Peanut Field Drying Forecaster

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This tool was developed to assist peanut producers in decision making and scheduling peanut digging and combining operations.

After peanuts are dug and inverted, the pod moisture content is typically between 45-55%[1]. They are left to cure in the field until the moisture content is in the range of 18%-24%[2], which can take anywhere from 3-7 days, depending on ambient conditions.
Late season digging requires additional consideration in order to avoid freeze damage that results from high moisture peanuts being exposed to freezing temperatures.
This tool was made to assist farmers in decision making and scheduling for peanut digging and harvesting operations.
Enter your ZIP code, and as dug moisture content and the tool will provide you a drying forecast and help determine a good day to schedule combining operations.
You can also input temperature and moisture content thresholds to evaluate the risk of impending freeze damage.
The Clemson University Peanut Production Guide suggests digging can continue when forecasted temperatures are above 38°F. When the forecast calls for temperatures below 34°F diggging should be stopped. In between, the decision is a judgement call based expected moisture, field history, and location [3].

How the tool works:

Given enough time peanut moisture will come to equilibrium with ambient conditions. This is referred to as the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) [4].
If EMC, based on ambient conditions is lower than the current peanut moisture, drying will occur. How quickly the peanuts will dry is based on the difference between current moisture and EMC, combined with a dry-down factor [5].
Several models to predict EMC and dry-down and been developed, but this dry down rate does not account for other weather conditions (ex. windy and sunny). The tool below gives you the option to input a range of dry-down rates.
Models may perform poorly for extreme values of temperature and RH, or if there is significant rainfall. Additionally, these values were based on research conducted in the 1980’s.
These calculators are a work in progress, please report any issues with functionality or the results to the authors. If you use it and have feedback on accuracy, please contact the authors.
This tool forecasts kernel moisture content, rather than the whole pod moisture content. Prior research has shown that kernel moisture content is approximately 5% lower than whole pod moisture content [6].

Highlighting Options:

Utilize these highlighting options to show areas of concern and predict where freeze damages may occur.
Values greater than these two condtions will be highlighted on the forecast table and chart.

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This tool was developed to aid peanut producers in decision making and scheduling peanut digging and combining operations.

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APA Citation:
C.D. Burkett, A.P. Turner, B. Teddy, K.R. Kirk, H.F. Massey, and F.O. McAlhany. (2023). Peanut Field Drying Forecaster. Clemson University Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/agronomy/PrecisionAgriculture/calculators/

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