The last few days have allowed things to dry out for some, while late afternoon showers continue to plague others in South Carolina's Peanut Belt.

The peanut crop continues to progress at a slow but steady pace.

Based on the accumulated heat unit models, peanuts are about 1-2 weeks behind compared to last year. This may not be true for every peanut field.

For the early planted Virginias, you may want to do a maturity check around 120-125 days old.

For the later planted peanuts (anything under 115 days old), maintaining an effective disease management program is the most important thing a grower can do to make a profit in 2013.

I have made several trips around the state this week and disease is present and active in many of the peanut fields visited. A majority of what is being observed is early and late leaf spots, white mold and CBR.

The diseases that concern me are the leaf spots and white mold. Both diseases are developing rapidly in some areas even under some of the more effective fungicide programs.

Growers need to pay close attention to the diseases in each field and apply the correct fungicide(s).

Growers may also need to make 1-2 more applications this year to limit the impact from these diseases. Please call me and I will be happy to help you decide on the best fungicide and fungicide rates.

CBR is becoming easier to find all over the state. The cool temperatures and wet conditions observed this year has been optimum for CBR. Although CBR is showing up, there is little we can do this late in the season. 

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