The staff and participants on the 2024 Peanut Tour were given an opportunity most would love to have. They were able to do a walk-through tour of Thrush Aircraft located in Albany, Georgia.

Thrush Aircraft, originally called Rockwell from Olney, Texas, came to Albany in March of 1970. The first crop duster, the Rockwell ag plane, was created in 1970 and quickly became in high demand. Due to high demand, production quickly progressed. Over many years and ownership changes, the name Thrush Aircraft came to life in the early 2000s and is now a leading agricultural aircraft manufacturer.

Throughout the tour, attendees were able to see firsthand how the aircrafts were built from the guts of the motor to the paint on the body and tail. It was a true privilege to see just how these amazing machines were built and the pan power behind it all. But now I can stand firm and say that there are many hard-working men and women who work at Thrush Aircraft who put in long hours to make the machines perform to their best ability. From mechanics to the paint and even a test flight, Thrush Aircraft does it all. My advice to you….take a tour and see what they have to offer!

View the 2024 Georgia Peanut Tour Photo Album.

During a stop at WH Cross Farms in Unadilla, Georgia, Peanut Tour attendees had the opportunity to see first-hand a father and son duo showing the process of harvesting peanuts. WH, the father, has been farming since the 1980s while his son, Jared, has been farming since 2007. They grow peanuts, cotton, and corn.

Agricutlure is an important industry for Dooly County. There are 90,000 acres of cotton and 25,000 acres of peanuts.

Peanut harvesting is a multi-step process. Digging, which is first, is the process of removing the peanuts from the ground, shaking off any excess soil, rotating the plant, and then leaving the plant in rows, allowing the peanut to release moisture before being picked from the vine once dry. Farmers must monitor the maturity of the peanut crop before commencing the important task of digging. If removed from the ground too early, the peanuts will not reach the necessary maturity to meet accepted standards for grading. To reach maturity, the peanut growing period is 140-150 days following planting.

After a few days left to dry, peanuts are ready to be picked. Peanuts are picked with a combine. The combine separates the peanuts form the vine, placing the peanuts in a hopper on the top of the machine and depositing the vines back into the field.

View the 2024 Georgia Peanut Tour Photo Album.

GreenPoint Ag is a farmer-owned supplier headquartered in Decatur, Alabama. With over 100 retail locations, GreenPoint Ag is a leading supplier of crop nutrients, crop protection products and seed and professional products. They provide services to Georgia, Alabama, Arkansans, Florida and other states.

Tour attendees were able to visit GreenPoint Ag’s Cordele location on the first day of the tour. At the stop, attendees had the opportunity to learn about GreenPoint’s high volume fertilizer and chemical retail facility. Throughout the visit, attendees heard from people within the agronomy team, precision ag team and seed team.

View the 2024 Georgia Peanut Tour Photo Album.

The first stop of the 2023 Georgia Peanut Tour was a stop at Davis Farms. Davis Farms is owned and operated by Rusty and Jerry Davis of Decatur County, Georgia. They farm cotton and peanuts and even own their own buying point right in the heart of home. They have had a love for farming since 1986, which was when the journey of Davis Farms began. The Davis brothers purchased the farm for their father and have worked side by side ever since.

This stop highlighted the use of GPS navigation, which allows the farmer to monitor what is happening behind him, all while digging peanuts. GPS navigation is the best investment for a farmer because it helps prevent digging losses by being more precise. TifNV High O/L was also featured on the Davis Farms. This variety is a nematode resistant variety, which is needed in this county where nematode issues are high.

Decatur County, Georgia is a hotspot for agriculture. Peanuts are a top commodity in the county, along with sweet corn and tomatoes. Decatur County is #2 in the state of Georgia for certified peanut acres, with a total of 33,728 acres.

To learn more about peanut production in the state of Georgia, click here.

View the 2023 Georgia Peanut Tour Photo Album.