At this stage, the 1999 Virginia peanut crop is in generally excellent condition. We could well be on track for a good yielding, high quality peanut crop. Unfortunately many potential hazards could present themselves between now and harvest, including adverse weather. A potential outbreak of Sclerotinia blight is perhaps foremost concern of these hazards. With continued favorable conditions we could be on track for one of the best crops ever.
Lets hope for the best.
Most years during this process, there is an attack on the peanut program, a fight that growers have won repeatedly. We contacted the Congressman's office after we learned of his proposed amendment, and received assurances that he would not offer the amendment to lower the loan rate, that he included the proposal only as a small part of a large package of more than 100 amendments he was introducing in order to get the Congressional leadership's attention that more work should be done to improve funding for Social Security. His was not a new amendment, he simply introduced language that had been proposed last year. Congressman Coburn has voted in support of the peanut program in past years. However, having received assurance that he would not require a vote on the loan rate amendment, it was a surprise when the Congressman required a vote on the research amendment.