Each year we ponder the question “Will this crop be early this year?”.  Well in some years maybe but this year the odds are not in our favor.  Generally, we look for about 2550 -2600 heat units to mature our Virginia varieties.  To date (August 29), assuming your crop was up and growing on May 1, we have accumulated the following heat units or Growing Degree Days (GDDs):   2292 (Lewiston), 2293 (Williamston) and 2132 (Buckhead, Gates County).  Assuming we pickup 23 additional units per day, the earliest maturity date should be Sept 11.  Now if your area was dry or your emergence was later that May 1, add several days to that.

We have scheduled several peanut maturity clinics throughout the County and these are listed below.  Remember, when taking samples, select plants across the field.  We need about 150 pods for the sample.  Generally, a 1-foot sample (2-3 plants) will give 40-60 pods.  Avoid areas that are not representative to the field.  If samples are pulled the day before, remove all pods and place them in a bucket of water to keep them from drying out.  Resist the urge to only pull the larger pods.  This will skew the results.

Finally, if you are growing Valencia peanuts remember this word of caution from Dr. David Jordan:  Valencias do not carry the same amount of dormancy as our Virginia type.  This means that when those kernels are mature, they will sprout.  They will sprout in the hull whether dug or not.  This could lead to that load being classed as  Seg 2’s which will lead to a significant discount in the price received from the Buying Point.   Check maturity on these varieties early.

Maturity Clinics Dates and Times

September 6  Powell and Stokes  8:00 am

September 12  Colerain Peanut and Supply  8:30 am

September 18  Powell and Stokes   8:00 am

September 22  Nutrien Ag  8:30 am