Cotton & Peanut Research Field Day, September 9, Tifton, GA

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual UGA Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day scheduled for September 9, 2009.
The tour will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with lunch; a detailed schedule of speakers and stops will be forthcoming. The field day is being sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission.
Lunch will be included only for those who register by September 3.

To confirm your attendance, contact Debbie Rutland, Department of Entomology at (229)
386-3424.

Thomas County Peanut Update + On Farm Variety Trial

Thomas County Peanut Update + On Farm Variety Trial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WqGtuZA1o4

Dr. John Beasley discusses a peanut variety trial with Thomas County Extension Agent R.J. Byrne on a Thomas County Plantation. 8 Varieties will be tested on farm.

Update on Farm Bill Meetings

Looking for the latest info on the Farm Bill?

Then you need to attend one of the information sessions below. For more information please contact R.J. at the extension office - 229.225.4130 or rjbyrne@uga.edu. You will need to register for the location you will be attending.

DATES AND LOCATIONS
-March 23, Camilla (Mitchell Co. Extension Office), 5-9pm
-March 24, Midville (Station), 12-4pm
-March 26, Hawkinsville (Steakhouse Resturant), 10am-2pm
-March 27, Alma (Bacon Co. Extension Office), 10am-2pm

PROPOSED AGENDA
* Crops Outlook- Nathan Smith and Don Shurley (45 min)
* Budgets and Crop Comparisons- Amanda Smith (15 min)
* Farm Bill Overview- Don Shurley (10 min)
* DCP and Loan- Nathan Smith (15 min)
* Conservation Programs- Amanda Smith (20 min)
* Attribution, Limits, Eligibility- Keith Kightlinger (20 min)
* SURE- Wes Harris (20 min)
* ACRE- Don Shurley and Wes Harris (15 min)
* FSA Open Q and A (20 min)

Local Farmers Look To Peanuts for Bio-diesel

Folks, we just had a short workshop on bio-diesel and you can read the news story below. If you are interested in learning about making bio-diesel, please let us know by emailing us so we can get you signed up for the next workshop, tentatively planned for February 2009.

http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/27929724.html
Posted: 5:15 PM Sep 5, 2008
Last Updated: 5:15 PM Sep 5, 2008
Reporter: Caroline Blair
Email Address: caroline.blair@wctv.tv

Now many farmers are turning to peanuts to help ease the pain at the pump. The nuts are made up of nearly 50% oil.

The USDA's Peanut Bio-diesel Project began several years ago to help take peanuts from the field to the fuel tank.

And on Friday in Thomasville, area farmers got the chance to hear how the program is progressing and what they can do to start planning for a bio-diesel rich future.

"You know I spend anywhere from give to seven thousand dollars a month in fuel alone and if we could get the numbers they talk about at $2.50 a gallon that cuts my fuel costs in half, so you're looking to save $3000 a month," said local wildlife business owner Alan Dennard, who is very interested in making and using bio-diesel for his business.

Researchers say they are constantly working on ways to cut costs and that growing peanuts for fuel gives farmers control and independence.

The University of Georgia's Thomas County Extension Agency hosted the informative meeting with the USDA's Chris Butt's as guest speaker.

Tobacco Budworms Attacking Peanut Blooms

The budworm moth flight is currently heavy in the southwestern peanut production area. Larval populations are being reported at 6 to 8 per foot of row in some fields. They may be higher in other fields. It has been confirmed that there is heavy feeding on blooms by small worms and the absence of blooms where large larvae are present. It is critical that farmers and scouts check all fields for this behavior regardless of the lack of foliage loss as often observed through the open window of a truck. In fact, low amounts of foliage loss have been reported in fields with heavy bloom loss. This means the larger worms are eating the flower buds before they open. For other areas of the peanut belt the moth flight should follow soon so this should give ample time to confirm this budworm feeding behavior.

Steward and Tracer gives good to excellent control of budworms. Lannate gives good to excellent quick-kill control with short residual but, Lannate can be harsh on beneficials. Orthene gives fair to good control but, there is the potential for flaring mites. I have been informed that there should be an adequate supply of these insecticides warehoused in SW GA. NOTE: The pyrethroids are NOT appropriate insecticides for controlling tobacco budworms.

To avoid any confusion as we move through this moth flight, it would be wise to confirm the presence of budworms vs. corn earworms in a representative number of fields. Through time we may shift to an earworm moth flight. This would allow us to use some less expensive insecticides, such as the pyrethroids, when and if this occurs.

There are other worms in the mix. Some beet and fall armyworms are present in some fields. Even though no cutworms have been reported, they will be found in some fields. The tobacco budworm should be the main target in most cases.

If you need help ID'ing these pest, give us a call at 229.225.4130.

-R.J.

Early Season Water Requirements for Peanuts

Here are a few notes from Dr. John Beasley on water requirements for peanuts:
- Peanuts have low water requirements the first 30-50 days of the season.
- The root system of a peanut can usually go deep enough to capture water deeper in the soil profile to sustain the plant during early season drought, unless a hardpan restricts the root system.
- With the increased cost of irrigation due to increased cost of energy/fuel, save irrigation when peanuts most need water. This is when plants begin to peg and fill out their pods.
- Research by Dr. Craig Kvien has shown no yield difference when peanut fields were watered during the 20-50 days after planting and those that received no water during the same time.
- Once a field enters the reproductive growth stage of peanut by flowering and pegging, the water demand begins to increase sharply. At that time it is best to use either Irrigator Pro or UGA EASY Pan to trigger irrigation.

- R.J.