Released: Sept. 8, 2025
TIFTON, Ga. – Sixteen farmers were recently announced by the University of Georgia Peanut Team for their high yielding peanuts in 2024. The high yields ranged from 4,145 to 6,095 pounds per acre.
The winners were recognized at a dinner in August which was sponsored by the University of Georgia Peanut Team, the Georgia Peanut Commission, American Peanut Shellers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, AMVAC, Bayer, BASF, Fine Americas and Nichino America.
Many of the high yielding farmers agree that having a good rotation, good quality seed and good weather make all the difference with their yields. Additionally, the timing of applications for disease, weed and insect management are key in achieving high yields.
“Many of the state winners combine their management strategies like crop rotation, variety, planting date and critical timing of applications of pesticides to reach these high yields,” says Scott Monfort, University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist. “The yields are counted for the entire farm, irrigated or dryland; and they continue to increase year after year.”
Another component of the farmers’ success is following recommendations from the Extension service and asking questions.
According to a report on the production practices of the 2024 winners, the majority use a 3-year rotation plan with other crops such as cotton or corn. Most of the winners plant in twin rows during the month of May.
Another trait among the high yield winners is cultivar selection with many of the winners planting the Georgia-06G cultivar. Other cultivars planted by the winners include TifNV-HG, Georgia-12Y and Georgia-16HO.
The 2024 Georgia Peanut Achievement Club overall state winners are Chase Farms, Macon County, with 6,095 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acre category; Reggie Bostick Sr., Mitchell County, with 6,058 pounds per acre and Stilson Farms, Bulloch County, with 6,082 in the 300-699 acreage category, and Sapp Bros. Farm, Mitchell County with 6,089 in the 700-plus acreage category.
The District 1 winners are Caleb Stephens, Webster County, with 4,201 pounds per acre in the 100-299 category, Ben Grimsley, Webster County, with 4,145 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category, and Storm and Kohler Tabb, Early County, with 5,331 in the 700-plus acreage category.
The District 2 winners are TAC Farms, Mitchell County, with 5,087 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category and Jerry and Jeff Heard Farms, Baker County with 5,607 pounds per acre in the 700-plus acreage category.
The District 3 winners are Lane Goss and Barry Martin, Pulaski County, with 5,461 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category, Trevor Cobb, Washington County, with 5,555 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category and Kerry Hodges, Screven County, with 5,772 pounds per acre in the 700-plus acreage category.
The District 4 winners in the 100-299 acreage category are PTH Farms, Grady County, with 4,824 pounds per acre and Clint Webb, Brooks County, with 5,048 pounds per acre. The District 4 winners in the 700-plus acreage category are Clay McKinnon, Coffee County, with 4,832 pounds per acre and Creekwood Acres, Bulloch County, with 5,579 pounds per acre.
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