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PEANUT MARKETING NEWS – September 8, 2020 – Tyron Spearman, Editor (121)

2020 PEANUT HARVEST – INSPECTORS READY - Although Florida has been underway for some time, Georgia reports that
“so far this year, we are expecting to train around 575 inspectors. Of those, approximately 325 are returning inspectors who have
lots of experience. Typically, we hire nearly the same amount of Inspector’s Assistants to completely staff the 121 buying points
across Georgia. Anyone is interested in working as an Inspector’s Assistant, contact the GAFSIS District office nearest them.
Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service will be taking these steps:
• Following current guidelines set in place by the CDC& DPH
• Providing additional training to all inspectors including proper hand-washing techniques
• Encouraging social distancing by remaining 6 feet apart where possible and limiting interaction with buying point personnel
• Requiring employees to wear masks where applicable
• Sanitizing the grade rooms regularly
• Performing daily checks using a questionnaire covering symptoms and exposure
“We want to give you assurance that we will be continuing to operate in our normal capacity. While we all know these are
unprecedented times, we believe the only path to success is through partnerships. A safe and sanitary workplace is crucial. We
ask that you join us in taking some extra measures to ensure our employees and yours are safe.” Per GFSIS.
UPDATE ON IN-SHELL MOISTURE METER – The in-shell moisture meter that is needed so badly by the peanut industry
is not ready for prime time. Inspection Service officials said this week, “We are expecting the first full prototype to be completed
around the first of October (if there are no further delays). At that point we will be testing the performance, calibration and
accuracy. It is very likely that we will have some iterations to correct any issues that may arise prior to moving to a production
state. Once all the bugs are worked out and we feel the device is working properly to present accurate results, we will ask for
USDA approval. Pending this entire process, we remain hopeful that we will have it ready for sale sometime next year.”
Presently, the peanut load must be sampled and inspected before the exact moisture is known, which causes major delays.
GEORGIA HONORS 2019 PRODUCERS- The Georgia Peanut Achievement Club gathered recently to celebrate top yields from
last season. Coordinated by the UGA Peanut Team and the UGA Cooperative Extension Agents, the club has been honoring the
top growers since the 1960's. Along with the UGA peanut team, supporters of the peanut achievement club include Bayer Crop
Science, BASF Crop Protection, Amvac Chemical Company, the American Peanut Shellers Association, the National
Peanut Buying Points Association and the Georgia Peanut Commission. Due to the pandemic, the winners could not hold a
celebration. Plaques will be delivered. The 2019 Georgia Peanut Achievement Club winners:
• Overall State Winner: 100-299 acres, Steve Newberry of Jefferson County, 7,285 lbs/acre on 152 acres
• Overall State Winner: 300 -699 acres – Scott Moore of Dooly County, 6,717 lbs/acre on 341 acres
• Overall State Winner: 700+ acres – 4 Miller Farms of Seminole County, 7,066 lbs/acre on 704 acres
D-I: 100-299 acres, Hillside Farms/Mike Newberry of Early County, 7,002 lbs/acre on 256 acres
D-1: 700+ acres, Bob McLendon of Calhoun County, 5,693 lbs/acre on 1,114 acres
D-2: 100-299 acres, John Gaines, Jr. of Baker County, 6,891 lbs/acre on 225 acres
D-2: 300-699 acres, Jeff Williams of Miller County, 5,888 lbs/acres on 572 acres
D-2:700+ acres, Parker Heard of Decatur County, 6,292 lbs/acre on 720 acres
D-3: 100-299 acres, Larry Ray Walker of Ben Hill County, 5,740 lbs/acre on 188 acres
D-3: 300-699 acres, James Hitchcock of Washington County, 6,374 lbs/acre on 408 acres
D-3: 700+ acres, Ken Hall Farms of Worth County, 5,540 lbs/acre on 1,181 acres
D-4: 100-299acres, Brenda Reeves of Irwin County, 7,045 lbs/acre on 133 acres
D-4: 300-699 acres, Andrew Grimes of Tift County, 6,016 lbs/acre on 672 acres
D-4: 700+ acres, Nellwood Farms (Hal Crumley) of Bulloch County, 4,540 lbs/acre on 880 acres
NORTH CAROLINA PEANUT FIELD DAY - The 2020 NC Peanut Field Days (68th Annual North Carolina Peanut Field
Day and 9th Southeastern North Carolina Peanut Field Day) will be virtual this year due to COVID-19. A single event will include both
field days and will be made available for viewing on September 15. Details for the event can be found at the NC State Extension Peanut
Portal (peanut.ces.ncsu.edu) or by contacting David Jordan directly at david_jordan@ncsu.edu or text message at 919 810 6611.
LOSS OF PEANUT LEADER –We are saddened to report the death of Doyle Fincher of Seminole, TX. He served as president
of Western Peanut Growers for many years, and worked for Golden Peanut Company before retiring in 2019. He was awarded
Peanut Farmer of the Year in 1993. Funeral services for Doyle were Saturday, September 5, 2020. Doyle was a great guy that had a
passion for peanuts and western agriculture.