US: Improved soil moisture boosts peanut hopes

Soil moisture conditions are much improved over 2023 as Texas and Oklahoma peanut farmers start planting the 2024 crop. “Conditions are a lot better than last year at this time,” says Oklahoma State University Integrated Pest Management Specialist Maxwell Smith, Altus. “Last year, West Texas had received half of an inch of rain from January through April,” says Texas AgriLife Extension agronomist Emi Kimura, Vernon. “This year, according to data from the weather station at Brownfield, we’ve had 2.5 inches. “That’s much better,” Kimura says. “I still want to see more rain, but this is much better.” The Texas Rolling Plains and other peanut-growing areas also have better soil moisture prospects. “It was raining last night (May 1) in the Rolling Plains, and the forecast in the West Texas, Seminole area shows they are expecting more rain this weekend.” In Southwest Oklahoma, around Altus, Tillman County, Harmon County, and Greer County, they received a good rain May1, Smith says. “So, ...