Growing & Diversifying Pecan Production

Many agricultural producers are interested in increasing or diversifying their production operations. Both approaches have benefits and risks. Farmers increase their chance of success if they weigh these potential pros and cons before starting a new venture. So, let’s discuss some benefits and risks associated with different expansion and diversification strategies. Expanding Production Acreage From…

`Since ancient times, farmers have viewed the soil as a source of wealth to preserve and as an indicator of environmental health. For example, the Roman writer and politician Marcus Porcius Priscus (234-149 BCE), better known as Cato, noted in his famous essay “De Agri Cultura” many usual agricultural practices carried on vineyards and olive…

Within the last four years, industry efforts led by the National Pecan Federation have obtained an additional $17 million in funding for the USDA-ARS pecan program and stations in Byron, Georgia; Brownwood, Texas; and Somerville, Texas. These industry efforts to obtain additional funding for the USDA-ARS pecan program have allowed for expanded research to benefit…

A new pecan season is upon us. For the grower, this means anticipation of what this year’s crop may bring. Will the trees set a good crop of nuts? Will crop maturity and harvest be ahead or behind schedule? At this point, these secrets remain hidden within the trees and will begin to be revealed…

Whenever you irrigate your pecan orchards, there are really five distinct fates for that water. “Fates” probably sounds a bit too ominous, but that’s not the intent—maybe think about this as five different “destinies” or outcomes for the water. Here they are. Fate #1) The applied irrigation water could be taken up by the pecan…

Dear Pecan South Readers, Another pecan harvest has finished in the United States; for many, it was not the things dreams are made of. Some saw a good year, but many others are glad to see 2022 behind them.  However, as a new growing season emerges and the industry starts to gather at conferences in…

When I first accepted the position as the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension IPM Agent for El Paso and Hudspeth Counties in 2019, I didn’t know how important they were to the producers. I grew up where pecan trees were for shade and pecan pie was just my favorite pie to eat. I quickly discovered that…

The March 2023 Classifieds feature available equipment, property, trees, services, and more from industry members. These classifieds can also be viewed at the back of the March 2023 issue.

As the economic environment continues to change with higher input costs and decreased farm profitability, we as growers must start looking for ways to lessen our dependency on high-cost inputs. Following regenerative agriculture principles has proven to be an effective way to improve soil health and lessen growers’ reliance on high-cost inputs. By following these…

Pecan South March 2023 advertisers share their products and services between the pages of this issue. Below, we present a full list of our March 2023 advertisers and their contact information.

Retailers’, buyers’, and consumers’ preferences are constantly evolving. These pressures come domestically and internationally as each country sets its own rules and regulations. Regarding international regulations, many countries—including Australia, Canada, and the European Union—have food safety and quality mandates for imported products.  One recent example of international regulations can be seen in the EU Commission’s…

The USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station (SEFTNRS) in Byron, Georgia, was established over half a century ago on May 18, 1970. In this article, we present some of the many key accomplishments from the past 50 years and also a snapshot of current and future research. The SEFTNRS can point to many…

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The India Ministry of Finance has released its proposed 2023 Union Budget and updates to customs duties. Included is a 70% reduction in the import tariff for pecans, from 100% to 30%. This is a significant positive change for the pecan industry that opens the U.S. pecan export market to India. According to recent…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB). Nominees are needed to fill six seats for members whose terms end on Sep. 30, 2023, and one vacant seat with a term that ends on Sep. 30, 2024. The American Pecan Promotion Board seeks nominees for the following…

Dear Readers, I am excited to announce the winner of our fourth annual Harvest Photo Contest—“Dad’s Hands,” taken by Lindsay Holcomb. Lindsay entered this photo of her father Joe Thomas after harvest hoping to surprise him. “Harvesting pecans is something I grew up doing with my dad in Atoka and Bryan County, Oklahoma. We are…

We had so many fantastic entries for our 5th Annual Harvest Photo Contest that we couldn’t help but share them all with you. Participants were able to submit photos from October 15, 2022, to Jan. 11, 2023. The winning photo—featured at the top of this article—appeared on the cover of our February 2023 magazine. Thank you…

Pecan South February 2023 advertisers share their products and services between the pages of this issue. Below, we present a full list of our February 2023 advertisers and their contact information.

Although the calendar shows that we have just started a new year and it is still winter, you wouldn’t know it by the temperatures outside. High temperatures have been running in the 60s and 70s during the first few days of January, but old man winter isn’t done with us yet. With the harvest season…

“We are heartbroken to share the news of Carl Bissett’s passing,” Blair Krebs, Publisher of Pecan South, writes. “Carl was a constant presence in the pecan industry, leading Bissett Specialty Equipment and generously sharing his time with many of the families involved. I was lucky to have known Carl for my entire career, and among…

Pecan has been reported to form a symbiosis with ectomycorrhizal fungi, like truffles (Hanlin et al., 1989, Trappe et al., 1996, Benucci et al., 2012). Since Tuber lyonii ectomycorrhiza is commonly found in pecan orchards, it’s referred to as pecan truffles. Though there are many truffles native to the United States, the pecan truffle is…

The February 2023 Classifieds feature available equipment, property, trees, services, and more from industry members. These classifieds can also be viewed at the back of the February 2023 issue.

Pecans started marketing strong during the holiday season. In the December 2022 article, the American Pecan Promotion Board updated Pecan South readers on the upcoming campaigns taking place throughout the holiday season. Below are the results from those marketing campaigns carried out for pecans during the first quarter of the pecan industry’s current fiscal year,…

As we ponder the 2023 growing season, some serious concerns come to mind. Still, having said that, it is really nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to agriculture and the risks farmers take every year. Many times you have to wonder why they would do it. Reckon it is just something that gets…

Winter is a time of reflection on the past and our dreams for the future. In this pensive season, I’ve been spending time reviewing how different cultivars have been used throughout the history of the USDA Pecan Breeding and Genetics Program. As I look at which cultivars have been used for breeding improved pecans, three…