Production is forecast at 3.63 billion pounds, (1,813,850 tons) up 5 percent from the September forecast but down 13 percent from last
year’s revised production of 4.16 billion pounds. Area for harvest is expected to total 1.11 million acres, unchanged from September but 11 percent lower than 2010. Yields are expected to average 3,256 pounds per acre, up 152 pounds from September but down 56 pounds from last year. Harvest was underway in all States except Oklahoma by the end of September.

As of October 2, nineteen percent of the United States acreage was harvested, 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average but 4 points behind last year. Condition of the United States crop was relatively unchanged from last month, with 39 percent rated good to excellent.

In Oklahoma, where extreme drought conditions continued to plague the State, crop condition ratings decreased considerably from last month. As of October 2, twenty-five percent of the crop was rated in very poor to poor condition, compared with 14 percent on September 4. (From Peanut Farm Market News report)