Friday, December 18, 2009

Texas Tech's remote sensing technology spreads to peanuts

From Texas Tech:

The economic wallop of Texas peanut products is getting an aerial boost this season from Texas Tech University. Researchers are using a special airborne multispectral remote sensing system on an experimental peanut crop in nearby Brownfield, a small farming community.

The hi-tech gear is used to estimate the plant’s biophysical characteristics, including ground cover, leaf area, biomass and yield.

“Improved monitoring of peanut crops could one day help growers have a healthier crop through improved irrigation practices and pinpoint application of fungicides,” said Stephan Maas, a Texas Tech professor of agricultural microclimatology with joint appointment with Texas AgriLife Research. Maas is a participant in the project, along with Texas Tech Postdoctoral Research Associate Nithya Rajan.

Remote sensing describes the science of identifying, observing and measuring an object without making direct contact with it. The process involves the detection and measurement of light in different wavelengths reflected by the object.
In this instance, the remote sensing system contains high-resolution digital cameras fitted with narrow band-pass filters that allow the cameras to acquire imagery in specific wavelengths of light related to plant growth. The cameras are carried by a single-engine Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Plainview-based South Plains Precision Ag, Inc.

It’s the first year Texas Tech remote sensing experts and peanut breeding specialists from New Mexico State University have used the method on peanuts and, so far, both are excited about the results.

“Development of relationships between biophysical characteristics and remote sensing data could allow routine monitoring of peanut crop growth and yield potential in producers’ fields,” said Naveen Puppala, a peanut breeder with New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center at Clovis. “With more research on remote sensing, it will help the growers to identify the correct time to irrigate their crops.”

Digital data taken from Tech’s remote sensing imagery has already been used to calculate vegetation values – including what’s technically called the normalized difference vegetation index and the perpendicular vegetation index – for the peanut canopies growing in test plots. The two indicators are used to measure the peanut plant’s growth and leaf canopy density.

“Growing the most cost efficient peanut possible is vital to the survival of Texas peanut production,” said Shelly Nutt, executive director at the Texas Peanut Producers Board. “Maximizing irrigation efficiency is key to peanut production profitability.”

Georgia leads the nation in peanut production, followed by the next-largest grower, Texas. Last year’s peanut production was record breaking with the largest crop on record along with the highest average yield on record. Total U.S. peanut production for 2008 was estimated at 5.1 billion pounds.
Written by Norman Martin

Monday, December 14, 2009

Agriculture Commissioner Awards Texas Food Banks $2 Million



LUBBOCK, Texas - Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today awarded a grant of $2 million to the Texas Food Bank Network to purchase and distribute surplus produce, such as peanut butter, that was the result of overproduction on Texas farms. The funds are available through the Texas Department of Agriculture's Texans Feeding Texans: Surplus Agricultural Products Grant Program.

"In the last year, Texas food banks have experienced a 30 percent increase in demand," Commissioner Staples said. "As the leader of the largest food bank system in the state, the Texas Food Bank Network can better meet the demand and feed hungry Texans with these funds. The Texans Feeding Texans grant is a win for farmers who have excess products, and a win for hungry Texans in need of nutritious food."



Representative Joe Heflin of Crosbyton, Texas praised the state's peanut farmers for continuing to produce a safe, healthy and quality food product.

"Peanut butter is healthy, it tastes great and it's a great product to provide our state's food banks," Rep. Heflin said. "Peanuts are a product that are grown in this state and on the South Plains, and our farmers work hard to produce a safe, quality food product that is healthy to eat. Our food banks need products like peanut butter now more than ever."




During the last two years, the Texas Food Bank Network was able to acquire and distribute 24 million pounds of food to Texas families through the Texans Feeding Texans: Surplus Agricultural Products Grant Program.




From 2005 to 2007, 14.8 percent of Texas households, or 1.2 million people, did not have access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times. During this same time perioud, 23 percent of Texas children were also food insecure.




Donate peanut butter to your local food bank today! Be a part of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and Texas Peanut Producers Board peanut butter drive, by clicking here! Donate a case of peanut butter for just $20 and help feed a hungry family on the South Plains.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Peanut butter drive highlighted on FOX34

The peanut butter drive benefiting the South Plains Food Bank in Lubbock is now in full swing. The drive is a joint effort by the Texas Peanut Producers Board and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.


This is the only pallet of peanut butter remaining at the South Plains Food Bank (center).

FOX34's Lindsey Ashcraft featured the peanut butter drive last night on FOX34's 9pm news. Click here to watch it!




TPPB Executive Director Shelly Nutt is interviewed by FOX34 yesterday at the South Plains Food Bank.

TPPB and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce are asking area businesses and individuals alike to donate a case of peanut butter for just $20. Our goal is to raise a full pallet (136 cases) to donate to the South Plains Food Bank.

The current economic situation has placed many challenges for families in West Texas this holiday season. Be a part of the peanut butter drive and help a hungry family in your area. Peanut butter is an excellent source of protien, is easy to serve, and has a long shelf life. The food bank can not keep enough of it on their shelves.

To learn more about the peanut butter drive, click here. To make a donation right now, CLICK HERE.

Also, this Thursday is PEANUT BUTTER DAY at the U-Can Food Drive in Lubbock. Look for Tex P. Nut at your local Lubbock United Supermarket!