Peanut Maturity Update – 8/28/25

by | Aug 29, 2025 | Field Crops, Peanut

The aGDD Tracker below shows the number of adjusted Growing Degree Days (aGDDs) accumulated by 72 fictional fields (8 locations x 9 planting dates) as of 8/28/25. Real temperature and rainfall data from each location is used as well as common soil types for the areas (Jay – sandy loam, Marianna – loamy sand, Marianna Irrigated – sand, Monticello – loamy sand, Live Oak and Bronson – sand). Medium maturity peanuts reach physiological maturity after the accumulation of approximately 2,500 Growing Degree Days and the aGDD Tracker quantifies their progress. Use the Tracker to approximate how your fields are progressing by following the field that are the most similar to yours in terms of planting date, location and irrigation status. If the aGDD value shown for your field is black (under 2,300), it’s probably not time to dig. If it’s yellow (between 2,300 and 2,500), you’re getting close; it’s time to pull samples and pod-blast to fine tune your harvest timing. Orange (2,500+) means it’s likely time to harvest, but pod-blasting is always the best way to know for sure.

For more precise tracking of your fields, go to PeanutFARM.org and set up your fields in the system. You will be able to enter field specific rainfall/irrigation data and soil type. Temperature data will come from the closest FAWN weather station. If you are interested in setting up your own peanut fields on PeanutFARM.org, don’t hesitate to contact me for assistance.

 

aGDD Tracker for the Florida Peanut Producing Region – 8/28/25 edition

The aGDD Tracker is compiled from data generated by PeanutFARM.org. The dark blue bars, in the cells behind the aGDD values, indicate progress towards 2500 aGDDs. The bar extends to the right as aGDDs are accumulated. The entire cell will be dark blue when a field has accumulated 2500 aGDDs. It is recommended that fields be sampled, and exact days-to-harvest be determined via pod-blasting once a field reaches 2300 aGDDs.

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Looking at the current aGDD Tracker you can see that the early planted, irrigated fields are showing that they have already reached or passed physiological maturity well before the 140-day rule-of-thumb we use for medium maturity peanuts. While real fields of April planted, irrigated peanuts may have reached maturity, I am somewhat skeptical that they are quite as advance as the Tracker is showing – and that’s on me, not PeanutFARM. I may have gotten a bit carried away with the fictional irrigation data I entered. The aGDD values shown for the irrigated fields represent peanuts that have never experienced a single moment of drought stress and have had zero pest/disease pressure. The aGDD values are the absolute maximum physically possible within the parameters of the temperature data provided by the FAWN Stations – real life probably doesn’t work like that. One more reason why it’s always best to pull samples, bod-blast, and let the maturity profile board have the final say on optimum harvest timing.

Since the 8/13/25 aGDD Tracker (15 days ago) the irrigated fields are averaging around 22 aGDDs accumulated per calendar day and rain-fed fields are averaging around 17 aGDDs accumulated per calendar day (with considerable variation, depending on amount of rainfall). Using these values, the rain-fed fields are all projected to reach 2,500 aGDDs within 5 days +/- of the 140-day benchmark. This is highly susceptible to change, if dry conditions develop/remain and/or if late season pest pressure builds. Stress from drought and pests and even cooler nighttime temperatures (for later planted fields) can all slow down the maturation process. As previously noted, the irrigated fields are all tracking to reach maturity before 140 days, but that may be a bit overestimated.

Mark Mauldin
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