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2015 U.S. Peanut Acreage Forecast

2015 U.S. Peanut Acreage Forecast

The National Agricultural Statistics Service has released planting intentions for the 2015 crop year which indicates peanut producers intend to plant 1.48 million acres in 2015, up 9 percent from the previous year. The expected increase in planted area is mainly due to relatively low prices of other crops, especially cotton.
In Alabama, the second largest peanut growing area in the United States, there is expected to be 185,000 acres planted this year, up 106 percent from last year’s 175,000 acres. Georgia is expected to be up 20 percent from 2014 with 720,000 acres. Florida is projected to plant a total of 160,000 acres which is 9 percent less than planted in 2014.

Corn growers intend to plant 89.2 million acres, down 2% from last year, the 3th consecutive
year of a average decline and would be the lowest planted acreage planted since 2010.
Cotton farmers intend to plant 9.55 million acres, 13 percent below last year.
Soybean acreage is estimated at a record high of 84.6 million acres, up 1% from last year.
Wheat is estimated at 55.4 million acres, down 3 percent from 2014.
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USDA extends deadline to April 7th

USDA extends deadline to April 7th

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has provided farm owners and producers one additional week, until April 7, 2015, to choose between Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), the safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. The final day to update yield history or reallocate base acres also will be April 7, 2015.Corte farm planting

“This is an important decision for producers because these programs help farmers and ranchers protect their operations from unexpected changes in the marketplace,” said Vilsack. “Nearly 98 percent of owners have already updated their yield and base acres, and 90 percent of producers have enrolled in ARC or PLC. These numbers are strong, and continue to rise. This additional week will give producers a little more time to have those final conversations, review their data, visit their local Farm Service Agency offices, and make their decisions,” said Vilsack.

If no changes are made to yield history or base acres by the deadline, the farm’s current yield and base acres will be used. If a program choice of ARC or PLC is not made, there will be no 2014 crop year payments for the farm and the farm will default to PLC coverage for the 2015 through 2018 crop years. Producers who have an appointment at their local FSA offices scheduled by April 7 will be able to make an election between ARC and PLC, even if their actual appointment is after April 7.

These safety-net programs provide important financial protection against unexpected changes in the marketplace. As part of the strong education and outreach campaign launched by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in September, to date more than 5 million educational postcards, in English and Spanish, have been sent to producers nationwide, and more than 5,000 events with more than 430,000 attendees, including training sessions and speaking engagements, have been conducted to educate producers on the programs. The online tools, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc, which allow producers to explore how ARC or PLC coverage will affect their operation, have been presented to more than 3,400 groups.

Covered commodities under ARC and PLC include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity.

Producers need to contact the Farm Service Agency by April 7. To learn more, farmers can contact their local Farm Service Agency county office. To find local offices, visit http://offices.usda.gov.

APPA hosts food allergy seminar

APPA hosts food allergy seminar

Feeding thousands of children each day is a job Alabama school lunch workers take seriously. Providing those workers with facts about food allergies was the topic of a seminar hosted by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association March 15. Final slider 1
The Alabama Food Service and Nutrition Expo in Montgomery attracted hundreds of food service workers from around the state and provided a perfect opportunity for APPA to share its message, said APPA Executive Director Caleb Bristow.

“America’s peanut farmers, including the 1,400 in Alabama, care deeply about food allergies,” Bristow said. “That’s why peanut farmers have directed the National Peanut Board to give more than $12 million toward funding food allergy research, education and outreach since its inception.”

The APPA brought in registered dietician nutritionist consultant for the National Peanut Board Sherry Coleman Collins to speak to food service workers at the expo. She said food allergies are frequently misdiagnosed.

“Many people mistakenly think they have a food allergy,” Collins said. “Truthfully, only about 0.6 percent of Americans have a peanut allergy, so more than 99 percent of Americans can enjoy peanuts without any problem. Some people think just being around peanuts can cause a life-threatening reaction, but research has shown anaphylaxis is caused by ingestion, not inhalation or skin contact.”

Collins works with schools nationwide to help them develop comprehensive food allergy management plans that help keep kids with food allergies safer, while allowing those without allergies to enjoy nutritious foods, including peanut butter.

“Peanuts and peanut butter provide a nutritious, versatile, and delicious option for feeding children of all ages, and it’s affordable which, is so important during these trying economic times.”

Collins said schools could provide an excellent opportunity for children who have food allergies to learn to manage their conditions with the help and supervision of responsible, knowledgeable adults.

“Peanuts are considered one of the top eight food allergens, so it’s important to America’s peanut farmers that they are part of the solution,” Collins said.

For more information, visit www.peanutallergyfacts.org

March – National Peanut Month

March – National Peanut Month

March is National Peanut Month and the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) is encouraging everyone to celebrate by indulging in one of America’s favorite foods.Charlie 5 sm

National Peanut Month first began as National Peanut Week in 1941. It was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1974. On average, Americans eat about 6 pounds of peanuts per person per year, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Peanuts have more than just great taste going for them. They are packed with 29 essential vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. They also have more protein than any tree nut and contain monounsaturated fat, the “good fat”, which has been linked to good heart health.

Naturally high in fiber, peanuts are also a good for people with dietary issues like gluten intolerance or diabetes. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat.

Peanuts are an excellent source of folic acid, which has been shown to reduce birth defects when taken by mothers prior to conception and during the early stages of pregnancy. Recent research studies also have included peanuts and peanut butter as part of healthy diets that may help prevent adult-onset diabetes and lower blood pressure. Peanuts and peanut butter also are naturally cholesterol-free. In fact, researchers from some of the most prominent schools in the country have recently stated that regularly eating nuts and legumes as part of a low-fat diet decreases the risks of heart disease.

Peanut oil is also a healthy choice for everyday use because of the high monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat content. With its distinctive but not overpowering taste, peanut oil has a high heat tolerance. It can be heated to a high temperature without smoking, which makes peanut oil a good choice for deep-fat frying and sauteing.

So take the time this month to prepare your favorite peanut recipe or try your hand at creating a new peanut dish. Email us your recipes at appa@alpeanuts.com

Pictured above are APPA’s Caleb Bristow and Jim Cravey with WDHN TV-18 Top of the Morning Show host Charlie Platt grilling some tasty peanut butter and jelly roll-ups.

Extension for updates

Extension for updates

Farmers Now Have Until March 31 to Update Yields and Reallocate Base Acres; Deadline for Choosing Between ARC and PLC also Remains March 31

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that a one-time extension will be provided to producers for the new safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). The final day to update yield history or reallocate base acres has been extended one additional month, from Feb. 27, 2015 until March 31, 2015. The final day for farm owners and producers to choose ARC or PLC coverage also remains March 31, 2015. Corte farm planting

“This is an important decision for producers, because these programs provide financial protection against unexpected changes in the marketplace. Producers are working to make the best decision they can. And we’re working to ensure that they’ve got the time, the information, and the opportunities to have those final conversations, review their data, and to visit the Farm Service Agency to make those decisions,” said Vilsack.

If no changes are made to yield history or base acres by March 31, 2015, the farm’s current yield and base will be used. A program choice of ARC or PLC coverage also must be made by March 31, 2015, or there will be no 2014 payments for the farm and the farm will default to PLC coverage through the 2018 crop year.

“These are complex decisions, which is why we launched a strong education and outreach campaign back in September. Now we’re providing a one-time extension of an additional month so that every producer is fully prepared to enroll in this program, ” said Vilsack.

Nationwide, more than 2.9 million educational postcards, in English and Spanish, have been sent to producers, and over 4,100 training sessions have been conducted on the new safety-net programs. The online tools, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc, allow producers to explore projections on how ARC or PLC coverage will affect their operation under possible future scenarios.

Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity.

To learn more, farmers can contact their local Farm Service Agency county office. To find your local office visit http://offices.usda.gov.

The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

EARLY EXPOSURE TO PEANUT PRODUCTS REDUCES ALLERGIES

EARLY EXPOSURE TO PEANUT PRODUCTS REDUCES ALLERGIES

A recent study out of Great Britain found that introducing peanut products into an infant’s diet reduces the child’s chances of developing a peanut allergy by 81 percent.Corte girl pb sandwich 1

The study tested more than 600 high-risk infants, defined as babies with eczema and/or egg allergies. It was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and was conducted by the NIAID-funded Immune Tolerance Network.

“Food allergies are a growing concern, not just in the United States but around the world,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “For a study to show a benefit of this magnitude in the prevention of peanut allergy is without precedent. The results have the potential to transform how we approach food allergy prevention.”

Infants from 4 to 11 months of age were randomly assigned to either avoid peanuts or eat at least six grams of peanut protein per week. The babies ate peanut butter or a snack called Bamba, made from puffed corn and peanut butter. This continued until the children were 5 years old, when researchers assessed peanut allergies in the study group.

Peanut allergies are relatively rare, affecting just 3 percent of children in developed countries.

Doctors and researches have called the study’s findings “ground-breaking.” However, they also want to remind parents that allergic reactions to peanuts or other foods can be life-threatening. Parents should consult an allergist, pediatrician or general practitioner prior to feeding peanut products to children at high-risk of developing peanut allergies.

Bristow Named APPA Executive Director

Bristow Named APPA Executive Director

Caleb Bristow of Henry County is the new executive director for the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, an affiliate of the Alabama Farmers Federation. His first official day was Feb. 16, however he was introduced to peanut farmers at the APPA Annual Meeting in Dothan Feb. 12.Caleb Bristow 2sm

Federation Governmental and Agricultural Programs Director Brian Hardin said Bristow’s strong work ethic was developed growing up on a family farm in Columbia, Alabama.
“We are fortunate and thrilled to have Caleb join the APPA and the Federation family,” Hardin said. “He will provide excellent leadership with his natural talents. Caleb is a smart, hard worker who has a great ability to connect with people and make them feel comfortable.”

Bristow’s family raises nearly 3,000 acres of peanuts and cotton and has a herd of beef cows. He is a two-time Auburn University graduate, earning his master’s degree in agronomy (weed science) in 2012 and his bachelor’s in agronomy and soils in 2010.
Bristow said the Federation’s reputation as a conservative, family-friendly organization that represents farmers on a state and national level, were among the things that attracted him to the career move. But mostly, he said, it was an opportunity for him to help farmers.

“I am very excited about this opportunity,” Bristow said. “I am ready to work not only with farmers, but also for farmers.”

In addition to working with farmers to help improve their livelihoods, Bristow said he would also be a “peanut promoter.”

“Peanut farmers produce a delicious, healthy food that is safe and affordable,” Bristow said. “Helping encourage consumers to eat more of what our farmers grow is an exciting opportunity I’m looking forward to.”

APPA President Carl Sanders said Bristow represents the future of peanut farming.
“Caleb’s energy and enthusiasm will serve farmers well as we navigate a new farm bill and spring planting begins,” Sanders said. “His first-hand knowledge of the peanut industry will allow him to understand what our farmers need and help them get it.”
Hardin and Sanders both praised the work done by Jim Cravey, who has served as APPA interim executive director for more than a year. Cravey, who retired from the Federation in 2006 as Commodity Department Director, will continue to work for APPA through Bristow’s transition.

Bristow, 26, and his wife, Freda, live in Headland. He previously was a manager and salesman for Kelly Ag in Headland and is a member of Gamma Sigma Delta, Auburn’s Honor Society of Agriculture. He can be reached at the APPA office in Dothan at CBristow@AlPeanuts.com or (334) 792-6482.

Peanut trade show attracts record crowd

Peanut trade show attracts record crowd

Dale County farmer Chris Thompson examines new farm equipment at the trade show. Dale County farmer Chris Thompson examines new farm equipment at the trade show.[/caption]

The 10th annual Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show hosted a record number of 650 attendees at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan Friday. Farmers elected new leaders, learned about new technologies and attended seed, research and production seminars during the event.

Dale County peanut and cotton farmer Chris Thompson said the trade show is an opportunity to connect with other farmers and gain information to help him on his farm.

“It’s great to look at new equipment, talk with other producers about farm policy and what FSA and USDA are trying to implement this winter,” Thompson said. “Any time you get the opportunity to learn more about what you do, it’s good to take advantage of it.”

Butler County farmer Steve Tanner won a $5,000 discount towards an Amadus combine or picker/inverter. He said he saw a product at the meeting that could help with nematode management on his farm.

“Neem Oil is supposed to fight nematodes, and they’ve done some research in Georgia with it,” Tanner said. “A lot of people have used it over there and believe in it. It’s something the deer won’t eat, so in the areas I’m having deer trouble, I can use this to control that, too.”

Before lunch, the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA), a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation, met to elect new members to its board of directors and appoint members to PeanutPAC.

Carl Sanders of Coffee County was reelected APPA president. Also reelected were Mark Kaiser and Joel Sirmon of Baldwin County and Ed White of Henry County. Thomas Adams of Henry County was elected to the board.

Bert Driskell of Mobile County, Brad Smith of Dallas County and Tom Corcoran, Barbour County were reappointed to PeanutPAC.

The Florida and Alabama peanut producers associations honored former Auburn University professor Joe Touchton, who was head of the university’s Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department, for his years of service to peanut farmers.

Peanut production meetings set

Peanut production meetings set

Peanut production meetings will be held across south Alabama next week. production meeting photo 2014

Several topics will be discussed at the meetings including the current status of the farm bill. Agriculture experts will be making presentations as well. Speakers and topics are the Market Outlook for 2015, Dr. Marshall Lamb, USDA/ARS; Varieties & Production, Kris Balkcom, Auburn University; Diseases, Dr. Austin Hagan, Auburn University; Weed Control in Peanuts, Dr. Steve Li, Auburn University; and Insect Control, Dr. Ayanava Majumdar, Auburn University.

The meetings are being coordinated by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Alabama Cooperative Extension Center and Auburn University.

A specific date, times and other details for the meetings is listed below. For more information, contact your local cooperative extension office.

February 23rd –  Wiregrass Research & Extension Center – 6:00 p.m. – Headland, AL

February 24th – Mobile County – 11:00 a.m. – The Lighthouse Restaurant – Bayou La Batre, AL; Baldwin County Alfa Building  – 6:00 p.m. – Robertsdale, AL

February 25th – Escambia County – 10:00 a.m. – Grace Fellowship Church – Atmore, AL

February 26th – Southern Sportsman’s Hunting Lodge – 11:30 a.m. – Tyler, AL; E.V. Smith Conference Center – 6:00 p.m. Shorter, AL

Peanut Leadership Academy begins

Peanut Leadership Academy begins

Twenty-two peanut growers and sheller representatives from across the Southeast, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia began Class IX of the Peanut Leadership Academy hosted by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation Dec. 15-17, 2014, in Panama City Beach, Florida. During the first session of the program, leadership academy attendees were introduced to one another, presented an overview of the peanut industry and attended the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation annual meeting where they had the opportunity to listen to grower and industry reports.
The Peanut Leadership Academy is a cooperative effort between Syngenta Crop Protection, the American Peanut Shellers Association, grower organizPeanutLeadersClass9ations and agricultural extension. The program began in 1998 with the first class of 14 peanut growers from Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Since then, the academy has continued to grow to include growers from Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and sheller representatives.
Lyle Stewart, Syngenta district manager, believes the Peanut Leadership Academy is critical to building successful leaders in the peanut industry.
“Syngenta is proud to support the Peanut Leadership Academy,” Stewart said. “We recognize the significance of the program and the importance of educating young peanut farmers who will become strong leaders in the industry.”
Activities in the leadership program are structured to give participants a thorough understanding of the U.S. peanut industry. The leadership sessions range from field trips, meetings with industry leaders and professional development training. Also, each class has one leadership session in Washington, D.C., where class members have an opportunity to visit with their congressmen about issues affecting the peanut industry.
John Powell, executive director of the American Peanut Shellers Association, sees the Peanut Leadership Academy as a program that can unite shellers and farmers.
“This program allows young farmers the ability to learn more about the manufacturer’s side, the sheller’s side, legislative aspects and more,” Powell said. “But it also allows our young shellers to understand more of the farmer’s side of the business, which is also important.”
The Peanut Leadership Academy Class IX members from Alabama are from left: Russell Walters, Andalusia, Jeremy Sessions, Grand Bay, Charles Speake, Jr., Eufaula, and Brian Byrd, Ariton. For more information on the Peanut Leadership Academy, contact the Alabama Peanut Producers Association or visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org.