STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University Extension Service says timely rains in early September made a smooth harvest for Mississippi peanuts, a crop that is in high demand due to drought in other peanut-growing areas.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting crop yields at 3,600 pounds per acre — the highest in any peanut-producing state.
Harvest was 70 percent complete by mid-October.
Extension service peanut specialist Mike Howell says the high yield is good news for producers, because prices for peanuts have at least doubled in the past year. However, he says growers may not benefit until it is time to contract for next year’s crop.
Mississippi is relatively new to growing peanuts. The state gets more rain and does not have the disease problems present in some other places.
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