Restoring Production Profitability Field trials show an increased profit by adopting recommended management practices

摘要

Can Virginia-type peanuts survive after a 41 percent reduction in market value and a 72 percent drop in planted acres since 2002? That is exactly where the crop ended up in 2006 after four years under the current Farm Bill. In 2002, Virginia planted 58,000 acres of peanuts with an expected market value of 600 dollar per ton. Upon approval of the 2002 Farm Bill, the market value of Virginia-type peanuts fell to a market loan rate of 355 dollar per ton or 41 percent. Immediately thereafter, the peanut acreage in Virginia dropped to 35,000 acres in 2003 and 2004, 23,000 acres in 2005 and only 16,300 acres in 2006.