Industry News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Aug. 31 that eligible pecan growers voted to uphold the Federal Marketing Order (FMO) in the referendum. Because of this decision, the American Pecan Council will continue to be authorized by the FMO to regulate the handling of pecans, build consumer demand, and develop markets for the next…

Growers and shellers who plan to move pecan products around Texas face increased financial penalties starting Sept. 1, 2021, if they violate the “quarantine or rule to protect pecans or pecan trees from diseases and pests.” This quarantine applies to pecan weevil as well. The Texas Department of Agriculture encourages all industry members to familiarize…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food crops due to its link to health problems in children. In a statement released on Aug. 18, the agency stated that it will also revoke all tolerances for chlorpyrifos, “which establish an amount of a pesticide that is allowed on food.” This decision…

SAN ANTONIO – More than 800 Texans threw their hats into the ring, submitting more than 1,200 products ready for the 2021 Quest for Texas Best. From books, beignets, and bottled water, to syrups, sausage, and seasonings, H-E-B’s Business Development and Sourcing Managers reviewed a host of products for potential placement on H-E-B store shelves….

The Agricultural Marketing Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on July 6, 2021, that it is reopening the voting period for the pecan Federal Marketing Order (FMO) referendum being conducted among eligible pecan growers across the Pecan Belt. Learn more about the new voting period here.

Producers to Receive Assistance through the Quality Loss Adjustment Program and Additional Assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus WASHINGTON, June 11, 2021 – More than $1 billion in payments will be released over the next several weeks starting June 15 for agricultural producers with approved applications for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA)…

Dr. Larry Stein, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture specialist in the Department of Horticultural Science and pecan specialist, is one of three faculty members that received high-level campus awards on May 24 from Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students. He is a long-time contributor to Pecan South and considered an authority…

A mirid plant bug has been observed in high numbers on the catkins of some central Arizona pecan orchards. Multiple growers report this for the first time and have expressed concerns about potential impacts to the crop. Arizona Pest Management Center published this rapid communication to provide the limited knowledge we have about this potential…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on May 4, 2021, that it is reopening the signup period for its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. Producers can apply for CFAP 2 at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices. This program offers direct relief to pecan growers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. CFAP’s financial assistance…

The American pecan industry’s official trade magazine, Pecan South, debuts a new free consumer magazine all about pecans on April 14, 2021, this National Pecan Day. Anyone can access this new magazine, called Pieces of Pecan, online for free here. “This National Pecan Day we wanted to bridge the great divide between pecan farmers and…

On January 27, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. The executive order states, “America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have an important role to play in combating the climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by sequestering carbon in soils, grasses, trees, and other…

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension has developed an online survey to gather input from farm owners and workers on their educational needs regarding safety and health on their farms. The survey, which will be online at https://extension.psu.edu/ag-safety-survey through April 30, asks farm managers, operators, staff, and those who work in agriculture about their educational needs relating to youth safety, equipment safety, mental…

In a memorandum sent out on March 8, 2021, the executive director of the American Pecan Council shared the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act Study that was conducted on the FMO with American pecan industry members. Every five years, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires Federal Marketing Orders (FMOs) to conduct a Federal…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture releases its Cold Storage Report for January 2021 at the end of February. The report includes regional and national end-of-month stocks on tree nuts, including pecans, in public, private, and semi-private refrigerated warehouses. Additionally, it provides the record highs years and quantities for pecans in cold storage. For a full…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seeks nominations for the American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB) under the newly established Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order. APPB nominations are due by March 26, 2021. The 17-member board will consist of 10 producers and seven importers. The 10 producer members will be allocated…