Even with chemicals and better varieties of peanuts, timing is crucial when it comes to harvesting peanuts. While last year was a pretty good year for the Barefoots, every year is a new start when it comes to farming. We grow green grazing behind our peanut crop. It feeds the cows and helps keep the soil going, so we get a little something out of it even when its not planted. Getting a little income out of everything they do is key to a farmer's survival.
Cattle is third.
Others things, the prices are up and down. That's why we are waiting to see what happens with the 2003 farm bill. It's up in the air whether we will continue to get price supports on peanuts. That may determine whether we can afford to keep farming peanuts. The uncertain nature of growing crops is one reason a chicken house was added to Barefoot's operation, and Ralph is looking at adding another one.