By Lindsay Stevens
This story was originally published in PQ 50.
Today, when you think of the farm one of the first images that pops into your head is a tractor or a combine. But have you ever thought of how peanuts were harvested before the invention of these time-saving pieces of technology? Let’s explore the evolution of peanut farming equipment and practices.
Pre-American Agricultural Revolution
In the 1700s, oxen and horses pulled crude, wooden plows, which were inefficient for harvesting peanuts. All sowing was done by hand, with farmers using hoes for cultivation, sickles for cutting hay and grain and flails for threshing. The introduction of the cast-iron plow in 1797 was a significant breakthrough, allowing farmers to till deeper soil, thereby enhancing crop yields and making it easier to cultivate crops.
In 1819, the iron plow with interchangeable parts, which not only simplified repairs but also reduced downtime for farmers, enabling them to maintain their equipment more easily. The introduction of steel saw blades in plows in 1834 further improved tilling efficiency. In 1837, John Deere and Leonard Andrus began producing steel plows that could cut through tough prairie soils. The development of practical threshing machines shortly followed, which laid the groundwork for future mechanized equipment.
This surge in production not only increased farmers’ need for cash but also encouraged the rise of commercial farming. In 1847, the onset of irrigation techniques in Utah marked the beginning of systematic water management. The two-horse straddle-row cultivator patented in 1856 made it easier for farmers to work between rows of crops, increasing efficiency and reducing labor costs.
The First American Agricultural Revolution
From the early 1860s to 1875, the shift from hand power to horsepower characterized the first American agricultural revolution. The introduction of gang plows and sulky plows—plows that allowed the operator to sit while working—marked a significant advancement in farming efficiency. In 1868, steam tractors were tested, though they were not widely adopted until later. The spring-tooth harrow, introduced in 1869, allowed for better seedbed preparation, leading to more consistent planting results.
Around the early 1900s George Washington Carver became a transformative figure at the Tuskegee Institute. He discovered numerous uses for peanuts, promoting crop diversification and sustainable farming practices in the South. His advocacy for crop rotation and soil conservation techniques greatly improved agricultural practices and contributed to the restoration of depleted soils, highlighting the importance of biodiversity in farming systems.
The early 1900s also saw the establishment of the first business solely focused on tractor manufacturing, which marked the beginning of a new era in agriculture. The passage of the Smith-Lever Extension Act in 1914 created a national extension service to educate farmers, which remains influential today.
By 1918, small prairie-type combines with auxiliary engines were introduced. The period from 1920 to 1940 marked the gradual increase in farm production and the widespread adoption of mechanized power, with the popularization of all-purpose, rubber-tired tractors.
The Second American Agricultural Revolution
The second American agricultural revolution, spanning the 1940s to the 1970s, marked the definitive shift from animal power to tractors, and an overall increase in technological practices. This transformation led to sharp increases in productivity per acre. In 1951, organic chemicals were discovered to protect plants against deficiencies, and by 1954, the number of tractors on farms exceeded that of horses and mules for the first time in history.
The 1970s saw the rise of no-tillage agriculture, which minimized soil disturbance and helped curb erosion. By the 1980s, more farmers adopted low-till and no-till methods, a trend that continued to grow in popularity. Although the 1980s were a challenging decade for many farmers due to economic downturns, by 1989, the sale of farm equipment began to rebound, with an increase in low-input sustainable agriculture (LISA) practices that reduced chemical applications.
The 1990s ushered in an era of information technology and precision farming techniques. In 1994, farmers began using satellite technology to track and plan their farming practices. Conservation tillage methods gained traction, leaving crop residues in the field to combat erosion and improve soil health.
The 21st Century
Today, farming is more sophisticated than ever. Tractors equipped with GPS technology can guide themselves with remarkable precision, creating stored maps of fields that optimize planting and harvesting efficiency. Farmers can irrigate their fields remotely via smartphone applications, enabling them to manage their crops from virtually anywhere. Precision agriculture techniques, including soil moisture sensors and drone monitoring, allow for more efficient use of resources, ensuring that farming can adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and population growth.
The journey of peanut farming—from hand tools to cutting-edge technology—highlights a remarkable transformation. Each phase of this evolution demonstrates a commitment to improving efficiency, productivity and sustainability, setting the stage for the future of agriculture.