Peanuts (From Dr. Scott Monfort): It looks like the temperatures are moving more down than up. I was hoping that we would remain warm in October but that is not the case.
The mild weather has made it almost impossible to determine the best time to dig. I know we have a lot of growers frustrated about the weather, yields, grades, and everything in between. Remember, we are making the best decisions we can based off the information from the maturity board and what we have seen in the past. This is not an exact science. We will be off for some fields due to the fact of the weather, TSWV, Leafspot, etc.
The general rule of thumb is:
–Temperatures in the lower 40’s and lower for several mornings in a row will cause the plants to shut down and further development and maturation is over.
–There is a misconception that temperatures in the upper 40’s and lower 50’s shut down the plant. Those temperatures will slow the maturation down but it will not cause it to stop.
So, what do we do? I would start lining the fields up by date or based on the level condition of the vines (disease etc.) and continue to dig and harvest leaving the later planted fields until last. Give the June planted fields as long as possible to mature some more. I would not recommend digging everything at once.
What about the Rain? What do I need to dig ahead of rain? I would only dig the fields ahead of the rain where the vines are compromised and/or where you have a good percentage of peanuts coming loose in the hull. Otherwise leave them until the rain has moved through.
Also, when we have a chance for frost or freeze, the best thing to do is leave the peanuts in the ground.
Cotton (From Dr. Camp Hand): Cooler temperatures are welcome by many, but not by folks that planted cotton late or are trying to defoliate a crop. With lows in the 40s, rain in the forecast, and cool temps forecasted next week as well, defoliation just became a hair more difficult, and maybe more expensive.
With lows below 65 for the foreseeable future, thidiazuron should not be in any defoliation tank-mix for the next couple of weeks. This is our chemistry that provides a good kill in the top of the plant at relatively low rates, and allows us to use lower rates of other defoliants for knocking off old leaves. Thus, since it is being removed from the tank-mixture, we need to up our rate of Folex/PPO chemistries to knock off old leaves as well as get a good kill in the top of the plant.
Ginstar/Cutout/Adios/etc. is also a good option for cooler weather. This is the diuron + thidiazuron premix. Same rules apply, lower temperatures mean higher rates.
Rates for the week:
Folex (12-16 oz/acre) + Prep (42 oz/acre)
- PPO inhibitors can be substituted for Folex, but use higher rates. Read label with respect to recommended adjuvants based on temperature.
Ginstar (6-8 oz/acre) + Prep (42 oz/acre)
Inevitably, the time has come for the question, “Is this cotton crop done??” In the southern part of the state, I think we will still accumulate some degree days this week, but they will be few and far between unless it significantly warms back up here soon.
As always, there are unique situations that will require different mixes and all that fun stuff.