Texas peanut growers adjust to market and weather in 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency peanut acreage report released Sept. 11 shows about 145,000 acres of peanuts planted this year in Texas, down from 2025.

Several factors drove the shift, said Emi Kimura Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon and professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. The biggest factor was an exceptional 2025 crop, which left a larger-than-normal supply of peanuts and put downward pressure on prices.

Two other considerations were more favorable prices on other commodities at planting time and the weather outlook, Kimura said. Peanuts require good moisture, and the state was entering a very dry period, so many producers chose to plant more drought-tolerant crops as a result.

Bob Whitney, Regents Fellow and AgriLife Extension organic specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Stephenville in the Department of Agricultural Economics, reported organic peanut acreage followed the same trend, falling 25% from 2025, as prices for organic peanuts dropped 25%.

A long stretch of heat

Growers who planted peanuts had to manage a demanding summer, because peanuts slow their activity when daytime highs rise above 95 degrees. Temperatures stayed above that mark from July 21 through Sept. 18 in much of the peanut-growing regions, Kimura said, so they experienced about 60 days of continuous stress.

A few days dipped into the 80s, but not enough to break the stress. And nighttime temperatures stayed high as well.

“The peanuts just didn’t get a rest,” Whitney said.

Low disease pressure so far

The hot, dry weather brought one clear benefit. High temperatures and low humidity kept disease pressure low this season.

Kimura said the only disease issues were minor leaf spot damage and pod rot in an early planted trial in Wilbarger County and some spider mite pressure in drought-stress trials at Stephenville. This could mean producers with drought-stressed fields faced similar challenges.

Recent rainfall and cooler nights offered relief from the heat; however, she warned these conditions can also create a favorable climate for disease.

If harvest is still several weeks away, producers may need to treat fields. Growers who have noted diseases in a field during previous seasons should be extra cautious. Kimura advised growers to check chemical labels before applying.

Harvest outlook

Some producers in the Rolling Plains and West Texas have begun digging, depending on crop maturity. South Texas growers will likely wait until the end of October or November.

With rain in this week’s forecast, Kimura said the majority of peanut digging will begin once fields dry out. At the same time, producers are keeping an eye on the approaching colder weather and possible frost to time their harvest.

She said the overall quality will become clearer after harvest. Yields should be good where growers had irrigation water and managed it well. The crop needed more water this year than in past seasons, she said, but most growers did not have enough to keep up.

That challenge is exactly why Texas A&M AgriLife Research breeders like Johnny Cason, Ph.D., at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Stephenville, are developing drought-stress tolerant peanut lines. His work aims to give Texas producers more options in dry years ahead.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Panhandle

Cooler, wetter weather moved across the district, and widespread rains stopped fieldwork. Precipitation totaled about 1 inch in most areas, with amounts varying from just under 0.5 inch to more than 4 inches. Some of the district still needed more rain. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Corn was in very poor to poor condition, and forage choppers continued to harvest remaining fields of later-planted corn. Sorghum and cotton were in poor to fair condition. A few fields of forage sorghum that reached desired growth and maturity were chopped for silage. Most cotton fields were on track for slightly earlier maturity as lower- to mid-canopy bolls opened, which reporters attributed to the run of 100-degree days during August. Growers sowed more acres of wheat and oats ahead of the rain. Livestock, pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to good.

South Plains

A storm system moved through over multiple days and delivered 1-4 inches of rain across much of the district. Several areas reported more than 4 inches while other parts of the district remained dry. Cooler temperatures came with the moisture, and topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to surplus overall. Fieldwork stopped once the rain began. Corn and sorghum were in very poor to fair condition, and harvest of both stalled in wet fields. Cotton was in very poor to fair condition and continued toward maturity. Cotton harvest ramped up in some areas while producers elsewhere prepped harvest equipment. Peanuts were in good condition and nearing maturity. Winter wheat planting was underway but paused due to the heavy rain. Preparations for planting winter small grains were expected to continue once fields dried. Showers helped winter wheat, pasture grass and stock tanks in some areas. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to fair, and forage availability remained inadequate to support grazing. Livestock conditions were very poor to good.

Rolling Plains

Hot, humid days continued with spotty rain across much of the district. Rain totals ranged from trace amounts to nearly 0.75 of an inch. Temperatures were moderate. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate, and the rain did little to change the overall drought conditions. Cotton was in very poor to poor condition, and irrigated fields began opening on a few acres. Most dryland acres were lost. Corn was in very poor to poor condition, and sorghum conditions were very poor. Winter wheat planting picked up, with many producers dusting seed into the field ahead of forecast rain. There was concern that the light rain could sprout seeds without supporting strong stand establishment. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to fair. Livestock conditions were very poor to good, and cattle were fed cake and hay due to poor grazing. Calves continued to be moved to market while cattle producers tried to hold breeding animals in hope of a wetter fall.

North

Hot, dry weather persisted through most of the week before a cool front lowered temperatures. Rainfall was uneven, with large amounts in some areas and little to none in many locations. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Pond and stock tank levels dropped. Fire danger increased, and burn bans were being considered in more counties. Corn was in good to excellent condition, and harvest was nearly complete. Sorghum and soybeans were in fair to good condition. Sorghum harvest was nearly finished, and soybean harvest was well underway, though some late-planted bean fields were struggling. Cotton was in fair to good condition, and harvest was taking place. Winter wheat was planted with minimal emergence, and most of the planted acreage was for grazing only. Cooler temperatures allowed planting of some fall vegetables, while wheat and rye planting was delayed until October in some areas. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to fair. Livestock conditions were fair to good. Feral hogs remained active.

East

Hot, dry conditions continued across most of the district, though temperatures cooled late in the week. Rainfall was limited and spotty, with some areas catching a shower and the majority receiving none. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Topsoil moisture declined further while subsoil held in areas that caught significant rain earlier in the month. Pond, lake and creek water levels fell, and some small ponds were reduced to mud puddles. Fire hazard remained very high, and burn bans stayed in effect. Mature trees showed signs of severe moisture stress. Hay cutting continued under favorable drying conditions, and some hay producers hoped for one more cutting. Infestations of fall armyworms were reported, and pasture mealybug was found in the district. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to good. Livestock conditions were poor to excellent. Producers fed hay ahead of schedule and supplemented with cubes and protein to hold body condition. Despite this, some cattle lost condition. Sale barns were reporting high volumes of cattle. Feeder steers and heifers of all weight classes averaged $7-$10 higher per hundredweight than the previous week at one market. Slaughter cows weakened $3-$6 per hundredweight, and slaughter bulls rallied about $4 higher per hundredweight. Markets elsewhere were steady to slightly lower. Fall calving was underway, and those cows required supplemental nutrition. More producers planned to plant winter forage crops. Feral hogs used ponds and creeks and did considerable rooting in pastures. Deer hunters filled feeders and planted small grains and food plots.

Far West

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity settled over much of the district, and rain reached many areas. Totals ran from a couple of tenths of an inch to as much as 4 inches, with 1-3 inches common in many areas. Temperatures climbed back into the 90s following the rain. Other areas got little moisture and stayed hot and dry. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Cotton was in very poor to good condition. Harvest began slowly, and sporadic showers kept a few producers out of fields that were ready to strip. Dryland cotton yields harvested so far were disappointing. Bolls were small enough in some areas that the crop may not be worth the harvest cost. Corn was in very poor to fair condition and sorghum was poor to fair; with harvest of both complete in some areas. Winter wheat planting was underway. Pecan harvest was expected to start after a good freeze. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to good. Brown pastures greened up, and strong range grasses started growth where 1 inch or more rain fell. Pastures elsewhere were bare, and haygrazer was in poor condition. Livestock conditions were poor to good, and producers continued to feed both livestock and wildlife.

West Central

Warm, dry weather held through most of the week, with highs in the mid-90s and slightly cooler temperatures than the previous week. Isolated showers fell late in the week and delivered significant rain to some areas. Topsoil moisture levels were very short to short, and subsoil conditions were very short to adequate. Drought conditions persisted, and forecasts called for good rain chances. Cotton was in very poor to fair condition, with some acreage considered a loss. Sorghum was in very poor to fair condition. Small grain fields were being prepared, and some winter wheat and oats were being dry planted in anticipation of rain. The pecan crop looked decent. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to good and continued to decline, with forages severely drought stressed and little to no hay production for the week. Livestock conditions were poor to good. Cattle looked fair, with many producers feeding hay. Runoff rains were needed to refill tanks for livestock. Cattle prices were lower for some classes and steady to higher for others.

Central

Extremely dry conditions dominated the district, with highs still reaching the 100-degree mark in some areas before temperatures dropped late in the week. Scattered rainfall and pop-up showers were highly variable, and parts of the district saw only very light sprinkles. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to surplus. Stock tank levels dropped rapidly in many areas, though some operations reported no significant decline. Fire danger remained elevated as dry vegetation and low humidity increased. Cotton was in poor to excellent condition, and harvest continued. Corn was in poor to good condition and harvest was mostly complete. Sorghum was in fair to good condition. Small grain fields were being prepared, and wheat and oats were being dry planted. Pecan harvest was expected to kick off in the next week or two. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to fair, with dryland pastures not providing much grazing. Hay production largely stalled, and producers were trying to find hay to purchase. Pasture mealybug infested pastures in several areas. Livestock conditions were very poor to good. Producers continued supplemental feeding and managed livestock for heat stress. Cattle markets rebounded with slight improvements in prices, and sheep and goat markets held steady.

Southeast

Record high temperatures and extreme humidity levels continued, with one cooler day in the high 80s that did not hold. Conditions were dry across the district, and rain was in the forecast for the coming week. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to surplus. One area that caught as much as 5 inches of rainfall from an earlier tropical system stood out against parched ground that was cracking elsewhere. Burn bans were in place in many counties. Rice was in good condition, and first-crop harvest was complete or finishing within days. Corn was in good condition, and harvest was done. Cotton was curing ahead of harvest. Ryegrass ground was worked and planted. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to good, and livestock conditions were fair to good.

Southwest

Hot, dry weather continued with temperatures at or above normal, except for two days when cloud cover lowered temperatures. Spotty showers and thunderstorms reached a few areas, but much of the district received no precipitation. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to short. Fire hazard remained high, and the Dry River fire was fully contained after burning nearly 9,000 acres. Corn and sorghum harvests were complete. Cotton was in fair to good condition, and harvest began slowly, with many farmers expected to harvest early to avoid reduced yield and quality. Fields were being worked in anticipation of winter pasture plantings, while producers without irrigation waited on adequate rainfall to plant fall crops. Pecan production continued with few challenges present. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to good and declined under heat stress. Pasture mealybug had a major impact in several areas, though pastures formerly dominated by King Ranch bluestem were seeing native grasses reestablish. Livestock conditions were poor to good. Livestock grazed remaining forage and received supplemental feed, and fall shipping continued as breeding season began.

Coastal Bend

Hot, dry conditions persisted, with weekly temperatures still in the high 90s. A few small showers greened up scattered areas, but no widespread rain fell. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to short, and fall fieldwork was delayed by dry, hard soil. Cotton was in poor to good condition, and harvest was nearly complete in much of the district, though late-planted acres were expected to carry harvest into late October. Gins ran around the clock, and round modules were arriving at gins. Corn and rice harvests finished. Sorghum was in poor to good condition, and soybeans were very poor to fair. The last of the cotton and sorghum plantings may not make a crop and could be zeroed out. Soil preparation for winter pasture continued, though some producers slowed because of high diesel prices. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to good and continued to decline. Some pastures with low stocking rates were holding in fair condition. Haying was slow and needed rain to finish the season strong. Livestock conditions were very poor to excellent, and hay supplementation continued for some herds.

South

Hot, dry and humid conditions persisted, with temperatures around the 100-degree mark most days before moderating late in the week. Scattered and spotty showers reached parts of the district; hHowever, most of the district saw no measurable rain. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Much of the Lower Rio Grande Valley remained in extreme to exceptional drought. Cotton was in fair to good condition, and harvest was complete in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and continued elsewhere. Ginning had concluded in some areas. Corn and sorghum harvests were complete. Peanuts were in good condition, maturing under irrigation, and early planted acres were harvested. High fuel costs delayed tillage and left farmers waiting on a rain to begin fall fieldwork. Cool-season vegetable planting began on limited irrigated acreage, and some producers used herbicides to keep fields clean ahead of rainfall. Hay fields remained under irrigation ahead of the next cutting. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to good and continued a steady decline, with irrigated improved pastures the exception. Prickly pear was yellowing and wilting. Livestock conditions were very poor to good. Stock tank levels ran low, and producers hauled water and feed. Supplemental feeding of hay, cubes and protein continued at a high rate for both livestock and wildlife, and hay and feed were in great demand. Cattle markets were mixed and depended largely on the auction barn. Calf prices increased 10-20 cents per pound for lighter calves and 2-5 cents per pound for heavier calves, while slaughter cow and bull prices declined another 5-10 cents per pound. Prices held steady across all classes at some markets and decreased at others. Whitetail bucks began scraping velvet and were approaching hard antler stage.