Abstract
An alternative system for handling farmer stock peanuts in and out of warehouse storage was evaluated and compared to conventional handling systems. The potato handling system provided significantly less mechanical damage and improved peanut value than conventional handling methods. Loose shelled kernels and sound splits were decreased by 1.83 and 4.00%. respectively, by more gentle handling of the peanuts (P≤0.05). Thus, the potential for aflatoxin contamination during storage was reduced. Economic analysis revealed that investment costs of the potato and conventional handling systems were similar. The analysis revealed that the net value of peanuts from a 3629-t capacity warehouse could be increased by $23,758/yr by investing in potato handling equipment instead of conventional handling equipment when constructing a new warehouse. However, it is probably not economically feasible to convert the handling equipment of an existing conventional warehouse to the potato handling system.
Author notes
1This research was carried out under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between ARS, National Peanut Research Laboratory and Spudnik Equipment Co., Blackfoot, ID. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the USDA or Auburn Univ. and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be available.