As peanut planting begins, South Carolina growers have new tools from the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service designed to improve efficiency, reduce uncertainty and increase profitability.
The 2026 South Carolina Peanut Production Guide and accompanying AI-powered tools and farm calculators help producers make better decisions throughout the growing season.
Peanut remains one of the most management-intensive row crops, where timing and input decisions directly impact returns. Clemson Extension peanut specialist Daniel Anco said success comes from execution, not just investment.
“It’s about doing the basics on time and getting the most out of every dollar invested,” said Anco, who is housed at the Clemson Edisto Research and Education Center near Blackville, South Carolina.
A practical, research-based guide
The updated production guide, available online only, compiles the latest research on varieties, disease control and weed management. It also includes updated crop cost comparisons to support budgeting decisions.
Designed to be easy to use, the guide turns complicated research into clear, practical steps producers can follow. It includes step-by-step recommendations tailored to South Carolina conditions, along with tools such as fertility checklists and simplified fungicide guides.
A season-long management calendar walks growers from pre-planting through post-harvest. A top 10 list highlights core practices such as crop rotation, soil testing, irrigation management and disease prevention.
“The 2026 peanut production guide brings together the latest research, field data and practical recommendations,” Anco said. “Using this information can help producers grow higher-quality, more profitable crops.”
AI tools bring real-time insight
Clemson is also expanding its digital capabilities through the AgriView AI Image Analysis platform, offering three tools for peanut growers:
- Peanut Scout: Leaf Diagnostics — identifies disease symptoms, pesticide injury and nutrient deficiencies from images of peanut plant leaves.
- Pod Probe — estimates peanut maturity using images of pod-blasted peanuts.
- Peanut Yield Estimation Tool — predicts yield from images of inverted, windrowed peanuts.
“These tools aim to reduce uncertainty and provide real-time insights during critical stages of the crop cycle,” said Kendall Kirk, director of the Clemson Center for Agricultural Technology, also located at the Edisto REC.
Calculators support day-to-day decisions
In addition to AI tools, Clemson Precision Agriculture calculators and web apps help growers fine-tune operations and financial planning. Tools include:
- Digger conveyor speed calculator — provides operators with a tool to measure conveyor speed when in-cab conveyor speed readouts are not available.
- Peanut yield estimator — estimates yield based on the number of pods counted in a given windrow length. Virginia-type peanuts average 1.8 grams per pod, and runner-type peanuts average 1.2 grams per pod.
- Field drying forecaster — predicts the moisture content of windrowed peanuts based on location-specific weather forecasts. It assists farmers in scheduling digging and combining operations to optimize harvest timing, reduce drying costs and minimize the risk of freeze damage.
- Loan rate calculator — helps calculate peanut loan rates based on grade.
Together, these resources help turn recommendations into measurable, farm-specific decisions.
Supporting a key South Carolina crop
Peanut remains a major crop in South Carolina. The U.S. Department of Agriculture South Carolina State Agriculture Overview shows that in 2025, farmers produced an estimated 313 million pounds across about 90,000 acres, valued at nearly $65 million.
Planting typically runs from early April through late June, with optimal timing between May 1 and May 15.
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