Texas peanut producers experienced tough growing conditions in 2022, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
Yields were expected to be below average, but prices were stronger this season. Peanuts were impacted by drought and heat much like most crops across the state, said Emi Kimura, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension state peanut specialist, Vernon.
Texas peanut production is reliant on supplemental irrigation, and water capacities vary from operation to operation. Kimura said low soil moisture, low humidity, extreme heat and windy conditions made it difficult for irrigation to meet crop demand.
Some fields that received around-the-clock irrigation looked good, but will likely produce below-average yields, while others with limited water capacity failed or were expecting very poor yields, she said.
Aside from the drought, Kimura said producers faced few issues. Pest, disease and weed pressure were below average due to the arid conditions, though weeds were becoming an issue in some fields following widespread rainfall.
“The peanut season started off dry, hot and windy, and those conditions were consistent until late-August,” she said. “It has been a tough season.”
Soil moisture conditions remained mostly short. Cooler temperatures and above average rainfall improved pasture conditions, but most areas were still battling extreme drought. Runoff water was still needed to fill dry tanks and riverbeds. Supplemental feeding continued, and producers’ hope for another hay cutting remained high. Livestock were in fair condition. Farmers were done harvesting corn and sorghum and were finishing up the cotton. Ranchers and farmers were preparing to plant small grain crops.