Category: Latest News / Blog

Press release from the USDA. View original here.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that starting Nov. 1, 2017, farmers and ranchers with base acres in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net program may enroll for the 2018 crop year. The enrollment period will end on Aug. 1, 2018.

“Since shares and ownership of a farm can change year-to-year, producers must enroll by signing a contract each program year,” said Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Steve Peterson. “I encourage producers to contact their local FSA office to schedule an appointment to enroll.”

The producers on a farm that are not enrolled for the 2018 enrollment period will not be eligible for financial assistance from the ARC or PLC programs for the 2018 crop should crop prices or farm revenues fall below the historical price or revenue benchmarks established by the program. Producers who made their elections in previous years must still enroll during the 2018 enrollment period.

“This week FSA is issuing approximately $850 million in rice payments,” said Peterson. “These payments are part of the $8 billion in 2016 ARC and PLC payments that started in October to assist enrolled producers who suffered a loss of revenue or price, or both. Over half a million producers will receive ARC payments and over a quarter million producers will receive PLC payments for 2016 crops.”

The ARC and PLC programs were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and offer a safety net to agricultural producers when there is a substantial drop in prices or revenues for covered commodities. Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity. For more details regarding these programs, go to www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. For more information, producers are encouraged to visit their local FSA office. To find a local FSA office, visit http://offices.usda.gov.

PRICE LOSS COVERAGE PAYMENT ANNOUNCED

The prices for peanuts paid to farmers were very low last year. Over 99.6% of the peanut farmers signed up for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. USDA says that from August 31, 2016 through August 30, 2017, the average price of peanuts in the U.S. as paid to farmers was $.1970 per lb. or $394 per ton.

In the peanut law, the reference price is $535 per ton or $.2675 per lb. When the reference price is higher than the average price paid to farmers, the difference will be paid based on the tons of base allocated to that peanut farm, so $141 per ton. The farmers would take the $141 per ton times 85% of the base acres (includes generic base allocated to peanuts) on that farm serial number times the payment yield for that farm serial number. A payment of $141 per ton ($535-$394 per ton) will be made in October 2017 covering last year’s crop on 85% of the farm’s base. The PLC payment made in October 2016 for crop year 2015-16 was $149 per ton or $0.0745/lb

USDA PREDICTS RECORD CROP

Peanut production is forecast at a record high 7.78 billion pounds (3,890,600 tons), up 5% from August and up 37% from 2016. Acreage updates were made in several states based on a thorough review of all available data. Planted area, at 1.88 million acres, is up 3% from the June estimate and is 13% higher than the 2016 planted area. Harvested area is expected to total 1.83 million acres, up 3% from the August forecast and up 18% from 2016.

Based on conditions as of September 1, the average yield for the U.S. is forecast at 4,254 lbs. per acre, up 64 lbs. per acre from August and 579 lbs. per acre above 2016. The average U.S. yield will be the highest on record, if realized. The largest yield increases from last year are expected in Georgia and Texas. Record high yields are forecast in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina. If realized, production in Georgia and South Carolina will be the highest on record

PRICE LOSS COVERAGE PAYMENT ANNOUNCED

The prices for peanuts paid to farmers were very low last year. Over 99.6% of the peanut farmers signed up for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. USDA says that from August 31, 2016 through August 30, 2017, the average price of peanuts in the U.S. as paid to farmers was $.1970 per lb. or $394 per ton.

In the peanut law, the reference price is $535 per ton or $.2675 per lb. When the reference price is higher than the average price paid to farmers, the difference will be paid based on the tons of base allocated to that peanut farm, so $141 per ton. The farmers would take the $141 per ton times 85% of the base acres (includes generic base allocated to peanuts) on that farm serial number times the payment yield for that farm serial number. A payment of $141 per ton ($535-$394 per ton) will be made in October 2017 covering last year’s crop on 85% of the farm’s base. The PLC payment made in October 2016 for crop year 2015-16 was $149 per ton or $0.0745/lb

USDA PREDICTS RECORD CROP

Peanut production is forecast at a record high 7.78 billion pounds (3,890,600 tons), up 5% from August and up 37% from 2016. Acreage updates were made in several states based on a thorough review of all available data. Planted area, at 1.88 million acres, is up 3% from the June estimate and is 13% higher than the 2016 planted area. Harvested area is expected to total 1.83 million acres, up 3% from the August forecast and up 18% from 2016.

Based on conditions as of September 1, the average yield for the U.S. is forecast at 4,254 lbs. per acre, up 64 lbs. per acre from August and 579 lbs. per acre above 2016. The average U.S. yield will be the highest on record, if realized. The largest yield increases from last year are expected in Georgia and Texas. Record high yields are forecast in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina. If realized, production in Georgia and South Carolina will be the highest on record.

SAFETY NET PEANUT PLC PAYMENTS MADE

Peanut farms with peanut base have been receiving payments caused by low peanut prices for the 2016 peanut crop.  USDA declared the average price to be $394 per ton or ($0.1975 lb). The Farm Bill provides that the reference price for peanuts is $535 per ton ($0.2675 lb).  To obtain the PLC payment amount, deduct the average price from the reference payment yielding the PLC Payment or $141 per ton. The payment is reduced by 6.9% sequestration.  Payments are limited to $125,000 per eligible producer. Payment limitation includes benefits received from peanut market loan gains, loan deficiency payments and ARC/PLC payments for peanuts.  Another tremendous asset for peanut producers is that there is a separate payment limit (no other crops included). Here is a summary of the payments from USDA – all influenced by low commodity prices this past year.

PEANUT CONTRACTS  

With farmers filling earlier signed contracts between $450 per ton and $500 per ton in the Southeast,  What can a farmer contract with the extra production? Some shellers have traded small tonnage of Southeast contract overages at 20.68 option ($ 375 price).  As of Friday, 10/20, some shellers lowered the price to $ 354.32 price (loan). No premium for high oleic overages. These option contracts apply only to tons delivered over contract. Farmers without a contract have only the loan of $355 per average ton + grade.  Tonnage counted October 23 – 1,942,884 tons – (50%) of October estimate.

USDA FINALLY PUBLISHES RULE CHANGE

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service final rule (7 CFR Part 996) published in the Federal Register revises the minimum quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States.

This rule implements a recommendation from the Peanut Standards Board to revise the minimum quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States (Standards). The Board advises the Secretary of Agriculture regarding potential changes to the Standards and is comprised of producers and industry representatives.

This action relaxes the allowance for damaged kernels in farmers stock peanuts when determining segregation. This change increases the allowance for damaged kernels under Segregation 1 from not more than 2.49 percent to not more than 3.49 percent. The requirements for Segregation 2 are also adjusted to reflect this change. The Board recommended this change to align the incoming standards with recent changes to the outgoing quality standards and to help increase returns to producers.This final rule becomes effective Feb. 1, 2018 and will not involve the 2017 peanut crop.

USDA COMMENTS ON PEANUT ESTIMATE

Storm Damage May Affect Huge Supplies of Peanuts  – U.S. peanut production for 2017/18 is forecast to expand to 7.78 billion pounds. If realized, this year’s peanut crop would be 15 percent higher than the previous record in 2012/13 and exceed last year’s harvest by 2.1 billion pounds (37 percent). The year-to-year production increase for Georgia alone would be 1.1 billion pounds. This month’s change is based on an increase for the average yield to a record 4,254 pounds per acre and larger harvested area. Based on the current production forecast, season-ending peanut stocks are seen accumulating to a 5-year high. Inventories could nearly double to 2.7 billion pounds from the final 2016/17 carry out of 1.44 billion. The forecast for excellent production is provisional, however. In early September, Hurricane Irma produced heavy rainfall over much of the Southeast’s peanut growing region. This event occurred after the collection of this month’s yield survey data.

Just a slight change from last month, however, U.S. peanut production in 2017/18 is forecast up 37 percent to 7.7 billion pounds (3,893,000 tons). Domestic food demand for peanuts in 2017/18 is forecast up only 3.6 percent to 3.2 billion pounds. Strong export demand for U.S. peanuts may continue as well—level predicted is 1.5 billion pounds (750,000 tons).  Ending stocks is sure to impact contracts for next season. With a need of about 500,000 in the carry forward, the industry will have an excess of 1,344,000 tons, over 30% of the peanuts needed for next season.

PLC PAYMENTS READY FOR DISTRIBUTION

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced that over $9.6 billion in payments will be made, beginning this week, to producers through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) progStates Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing approximately $8 billion in payments under the ARC and PLC programs for the 2016 crop year, and $1.6 billion under CRP for 2017.

2017 PEANUT CROP

Peanut production is forecast at 7.79 billion pounds (3,893,000 tons), up slightly from the September forecast and up 39 percent from the revised 2016 total of 5.58 billion pounds. If realized, production for the Nation will be the highest on record. Harvested area is expected to total 1.83 million acres, unchanged from the September forecast but up 19 percent from 2016. Based on conditions as of October 1, the average yield for the United States is forecast at 4,257 pounds per acre, up 3 pounds per acre from September and up 623 pounds per acre from the 2016 average yield of 3,634 pounds per acre.

The average United States yield will be the highest on record, if realized. Record high yields are forecast in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. If realized, production in Georgia and South Carolina will be the highest on record. As of October 1, twenty-five percent of the 2017 peanut crop had been harvested, slightly behind last year but 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Seventy-five percent of the crop was rated in good to excellent condition on October 1, compared with 60 percent at the same time last year.

FDA APPROVES FIRST COMMERCIAL PRODUCT FOR PEANUT ALLERGIES

The approach toward preventing peanut allergies has changed dramatically in recent years. The National Peanut Board has led a campaign to solve the peanut allergy issue on behalf of the entire peanut industry. Now the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first commercial product, called Hello, Peanut!, to help inform the public that early peanut introduction and regular consumption can reduce the risk of peanut allergies in young children.

The Hello, Peanut! introduction kit offers convenience in the form of packets of peanut powder blended with oat given in increasing quantities for seven days, as long as children tolerate it well. After which maintenance packets are recommended for use up to three times a week. The introduction kit is $25, and the maintenance kit sells for $20 for eight packets.

The FDA decision was informed by the landmark Learning Early About Peanut Allergy study published in 2015. It showed that high-risk children who regularly consumed peanuts in infancy had far fewer peanut allergies by age 5 than their counterparts who avoided peanuts over the same span of time. This understanding led to new guidelines published in 2017 by National Institutes of Health about giving peanuts to babies to protect against peanut allergies.

By offering peanuts early in life – between 4 and 6 months of age – and continuing with regular consumption, we can prevent the onset of peanut allergies in many of these children.  That is good news for the peanut industry.

THE SEAM IMPLEMENTS PRORAM TO HELP FARMERS AND HANDLERS

The Seam, a leading provider of agribusiness software and trading solutions, has announced the launch of new business intelligence tools to provide peanut farmers and handlers with actionable data for changing or improving practices both on and off the farm.

Instant grading and inspection information is now available to peanut farmers through automated text messaging and includes foreign materials, grade, moisture levels and other attributes. A new online Producer Portal provides access to graphical metrics and more detailed intelligence, including inspection certificates, contract documents, farm purchase reports, electronic warehouse receipts and so forth. This technology, which is the first of its kind in the peanut industry, comes at the optimal time with this year’s historic-sized crop.

“Just as businesses rely on instant, meaningful data for making sound decisions, so do farmers,” said Mark Pryor, Chairman and CEO at The Seam. “This technology provides the insights needed to quickly adjust practices ‘on-the-spot’ for increasing efficiency and value, thereby saving time and money. We’re excited to get this software into the hands of more producers and handlers, as it pushes us another step toward our mission of investing in the industry, providing modernization to agriculture and being a truly collaborative partner to our customers.”

The new business intelligence tools were added to The Seam’s Peanut Commodity Management Platform, which was released a year ago. This web-based platform provides purchasing, inventory management, logistics, receipting, document digitization and more, while integrating with USDA and other industry systems and organizations.

By the numbers: (1) 5: the number of shelling plants using the platform. 2) 42: the number of peanut buying point customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. 3) 100s: The number of SMS text alerts being sent daily to farmers with real-time, actionable data. 4)1000s: the number of producers the software is currently available to. 5)1,000,000 tons: the amount of farmer stock peanuts The Seam is anticipating to process through its platform during this year’s historic harvest.  

FISCAL 2018 BUDGET PASSES HOUSE WITH $10 BILLION CUT

The House passed a fiscal 2018 budget resolution Wednesday that would require a $10 billion cut in agriculture spending. The Senate version of the resolution would require no cut to the farm bill, and Chairman Conaway expects that to be the case in the final budget. Conaway believes that the cut will disappear during negotiations with the Senate. The bill’s architects on the Senate and House Ag Committees were hoping to convince Budget Committee leaders to increase funding to help revamp cotton and dairy supports and tweak the subsidy system for grain farmers.

Nearly 80% of the projected spending on the current 2014 farm bill is for nutrition programs. That leaves roughly $6 billion per year for conservation programs, $8 billion annually for crop insurance, $5 billion annually for commodity programs and $1 billion annually for other programs. Some good news for farmers is that the 2018 tax-cut package proposed by the President proposes a repeal of the estate tax, something farm groups have been in favor of for years.

PEANUT PROGRAM WORKS

The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, National Peanut Buying Points Association and the American Peanut Shellers Association met with Capitol Hill policymakers on the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill.   Peanut Leaders stressed that the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, included in the 2014 Farm Bill, has worked for rural economies encouraging local jobs. In addition, the 2014 Farm Bill peanut provisions continue to assure consumers a safe, affordable food supply.   The peanut organizations emphasized maintaining the current PLC program in the 2014 Farm Bill including these key provisions:

        ·   Current Reference Price for Peanuts

           · Separate Peanut Payment Limit (as established in the 2002 Farm Bill)

        ·   Storage and Handling Provisions

CHINA AS A POTENTIAL MARKET AGAIN

China is buying U.S.-produced peanuts on a very high level. The USDA says that will continue. An Agri-Pulse report says China will purchase $100 million dollars of American peanuts. Sales data so far in 2017 says it very well could happen. The U.S. has already sold $29 million dollars’ worth of peanuts from Texas, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, as well as other states in just the first seven months of this year.

The peanut industry is taking notice of the potential for China as a large market for its products. Total peanut exports were worth $4 million dollars just a few years ago, which means peanut farmers are very optimistic about the future of China as an export market. The jump in peanut exports to China actually began just last year. China ramped up its imports during the summer of 2016, with the total imports last year at $172 million. That’s a roughly 700 percent increase from the $22 million China imported as recently as 2015.

via Peanut Farm Market News, a peanut hotline service of The Spearman Agency, Tyron Spearman, editor

ORIGINAL SOURCE: AMERICAN PEANUT COUNCIL

The U.S. Peanut Industry united over the last few months to donate more than 100,000 jars of peanut butter to the survivors of Hurricane Harvey’s massive and historic flooding.  The donation effort was coordinated through Peanut Proud, a non-profit organization of the U.S. Peanut Industry, and the Texas Peanut Producers Board (TPPB). The retail value of the donation is estimated at $290,000.  

The shipments will included peanut butter manufactured by Algood Food Company, Kroger Company, Severn Peanut Company, John B. SanFilippo & Son and Golden Boy Foods.  The Texas Peanut Producers Board, Georgia Peanut Commission, Virginia Peanut Growers Association, Virginia-Carolinas Peanut Promotions, National Peanut Board, National Peanut Buying Points Association, 2017 class of the Peanut Leadership Academy, Birdsong Peanuts and Premium Peanut were gracious in their donations to help with disaster relief in Texas.

Peanut butter has seven grams of protein per serving, is shelf stable, requires no refrigeration or special preparation and is enjoyable for all age groups, making it a natural choice for those who suddenly find themselves suffering from food insecurity.

Local food banks will be supporting those in Texas, and will need to replenish their supplies.  If you would like host your own peanut butter drive, visit Peanut Butter for the Hungry at PB4H.org to access the Peanut Butter Drive Success Kit which provides all the tools you need to mount a successful drive.

For more information on how peanut butter helps in natural disasters, visit National Peanut Board here.  

SUSTAINABILITY NEWS TO USE

When it comes to nutrition, it’s hard to beat a peanut.  Peanuts have 7 grams of plant-based protein per serving – that’s more than any other nut. And one serving of dry-roasted peanuts contains 12 grams of unsaturated fat – the “good” fats research shows we all need – and no trans fats. For more reasons peanuts are good for our planet, our health and communities, visit sustainablepeanut.com.

NATIONAL POSTED PRICE FOR PEANUTS

Week- Sept. 26, 2017	Date – Sep.27, 2017	Date – Sep , 2016-17(tons)	Date – Sep 9, 2017
$424.43 per ton/Runners	Shelled Runners/SE		2015 Crop	2016 Crop	Runners – $.216 – $432 t
$409.00 per ton/Spanish	2016/17 Crop	Date	9-28-16	9-27-17	Virginias – $.239 – $78 t
$429.97 per ton/Valencia	$.50 Jumbos, $.49 Med.	Loans	2,233,195	2,269,962	Average – $..221 – $442 t
$429.97 per ton/Virginia	$.48 Splits – Markets quiet	Redeemed	2,151,369	2,241,691	Runners – 24,261,000 #
Same as last week	9-28-16 Med- $.52, Jum-.53	In Loan	81.826	28,271	Virginias – 7,084,000 #
9-30-15 $. 51 Med & Jum	Estimate	3,006,805 t	2,842,305 t	Total – 31,345,000 #
I = Inspected (6-21-2017)  2016 Crop	Inspected	3,021,711 t	2,779,409 t	Price – UP 1.7 ct/lb
PLC Payment Rate for Peanuts – Reference Price = $0.2675, National Loan Rate = $0.1775, Marketing Year Average = $.1975 or $394 per ton.  PLC Payment – Ref price of $535 per ton minus Marketing Year Average – $394 per ton or $141 per base ton on 85% of farm base reduced by sequestration (yet to be determined).  Payment in October, 2017 for crop year 2016-17(Aug-Jul).

MARKET AT THE FARM

(BROKER REPORT) Shellers aren’t anxious sellers and buyers at this point.  They are content to sit back and wait and see if this crop is indeed as big as the USDA purports it to be. It’s almost a Battle of Bunker Hill mentality where no one wants to fire “until you see the whites of their eyes.”

        It’s still hard to make an argument as to why either side would want to participate in this market today. Shellers should have an opportunity to purchase un-contracted tons cheaper at a later date, at which point Buyers will most likely participate. When that could be is an unknown.  Most Buyers have good coverage for 2018 so there is no urgency on the buy side regardless of how large this crop ends up being. There will no doubt be questions of forfeitures of 2018 crop and could that bring a return of Chinese buying interest into this market but suffice to say it is way too early to know when and if that will happen making it an additional unknown. So now we sit and wait and this market continues to largely just fill in holes where needed.

PRICE LOSS COVERAGE TO HELP PEANUT FARMERS

The prices for peanuts paid to farmers were very low last year. Over 99.6% of the peanut farmers signed up for the PLC program or Price Loss Coverage.  USDA says that from August 31, 2016 through August 30, 2017, the average price of peanuts in the U.S. as paid to farmers was $.1970 per lb.or $394 per ton.             

In the peanut law, the reference price is $535 per ton or ($.2675 per lb).  When the reference price is higher than the average price paid to farmers, the difference will be paid based on the tons of base allocated to that peanut farm.  The farmers would take the $141 per ton times 85% of the base acres (includes generic base allocated to peanuts) on that farm serial number times the payment yield for that farm serial number.  The total payment will be reduced by any sequestration cut. (Will be in the FY2018 appropriations numbers)

A payment of $141 per ton ($535-$394 per ton) will be made in October, 2017 covering last year’s crop on 85% of the farm’s base. The PLC payment made in October 2016 for crop year 2015/16 was $149 per ton or $0.0745/lb

EXPORTS OF U.S. PEANUTS

From Foreign Agricultural Service for August 2016-Jul, 2017 (12 months) (MT=Metric Ton)

U.S. peanut exports will end the marketing year 23.7% less marketed than last year.  The big difference was the decision by China and Vietnam. By category, raw shelled peanuts were steady, only down – 7.6%.  Peanut butter held strong, only down -11.3%. The big decline was on in-shell peanuts, down -56.1% with no peanut buys by China, Vietnam and the Netherlands in July.  Peanut exports were up 64% last year at the end of July. Many are waiting on new, higher quality new crop and an oversupply that will cause prices to be lower.

Country	Aug 15-Ju116	Aug16-Jul17	Jul 16	Jul 17	Country	Aug15–Jul16	Aug16-Jul17	Jul 16	Jul 17
Export Raw-Shelled Peanuts (MT) DOWN – 7.6 %	In-Shell Peanuts (MT) DOWN – 56.1 %
Canada	89,150	87,851	8,088	6,754	China	123,103	35,290	12,668	0
Mexico	77,172	61,983	5,395	6,252	Germany	15,442	14,005	997	1,578
Netherlands	20,841	44,545	1,269	2,243	Vietnam	18,832	5,438	699	0
China	30,619	22,669	1,903	73	Canada	4,958	5,247	403	482
Japan	11,115	13,736	437	797	Netherlands	4,360	3,698	1,009	0
TOTAL (U.S.)	299,238	276,507	22,570	17,866	U.S.	189,631	83,199	16,946	3,098

SKIPPY TO THE RESCUE

Flood relief donation drives are ramping up throughout the county to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Austin-based Hormel Foods, however, had aid already in place.

In anticipation of hurricane season this year, Hormel Foods partnered with Convoy of Hope to help stock the humanitarian organization’s warehouse with “protein-rich products, such as Skippy peanut butter, Stagg chili, Hormel premium chicken breast and Spam products, that could be positioned and distributed immediately for disaster relief efforts,”

via Peanut Farm Market News, a peanut hotline service of The Spearman Agency, Tyron Spearman, editor

U.S. Peanut Industry Donates Over 100,000 Jars of Peanut Butter to Hurricane Harvey Relief

Blakely, Georgia (September 1, 2017) – The U.S. Peanut Industry is uniting to donate more than 100,000 jars of peanut butter to the survivors of Hurricane Harvey’s massive and historic flooding.  The donation effort is being coordinated through Peanut Proud, a non-profit organization of the U.S. Peanut Industry, and the Texas Peanut Producers Board (TPPB). The retail value of the donation is estimated at $290,000.  “Today has been amazing. Every peanut area has reached out and said they were gathering funds to send to Peanut Proud for the hurricane and flood victims,” said Shelly Nutt, Executive Director of the TPPB

Initial deliveries will be made by Southern Ag Carriers to the Houston and San Antonio Food Banks in the next few weeks, with more to follow.  “This horrific flood will leave damage for weeks and even months to come. We want to be in it and ready for the long haul,” said Nutt.

The shipments will include peanut butter manufactured by Algood Food Company, Kroger Company, Severn Peanut Company, John B. SanFilippo & Son and Golden Boy Foods.  The Texas Peanut Producers Board, Georgia Peanut Commission, Virginia Peanut Growers Association, Virginia-Carolinas Peanut Promotions, National Peanut Board, National Peanut Buying Points Association, 2017 class of the Peanut Leadership Academy, Birdsong Peanuts and Premium Peanut were gracious in their donations to help with disaster relief in Texas.

Peanut butter has seven grams of protein per serving, is shelf stable, requires no refrigeration or special preparation and is enjoyable for all age groups, making it a natural choice for those who suddenly find themselves suffering from food insecurity.

Local food banks will be supporting those in Texas, and will need to replenish their supplies.  If you would like host your own peanut butter drive, visit Peanut Butter for the Hungry at PB4H.org to access the Peanut Butter Drive Success Kit which provides all the tools you need to mount a successful drive. CONTACT:  Christina Taylor (703) 838-9500

NO CHANGE ON DAMAGE

May, 2017, the Peanut Standards Board proposed a rule change that revised the minimum quality standards for domestic and imported peanuts.  The Board advised the Secretary of Agriculture to increase the allowance for damaged kernels in farmer stock peanuts when determining segregation.  The change increased the allowance under Segregation 1from not more than 2.49 percent to not more than 3.49 percent. Seg. 2 would reflect the change. Comments were accepted til June 26.

No statement has been issued as to why the change was not implemented for the 2017 peanut crop.  Grower leadership decided not to fight the battle, since the Farm Bill issues were being debated.  Another theory was that the Secretary of Agriculture was approved late. Farmers are disappointed that the change was not in the guidelines this season, but hopefully the burrow bug and other soil insects will not be abundant this season and increase the Segregation 2 peanuts.    

TAKING THE LEAD ON PEANUT ALLERGY

The National Peanut Board has partnered with the School Nutrition Association to develop free, online Food Allergy Resource Center offering solutions for effective management of food allergens.  The Resource Center offers information on the top 8 food allergens. It also answers frequently asked questions and provides evidence-based best practices from the Centers of Disease Control on managing food allergens.  The site even provides an “Ask the Allergy Expert” to hook the person up with a qualified responder, such as a doctor or school law expert. The NPB even has instructional videos for school nutrition specialists atwww.PeanutAllergyFacts.org.

USDA COMMENTS ON PEANUT ESTIMATE

High Acreage and Yields will Swell Peanut Production USDA forecasts the U.S. peanut crop for 2017/18 to an all-time high 7.4 billion pounds.

Peanut acreage is already at a 26-year high. The national average yield is forecast at 4,190 pounds per acre, which would rank second only to the 2012/13 record. As of August 6, 79 percent of the country’s peanut acreage was rated in good-to-excellent condition, compared to 66 percent a year earlier. The improvement is largely due to more favorable conditions in Georgia, where a record yield is forecast to produce the State’s largest crop ever. Conditions in other Southeastern States are equally good

Provided the looming bumper crop can be harvested without trouble this fall, it would support further gains in market demand. Domestic use of peanuts is forecast rising nearly 6 percent in 2017/18. Peanut exports could also strengthen to 1.5 billion pounds from 1.35 billion in 2016/17. Despite another bright outlook for U.S. exports and domestic use, a growing surplus may be unavoidable. Season-ending peanut stocks are forecast to surge to nearly 2.6 billion pounds in 2017/18(1,300,000 tons), versus 1.58 billion pounds in 2016/17.

2017 PEANUT CROP

Peanuts: Production is forecast at a record high 7.43 billion pounds (3,714,000 tons), up 31 percent from 2016. Area harvested is expected to total 1.77 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast but up 15 percent from 2016.

Based on conditions as of August 1, the average yield for the United States is forecast at 4,190 pounds per acre, up 515 pounds per acre from 2016. If realized, this would represent the second highest yield on record for the United States. Record high yields are forecast for Georgia and Mississippi. As of July 30, seventy-two percent of the United States peanut acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, compared with 66 percent at the same time last year. Eighty-seven percent of the acreage was pegging at that time, slightly behind last year but slightly ahead of the five-year average.

REP. AUSTIN SCOTT TALKS FARM BILL

Rep. Austin Scott told the peanut industry leaders that he is optimistic about the 2018 Farm Bill.  He said that Chairman Mike Conaway could not be a better leader at this time. He is from a cotton and peanut area in Texas and he will work hard to get a cotton solution and that will be good for peanuts.  His goal, which is on track, is to have the hearings completed on the Farm Bill ready by the end of September and have the bill completed and signed before the Thanksgiving recess. Scott said that farmers need time to plan and plant next year.  He said Washington politics reminded him of a quote from his grandfather, “Do you want to make a point or make a difference?”

PEANUT EXPORT NEWS

The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that India has slashed peanut exports 350,000 tons to 800,000 tons due to lower crop prospects.  China is reporting peanut exports down 100,000 tons to 400,000 tons.

Argentina reports 49,000 hectares of peanuts being lost due to flooding.  Agronomists report last week that there is still some harvest going on. One report said the harvest is still performed in the central and south regions where there are about 20 to 25% of peanut not harvested yet. What is more, there are also remaining those fields or lots in which the operating conditions remain complicated. That is why, the progress continue being slow, and of course, significant losses of yield are observed and registered due to the condition of the peanuts dug – we have to think that there are peanuts that have already 5 months of having been dug and a task that was carried out under conditions of saturated moisture soil. Officials report kernels production is positioned at 727,100 Tons.

via Peanut Farm Market News, a peanut hotline service of The Spearman Agency, Tyron Spearman, editor  

Around the state, peanut farmers are anticipating the season ahead. Planting is slowly coming to an end and farmers are now praying for rain and weather that cooperates. Texas is estimated to plant about 200,000 acres of peanuts this year. Although this is down from last year, producers are staying optimistic and farmers are preparing for a safe and profitable year.

Texas Peanut Producers talked to farmers across the state to get an update on rain conditions, growth stages and overall planting challenges in four main regions.

---

SOUTH TEXAS: BRETT

We have had little to no rain in the last 30 days. We are pre-watering to plant and watering to get peanuts up. We have peanuts that are 35 days old to peanuts that are not planted yet. South Texas is about 70% planted . We are in desperate need of rain as it is hard to keep water going on multiple crops under one well.

CENTRAL TEXAS: BRADLEY

Rainfall has been plentiful for peanuts so far. No [need for] irrigation yet. The growth stage is still early.  Peanuts planted in late May received 5-6 inches of rain after planting but are beginning to catch up. Peanuts planted after rainfall in June are growing fast with heat and abundant moisture.

Challenges have been too much rain on May planted peanuts and with the rain peanuts take longer to germinate and that means more days to worry about feral hogs getting into fields.  Personally, I had success keeping hogs out of fields but I know other farmers in the area were not so fortunate.

WEST TEXAS: MASON

As has been the case across most of the western south plains, the rains prior to June 25th had been spotty at best. In most cases irrigated land has an average start despite the dry hot and windy conditions throughout late May and June.

As of now, the peanut crop is on track for the time of year and we are being to see the first few flowers start to show. Across the board this has been one of the more challenging years to establish a crop that I can remember.

Cool conditions in late April we the predominant problem with early planting and as we moved into May there were some stand issues around where moisture was lacking and pre-watering was not done. Overall, at this time we have just received our first broad rain since March. Irrigated crops are fair to good and dry-land crops are all over the board but mostly either failed out or pore stand. There are a few exceptions where farms were under an isolated storm, however most farmers are trying to decide the best route to take from here on out.

PANHANDLE: MICHAEL

Some areas have received rainfall, but in other places there has been little to no rain.  Peanuts are blooming and looking great! Our planting season went smooth! Some of the farmers in our area have had to replant cotton twice now due to hail.  Other than that most of our area could use a rain!

Overall, Texas peanut farmers are seeing a steady growth rate and every region could use some rain! For more updates, follow Texas Peanut Producers on Twitter and Instagram. If you are a farmer and would like to send updates or photos of your peanut crop, email them to lindsay@texaspeanutboard..com

(all photos taken by Lindsay Hamer in Brownfield, Texas)

The research is out and studies have shown that introducing peanut products to infants as early as four-months-old can help prevent peanut allergies. Peanut butter and peanut powder are easy ways to incorporate peanuts into your infant’s diet. In honor of #NationalPeanutMonth, here are some quick and easy recipes to save you some time in the kitchen. (Click on recipe titles for links to delicious treats)

1. Strawberry, Banana, Peanut Powder Smoothie

Five ingredients and a blender are all you need for this sharable treat! Peanut powder is a light and easy to use in smoothies such as this one from Meatloaf and Melodrama.

2. Peanut Butter and Butternut Squash

Check out this easy recipe from National Peanut Board that you can easily add into your infant’s diet with no fuss! Simply add 1/4 of a cup of peanut butter into butternut squash puree and you’ll have this lunch ready to go.

3. Peanut Butter Breakfast Bites

Six Sister’s Stuff shows how to make these breakfast bites that are an easy treat to make for your little one as a quick breakfast or mid-day snack.

4. Peanut Butter Teething Biscuits

These biscuits are great for teething infants. Whip up these treats and place them in the freezer overnight for extra soothing on those irritated gums. Check out this recipe from the National Peanut Board.

5. Peanut Butter Banana Nibblers

This recipe for frozen banana bites are easy to make with ingredients you probably already have around the kitchen. All you need is greek yogurt, peanut butter and a few ripe bananas.  

For an infant who is not to solid foods yet, incorporating peanut products is as simple as adding a teaspoon of peanut butter into some formula before feeding. This video from the National Peanut Board has some other great ideas on how to use peanut products in your infant’s diet. Share your favorite #earlyintroduction recipes with us on social media!