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.