Three producers from the major peanut growing regions of the country were honored Tuesday morning as the 2008 Peanut Profitability Award Winners, presented by Farm Press/Penton Media and the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.
Left to right, the winners are William McElveen of Bishopville, SC; Otis Johnson of Seminole, TX; and Mike Nugent of Willacoochie, GA.
Nugent farms 330 acres in the southern part of Georgia and his 2007 crop was the result of a 14-year rotation. His yield was nearly 5,000 pounds per acre and he says main profitability secrets were “management, no-till doesn’t hurt, and watching inputs.”
Listen to an interview with Mike here:
Mike Nugent (2:00 min MP3)
Otis Johnson says producing peanuts profitably in the Texas southern plains demands efficient water management. “Water is a very valuable resource anywhere, but especially in Texas,” he says. “So, using water in agriculture is basically selling water cheap. Otis averaged 6,600 pounds per acre last year on 523 acres, with one 60 acre field making 7,710 pounds.
Listen to an interview with Otis here:
Otis Johnson (2:30 min MP3)
William McElveen is a farming convert who started out in his professional life as a teacher but soon decided to get back to the land to supplement his teaching. As far as profitability is concerned, he doesn’t recommend cost-cutting because “you might cost yourself more money than you’re saving” but he does recommend seeking advice from the experts.
Listen to an interview with William here:
William McElveen (3:30 min MP3)
Be sure to check out the photo album for more pictures of these winners with their supportive spouses and families, as well as the editors and publishers of Farm Press who make this award possible with the help of many peanut industry sponsors.