Determining when to dig peanut is one of the most important steps in maximizing yield, quality, and profitability. To assist peanut producers and extension personnel, a Microsoft Excel workbook has been developed to evaluate potential yield gain by harvesting at the optimal time based on information from pod sampling prior to harvest. The user starts by enter the number of samples they have collected and projected peanut selling price. Using the sample number, a table is generated with a data line for each sample. Required data for each sample includes a sample name, sample date, total acres represented by sample, expected yield per acre, and days before optimal digging based on sample pod blasting. Based on the input data, the optimal digging date, percent potential yield gain, potential yield gain, economic gain per acre, and total economic return for the area represented by the sample are calculated and displayed to the user. Potential yield gain is determined by using the days before optimal digging and performing a table lookup which returns the percent potential yield gain. The percent potential yield gain is then multiplied by the expected yield to get the potential yield gain. Economic returns are then calculated using the potential yield gain. The data table used to look up percent potential yield gain covers a period thirty days and less to optimal digging and contains information on percent potential yield gain per day. Finally, to visualize the percent potential yield gain related to days before optimal digging, a graph with the curve using a gradated background representing pod color can be viewed by the user.
Instructional Video (8:39 min)
Related pod sampling videos- Hull Scrape Method Video 1 (3:30 min)
- Hull Scrape Method Video 2 (3:37 min)
- Pod Blasting Method Video 1 (5:20 min)
- Pod Blasting Method Video 2 (4:48 min)