ALBANY, GA -
With planting season fast approaching, South Georgia farmers have to decide if they'll plant corn, cotton, or peanuts.
At a farmer's meeting today in Lee County, most said they plan to plant some of all three, but peanuts are expected to get the majority of the acreage by far. With supply low and the prices high, this year's peanut crop could be a real economic boost for South Georgia.
Last year, Georgia farmers planted the fewest acres of peanuts since 1926. This year they estimate that acreage will increase 30 percent with farmers optimistic 2012 could be a good year.
Lee County farmer Mike Bird says peanuts will be his main crop in 2012. "I'm going to go heavy on the peanuts. Some corn and a little bit of cotton."
Agriculture experts predict that Georgia growers will plant about 600 thousand acres of peanuts this year. And UGA peanut researchers are recommending they start early, planting in late April.
"The concern about spotted wilt virus is not as great as it was a few years ago. Mainly because of these cultivars or varieties that we are planting now have much greater resistance, and give us the flexibility to plant earlier," said UGA Peanut Agronomist John Beasley.
That is expected to increase both yield and quality, because there will be no loss due to cool temperatures in an October harvest. But disease and insects could be a bigger risk this year.
"This dry and this extremely warm winter has been one that we can expect more disease and nematode problems, especially on our peanut crop," said UGA Peanut Plant Pathologist Bob Kemerait.
Farmers should prepare to pay much more for insect and disease chemicals, and seed prices have skyrocketed to about one dollar 40 cents per pound, double what they were two years ago. Add in diesel prices going up quickly, and the 2012 crop will require a big investment.
"Agriculture drives the Georgia economy, and peanuts and cotton are two if not the two most important crops we grow," Beasley said.
But South Georgia farmers still are optimistic, because of strong demand and prices.
"You know this is farm country up here, so we are looking for a good year," Bird said.
Of course they say more rain this summer would be the biggest help of all.
Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.
Lee County farmer Mike Bird says peanuts will be his main crop in 2012
