This is just a quick and short post to assist peanut growers in making a decision on digging and harvesting with the possibility of a storm approaching by the end of the week.
First, my heart goes out to all those affected by the storm. At the present time of writing this I am unaware of the extent of damage caused in Haiti, but from what I’ve read and been told, it likely will be devastating. Please keep those people in your prayers.
When should you dig peanuts as a storm is approaching?
-If a field has minimal disease pressure (defoliation from leaf spots or white mold) and if the soil is dry enough that digging before the rain would result in significant digging losses (especially in heavier, finer textured soils), and the peanuts haven’t started turning loose in the hull, then it is OK to leave the peanuts in the field until the wet weather passes.
-If a field has a high level of defoliation (approaching or exceeding 50%), higher levels of white mold, or a sandier textured soil with adequate moisture for digging with minimal digging losses, then those fields should be dug ahead of the upcoming rain event. However, wait as long as possible and dig just ahead of the rain.
-If a field is already dug, then harvest as soon as possible. Once the moisture content in the pods has dropped to 12-18% and gets re-hydrated by a rain event, there is a higher risk of Aspergillus flavus mold developing, which could develop into aflatoxin.