By Georgia Peanut Commission

Seventeen farmers were recently announced by the University of Georgia Peanut Team for their high-yielding peanuts in 2022. The high yields ranged from 4,781 to 6,493 pounds per acre.

The winners were recognized at a dinner in August, which was sponsored by the University of Georgia Peanut Team, the Georgia Peanut Commission, American Peanut Shellers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, AMVAC, Bayer, BASF and Nichino America.

Many of the high-yielding farmers agree that having a good rotation, good quality seed and good weather make all the difference with their yields. Additionally, the timing of applications for disease, weed and insect management are key in achieving high yields.

“Many of the state winners combine their management practices of crop rotation and critical timing of applications to reach these high yields,” says Scott Monfort, University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist. “The yields are counted for the entire farm, irrigated or dryland; and they continue to increase year after year.”

Another component of the farmers’ success is following recommendations from the Extension service and asking questions.

According to a report on the production practices of the 2022 winners, the majority use a 3-year rotation plan with other crops such as cotton or corn. Most of the winners plant in twin rows during the month of May.

Another trait among the high yield winners is cultivar selection with many of the winners planting the Georgia-06G cultivar. Other cultivars planted by the winners include TifNV-High O/L and Georgia-12Y.

The 2022 Georgia Peanut Achievement Club overall state winners are Brandon DeWitt, Brooks County, with 6,493 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category; Mike Newberry, Early County, with 6,418 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category; Kerry and Lisa Hodges, Screven County, with 5,754 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category and 4 Miller Farms, Seminole County, with 6,293 pounds per acre in the 700-plus acreage category.

The District 1 winners are Wes Gaston, Sumter County, with 5,133 pounds per acre in the 100-299 category; Jerry Jones, Webster County, with 5,019 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category and Trey Jones, Webster County, with 4,718 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category.

The District 2 winners are Adam Tabb, Miller County, with 6,119 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category; John Gaines Jr., Baker County, with 6,089 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category and Judson Hornsby, Seminole County, with 5,840 pounds per acre in the 700-plus acreage category.

The District 3 winners are Larry Ray Walker, Ben Hill County, with 5,957 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category; Buckhead Creek Farms, Jenkins County, with 5,372 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category; David Selph, Wilcox County, with 5,400 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category and Charles Smith Jr., Jefferson County, with 5,827 pounds per acre in the 700-plus acreage category.

The District 4 winners are Chase Farms, Macon County, with 5,275 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category; Hulin Reeves Jr., Irwin County, with 5,603 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category and Nellwood Farms, Bulloch County, with 5,349 pounds per acre in the 700-plus category.