Video: Preparing To Plant Peanuts

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Monroe County, Miss. (WCBI) – The number of peanut farmers in Mississippi have grown to well over 100 since 2008. Before long it will be planting season again.Monroe County farmer Don Self is busy dicing up hundreds of acres of soil, preparing for what he hopes will be another good season for peanuts, a crop having grown in popularity in the last six years.

 

“It seems to me like through the efforts of the Mississippi peanut growers and national peanut board that a lot of people are understanding that peanuts has a place in Northeast Mississippi,” said Self, Peanut Farmer.

This Hamilton farmer is no nut. In order to get the best yield, Self is careful not to plant too early.

“The last couple of years we planted at around 65 degrees when the soil is 65 degrees fro, a couple inches deep for about three consecutive days. And our germination hasn’t been nearly what we wanted with these new varieties. So this year we decided to wait till the ground is at 70 to 72, maybe a little higher for three days running,” said Self.

With wise planting and management the last week in April/first week in May, plus a little help from Mother Nature, Self is counting on cashing in on this years peanut crop.

“As matter of fact we led all states year before last with four thousand pounds. Georgia jumped up to about 4,500 last year and edged us out a little bit. But we’ve been number one and number two for the last two to three years. Mississippi’s yield has been very very good,” said Self.

Arkansas is the latest state to join the 11 member national peanut board.

 

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