U.S. peanut production — according to USDA’s November report — is forecast at 3.96 billion pounds, (1,980,000 tons) up 1 percent from October and up 7 percent from last year.

Area for harvest is expected to total 1.26 million acres, unchanged from October but up 17 percent from 2009. Yields are expected to average 3,142 pounds per acre, up 36 pounds from October but down 279 pounds last year.

Peanut production in the Southeast states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina, is expected to total 3.09 billion pounds, up 3 percent from October and 9 percent higher than last year. Expected area for harvest, at 965,000 acres, is unchanged from October but up 17 percent from 2009.

Yields in the region are expected to average 3,200 pounds per acre, up 86 pounds from October but 228 pounds below last year’s average yield. Expected yields increased from October in Florida and Georgia, but were unchanged in Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina.

As of Oct. 31, harvest progress was well ahead of last year and the five-year average in all states in the region.

Virginia-North Carolina peanut production is forecast at 261 million pounds, down 8 percent from October and down 9 percent from 2009. Expected area for harvest, at 106,000 acres, is unchanged from October but up 36 percent from 2009. The average yield is forecast at 2,464 pounds per acre, down 200 pounds from October and 1,236 pounds below the 2009 average.

Hot, dry weather conditions this summer have resulted in lower yields in the region. The weather slowed harvest progress due to dry, hard-packed soils. Harvest was behind the five-year average in both states at the end of October.

Southwest peanut production, including New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, is expected to total 613 million pounds, down 3 percent from October but up 7 percent from 2009. Expected acreage for harvest, at 190,000, is unchanged from October but up 9 percent from last year.

Yields in the region are expected to average 3,226 pounds per acre, down 85 pounds from October and 39 pounds lower than 2009. Expected yields are down from last month in Texas but are unchanged in New Mexico and Oklahoma.

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