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Agronomic Crops tool

Peanut Field Drying Forecaster

About this tool

Peanut Field Drying Forecaster

Estimate how windrowed peanuts may dry after digging using local hourly weather forecasts, plan digging and combining around a target kernel moisture, and identify forecast periods that raise freeze-damage concern.

Use this tool to estimate how windrowed peanuts may dry after digging, using local hourly weather forecasts. After peanuts are dug and inverted into windrows, field curing brings kernel moisture content down before combining, but the pace depends on the weather. This decision-support forecast uses published drying models and forecast weather to estimate how kernel moisture may change over time. Use it to plan digging and combining around a target kernel moisture, and to see whether a cold spell could put peanuts at risk of freeze damage.

What you enter

Enter the measured or assumed kernel moisture at the digging date and time you select, along with the field ZIP code. The selected time is usually when peanuts were dug, but it can be the most recent time you knew the kernel moisture. Select a target kernel moisture that fits the remaining harvest work, upcoming weather, field history, crop condition, harvest capacity, and your drying and combining schedule. A target is a planning choice, not a recommendation from this tool.

How the forecast works

The forecaster estimates how kernel moisture may change for inverted peanut windrows, starting from the initial kernel moisture you enter. For each forecast hour it uses the forecasted air temperature and relative humidity to estimate equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of the ambient air: the moisture level peanuts would approach if air conditions stayed constant. The selected drying-rate factor determines how quickly the forecast moves toward EMC. The model treats precipitation as re-wetting, and after a predicted increase in moisture the following dry period uses a higher drying rate. All visible moisture inputs, targets, and results are kernel moisture content, which runs several percentage points below whole-pod moisture.

Freeze damage risk

Cold-weather injury can occur when high-moisture peanuts are exposed to freezing temperatures. The risk depends on kernel moisture content at the time of the cold event, the temperature and duration of exposure, field conditions, and the practical timing of harvest. Use the optional freeze-risk rule to flag forecast hours below your selected temperature threshold. When you also select a kernel-moisture threshold, an hour is flagged only when both conditions occur.

Limits

A forecast is generally more reliable closer to the decision date. If conditions change, or the decision is an important one, check the current forecast and run the tool again. This tool is based on models, and actual drying will vary. Peanut maturity, vine and canopy condition, soil and surface moisture, sun, wind, local weather variation, rainfall timing and amount, harvest capacity, equipment, labor, and potential yield losses all affect the best time to combine. The model may perform poorly at extreme temperatures or relative humidity, and during significant rainfall.

References

  1. Anco, D. (2021). Peanut money-maker 2021 production guide. South Carolina State Documents Repository.
  2. ASABE Standards. (2021). D245.7 Moisture relationship of plant-based agricultural products. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE.
  3. Colson, K. H., & Young, J. H. (1990). Two-component thin-layer drying model for unshelled peanuts. Transactions of the ASAE, 33(1), 241-246.
  4. Cundiff, J. S., & Baker, K. D. (2009). Curing quality peanuts in Virginia. Virginia Tech Extension Publication 442-062.
  5. Kirk, K. R., & Fogle, B. B. (2016). Characterization of equilibrium hull and kernel peanut moisture contents and peanut moisture prediction as a function of measured conductance. Presented at the 2016 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Orlando, Florida, July 17-20, 2016. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE.
  6. Steele, J., & Wright, F. (1981). Computer simulation of peanut drying in a windrow. Transactions of the ASAE, 24(6), 1637-1642.
  7. Young, J. H. (1977). Simulation of peanut drying in inverted windrows. Transactions of the ASAE, 20(4), 782-784.

Authors: C. Burkett, J. Breland, A. Turner, B. Teddy, K. Kirk, H. Massey, F. McAlhany

Organizations: Clemson Cooperative Extension; Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology

Last updated: Sep 12, 2026

Suggested citation

C. Burkett, J. Breland, A. Turner, B. Teddy, K. Kirk, H. Massey, & F. McAlhany (2023). Peanut Field Drying Forecaster [Interactive calculator]. CU-CAT Apps, Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology. Retrieved September 12, 2026, from https://apps.cuagtech.com/peanut-field-drying-forecaster

Use and attribution

CU-CAT Apps is developed and hosted by Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology, in partnership with Clemson Cooperative Extension Service.

CU-CAT Apps and its calculators, reports, and results are provided as-is for informational and educational purposes. Accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. Users are responsible for evaluating the source information and outputs and assume the risks arising from their use.

Calculation data. When you select Calculate or Update, CU-CAT may record selected inputs and results to help improve its tools and develop aggregated regional insights. Calculation records do not retain your IP address or precise device location; any regional location used with a record is generalized from the network connection. See the Terms of Use.

Have feedback about this tool or an idea for another application? Send us an email.

Clemson Cooperative ExtensionClemson University Center for Agricultural Technology

© 2023-2026 Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology

QR code for https://cucat.co/pntdryQR: new blank tool
Units
Field and diggingZIP —; 45% to 18% kernel moisture; normal drying rate
Used to request the local hourly weather forecast.
More about thisThe ZIP code is sent to the weather service, and nothing else about you is.
When peanuts were dug, or the most recent time you knew the kernel moisture.
More about thisThe forecast runs 15 days from this moment, and the first row of the results is the hour you enter here.
Kernel moisture at digging, or the most recent measured value.
More about thisAs-dug kernel moisture is often around 40% to 50%. Every moisture on this page is kernel moisture, which runs several points below whole-pod moisture.
How quickly moisture moves toward the equilibrium the weather sets.
More about thisFaster drying suits warm, dry, breezy curing weather; slower suits heavy vines, wet soil, or a cool spell.
The moisture you plan to combine at.18% is prefilled as a planning value, not a recommendation.
More about thisIt varies with remaining harvest work, upcoming weather, crop condition and harvest capacity.
Freeze damage risk (optional)Below 36°F

Drying outlook

Results

Enter the field ZIP code, the digging date and time, and the moisture you are starting from, then select Calculate forecast.

Print or save PDF

About this tool

About the Peanut Field Drying Forecaster

Estimate how windrowed peanuts may dry after digging using local hourly weather forecasts, plan digging and combining around a target kernel moisture, and identify forecast periods that raise freeze-damage concern.

Use this tool to estimate how windrowed peanuts may dry after digging, using local hourly weather forecasts. After peanuts are dug and inverted into windrows, field curing brings kernel moisture content down before combining, but the pace depends on the weather. This decision-support forecast uses published drying models and forecast weather to estimate how kernel moisture may change over time. Use it to plan digging and combining around a target kernel moisture, and to see whether a cold spell could put peanuts at risk of freeze damage.

What you enter

Enter the measured or assumed kernel moisture at the digging date and time you select, along with the field ZIP code. The selected time is usually when peanuts were dug, but it can be the most recent time you knew the kernel moisture. Select a target kernel moisture that fits the remaining harvest work, upcoming weather, field history, crop condition, harvest capacity, and your drying and combining schedule. A target is a planning choice, not a recommendation from this tool.

How the forecast works

The forecaster estimates how kernel moisture may change for inverted peanut windrows, starting from the initial kernel moisture you enter. For each forecast hour it uses the forecasted air temperature and relative humidity to estimate equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of the ambient air: the moisture level peanuts would approach if air conditions stayed constant. The selected drying-rate factor determines how quickly the forecast moves toward EMC. The model treats precipitation as re-wetting, and after a predicted increase in moisture the following dry period uses a higher drying rate. All visible moisture inputs, targets, and results are kernel moisture content, which runs several percentage points below whole-pod moisture.

Freeze damage risk

Cold-weather injury can occur when high-moisture peanuts are exposed to freezing temperatures. The risk depends on kernel moisture content at the time of the cold event, the temperature and duration of exposure, field conditions, and the practical timing of harvest. Use the optional freeze-risk rule to flag forecast hours below your selected temperature threshold. When you also select a kernel-moisture threshold, an hour is flagged only when both conditions occur.

Limits

A forecast is generally more reliable closer to the decision date. If conditions change, or the decision is an important one, check the current forecast and run the tool again. This tool is based on models, and actual drying will vary. Peanut maturity, vine and canopy condition, soil and surface moisture, sun, wind, local weather variation, rainfall timing and amount, harvest capacity, equipment, labor, and potential yield losses all affect the best time to combine. The model may perform poorly at extreme temperatures or relative humidity, and during significant rainfall.

References

  1. Anco, D. (2021). Peanut money-maker 2021 production guide. South Carolina State Documents Repository.
  2. ASABE Standards. (2021). D245.7 Moisture relationship of plant-based agricultural products. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE.
  3. Colson, K. H., & Young, J. H. (1990). Two-component thin-layer drying model for unshelled peanuts. Transactions of the ASAE, 33(1), 241-246.
  4. Cundiff, J. S., & Baker, K. D. (2009). Curing quality peanuts in Virginia. Virginia Tech Extension Publication 442-062.
  5. Kirk, K. R., & Fogle, B. B. (2016). Characterization of equilibrium hull and kernel peanut moisture contents and peanut moisture prediction as a function of measured conductance. Presented at the 2016 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Orlando, Florida, July 17-20, 2016. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE.
  6. Steele, J., & Wright, F. (1981). Computer simulation of peanut drying in a windrow. Transactions of the ASAE, 24(6), 1637-1642.
  7. Young, J. H. (1977). Simulation of peanut drying in inverted windrows. Transactions of the ASAE, 20(4), 782-784.

Authorship and attribution

Authors: C. Burkett, J. Breland, A. Turner, B. Teddy, K. Kirk, H. Massey, F. McAlhany

Organizations: Clemson Cooperative Extension; Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology

Last updated: Sep 12, 2026

Suggested citation: C. Burkett, J. Breland, A. Turner, B. Teddy, K. Kirk, H. Massey, & F. McAlhany (2023). Peanut Field Drying Forecaster [Interactive calculator]. CU-CAT Apps, Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology. Retrieved September 12, 2026, from https://apps.cuagtech.com/peanut-field-drying-forecaster

CU-CAT Apps is developed and hosted by Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology, in partnership with Clemson Cooperative Extension Service.

CU-CAT Apps and its calculators, reports, and results are provided as-is for informational and educational purposes. Accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. Users are responsible for evaluating the source information and outputs and assume the risks arising from their use.

Continue your work

Legacy sitePeanut Digger Conveyor Speed CalculatorSet up the digger before peanuts enter the windrow-drying period this tool forecasts.Legacy sitePeanut Loan Rate CalculatorValue the crop after harvest, once the drying and combining decision is made.