This year’s Panhandle Row Crop Short Course took place on Thursday, March 1, 2018.  Extension Specialists from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama spoke to attendees providing production recommendations and various management tips for row crops farmers. Continuing education units (CEUs) were offered at the event for those with a restricted use pesticide license (Florida, Georgia and Alabama), as well as for Certified Crop Advisors. A total of 115 people came out for this year’s event, that number consists of attendees from eleven Florida counties, three Georgia counties, and four Alabama counties. The event featured nine presentations and a trade show of 17 companies and organizations that provide products and services to the industry.

The focus of the Short Course was primarily on peanut and cotton production, but did overlap to other crops regarding fertility, pest management, and the market outlook. Speaker topics included an update from the Florida Peanut Producers Association, information regarding peanut varieties, cotton varieties, weed management, pest management (insect, disease, nematode), market outlook, and early season fertility. The following recap provides a short summary of what was discussed by each speaker, as well as direct links to download PDF (printable) versions of the presentations given at the event.

http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/phag/2018/03/09/highlights-presentations-from-the-2018-panhandle-row-crop-short-course/

Tyler started farming on his own in 2005, beginning with watermelons but moved to growing peanuts in 2012 on 70 acres and plans to expand.  He also maintains a small commercial herd (50) of cattle.  He has been working in peanuts all his life.  He began working full-time in 2007 with a local peanut and cotton farmer where they farm more than 1000 acres.

He enjoys experiencing the crop progression, from planting a seed in May to the harvest in September.  He has always wanted to be a farmer, even though people encouraged him to pursue other options.  Growing up surrounded by agriculture in Santa Rosa County has given him a lifelong appreciation for farming.

Tyler is dedicated to serving his community any way he can.

• FFA Alumni Association—working on fundraising and increasing opportunities for local FFA youth
• Jay Volunteer Fire Department Captain
• 2014-2016 Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Team
• EscaRosa Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Team
• Farm Credit Nominating Committee

Tyler says farming keeps him busy, but giving back to the community that has helped him is important.

Farming has changed dramatically since he started.  Technology, in terms of seed and equipment has become more complicated.  He says that environmental concerns have greatly increased, and farmers are actively doing more with less.  He says that tightening up pesticide and fertilization application rates have a positive impact for the environment and for the farmer’s bottom line.  He is impressed by the accuracy of precision agriculture, and how the planting of peanuts has become more fine-tuned, and how swath control on sprayers saves money, time, and overspray.  He readily has adopted Best Management Practices and has signed up through the FDACS BMP program.

He has implemented research-based practices, including nighttime spraying, utilizing recommended varieties, and the Peanut Rx program for disease control.  Tyler says the “Most important thing you put in your field is your own shadow.”  He scouts his own fields and makes decisions based on what he sees.

With the ever-changing issues facing agriculture, Tyler says that taking advantage of every educational opportunity available is crucial.  He attends meetings and conferences, reads trade articles, visits with other producers, and goes online to see the most updated information.

Congratulations to Tyler Brown of Jay, FL as the Farm Credit/FPPA 2018 Young Peanut Farmer of the Year Award winner.