After a dry period during the second and third week of May, rainfall increased across much of the region, beginning during the weekend of May 23. However, the amount of rainfall was variable, with some areas receiving less than 0.5 inches and others receiving over four inches. Averages in Table 1 do not reflect the variation more locally in the peanut production region. Forecasts show possible rain through the end of this week and into the weekend of May 30. At least 90% of peanuts are planted across the region as of May 25. Almost all plantings should be in place by the end of May.

Plant stands are good across most of the region. The exception is some fields that were planted in early to mid-April. Air temperatures have warmed, and when combined with soil moisture, weeds are beginning to emerge through preemergence herbicides, especially when plantings were in early May with limited or no rainfall for the next three weeks for herbicide activation.

At the current time, growers are applying herbicides to control emerged weeds and applying insecticides to protect peanuts from thrips feeding and transmission of tomato spotted wilt virus. Over the next two weeks, growers will begin considering applications of gypsum on Virginia market types and in some cases runner market types. Replanting decisions are currently being made, although replants will not be needed in most fields.

Yield potential across the region is 4,200 pounds/acre (4,704 kg/ha).