Peanuts dug up in a Georgia field (GPB file photo)
Farmers are making planting decisions now so they can secure loans to pay for things like seeds, equipment, and fertilizer. Peanut farmers are negotiating contract prices with shellers. But, despite record peanut prices, peanut processors may not pay top-dollar for the nuts.
That influences farmers like David Reed who has 2,700 acres of land in Dooly County. He says if shellers don’t offer at least $750 a ton he won’t plant peanuts.
“You’ve got too many crops that’s competing with peanuts. You know they’re talking about $850 corn possibly and you know cotton staying around .90 to a dollar. So, I don’t think you’ll see peanuts just go wall-to-wall peanuts.”
Reed says if the drought continues many farmers may plant more drought-tolerant crops like cotton or nothing at all.
