Spring 2026
David's Blog
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June 2, 2026
Early stands are looking good. Some fields were planted as early as mid-April this year and they got off to a slow start due to cold and windy conditions. But they seem to be taking off now. Most fields were planted in May and I expect most acres will be planted by June 6th. Stands look good, I haven't seen or had any reports of seedling disease issues this Spring.
May 7, 2026
Planting time is here! Although soil temperatures are cool today, there are already a few planted fields. Remember to keep your seed tags with the lot numbers so you know where each variety and lot is being planted.
If you have seedling disease issues and want to submit a seedling sample to the OSU Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Lab to check for or identify seedling disease you can go to the OSU PDIDL website: How To Submit a Sample. Often with seedling disease it is best to take the samples directly to the laboratory at OSU use this Diagnostic Request Form. For seedling disease samples it often works best to place the infected seedlings in a small paper bag (lunch sack), and then place the paper bag inside a plastic bag (1 gallon ziplock bag). Also, you might send some unplanted seed along with the sample in case the lab wants to see if there is disease already on the seed prior to it being planted. Also, it often a good idea to send some soil from the area where the sample is being collected. If you have questions there is a phone number on the bottom of the Diagnostic Request Form.
If you want to check the germination on your seed you can contact:
Sterling Seed Testing, Inc.
Karen and Blaine Smillie
11937 U.S. Highway 81
Dover, OK 73734
Office: 405-828-7447 Cell: 405-863-8683
Email: sstqh1@pldi.net
OSU does not have a seed germination lab at Foundation Seeds and sometimes they forward samples to this location - so it will speed results up to send them directly to Sterling Seed Testing. You will want to contact them before shipping to find out how many seed to send, how to package, and the best way to ship.
April 6, 2026
2026 Peanut EXPO was held on April 2nd at the Stafford Air & Space Museum in their new conference room. We had a great conference in a great facility. Lucas ‘Luke Blaustein President and CEO gave us an uplifting presentation on an aggressive plan to increase U.S. peanut exports. Dr. Marshall Lamb talked about the current peanut market situation in the U.S., and Dr. Amy Hagerman provided an update on the Farm Bill and other program opportunities that may be coming down the line to assist farmers in these stressful economic times. The Oklahoma Peanut Improvement Team gave us the results on their 2025 research trials and a survey of research needs was provided by Dr. Fairis to help determine the future projects that might be coming.
The ‘I Dig Peanuts Award’. Our first ever I Dig Peanuts Award went to Shelley Huguley, Editor of Southwest Farm Press. The award read: In recognition of your valuable contributions to promoting Oklahoma Peanuts and Oklahoma Peanut. The Oklahoma Peanut appreciates the work that Shelley in bringing agriculture and agriculture information to us all.
Also, we said goodbye our friend Anthony Reed as he resigned from serving on the Oklahoma Peanut Commission. Anthony served 21 years and traveled thousands of miles to attend peanut events and quarterly meetings. We appreciate all he has done.
Oklahoma Peanut Commission Annual Meeting: Following the EXPO the OPC elections were held for District 1 and District 2. Skipper Bates of Lookeba, OK was elected to District 1 and Mark DeLeon of Erick, OK was re-elected to serve District 2. Mark is also serving as the Oklahoma Delegate to the National Peanut Board.
March 24, 2026
Spring is Here and Contracts are Out.
With a worldwide massive peanut supply it is no surprise that peanut contract prices are down. I don't know how long contracts will be available so peanut growers should contact their buying points ASAP. Most growers have already made their cropping plans for 2026.
Oklahoma Peanut EXPO is April 2nd. AGENDA
We have had several people Google the date of the Oklahoma Peanut EXPO and get the wrong date and in some cases wrong location. If the article says 'AI Summary" at the top, don't count on the information being correct, the incorrect date and location has been coming from AI Summaries.
We will start the EXPO registration at 8:30 am and continue until 2:30 pm. We have 1 ODAFF Private Applicator CEU for the afternoon session. Also, we have 3 excellent door prizes that will be given away after the meeting (thanks to our sponsors).
We will then have an OPC election for 1 West District Commissioner and 1 East District Commissioner. Followed by a Dicamba Training at 3:00 pm, which also provides 1 ODAFF CEU. It will be a busy day.
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