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Good Year for Georgia Pecans, Bad for Peanuts

Georgia's tobacco and pecan crops are on pace for a surprisingly good year, but above-normal temperatures have taken a toll on peanuts and cotton. Pecan trees are alternate-bearing, meaning they produce a full crop every other year; most trees in Georgia are on the same cycle and this was supposed to be an "off" year for pecan production, but Georgia farmers will likely produce 75-80 million pounds, double what has been produced in other off years. Extreme heat in July and early August hurt peanut plants' ability to set peanut pods. Yield is expected to be 3,300 pounds per acre, or 7 percent less than last year. [University of Georgia Cooperative Extension]

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