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After almost two decades of dedicated research and development, the long anticipated commercial use of afla-guard was launched during this year's peanut growing season. The bio-competitive method for reducing and controlling aflatoxin in peanuts was applied to approximately five thousand acres under a coordinated program between Circle One Global, the USDA/ARS National Peanut Research Lab and participating shellers and growers. This revolutionary, naturally-occurring technology was developed by the research lab, located in Dawson, Georgia and is exclusively licensed for worldwide distribution by Circle One Global, with general offices and manufacturing plant located in nearby Cuthbert, Georgia.

This year's production began on June 15, after receiving the final approval of registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on May 28. Due to receiving the regulatory approval from the EPA so late in the growing season, production was limited for the initial year of commercial use.

 The product is applied approximately 60 days into the growing cycle, hence the limited production time for meeting application deadline. However, the company is prepared to meet the demands with full production scheduled for 2005. Peanut farmers will have the option of dispensing Afla-guard by aerial application beginning next growing season, which is much more economical than ground application. Circle One Global is seeking final approval from the EPA for application by airplane or helicopter.

In each of the treated locations, there was additional non-treated acreage designated as companion plots. Joe Dorner and his staff at the National Peanut Research Laboratory obtained samples from the treated plots as well as the designated non-treated plots. This method was chosen to create a true comparison for the post-harvest evaluation of both the treated and controlled plots. A final evaluation will be made upon the removal of these peanuts from warehouse storage and when they are shelled-out. Dorner will be finalizing the data into report form, early next year.

As samples were collected from buyer point locations during harvest time, reports of unexpected additional benefits in treated fields began to surface. Several farmers noticed a decrease in limb rot and white mold with the plants treated with Afla-Guard. Other observations included comments such as: "overall healthier plants, compared to untreated". Rena Giles, a farmer from Fort Gaines stated, "I think there was a considerable increase in yield, and a considerable lack of disease in my treated plants".

As a result of some of the grower's claims concerning a reduction of white mold and limb rot in peanuts treated with Afla-guard, Joe Dorner, Microbiologist for the National Peanut Research Lab said, "We will pursue a scientific explanation through data research in 2005 in an attempt to quantify these claims."

With the possibility of these additional benefits, Afla-Guard may prove to be another indispensable tool for growing high quality peanuts. Quality nuts, higher yields, and lower aflatoxin levels can lead to increasing market share.
Reprinted by permission from the Georgia Peanut Producers Association, Peanut Patriot magazine, Winter 2005 issue.