USDA Accepting Applications for August Trade Mission to Colombia

WASHINGTON—U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Bogotá, Colombia, from Aug. 13 to 15, 2024. USDA is now accepting applications from current and potential U.S. exporters who have an interest in joining the delegation. “Colombia represents a top-tier food and…

As nut products continue to show strong growth in the snack category, flavored pecans have emerged as a consumer favorite, driving intentional and impulse sales at grocers, convenience stores, and retailers. Pecan Nation and South Georgia Pecan Company, both multi-generational Georgia pecan companies, have recently joined forces in a move that will expand production, ensure…

The National Pecan Shellers Association reported the passing of Jerry Dowdy, owner of Atwell Pecan. “Jerry was a longtime NPSA member and former chairman. He was a respected leader in the pecan shelling industry and will be missed,” the NPSA shared in an email announcement. The Dowdy Family is receiving flowers, a tree planted in…

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will conduct a referendum May 10 through June 10, 2024, for eligible domestic producers and importers of pecans to decide whether to continue their research and promotion program. Current producers who have domestically produced 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans (25,000 pounds of shelled pecans) and current importers…

The Georgia Pecan Growers Association hosted its 59th annual Educational Conference and Trade Show at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia, from March 19 to 21. GPGA kicked off the first day with a golf tournament, skeet shoot tournament, and welcome reception. On March 20, conference attendees and vendors gathered at the Georgia National…

The last several years have been tough for pecan growers with lower prices and higher input costs, and I know most growers are looking for ways to reduce their input costs. To determine where to make the best cuts in your expenses, it helps to understand where you are spending money entirely. For example, do…

The April 2024 Classifieds feature available equipment, property, trees, services, and more from industry members. These classifieds can also be viewed at the back of the April 2024 issue.

Farmers and ranchers have modified their agricultural production practices over time in response to many factors. Agricultural producers in 18th century Britain, facing an increasing population needing to be fed, began to adopt mechanical production improvement to increase farm production. Labor shortages in the United States are attributed to the development of mechanical technologies in…

Even in the face of higher grocery prices, America’s health-obsessed consumer culture isn’t waning. That means it’s a great time to market pecans’ surprising and unique nutrition package. But while the American Pecan Promotion Board activates health-focused marketing campaigns this spring, we have to continually ask: What will consumers want next? And what more can…

Pecan South April 2024 advertisers share their products and services between the pages of this issue. Below, we present a full list of our April 2024 advertisers and their contact information.

Vivipary—also known as germinated or pre-germinated pecans—is one of the major challenges of producing pecans in low-elevation and warm climates. In these regions, such as parts of Sonora, Mexico, up to 50% of the crop germinates early.  The presence of germinated pecans strongly impacts the value of the product. A kilogram of shelled pecans without…

My grandfather, Ernest “Tug” Nesbitt, lost the tip of one finger in a shop accident working with a table saw. It was a minor injury, one that only slightly disfigured his fingertip, but nonetheless, it was something that he lived with for the rest of his life. Many people have endured the absence or loss…

Pecan industry members gathered March 3 to 5 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, for the Western Pecan Growers Association’s 58th Annual Conference and Trade Show at the Las Cruces Convention Center. The event kicked off with a BBQ lunch Cookout and Corn Hole Tournament. Attendees visited with vendors in the Trade Show portion of the…

SOMERVILLE, TEXAS—The Pecan Breeding and Genetics Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) recently completed a 2.5 million dollar laboratory modernization to accelerate pecan breeding through innovations in genetics and plant disease research. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on March 26 to commemorate the completion of the project. Pecan trees represent…

In recent communications with pecan growers, a prevalent concern has emerged regarding the susceptibility of pecan crops to spring freeze events. Spring freeze, when opening flowers are exposed to freezing temperatures resulting in the failure to bear fruit, poses a significant threat to pecan production in nearly all pecan-producing states. Spring freezes occur approximately three…

Position Description Assistant Professor and Extension Horticulture Specialist: Emphasis in Pecans—El Paso, Texas Position Description: The AgriLife Research and Extension Center in El Paso, TX and the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX seeks outstanding applicants for a non-tenure track Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist position in horticultural sciences with…

It is undeniable that Mexico’s culinary scene is vast. Our culinary traditions, vibrant flavors, ancient ingredients, and produce and seeds that grow year-round present a promising landscape for different nuts, especially pecans. Snacking has always been part of Mexican consumers’ lifestyles; snacks are not something that simply helps them get through the day but also…

Pecan South March 2024 advertisers share their products and services between the pages of this issue. Below, we present a full list of our March 2024 advertisers and their contact information.

Dear Readers, Well, I fell down the rabbit hole and landed in a pecan orchard. After almost 20 years in the pecan industry, my husband and I took the leap and purchased a small place in Central Texas. The land currently has both native and improved variety pecan trees on it, and we are in…

USDA Announces Section 32 Purchase for Pecan The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently announced a solicitation for 6.2 million pounds of pecans for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. Purchases will be made under the authority of Section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, with the purpose…

Driving export opportunities is a significant area of focus for the American Pecan Council. In particular, India presents a great opportunity to reach a growing, heavily vegetarian country where general awareness about pecans is low, but interest in nuts, especially U.S. nuts, is high—not just for cultural holidays, weddings, or gift-giving, but for nutritious snacking…

Of the many tasks a grower must manage throughout the year, proper nutrient management is a must for a successful pecan orchard or grove. A balance of proper nutritional levels will provide the best conditions to produce a consistent crop. Management not only impacts the production of a high-quality crop but is closely associated with…

The March 2024 Classifieds feature available equipment, property, trees, services, and more from industry members. These classifieds can also be viewed at the back of the March 2024 issue.

As the dawn of a new pecan season rises, there is a bit of a reason for optimism. Of course, every farmer, especially pecan farmers, is an eternal optimist, but it appears the weather pattern may be changing a bit. Areas have received rain and the landscape looks better, but lakes, rivers, and wells are…