The drought in the southeast and especially South Georgia continues.
Rain maybe next weekend, but that’s what farmers are hoping. At the Georgia Peanut Commission this week, a lot of discussion about what is happening in the various areas. One farmer said, lots of corn in my area, we’re having to irrigate it continuously because it’s so dry.
With the rising cost of diesel and gas, one farmer said, “we’re just increasing our losses.” Another farmer said, “I’m worried about the tomato spotted whip virus. If you don’t plant early, farmers are cutting out Thiamet to save cost and thrips are likely to spread the disease everywhere and they look for an increase.”
Farm ponds, they said, are drying up. About 30% of the Georgia irrigation comes from ponds and they’re saying now that a lot of them are drying up and may not be able to make it to the end of the drought. No contracts at buying points.
Early contracts were $4.15 a ton. They’re gone. There’s also a $25 incentive for irrigation.
“This reminds me,” one farmer said, “of 2011 when it was real dry. Yields were low and peanuts got to $1,000 a ton.” But so far, no mention of higher prices because of the extra peanuts produced last year.
One farmer said, “I just don’t know what to do right now.” Another farmer said, “just make a plan, plow ahead and see what happens.”
Audio Reporting by Tyron Spearman for Southeast AgNet.