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Not all peanuts are equal. They do not mature at the same time. The only way to know if a peanut variety within a field is maturing at a normal pace is to run a hull-scrape maturity profile. The hull scrape method helps to insure both maximum yield and maximum grades. With the hull-scrape method, the thin, outer- layer of the shell is scraped off. The hue of the remaining shell is compared to a color profile board. The darker the hue, the more mature the peanut is. The hull-scrape method is a service offered by the University of Georgia Extension, and it is still the best way to determine the maturity of peanuts. One Mitchell County grower's results tell the value of the system. In 2005, net return to the grower using the hull-scrape method resulted in a net increase of $39.50 per acre. Based on the grower's total 2005 peanut production, a net increase of $23,700 was gained by using the hull-scrape method to optimize timing of peanut maturity versus estimating days to maturity. In 2006, the total value of the grower's peanut crop based on yield and grade was $629.83 per acre produced. These results from the 2005 and 2006 peanut harvest season clearly demonstrated to the grower the value and importance of properly assessing peanut maturity using the hull-scrape method to optimize grade, yield and increase net return on investment.
