Sept 20th Peanut Maturity

In the link below, see images from the Hertford County Peanut Variety Trial located in Harrellsville (planted April 29th - irrigated).

Images show progression from 9/3, 9/12, and 9/20.

Hertford Variety Test Plot - Sept 3, 12, 20 Images

Maturity shows that they will likely be ready late next week but could possibly use an extra few days if weather looks good.

 

What is the price for digging too early?

Based on research by Dr. David Jordan, for every day peanuts are dug too early you lose 45 lbs. per acre. Assuming a $500 contract, that equates to $11 per acre per day.

Leaf Spot Information

If leaf defoliation reaches 40-50%, peanuts should be dug regardless of maturity.Generally, after 25% of leaves in the canopy have visible lesions, fungicides are no longer effective. At this level of severity, at least 60% of leaves are already infected.

Peanut Frost Advisory Tool

As we get into October (avg first frost from 1974-2021 is Oct 28th), the NC Climate Office has a frost advisory tool that will provide guidance based on specific GPS locations. Dr. Jordan has increased the time for peanuts to be dug ahead of a freeze to 96 hours.

NC Climate Decision Support Tool Link (Peanut Frost Advisory Tool)