During the past 50 years, market prices for most commodities have remained nearly the same. Input costs, however, significantly increased. Growers have stayed in business by becoming more efficient. In the 1940's, average yield was 600 pound bushels per acre while today it averages 2,500 pounds per acre with top growers exceeding 5,000 pounds per acre. Yet the decline in price support systems coupled with the opening of vast areas of new productive land in developing nations require our agriculture to dramatically and rapidly increase efficiencies to remain competitive at world market prices.
Pesticides comprise a larger portion of peanut variable production costs than any other item.
On average, peanut farmers apply over 18 pounds of active ingredient per acre each year. By further educating growers on key IPM and precision farming techniques and technologies we have the potential to significantly reduce both the economic and environmental impact of pest control in peanut. But, we currently lack the educational programs and examples to highlight how these tools can help peanut growers reduce both the economic and environmental risks associated with pesticide use. We have identified a diverse group of 10 financially stable agricultural innovators distributed throughout the peanut production region to serve as models and also to gather detailed records on environmental impact. Their involvement in the development process helps ensure the success of the final product and also ensures high visibility because these people are industry leaders, trusted by their peers and established trendsetters.