Drought was a common theme for peanut producers in the Lone Star State this year and though 13% more acres were planted to the crop this year, yields were around 11.5% lower in that key state, according to USDA data. Farmers planted 190,000 acres this year, up 25,000 from 2019, but average yield was 2,700 pounds/acre compared to 3,050 last year. The main reason was major drought conditions that hampered yield potential even on irrigated acres. Then, a freeze event in late October inflicted damage to the crop, both in the ground and those that had already been dug. Though prices are fairly low — $424/ton for runners and $428 for Virginia peanuts — domestic and export demand is rising. And low market prices make farmers who signed up for USDA Price Loss Coverage (PLC) eligible to receive payments based on annual production history. See more on this year’s Texas peanut growing season.