Last week I had a conversation with a farmer about a product applied at mid-season that was being promoted as a product that would increase yield by 500 pounds per acre. If someone promotes a product that shows that much of an increase (500 pounds is 10% of a 5,000 pound per acre crop), it would be a good idea to ask to see data that demonstrates this yield increase (See Peanut Notes No. 36 2023 for ideas on what constitutes a good experiment.) Over the years, I have seen only a few inputs and practices that affect yield this much, either positively or negatively. Digging peanuts 10 days early can result in this type of yield difference. Letting defoliation reach 50 to 60% before digging can result in a major yield decrease. Applying paraquat on peanuts with significant thrips damage can cause major losses. Not controlling Sclerotinia blight in a field with a lot of this disease can cause a major hit in yield. Being late in controlling weeds can cause a yield hit in this range. However, in my experience a single product applied once or twice a year that is promoted to increase yield would have a more modest impact on yield or would only have an impact occasionally. We certainly have not looked at all of the products that are available but we have looked at many of them over the years. A ten percent yield increase on peanuts is hard to come by. Some products might cause a 5% yield increase 20% of the time. It takes a lot of research to fine-tune when the 5% might occur.