The rain this week may prevent peanut growers from getting out into their fields to start planting.  Arguably, it’s a little early this year since 4-inch soil temperatures are only around 70 and are unlikely to warm up much under all the cloudiness and rain we are going to see for the next few days.  The Southeast Farm Press published a story this week about lessons that peanut growers can learn from last year’s season that you might find interesting.  You can find the story here.

One of the subjects in the story is the terrible harvest that occurred in some parts of Alabama due to dry conditions late in the summer.  This is a concern again this year due to the presence of the current El Nino, which generally reduces the number of tropical storms in the Atlantic and can decrease Southeastern rainfall during the tropical season from June 1-November 30.

Source: USDA ARS
Source: USDA ARS