the lost the use of this effective growth Virginia Carolina Peanut Promo- best candidate to be the new CEO. regulator because the growth regu- tions, under the leadership of It is hoped that that person will be lator Alar, which was used in Ap- Betsy Owens, doubled efforts to on board by June. ples was banned. Neither were promote peanuts. Some new shown to cause cancer, but lost the sponsorship included minor The future of the North Carolina public relations battle. league baseball in NC, Traffic Peanut Growers Association is reports in Raleigh and the Triad, brightened by its past. I know In November of 1993 I became spots on the John Boy and Billy more success is to come. Chief Executive Officer of the network, and March of Dimes. North Carolina Peanut Growers We also sponsored Wolfpack and Association. So I wrote my first TarHeel baseball. Sutter Sez for the winter 1994 is- sue of the VC Peanut News. My Since 2002, promotion efforts picture was on the front page as have continued to be an im- new CEO and Donnie White was portant part of our mission. Betsy also pictured as the new President Owens and now Marianne Cata- of NCPGA. Donnie was there lano have successfully promoted when I was hired and has contin- our peanuts. ued to serve on the Board. I want to thank him for his continued sup- As I think about the past 28 port. years, I know that whatever suc- cess I have had is the result of the Fleet wrote about GATT in 1989 foundation laid by peanut produc- and expressed concern about pro- ers back in 1953 when they orga- tecting Section 22. His concern nized NCPGA. I am thankful for was well placed. In 1994 GATT the peanut farmers who have tak- 3 All is Well That Ends Well: A Dad’s Legacy I’ve got a photo from 1962 that shows keeping him up with the me with my .410 shotgun and my first times. He was definite- rabbit at age seven. Lots of good memo- ly “old school” and I ries from those days of hunting and fish- always respected him ing with my dad. Over the years I have and his values. He somewhat forgotten about how difficult brought a lot of the les- those days were on that farm in Indi- sons learned in the De- ana. It was a small farm so my dad also pression along for the held a job in town and seemed to work duration of his 16 hours a day to keep it all go- life. Never spend more ing. Those were simpler days in some than you make, if you respects, but more difficult days in other don’t have enough mon- ways. When my father passed away ten years ago, his body ey then you aren’t work- was completely worn out from working hard his whole life. ing hard enough, hard work never hurt anyone, Rick Brandenburg He was, for the most part, an anti-government sort of and many others were a Extension Entomology guy. One of his favorite jokes was to tell about the guy who part of his daily ef- Specialist showed up and announced he was “from the federal govern- forts. The lessons he North Carolina State University ment and here to help”. We all have different versions of those learned in life also make jokes, but my dad never said that about me once I decided to him try really hard to go into the extension service. He actually leaned very heavily avoid risk. Risk was a four-letter word to him. on the extension service and found their advice to be of great value. I know he saw a lot of his fellow farmers take on risk in the form of big loans to start each season. He was never willing to What he didn’t like were many of the farm programs of the do that. He saw a lot of his friends go bankrupt in the 1970s 1970s, the establishment of the EPA (due to the book ‘Silent and 1980s and had a friend hang himself in his barn when that Spring’ written by Rachel Carson and published in the afore- person lost his farm for nonpayment on his loans. Over the mentioned year of 1962), and the continued growth of govern- years he saw a lot of pain, loss, and frustration, so his focus was ment and the military. He had survived the Great Depression the proverbial “nose to the grindstone” approach. I can’t say it and was a WWII veteran, so he was used to fighting to get didn’t serve him well. what he deserved, but he had a hard time with programs you didn’t have to earn. He grew up in Polish/German farming So every spring on the anniversary of when he went on to his community that prioritized and respected hard work. When reward, I think about him and whether or not modern products they lost several of their farms during the Depression, his dad and technology would have made his life better. I also think became an alcoholic and left his mom and 9 brothers and sis- about why he didn’t seek more modern solutions to his prob- ters to take care of business. Eventually, he put his faith in lems. Ten years later, I still don’t have an answer to that ques- God, met the most wonderful lady in the world (my mom!) and tion, but I do understand that we are all different and manage pursued a life of his own. risk differently.

At times he was skeptical of information that came from the However, I do know this: after my dad “retired”, he and my universities (in his case it was Purdue University), but as he mother would come down from Indiana for 16 years and spend got older and grew tired more easily, he tempered his distrust months in North Carolina to be around their 3 grandkids and and began to slowly embrace new research ideas, modern tech- enjoy life. Many of his neighbors never got a chance to retire nology, and new ways of thinking. It was slow. I remember or relax as they had either lost their farms or were never able to after his passing, I went out in the barn and was looking at his save for retirement. So maybe he was the wise one and, in the wide assortment of hand tools, most of which were truly hand end, with his shop full of old hand tools, he was able to relax tools and not power tools. He had still used hand pumps to and enjoy his later years because of life long cautious and con- pump up tires rather than a compressor, a hand saw rather than servative decisions. a circular saw and split firewood with an ax and not a hydrau- lic splitter. Fortunately, we have more information, education, and re- sources useful for making decisions regarding risk. Over many By the time he had passed away, I had not lived on the farm years, David Jordan, Greg Buol, Barbara Shew, and I worked for over 35 years. While I had made many visits over the years on a decision guide for managing risk in peanuts. It is available with my own family, I stood there alone in the midst of an as- online from N C State University: https://peanut.ces.ncsu.edu/ sortment of tools assembled over many decades. The lack of peanut-risk-tool-and-field-log/ modern technology in that shop really hit home for the first time. Even the chain saws were 20 and 30 years old. I asked We encourage you to take a look at it as it is more than just a myself “why did my dad come to a point when he stopped with risk guide. It helps you understand the interactions of cultural newer technology?” Any items that were newer, say in the last practices and pesticide use that influence cost, yield, profitabil- 20 years like his power grinder, were gifts I had given to him. ity, and risk. It can help you plan effectively and enjoy the He was active and working until he was 80 years old so it was- comfort of less risk. Spend some time looking at different pro- n’t like he hadn’t done anything in his shop for decades. duction options and learn more about the consequences, both good and bad, for every decision you make. I’ve never fully answered that question and in fact, I wondered that as an extension specialist, if I could have done better in Good luck this year.

4

Key Steps to Growing Apply calcium at pegging using the 1X rate for all Virgin- ia market types, and apply at least a 0.5x rate for all runner Peanuts Successfully market types. Response to gypsum can be unpredictable if application is based on calcium levels in soil. For runner market types, response based on soil calcium is more pre- This past winter in our virtual peanut meetings we dis- dictable. However, the predic- cussed important management practices that can help us tion for determining response be successful. For this article I am going to focus on of jumbo runners to calcium is these with some explanation. more challenging. Applying at least some calcium to runners Apply nutrients based on soil test results and lime to get is recommended. Liquid calci- all areas of the field greater than pH of 5.8. We get signifi- um products do not supply cant increases in yield as we move toward pH 6.0. There adequate calcium for peanuts. is very little downside to having areas of fields with pH The concentration of calcium above 6.2 but we do have issues with lower pH. in the pegging zone has to be high enough to supply calcium Avoid excessive magnesium and K potassium apply these directly to the developing pods if the soil test calls for them. and kernels. The plant, either through absorption by foliage Avoid fields with zinc. The critical level for zinc in North or roots is unable to meet the David Jordan Carolina is 250. There is no way to correct zinc toxicity. calcium demand for pods. Extension Peanut Specialist Establish good rotations with cotton, corn, sorghum, or Apply the micronutrients bo- NC State University sweet potatoes as key components. Tobacco is not perfect ron and manganese as needed. Deficiencies of boron are but can be effective. Other than continuous peanuts, soy- not noticed until the kernels develop, so a standard appli- beans are the most detrimental to peanut. Plant soybeans cation is recommended on all acres. Use caution when the year after peanuts and then get three or more years of deciding rates to use. Excessive boron can burn foliage. cotton or corn prior to planting peanuts again. Soybean Manganese is not needed in all fields but is very often yields do not take a hit nearly as badly when soybeans needed in fields with high pH. However, manganese is follow peanuts compared to peanuts following soybeans. inexpensive, and many growers apply it routinely with Fumigation in tobacco can likely help peanuts if they are their first or second fungicide spray. For both of these mi- planted the year after tobacco due to reductions in nema- cronutrients, make sure the product you use provides ade- todes. quate boron on manganese to address the issue. We dis- cuss rates in 2021 Peanut Information. Plant the best varieties around the middle of May. We often experience our highest and most consistent yields Dig peanuts and invert vines based on pod mesocarp col- with that planting date. But I know it takes a while to get or. Our profile charts can help make you make this deci- all acres planted. sion. Keep in mind that digging one week early can result in not realizing 5 to 10% of the yield potential. That “loss” Establish at least four plants per foot of row. is enough to cover your fungicide bill for the season. But I get the dilemma of delaying digging to get peanuts as ma- Plant in conventional tillage with beds unless you have ture as possible – we all know poor weather can set in and experience with reduced tillage. Setting the field up in the delay digging well past the optimum date. Getting the fall for efficient digging and minimizing pod loss in this equipment capacity lined up with acres is critical. operation can be traced back to seedbed preparation in the spring. Sandy fields give the greatest flexibility but some Control pests using integrated pest management practices. caution is warranted on finer-textured soils when planting Be timely with all applications and select the correct pesti- in reduced tillage. Some of our top producers strip till pea- cide. Practice resistance management is also critical for nuts. But we also have top producers who plant peanuts long-term sustainability. in conventional tillage systems with moldboard plowing as a part of the operation. Timeliness has been mentioned a few times already, but it is critical for everything to work well and get the most For irrigation, target the first irrigation to help set the out of the investment. first pegs. Growing peanuts on the most suitable soils adds another Inoculate with Bradyrhizobia for nitrogen fixation regard- important layer to yield potential, especially being able to less of field history. We have observed a 40:1 return on avoid pod loss during digging. investment in new ground from inoculation applied in the seed furrow at planting. In fields with a recent history of peanuts, we have noted a 4:1 return on this investment. 5 Peak Performance in Peanuts

The Virginia-type peanut grown peanut facts during radio commer- in the Virginia Carolinas region cials. and Texas is adaptable to be a gourmet, boiled or in-shell pea- We continue to ship our VC 1 oz nut. Folks in South Carolina and bags of peanuts to USO centers the southern part of North Caroli- across our region to give back to na enjoy all the great flavors of those in the military. The military boiled peanuts. Meanwhile the holds such a large presence in each Virginia Carolinas has many pea- of our three states and we feel it nut retailers who sell all different best to recognize them by donating types of flavored gourmet pea- our bags monthly. Marianne Catalano nuts. For those who are traveling Executive Director along Hwy-58 in Virginia stop by For those of you seeking adven- Virginia-Carolinas Peanut Promotions and visit a peanut retailer. I as- ture this summer you will find sure you, you won’t be disap- we’ve partnered with billboard pointed. companies throughout our region to highlight peanuts as you are n 2020 peanut consumption When it comes to digital advertis- traveling on I-95, I-26, I-64 etc. in the U.S. broke an all-time ing, we continuously advertise on Peanuts make the perfect snack for record with Americans con- our social media pages Facebook- traveling and we encourage those I Virginia Carolinas Peanuts, Twit- seeing our billboards to remember suming an average 7.6 pounds of peanuts a year. Everyone had to ter-VC Peanut Farmers, and In- our signage at their next stop. I’ve adapt and adjust to new ways of stagram-VC Peanut Farmers each been working on some print mate- cooking at home, which included month. You will find we hold rial for recipe cards and education- peanuts and peanut butter in their contests throughout the month, al handouts for the fall in case we daily meals. Brands are expanding provide educational and nutri- are able to have socially distanced and creating new products tional facts, and update recipes in-person events. I’ve ordered throughout the year. Marketing for consumers to try at home. So- swag such as grocery bags, hand plays a vital role when launching a cial media is always changing sanitizers and face masks to give a new product and it’s key to pair their logarithms through various -way throughout this summer into the right content that captures peo- platforms, so staying relevant is the early fall. ple’s attention. As we are moving essential. We have also partnered forward during the pandemic, with Morning Clips, a daily email After many conversations and we’re constantly adapting to new advertising agency, to promote meetings, the Virginia Carolinas ways of marketing peanuts to con- peanuts through their digital ban- Peanut Promotions Administrative sumers. ners located on the top of each Assistant Dianne Hamdan and I email. Each banner provides a decided to partner with a new As we move into Spring and Sum- peanut tagline, each state’s logo printing company located in mer many consumers are aware of and website link for consumers to Rocky Mount, North Carolina. We their health and nutrition. The rise click through to visit our page. are now working with Allegra of fad diets and eating habits are printing to print the new and im- always in the media and so it’s As baseball season is upon us our proved Virginia Carolinas Peanut important to catch consumers’ at- hope is to see an increase of in- News. tention by introducing the new shell peanut sales this year. All products hitting the market. Pea- three of our grower organizations I am eager to visit with farmers nuts are such a versatile crop that are partnered with their individu- this summer and see their current can be consumed in many ways. al state universities to promote peanut crop. I wish all the farmers Have you tried peanut coffee made eating in-shell peanuts while the best during this planting sea- with 100 percent peanuts? If not, I watching their favorite sports son. teams. Many of us provide sign- recommend you try it if you’re a th peanut lover. The company is age during the 7 inning stretch based in southeastern Virginia. at baseball games or highlight 6 7 CO-OP NOTES

For the last few years it was likely that when son should be a boost for our inshell suppliers. reading a peanut supply article the word oversup- ply was used often. We really entered the current Essentially, given the above, when it comes to stretch of excessive inventory with the 2015 crop peanut supply the excesses are gone. This fact, year, was compounded with the huge 2017 crop, along with much needed higher prices for com- and only now has dissipated. There are a number peting commodities for acreage, has led to better of reasons that things have shifted, farmer stock contracts compared to among them being: the last few years.

 Generic acres were taken out of Typically higher contract prices can the Farm Bill for the 2018 crop, lead to an overplant situation creating to hopefully never return. Plant- the potential to end up right back ing peanuts to get the payment where you just recovered from. was a big part of the reason for Hopefully that won’t happen this time the large 2015 – 2017 crops. as contracted acreage seemed to be limited, other commodities are com-  Acres declined in both 2018 and peting for acreage and will be plant- 2019 after those prior 3 years. ed, and there are rotation demands Though they increased in 2020 following the peanut acreage increase they were manageable and didn’t Thomas R. Cotton, Jr., of last year. In addition, seed availa- increase the supply. Manager bility will keep a lid on acres planted. Virginia Peanut Growers Association  A serious aflatoxin issue with the We definitely need a good VC area 2018 and 2019 crops in the crop. Indications are that Virginia Southeast meant many finished lots and a sig- will plant about the same number of acres or in- nificant number of tons of farmer stock need- crease slightly, and both North and South Caroli- ed to be crushed for oil. Export figures show na could increase a few thousand acres each. that this tonnage has mostly been exported to Hopefully we will start out on the right foot with China to be crushed and is out of the system. a good planting season.

 Consumption in most peanut categories has Best of luck to you. been consistently high since the pandemic began. In addition, the return of baseball sea-

National Peanut Month Donation

The Virginia Peanut Growers Association has extended their tradition to 11 years of observing National Peanut Month with a donation to the Virginia food bank system. The total donation of 7 pallets (10,080 jars) was made possible by the Association’s contribution combined with pallets from Pea- nut Proud, the peanut industry’s humanitarian arm which provides peanut butter to areas of need in the peanut growing states. The peanut butter was delivered to Feed More in Richmond for distribution to the 7 centers of the state’s food bank system.

Anyone interested in donating to Peanut Proud can mail a tax deductible contribution to Peanut Proud, PO Box 446, Blakely, GA 39823. 8 North Carolina 2020 County Peanut Production Champions

Bertie Bladen Chowan Liberty Hall Farms Byrdfield Farms Chowan Farms 217.4 acres 118 acres - 5,716 lbs. per acre 278 acres - 5,490 lbs. per acre 5,554.04 lbs. per acre

Edgecombe Gates Green Halifax Dew Farms Lewis Farms Ginn Farms JRK Farms 170.1 acres 497.04 acres 172.63 acres 279.48 acres - 5,448.6 lbs. per acre 4,293 lbs. per acre 5,223 lbs. per acre 5,488.5 lbs. per acre

Hertford Martin Nash Earl White & Sons Farm Ben Cowen Scott Fisher 350.4 acres - 5,828 lbs. per acre 216.15 acres 286.17 acres 5,667.58 lbs. per acre 4,502 lbs. per acre 9 Northampton Perquimans Pitt Washington MEB Farms Winslow Brothers Charles Tucker Albermarle Beach 135 acres - 5533.2 lbs. per acre Farm 205.36 acres Farms 139.65 acres 4,876 lbs. per acre 219 acres 5165 lbs. per acre 5,591.47 lbs. per acre

South Carolina 2020 County Peanut Production Wilson Thomas Pritcher Champions Lexington Orangeburg Orangeburg 53.78 acres Delano Kneece James Hunt Triple G. Farms, LLC 4,443 lbs. per acre & Son, Inc. Bookhart 5,000 Pound Club, 5,000 Pound Club 5,000 Pound Club

NO Virginia POTO AVAILABLE 2020 County

Chesterfield Peanut Joel B. Rivers 5,000 Pound Club Production and Champions Top Yield Above the Dinwiddie Lakes Double B Farms - Billy Bain and Austin Hale 5,333 lbs. per acre 213.8 acres - 4714 lbs. per acre over 118 acres

10 Greensville Isle of Wight Southampton F & F Farms Benjie Copeland Greg and Seth Edwards Dathan, Ian and Timothy Fajna 77 acres 260.6 acres - 5749 lbs. per acre 154.8 acres - 5091 lbs. per acre 5023 lbs. per acre

Suffolk Surry Sussex Dale and Jason Holland Cedar Point Farm Wyatt Cox Dale, Hudson and Jason Clay, Jameson and Brent Lowe 214.1 acres 299.5 acres - 4429 lbs. per acre 139.9 acres - 5401 lbs. per acre 4926 lbs. per acre Virginia News

always look forward to until November. In 2019 most this issue of our publica- peanuts dried in the field. In I tion so we can honor those 2020 none dried in the field. producers and operations who Despite these differences, yields were able to rise to the top in in 2020 will be 4200 pounds per terms of yield in their respec- acre for our state. This is nearly tive counties. In Virginia this 10% less than 2019 but still very crop compared to last year’s respectable. crop was a case of two ex- tremes, if not opposites. In My congratulations to all of our 2019 many of our peanuts Virginia county winners, who were out of the field by the succeeded in spite of the many Thomas R. Cotton, Jr., first week of October. In 2020 challenges. In 4 of the last 5 Executive Secretary many peanuts weren’t picked years Southampton County has Virginia Peanut Growers Association 11 produced our state champion. For their third win in the last four years, my congratulations to Grey & Seth Edwards for an out- standing yield that earned them our state title. My sincere thanks SPRINGTIME to Colonial Farm Credit for spon- soring our trophies as they have done for many years. AT

We have continued promoting APC Virginia peanuts as best we can throughout the pandemic. We have advertised at UVA and I t’s springtime in peanut coun- VCU basketball games and on try, and with this change in sea- son comes a sense of renewal. If Richard Owen Morning Ag Clips each day. I President & CEO hope things continue to improve you come from agricultural roots, American Peanut Council so we can participate in some of like I do, you can’t help but be our upcoming in person events optimistic about the months With the past as a strong founda- during late summer and into the ahead for our industry. I think it’s tion, I’m most excited about the fall. the ritual of planting a crop, nur- future of the organization and the turing it through the growing sea- industry. I have the advantage of If you didn’t have a chance yet to son to harvest, and delivering to looking at the opportunities and the customer. challenges with fresh eyes. We view the video presentations have some challenges ahead, from our researchers, please go As I settle into the ‘springtime’ of whether they be increased compe- to the TAREC website to see my tenure at the American Pea- tition in our export markets, higher them at your leisure. Feel free to nut Council, I can’t help but feel entry barriers to key countries, call or email me and I will be optimistic about the season(s) more scrutiny and regulations on glad to email you the link. ahead. APC has over 80 years of food safety, or increased pressure history ‘Uniting the Industry’ to demonstrate our role in address- I want to thank Delegate Emily around common issues that make ing climate change. All while en- Brewer and Senator Louise Lu- us stronger, such as building ex- suring we create a strong and con- cas for sponsoring our excise tax port markets for U.S. peanuts, nected peanut supply chain, from rate bills in the General Assem- increasing consumption around grower to manufacturer to con- bly this session. Our reduction to the world, maintaining a safe sumer. $5 per ton successfully passed product for consumers, and en- both chambers and awaits the suring a sustainable future, APC can’t be everything to every- Governor’s signature. This new whether that be for our business- body, but we can be your window rate will be in place for 5 years es or future generations. All these to new insights and innovations beginning with the 2021 crop programs, and many more, col- about what the future of the peanut year. lectively work to deliver what industry might hold. I look for- individuals would struggle to do ward to sharing that journey with Best of luck for a good planting themselves. you in the weeks and months season. ahead.

12 Improving Heat-Tolerance of Peanut Dr. Sruthi Narayanan Assistant Professor, Crop Science Peanut production is currently not currently practiced due to the Department of Plant and Environmental challenged by reduced yield due to difficulties in assessing pollen Sciences heat stress. Studies have reported performance in a large popula- that peanut seed yield decreased tion. Therefore, identifying bi- by 14, 59, and 90% when day/ omarkers for selection for pollen Our results suggested that de- night temperature increased from performance will highly benefit creasing lipid unsaturation levels 90/72°F to 97/79°F, 104/86°F, and peanut breeding programs in de- by lowering linolenic (18:3) acid 111/93°F, respectively. The threat veloping tolerant varieties. amount through reducing the ex- of heat stress to peanut production pression of fatty acid desaturase3 is expected to increase in the fu- Lipids contribute structural, meta- [FAD3; codes for an enzyme that ture. Therefore, development of bolic, and regulatory roles to sev- converts linoleic (18:2) acid to heat-tolerant peanut varieties is eral aspects of plant growth and linolenic (18:3) acid] is an accli- essential to maintain peanut pro- development and in responses to mation mechanism to heat stress duction and profitability. environmental stresses, such as in peanut. Thus, genotypes that drought, high or low tempera- are more efficient in doing so will Daily average temperatures over tures, salinity, and pest attack. be relatively more tolerant to heat 86°F significantly retard vegeta- The structure and function of stress. Our results also suggest tive and reproductive growth and cells are critically dependent on that FAD3 would be a potential pod yield in peanut. Peanut is most fluidity and stability of mem- molecular marker for selecting for sensitive to hot days (≥100°F) branes, which is largely deter- heat tolerance in peanut. These from 6 days before to 15 days after mined by lipid composition and results are published in the Scien- the initiation of flowering. This saturation levels. Clemson peanut tific Reports journal’s Dec. 17, increased sensitivity is primarily researchers with the support of 2020 edition of the Springer- due to reduced pod‐set (i.e., the the National and SC Peanut Nature. Our findings will aid in proportion of flowers producing Boards investigated whether lipid breeding heat-tolerant peanut vari- pegs because pod-set occurs when related metabolic changes under eties with better pollen perfor- pollen fertilizes the ovule in a heat stress will affect pollen per- mance. Considering that the flow- flower), rather than to reduced formance and will contribute to ering stage is highly sensitive to flower production or to the propor- heat stress adaptation in peanut. heat stress in peanut, our study tion of pegs producing pods. Re- serves as a useful platform to fur- duced pod-set due to high temper- Seven peanut genotypes with var- ther probe acclimation mecha- atures during flowering is primari- ying degrees of drought and heat nisms to heat stress in peanut re- ly due to poor pollen performance, tolerance were evaluated under productive tissues, which will as- i.e., loss of pollen viability and field conditions at the Piedmont sist peanut improvement pro- reduced pollen germination. Research and Education Center, grams. Therefore, peanut varieties that Pendleton, SC. Heat stress was possess better pollen performance imposed during the flowering under high temperature stress will stage for 18 days using heat tents likely have heat tolerance. Howev- (16 ft wide, 45 ft long, and 11 ft er, selecting peanut lines based on high). pollen performance in a breeding program is highly challenging and

13 Peanut Disease Management Considerations for 2021 and Beyond

A lot of different things can go into Nothopassalora personata, respec- making disease management deci- tively. sions for peanuts. Peanut growers in the Virginia-Carolina region benefit The third consideration is the use of from several factors that make suc- chemical protectants. For CBR, cessful peanut disease management Proline in-furrow had been recom- David B. Langston, Jr. very doable. I’ll cover these factors mended in the past, but newer culti- Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist in the upcoming paragraphs. vars have good partial resistance to Tidewater Agricultural Research and CBR which eliminates the need for Extension Center It’s hard to choose between rotation Proline. Vapam fumigant had been and resistant varieties as the primary the only option years ago that ena- or SB, fungicides that control these factor in peanut disease management, bled many growers to produce pea- diseases may be employed. In some but I’m going to stick to what I pro- nuts in the presence of CBR with cases, single MOA fungicides alone mote the most, which is the use of the added benefit of controlling or in combination, may control leaf disease-resistant varieties. To me, nematodes. However, use of spot, SSR and SB. Examples of these developing varieties with resistance to Vapam has dwindled to the point are Miravis, Miravis+Elatus, Fontelis, Cylindrocladium Black Rot (CBR), where only a handful of acreage is and Priaxor. I would recommend only caused by Calonectria ilicicola, has fumigated due to the use of resistant using these fungicides in fields with had the most impact on peanut dis- varieties and longer rotations. histories of these soilborne disease ease management in our region. I problems as their widespread use can remember the days when CBR would Peanut fungicide programs center increase the risk of leaf spot develop- completely wipe out peanut fields not around controlling leaf spot diseas- ing fungicide resistance to one or fumigated with Vapam. Most peanut es, primarily late leaf spt. Leaf spot more of their active ingredients. Los- acreage back then was fumigated as a diseases are the most important and ing activity of good leaf spot fungi- risk management (or survival) tool to widespread in the Virginia/Carolina cides is problematic as leaf spot is our mitigate losses to CBR. It was also a region. Current peanut varieties major peanut disease that can cause very expensive option and Vapam is have greater resistance to leaf spot losses to potentially 100% of the pea- not a very fun material to work with. compared to older varieties, but the nut acreage compared to SSR and SB Today most peanut acres are not fu- level of resistance is not enough to that only are problems on a small per- migated, partly due to longer peanut eliminate the use of fungicides for centage of peanut fields. In addition, rotations, but mainly due to use of leaf spot control. Typically growers products such as Convoy or Omega resistant varieties. Also, our current will begin spraying for leaf spot at 500 (or generic fluazinam) can be peanut varieties are less susceptible to the early pod stage (R3) in early used specifically to control SSR and other peanut diseases such as leaf spot July with subsequent sprays applied SB, respectively, without increasing and Sclerotinia blight, which should on a 14 day schedule or according to the risk of fungicide resistance devel- allow for reduced reliance on foliar the leaf spot advisory Last Effective oping in leaf spot. fungicides. Spray Date (LESP). Several fungi- cides are available that are effective The take-home message here is use Not far behind resistant varieties is against leaf spot that reside in Fun- resistant varieties and rotation as your crop rotation for managing peanut gicide Resistance Action Committee main methods for managing peanut diseases. Once the peanut quota al- (FRAC) groups 3, 7 and 11. The diseases, which most growers are al- lotment ended in 2002, peanut acre- backbone fungicide for leaf spot is ready doing. Use only the fungicides age dramatically dropped which al- chlorothalonil (Bravo, Equus, Echo you need in the fields where you need lowed for much longer rotations. Ro- and others) that is an inexpensive, them. We need leaf spot fungicides tating away from peanuts 4 or more multisite mode of action (MOA) on all acres so those fungicide chem- years provides a tremendous benefit fungicide that is essential for man- istries need to be preserved by using for managing soilborne diseases of aging fungicide resistance in leaf fungicide resistance management tac- peanut such as southern stem rot spot to the single MOA FRAC tics as outlined on the product labels (SSR), caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, groups (3,7,11). Often chlorotha- and elsewhere. Right now, we have Sclerotinia blight (SB), caused by lonil is used for the first and last effective fungicides to use against all Sclerotinia minor, and CBR as well spray and rotated with other fungi- of our major peanut diseases and we as early and late leaf spot, caused by cides in-between. In certain fields need to keep it that way. Passalora arachidicola and with histories of losses to SSR and/ 14 out seed bag stacks can also help to Staggering planting dates and culti- Considerations as We increase air flow. vars or market types that have differ- Start Another Crop ent maturity ranges can help to space Seed with good quality should tar- out harvest times to make the most Year get a planting depth around 2”, with out of available diggers and com- 3” at the max and 1.5” on the shal- bines. This is likewise the case for low end. Deeper than this can make dryland fields when digging condi- emergence more challenging, and tions won’t be known until the time shallower can increase Valor injury. draws near. New products claiming great yield increases are constantly coming Tillage method was most commonly onto the market, and while not all listed as either strip or no-till (out of good products of today are the 11 responses). From an earlier sur- same ones that have been around vey a few years back, approximately for many years, it would be prudent half of peanut farmers in the state to exercise caution with in-furrow reported using conventional tillage fertilizers. If something looks too and half reported using strip tillage. Dan Anco good not to try, experimenting on a Several considerations go into using Extension Peanut Specialist limited number of acres, and not an one tillage method over another. Clemson University entire field, will help to buffer po- This can range from using conserva- tentially surprises or damaging re- tion tillage to reduce erosion on hilly sults. Replanting a field is expen- and light land to utilizing conven- rom discussions with seed sive and gets old quick. New can tional tillage with raised beds to producers in the VC and SE sound exciting, but a stick in the quicken the soil warming up and regions, peanut seed quality mud still stands for something. help improve our ability to dig a pea- should be much improved nut crop later on. F Starting with the 2017 crop year going into 2021 compared to what we had last year. Tests have listed through 2020, peanut yield award- At a minimum, fields were rotated germination rates up and aflatoxin ees were offered to share certain two years out of peanut, with three contamination down. Some varieties production information to glean and four years out of peanut having (could include Bailey II and practices that might be common been reported as well. Whether land 16HO) may see more quantity limi- among high yielding farmers in SC. was new to peanut or previously had tations than others based on a combi- While individual practices varied peanut in its cropping history (most nation of interest and demand out- more than others, there were some common), all farmers reported using pacing supply and location-specific common threads. Most indicated inoculant at planting. In our tests, we production challenges in some areas, they planted the majority of their have had more consistency with liq- though on a big picture level the peanut acres between May 1 and uid inoculants when properly stored overall quality across the board May 20. Specific conditions always out of the heat, though dry inocu- should still come in much above last are moving, but overall, this timing lants can have an advantage when year. Starting with good material confers several important benefits. planting into soils with low mois- cannot be overstated, and everything Soils are usually warm enough by ture. Over many tests, we have not we can do along the way between then (at least 68°F for three days in seen a yield advantage between dif- when we purchase and plant the seed a row) to encourage rapid germina- ferent peanut inoculant brands, re- will help from our end to maintain tion and strong stands. Early to mid gardless of the price tag. quality as high as possible. This in- -May is also a good window to cludes storage. When possible, stor- avoid increased thrips, tomato spot- Among the 80% that reported having ing peanut seed before planting in a ted wilt, or soil diseases that can any number of peanut acres irrigated, low humidity (55% or less) location otherwise cause more problems 75% reported having 70% or more with ambient temperature below 65° with planting prior to May 1. Look- of their peanut under irrigation. F will help to effectively preserve ing in the other direction, planting seed quality and germination poten- after around May 25 is generally Average digging speed was between tial. If available storage does not ex- associated with increased leaf spot 2.5 and 3 mph. Faster than this speed actly match these criteria, storage infections. A third benefit for plant- has been linked with greater pod locations that are closer to this target ing in mid-May is that this often losses. will be better than those with larger leaves plenty of growing season to humidity and temperature swings. mature a peanut crop and allow Comparing practices across different Reducing direct exposure to the sun time for digging, drying, and har- operations can disregard relevant during storage with adequate ventila- vesting before temperatures cool details. Regardless, the road to im- tion can help to prevent temperature off too much and slow the process proved operations benefits from from getting too hot or humid air any further, not to mention in- keeping a map of where we have from sitting and stagnating. Spacing creased frost risk come November. been. 15 Summer Spring Rolls

Directions

• Thinly slice cucumber, pepper, avoca- do, and carrots into strips. • To soften rice paper, dip in warm water for a few seconds. • Carefully lay the wrapper onto a clean work surface. • Near the bottom of the paper, lay out pepper, cucumber, carrots, and avoca- do. • Top with a few cilantro leaves. • Fold the bottom of the paper over the veggies and continue to roll, folding up the sides as you go. Ingredients Peanut Sauce • Repeat with the rest of the spring rolls. • For peanut sauce, whisk all ingredients in a small bowl. 6 rice spring roll papers 2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter • You made need to add a little water to 1 medium red pepper, thinly sliced 1 tbsp. soy sauce thin sauce out. 2 carrots, thinly sliced 1/4 tsp grated ginger 1 cucumber, thinly sliced 1/4 tsp toasted sesame oil • Taste and adjust seasonings to your 1 bunch cilantro 1/2 tsp maple syrup liking. 1 avocado, sliced 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes • Serve spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce. 2021 PLA Graduation - New Orleans

The 2020 Peanut Leadership Class is Barnes from Southampton County, on their way to graduation in June Virginia. Two additional participants headed to New Orleans, LA. Despite from the shelling industry in Virgin- the pandemic taking away their trip ia are Brook Birdsong and Carson to Washington, D.C. last March and Daughtrey. It has been a pleasure graduation last June they have been traveling with this class and a joy in patiently waiting for their time to- getting to know each member. I look gether to celebrate in the big easy. forward to seeing everyone in a few We will have twenty plus leaders weeks. and their spouses traveling to attend graduation at the end of June to If you or anyone you know that is learn about agriculture in the deep interested in becoming a member of south region of the U.S. the next peanut leadership class, let me know. Learn more at https:// Those traveling from the Virginia bit.ly/3arYW2T. Carolinas are Brandon Belch from Northampton County, North Caroli- By: Marianne Catalano na, Neal Baxley from Marion Coun- ty, South Carolina and Wesley

16 Sally Taylor Assistant Professor Row Crop Entomology Roger Schürch, and Margaret Couvillon Virginia Tech Department of Entomology Photo by: Dr. David Jordan

Honey bees have captured the pub- len, recruit other foragers using the 7% of landcover), and thus, peanut lic interest because of their valuable waggle dance. Because these danc- fields are visited about as often as services to many flowering crops es can be observed by researchers, they should be based on distance and their recent decline. Declines in they can be analyzed and mapped alone. bee health may be the result of poor to determine forage location. In nutrition, pests, pathogens, pesti- 2018 and 2019, we used special In our study, most foraging occurred cides and/or a combination of these observation hives to record, ana- less than 1 km from the hive, mean- factors. However, most research has lyze, and map the location of 3,460 ing that bees were largely finding focused on pesticide exposure in waggle dances. We then identified resources close to home. The take- crop systems. Few studies have ex- how many of the locations were away message from our efforts is amined if bees benefit, in terms of crop fields using USDA National that row crops, including peanut, nutrition, from self-pollinating crops Agricultural Statistics Service meaningfully contribute to colony that flower mid-summer when other maps. nutrition in mid-summer when crops blooming plants are more scarce. are in bloom. Although we took no Surprisingly, over 50% of bee for- action to prevent pesticide exposure, Photo: Bumble bee foraging in a aging occurred in cotton, soybean, bees in our study remained healthy peanut flower. Even though this corn, and or peanut fields when except under drought conditions. bee is not a honey bee, field obser- crops were in full bloom (July). However, I still recommend playing vations often reveal pollinators Although row crops are self- it safe – communicate with owners foraging in peanut and other row pollinated or wind pollinated, they of hives near crop fields, use selec- crops. produce nectar and pollen that is tive insecticides when possible, and attractive to pollinators. The most read and follow all label instruc- Our study was conducted in Virgin- to the least attractive crops, by per- tions. Pesticides, including insecti- ia’s southeast region where peanut, centage of dances, were cotton (18 cides, are essential to protecting cotton, corn, and soybean are the -31%), soybean (19-21%), corn crops, preventing economic losses, dominate use of land. What made (14-14%), and peanut (4-6%). Re- and insuring global food supply. our study unique and informative cruitment to peanut is low, but it Perhaps our strongest argument for was the way that we examined for- should not be overlooked. Peanut keeping products available is to use aging – we asked foraging bees to was grown on the smallest acreage them only as needed. show us. Foraging bees that find a within our bee foraging range (5- good resource, usually nectar or pol- Happy planting! 17 As mentioned previously, the Covid was greatly enabled by the large size, Peanut Breeding year gave us the opportunity to focus small germ, and soft texture of peanut in the time of on the molecular breeding aspects of relevant to seeds of other major the peanut breeding program. In crops. The blades at the tips of the Covid19 2020 the program facilitated 1. The biopsy punches are easily removable design and construction of a custom so that each can be changed once peanut seed chipper/corer which can dulled. The device was built by Neil rapidly remove a sample core from Bain and Robbie Hickman of the NC 24 peanut seeds and transfer the State Biological and Agricultural En- samples to a larger 96-well plate for gineering Research Shop. 2. A crude DNA extraction (Figure 1); our in- DNA extraction protocol that pro- tentions are to patent the equipment. vides a sufficient quality and quantity The collection of the sample core of DNA for genotyping from 384 does not impact the ability of the samples in about one hour at a cost of seed to germinate either, which give $0.26/sample. And 3. A "multiplex" us a unique advantage in selecting genotyping approach that allows at seed prior to planting, saving a con- least four markers to be combined in siderable amount of field resources. a single reaction, rather than having Jeffrey C. Dunne The seeds and seed cores are stored to run each marker individually. This Ryan J. Andres and in a specific way that allows each pooling of markers reduces the cost Andrew T. Oakley sample core/extraction to be traced and time of genotyping while also Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences back to its seed. The seed chipper simplifying the resulting data analy- North Carolina State University consists of a standard arbor press sis. These improvements will allow with a custom base for holding sam- us to expand marker-assisted selec- In a simple phrase, WE’RE BACK! ple plates, a simple handle, and 24 tion to three stages in our cultivar The 2020 season for the peanut breed- tissue biopsy punches (used in der- development pipeline to: 1. Confirm ing program at North Carolina State matology to remove moles etc.) all parental plants in crossing 2. Veri- University provided, in all its tragedy, mounted to the end of the ram in a 6 fy all crosses are F1 plants, avoiding a change in focus and a few good out- x 4 layout with an "ejector plate" on accidental self-pollinations 3. Geno- comes. Due to a number of risk top of them. Design of this device type all early generation material (F2 averse steps towards guaranteeing the through F5) at large effect genes. safety of the faculty, staff and stu- dents that work for the peanut breed- ing program and the research stations, the field season was considerably scaled back – roughly a third of our normal size – and emphasized a maintenance of the peanut breeding lines instead of formal, multi-location testing. Frequently through the months of May – October, one could see the NCSU “Peanut Mobile” flying up and down highway 64 and inter- state 95 to evaluate peanut breeding materials in Lewiston-Woodville, Rocky Mount and Whiteville, North Carolina. In our limited field presences, I suppose we reduced our Figure 1. Custom designed peanut ‘N.C. 20’ (tested as N14023) was de- carbon footprint? Regardless of the seed corer for DNA isolation and rived from a three-way cross between reduced travel schedule, the NCSU genotyping in the NCSU peanut ‘Sugg’, N01015T and a ‘Gregory’ peanut breeding program remained breeding & genetics program derived, high-oleic line (N00098ol) in active, putting a considerable amount 2006. N.C. 20 is a Virginia-type pea- of effort towards molecular breeding Releases from NCSU Peanut nut breeding line with high-oleic seed approaches to improve selection effi- Breeding Program oil chemistry and was selected in a ciency and curating the first official program to develop cultivars with releases under my tenure. There are two new releases from the multiple disease resistance; this line NCSU peanut breeding program, exhibits a disease package compara- Molecular Breeding Approaches N.C. 20 and Comrade: ble to Bailey II, including moderate- during Covid to-high levels of leaf spot, TSWV and N.C. 20 - Selected in 2020, Sclerotinia blight resistance. N.C. 20 Released February 10, 2021 is a higher yielding line than others 18 previously released from the NCSU and increase producer profit by $3- knowledge of peanut breeding and peanut breeding program and main- 5M, annually. dedication to the peanut community tains high yields under heavy leaf spot that allows our program to have this pressure. N.C. 20 has an intermediate Both lines are expected to perform success and provide better peanuts to growth habit and tan testa color with very well in the Virginia-Carolinas growers. In addition, I would like to slightly larger pod and seed size char- region. At this time, I wanted to thank Bob Sutter and the NC Peanut acteristics than Bailey and Sullivan, commend Dr. Tom Isleib and every- Grower’s Association for providing but a slightly later time to maturity. one that contributed to the NCSU the support needed annually for this peanut breeding program prior to our breeding program, especially during Comrade - Selected in 2020, arrival. It is with their hard work, such a difficult year. Released February 18, 2021 in collaboration with Dr. Kelly Chamberlin (USDA-ARS)

'Comrade' (tested as N15022 and Peanut Variety and Quality Evaluation NCEX17) is a high-oleic Virginia multi-state project in the time of COVID-19. breeding line resulting from a

X05027 (F01), Bailey/N02060ol, by T. Isleib, for- ence, SC. In this way a long-time merly of North Carolina State Univer- wish of the PVQE collaborators sity. N15022 is part of a germplasm was achieved even in the time of set of 97 segregating breeding lines, pandemic. Here, I will succinctly transferred to ARS in 2015, for fur- present the main results of the ther testing (disease resistance and 2020 and past three years of the maturity) and line development. PVQE. N15022 was tested in replicated plots for two years to determine agronomic In 2020, PVQE included 30 geno- performance, disease resistance, and types: 6 commercial varieties, in- maturity level. During these trials, disease free and high performing se- Maria Balota cluding Bailey, Bailey II, Emery, lections were made from the line Pathology, Physiology Sullivan, Walton, and Wynne; and N15022. Selections were bulked to and Weed Sciences 24 advanced breeding lines devel- form the line NCEX17, which VA Tech Tidewater AREC oped by the North Carolina State emerged as a lead performer, based on University’ s peanut breeding pro- pod size distribution, yield and dis- gram. All breeding lines have the ease resistance. NCEX17 was further In 2020, COVID hit us right ‘high oleic’ characteristic and they tested further for three years, in re- at the planting preparation time. are marked by ‘ol’ letters in their gional variety trials, disease trials, and Universities did not allow travel, names; the commercial cultivars the nation-wide Uniform Peanut Per- not within the states or across the are also high oleic with the excep- formance Test 'Comrade' (NCEX17) tion of Bailey. Genotypes were was included in the Oklahoma Peanut states. How to plant then the mul- Variety Trials and the ARS disease ti-state test Peanut Variety and planted from May 13 through June evaluation trials in 2018-20. Com- Quality Evaluation (PVQE) and 10 at six locations: Tidewater AR- pared to currently grown cultivars several locations in the VC re- EC in Suffolk, VA, Slade Farm in Jupiter and ACI351, Comrade has a gion? But when the industry is Martin Co. NC, the Upper Coastal significant increase in % super-jumbo committed to and values a pro- Plain Research Station (UCPRS) pods (56%) compared to currently ject, like they do the PVQE, noth- near Rocky Mount, NC, Danny grown cultivars Jupiter (20%) and ing is impossible. Severn Peanut McDuffie Farm in Bladen Co. ACI351 (42%). In 2018-19, Comrade stepped in and allowed their NC, the Edisto Research and Edu- was significantly more resistant to Agronomist, Mr. Wynne Nixon, cation Center at Blackville, SC, pod rot (18%) than Jupiter (43%) and to plant for us in two farmer and Pee Dee Research and Exten- ACI351 (28%), but was similar to sion Center at Florence, SC. At these two cultivars in yield, grade, fields in North Carolina, at the and potential value per acre. Due to Slade Farm and Danny Suffolk and Martin, two digging Comrade's significantly higher % McDuffie. Dr. Dan Anco, the dates and two replications within jumbo pods and increased disease PVQE collaborator in South Car- each digging date were planted in resistance, the release and production olina, also managed to plant the a RCBD design. The first digging of Comrade will allow producers in PVQE not just at one location date was approximately two the Southwestern U.S. to excel in the like in previous years, but at two weeks earlier than the optimum domestic and foreign export market locations, Blacksville and Flor- harvest date (the second digging 19 Welcome Centers Distribute Peanuts

The Virginia Peanut Growers Association is partnering with the state's Welcome Centers to distribute sample packs of Virginia peanuts to interested travelers. Below are a couple of ex- amples of attractive displays put together by Center staff to further educate folks on Virginia peanuts and National Peanut Month. A big Thank You to the Welcome Center personnel for the jobs they do every day.

Table 1. Performance of genotypes averaged across test locations in 2020. date in this test). This setting al- lows identification of early matur- ing varieties. At the UCPRS and Bladen County, only one digging date (optimum) replicated twice at each site was planted. With the exception of Florence for which only yield data are available, for all other locations, cultivars were compared with the breeding lines for yield and grading characteris- tics, as the ultimate objective is the development of improved Virginia -type peanut cultivars. The yield and grade summary data from all these locations is presented in Ta- ble 1. Line ‘N14023ol’ in the table below has been released in 2020 as NC20 by Dr. Jeff Dunne. Clearly, the newest released cultivars Bai- ley II (in 2017), Walton (in 2019), and NC20 (2020) are clearly high yielding cultivars with similar or better grade characteristics than Bailey. For this, the economic gross value of these new cultivars is similar with Bailey’. Results of the 2020 PVQE were published and can be found here VCE (vt.edu) and here VCE (vt.edu). 1All yields are net, adjusted to 7% standard moisture and foreign material is deducted. 2Means sharing the same letter(s) are not statistically different, at P=0.05 based on the Fisher’s LSD test. 20