In the Furrow
Peanut hay - What should we do?
By Will Duffie County Extension Coordinator

Every year as the peanut harvest begins, folks start asking questions about whether they

should bale peanut vines. Many farmers which produce beef cattle and peanuts have been feeding peanut hay

for many years. Poor hay and grazing conditions over the past 3 years have further enhanced the need for quality feed for beef cattle across the southeast U.S.

The decision to bale peanuts must be made prior to harvest. Peanut combines are designed to spread the peanut vines evenly behind a combine. If baling the vines, doors must be attached to most peanut combines to create a windrow. Then the vines can be baled shortly after the peanuts are harvested.

As a rule, peanut vine yields are about 1.5 times the actual peanut yield. This translates into 3,000 pounds of hay per 2,000 pounds of peanuts on a per acre basis. Peanut varieties that produce a lot of vine can increase vine yields to 1.7 times the peanut yield.

One of the main concerns for baling peanut hay is the removal of nutrients in the peanut vines and leaves. There is no firm data on nutrient removal from the current varieties grown, but from previous research data, updated with today's fertilizer prices we can estimate about $60 per acre in removal of nutrients from baling peanut hay.

The nutritional valve in peanut hay is high in quality. Bales sampled from Burke County during the 2006 growing season show an average crude protein of 10.5 percent and the TDN in the mid-60s. This hay can be fed to dry or lactating cows, but must be monitored due to the high fat content. The only sure way to know its quality is to sample the hay.

Proper baling and storage is critical when dealing with peanut hay.

For more information contact the UGA - Burke County Extension Office at 706-554-2119.