GA peanut crop could be biggest ever - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

GA peanut crop could be biggest ever

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This year's Georgia peanut crop could be the biggest ever, even with recent drought conditions.

The USDA forecasts the 2012 peanut harvest will be 45% higher than last year's and will top the previous record yield from 2008.

The success of this year's crop will most likely lead to a smaller acreage for 2013, which could mean higher prices next year but lower prices this year for peanuts.

"Price is going to be depressed some because of the quantity we producing this year, so it is going to be down, contract offers are not going to be as plentiful," says John Beasley, UGA Professor and Extension Peanut Agronomist.

Beasley says with Georgia's resources, growers always have the capability of producing a high-yield and high-quality crop.

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