June 14, 2022

Beckham County Area Peanuts 


A quick trip to Beckham County revealed several excellent peanut fields.  Although many areas in the rest of Oklahoma have had too much rainfall, cold temperatures and even some areas of hail, the far West part of Oklahoma has had pretty good weather except for maybe too much wind.  The rainfall received out West came at about .5 to 2 inches per week and made for an excellent start to many peanut fields in the Erick and Sayre areas.  The Photo on the Left  are some very nice Span17s.   The Photo on the Right was taken in a field of Virginia's that was already blooming. 

June 23, 2022

Barry Squires Completes Term as Oklahoma Peanut Commissioner


The Oklahoma Peanut Commission presented Barry Squires with a plaque for serving on the Oklahoma Peanut Commission.   Although Barry has a hectic schedule and he found time to attend OPC Meetings and provided excellent guidance for the Commission as they strive to improve peanut product use and research efforts to improve peanut quality in Oklahoma.  In the photo below L-R  Les Crall OPC Chairman District 3, Barry Squires, Joel Hicks OPC Commissioner District 1, and Ron Sholar OPC Executive Secretary.   


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June 10, 2022

Ag in the Classroom West Oklahoma Road Trip

Melody Aufill, ODAFF Ag in the Classroom Coordinator brought 50+ educators to the farm of Merlin Schantz. Merlin and his sons Ben and Aaron hosted the group as we discussed Oklahoma peanut production.  In the photo below Merlin visits with the group. 


​​June 9, 2022

Rainfall Totals From the Mesonet


Rainfall is slowing wheat harvest and causing problems with emerging crops.  Below is the 10 day average for rainfall as of June 9th. There are heavier numbers in spotted areas but this gives a good idea of where the heaviest areas are. 
















June 1, 2022

Seedling Photos

Some things we are seeing in Caddo County.   Many peanut fields were planted before heavy rains in late May.   Photo on the Left  shows seedlings that were emerging when the rain cooled the soil temperatures and the roots are not sure which way to grow.  The root starts growing down to cool soil temperature, then turn up when the cold rain cools the surface and after the rain they turn back down when topsoil temperatures get warm.   So we end up with the S-Curve seedling you see on the right side of the left photo.   A similar problem but not as severe is the Photo on the Right  where the plant was almost emerged when the cool temperatures came and we end up with a J-Curve.












Neither of these situations are serious, but they do slow plant growth a little at the beginning of there season, so if your plants aren't taking off as fast as you expected this might be the reason.  Be patient, the plants will begin to grow faster very soon.

Strip Till and No Till Photos 

The Photo Below on the Top Left is a field of Strip-Till peanuts, looking  very good and doing a good job of preventing any soil erosion issues.  The Photo on the Top Right is Double-Row No-Till Peanuts.  Both photos taken in the Oney/Albert area, Caddo County.   Bottom Left Photo is Conventional Tillage, Bottom Right Photo is Wind Erosion Control     

​David's Blog Postings from June 2022