SC plants record peanut crop this year - WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

SC plants record peanut crop this year

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina has planted a record peanut crop in 2012.

The state Department of Agriculture says that South Carolina farmers planted a record 105,000 acres of peanuts this year. That's more than 10 times the number of acres planted in the state just a decade ago.

On average, this year's peanut crop is yielding nearly two tons to the acre.

Agriculture officials say they've hired more than five dozen peanut inspectors to help with this season's grading process.

Officials say there are 420 peanut farmers in 14 counties across South Carolina. The state ranks fifth in the nation in peanut production.