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Heightened Production Causes Peanut Pileup

The photo above shows a field of peanuts during the growing season. As a row crop, peanuts take an extremely long time to harvest, making Florida's climate advantageous to production.
The photo above shows a field of peanuts during the growing season. As a row crop, peanuts take an extremely long time to harvest, making Florida's climate advantageous to production.

With the recent November celebration of Peanut Butter Lovers Month, there might be a whole lot more peanut butter t0 love soon. A recent USDA report announced that total peanut production by U.S. farmers in 2015 is expected to surpass that of 2014 by almost a billion pounds.

The increased output comes as a side effect of the 2014 Farm Bill, which cut support for crops like cotton, and instead encouraged the dedication of more resources to other crops like peanut farming.

A majority of this production has strong ties to four states, including Florida. These states churn out about 65 percent of the nation’s peanuts, according to the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

In 2013, Florida was the country’s second-leading producer, with 13 percent of total U.S. output.

But what benefit does farming so many peanuts have? To start, the American Peanut Council noted that aside from being packed with more protein than any nut, peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free.

The council also said one ounce of peanuts contains nearly half of the 13 vitamins needed for body maintenance and growth, and more than a third of the 20 minerals needed. One ounce of peanuts contains about 73 milligrams of resveratrol, a key compound found in red wine that has been linked to preventing cardiovascular disease.

Leslie Wagner, executive director of Southern Peanut Growers, represents Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, the Southern peanut powerhouse.

She said the sandy consistency of soil found in the region and the Sunshine State’s warm weather help create salty success in Florida.

“Peanuts are the longest-growing season of any row crop, besides cotton,” she explained. As a result, they need warm weather and take between 120 days to 160 days to harvest.

Wagner also explained that when you buy peanut butter in the Southeastern region, you’re supporting local farmers because the area doesn’t have to import peanuts.

She said consumption has been steadily increasing for a while, reflecting the growing economic impact peanuts have had on Florida.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the value for production of seven different crops in Florida, including peanuts, totaled $491 million in 2012, which was up from $396 million in 2011.

Ken Barton, executive director of the Florida Peanut Producers Association, provided more insight as to what allows for Florida’s potent peanut production.

He said that Florida’s peanut culture dominates in the Central and Northern areas because in the southern half, other crops, like the citrus industry, get more love. The southern half of Florida also doesn’t have the infrastructure in place, as special facilities are required for storage, harvesting and handling.

“The interest in the farmers of growing peanuts in the southern half of the state is really not there because those farmers have the opportunity to plant a higher value crop,” Barton noted.

He mentioned that there are four main varieties of peanuts: Runner, Valencia, Spanish and Virginia — with Runner being the most popular for peanut butter.

“The oil content and the flavor of the Runner peanut is such that it gives peanut butter the taste that consumers really like,” the executive director explained.

The other variations have different main uses. Virginia peanuts are known as the ballpark peanut, as the shape and size make for a good stadium treat. Meanwhile, Spanish and Valencia are known as confectionery nuts that are used in peanut flour, oil and candies, he said.

“Not that they won’t make good peanut butter, but consumers just like the Runner better,” Barton said.

To settle the classic showdown between creamy or crunchy for peanut butter supremacy, Barton was more than willing to chime in.

“Oh my goodness, I prefer the creamy with honey roast peanut butter. Creamy honey roast — that’s my favorite!”

Justin is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.