Texas Peanut Harvest

Peanut harvest is in full swing in West Texas, and most peanut producers couldn't be happier to move on from 2009. The challenges of the year ranged anywhere from drought to a surplus in the market from last year's crop to a salmonella outbreak caused by one bad egg in the industry.

The 2008 harvest in Texas yielded over 860 million pounds of peanuts - the state's largest peanut harvest. The crop was valued at over $185 million, a reflection of the impact the Texas peanut industry has on the state's economy. According the the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Texas peanut farmers have produced 544 million pounds of peanuts to date in 2009. Fewer acres were planted this year to offset the surplus from last year's crop, and consequently, in response to the drop in demand from the salmonella scare at the beginning of the year.

The good news is the good reputation of the nation's peanut industry and its peanut products has helped restore consumer confidence, and sales of peanut butter are up dramatically since February of this year. Like this little rattlesnake found in one West Texas peanut farmer's field, one company's careless mistakes can not destroy an industry built on quality, honesty and safety.

The resilience of our farmers, processors, shellers and manufacturers have helped restore the industry. Former TPPB director Ted Higginbottom said it best when he said, "It’s unfortunate peanut growers in Texas can do everything right to produce a healthy and safe product to feed both their families and the nation, and then have to carry the burden for something they could not control." To read more about TPPB's communications during the salmonella outbreak, click here.

 

 

 

 

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Peanut Research in West Texas

Agriculture is full of great individuals who are sincerely passionate about what they do. Delwin Morrow is that kind of person.

Delwin is a peanut farmer from Brownfield, Texas who loves growing peanuts! Even greater than his love for growing a good peanut is his love for peanut research.

Over the past few years, Delwin has leased some of his peanut acreage for research purposes. Dr. Ernest Harvey, one of the world's leading peanut breeders from the USDA’s National Peanut Research Lab in Georgia, has led a team of researchers at Delwin's farm over the past several years as he attempts to develop a more drought tolerant, early maturing peanut.

Raising crops in West Texas has many unique challenges when compared to other parts of the country. Little rainfall, strong winds and cool evening temperatures are just a few of the issues West Texas farmers deal with every year. So, what better place than West Texas to test drought tolerant peanut varieties?

Dr. Harvey's research is aimed at developing a peanut that can mature quicker, which would help producers minimize their risks. An earlier harvest could mean fewer irrigations - saving thousands of dollars for producers. Early maturing peanuts could also reduce the risk of having peanuts in the ground when the first frost occurs.

This year's test plot, like most of peanut production on the South Plains, experienced little rainfall. Delwin said between the time this same plot was harvested last year and this year's harvest, the plot received just 5 inches of rain. 

While that meant hardships for producers, the lack of rain did allow researchers to put their tested varieties through the exact harsh conditions they are being designed to withstand. 

Over half of the TPPB's budget is allocated to research to help scientists develop better peanuts for better production effeciency. 

Check back later for more about Texas peanut research and updates on how the Texas peanut harvest is going. Don't forget to subscribe to the TPPB blog to keep up with what's going on with the Texas Peanut Producers Board.

Welcome

Thanks for stopping by the new blog of the Texas Peanut Producers Board (TPPB).

TPPB is a statewide board funded by a $2 per ton voluntary checkoff from Texas peanut producers. Checkoff dollars are used for peanut production research, to promote Texas peanuts, and to educate others about the high energy and nutrition value of peanuts.

Over half of TPPB's annual budget is used to fund research projects aimed at improving peanut production in Texas. Research is mostly focused on producing a more drought tolerant, disease resistant peanut that is better suited for the varying Texas growing conditions. Stayed tuned for future blog posts that will highlight different research projects and results given at peanut field days.

TPPB is also very involved in promoting peanut butter donations to the hungry. In 2008 following the devasting hurricane season on the Texas Gulf Coast, TPPB along with the Western Peanut Growers Association and the Seminole Chamber of Commerce, helped gather over 15,000 pounds of peanut butter to donate to the desperate food banks in South Texas. Since then, TPPB has been involved in several peanut butter food drives in an effort to promote the donation of peanut butter to the state's food banks. Peanut butter makes the perfect donation production because it is nutritious, packed with energy and has a long shelf life.

Building and maintaining relationships with foriegn manufacturers of Texas peanuts is also a focus for TPPB. The board, along with the American Peanut Council, hosts regular tours for manufactures from Mexico, Japan and Italy to allow them to see how peanuts are produced and processed in Texas.

Visit us again to learn more about Texas peanut production and the activities of the Texas Peanut Producers Board!