Pruning Management in Ice-Storm Damaged Pecan Trees

Ice storm damage is one of the major factors limiting pecan production in Oklahoma. Throughout history, ice storms have struck Oklahoma several times and caused the loss of millions of dollars (Smith & Rhola, 2009). The latest severe ice storm in October 2020 damaged many pecan orchards in central Oklahoma; the severity of the damage…

Bryan, TX—The Texas Pecan Growers Association would like to assist Texans in finding farm-fresh pecans this season by providing a Trail Map identifying many specialty retail stores selling pecans. Whether you are looking to find a store close to home or during your holiday travels, use the Holiday Pecan Trail Map to find pecans, gifts,…

As I sit down to write this article, I am in the midst of preparation for an OSU Extension’s Native Pecan Field Day on the evaluation and management of native pecan groves. So, I think now is a good opportunity to discuss some of the tasks you should be doing as we near another native…

“I’m not going back,” I told myself as I drove up to my pecan barns in late July. The trees looked good with a strong nut set and were much less stressed than last year despite the 103-plus F temperatures we experienced the last few months. We had no rain recently, and the dryland row…

Farm Bill Delays Authorization for Farm Bill programs expired on Sept. 30. U.S. House and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committees are busy drafting legislative text for the 2023 Farm Bill. However, it is unlikely that there will be any movement on the legislation until after the appropriations process is finished. The timeline for the 2023 Farm…

Harvest is a time of gratitude and hard work, and it’s with that spirit that I began as Chief Executive Officer of the American Pecan Council (APC) and American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB) on Oct. 1. These two organizations are dedicated to growing demand for your pecans here and around the world so that we…

Pecan South‘s November 2023 Marketing Guide provides a list of pecan buyers from across the industry who are looking to purchase nuts from the 2023 crop. Download the complete 2023 Marketing Guide from our November issue here. Many pecan growers use this guide as a reference when looking for pecan buyers and processors. Spots fill…

Harvest is upon us, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner! While the industry is hard at work, we are kicking off our newest holiday campaign, the United States of Pie, which puts a fresh spin on pecan pie to ignite new interest and conversations during this critical sales season. The integrated marketing effort inspires…

Dear Readers, Each day new pecans fall from the trees and enter barns and warehouses across the Northern Hemisphere. Elsewhere in the world, trees bloom with catkins and flowers and new growth, readying next year’s crop. As the season continues here in the United States and Mexico, we celebrate another harvest and give thanks for…

WASHINGTON—The U. S Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide more than $3 billion to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2022. Eligible impacted producers can apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022. The program will help offset the financial impacts of crop yield and value losses…

From the Renfroe Family John W. (Jake) Renfroe, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 21, and we know he awoke in heaven to find his Daddy and Mother, two sisters Joyce and Gail, and brother Frank, whom he loved so much and had gone before him. Born on December 19, 1931, Jake…

NEW YORK – The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Southern University Ag Center) are partnering to enhance NMSDC’s Acres: Cultivating Equity in Black Agriculture program. As part of the partnership, the Southern University Ag Center will provide instructors and course material for the Acres 12-week…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell and the U.S. Standards for Grades of Shelled Pecans to reflect current industry descriptions and practices. The proposed changes would replace the current grades with U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy, U.S….

On November 4, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin collecting assessments on imported pecans. Under the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order, 7 CFR 1223, importers who import 50,000 pounds or more of inshell pecans (25,000 pounds or more of shelled pecans), on average for four fiscal periods are required to pay…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of seven members to serve on the American Pecan Promotion Board. Six appointees will serve three-year terms, effective Oct. 1, 2023, through Sep. 30, 2026. One appointee will serve the remainder of a vacant position, effective immediately, and expires on Sep. 30, 2024. Appointed members serving three-year…

Mr. Hatcher was a pecan farmer and beloved longtime member of the Texas Pecan Growers Association. Throughout his time in the industry, he was known for his contributions to pecan research and Extension at Texas A&M. From the Hatcher Family It is with great sadness that we announce our father, Wiley H. Hatcher, passed away…

Over the past year, the collective efforts of the American Pecan Council (APC) and partners have culminated in a surround-sound success for America’s pecan growers and processors. APC’s collaborative endeavors to reach healthcare professionals (HCPs), fueled by passion and perseverance, have established APC as a trusted resource. Through ongoing investment in the healthcare professional audience…

Pecan South‘s October 2023 Marketing Guide provides a list of pecan buyers from across the industry who are looking to purchase nuts from the 2023 crop. Download the complete 2023 Marketing Guide from our October issue here. Many pecan growers use this guide as a reference when looking for pecan buyers and processors. Spots fill…

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

Dear Readers, Harvest is in full swing! Growers across Texas, Oklahoma, and the Southeast are shaking trees and bringing in new nuts. While some growers enter their orchards with hope and optimism, others prepare for a difficult season and work to recover. Climate-related hardships have impacted pecan growers across the country—extreme heat and severe drought…

To cap off the summer, the American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB) activated custom-branded taco trucks at popular farmers’ markets in Dallas, Atlanta, and Chicago. At an in-person trial, consumers sampled Al Pastor-style Pecan Tacos highlighting pecans’ versatility and showcasing how they serve as a nutritious, natural, plant-based protein. On-site consumer feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with…

When managing insect problems on pecan, there is that handful of species causing most of the damage we try to limit. With this handful of enemies we face, it is hard to see their purpose for the greater good. The consternation they cause certainly dissuades our perception of them as ever being beautiful creatures with…

The first human-to-human heart transplant was performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, in December of 1967. The heart recipient lived a brief eighteen days after that operation. Still, the procedure laid the foundation for critical human organ transplant surgery to become a viable practice for saving lives. According…

National Pecan Shellers Association gathers for 2023 Annual Meeting in Austin The National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA) gathered in Austin, Texas, for its 2023 Annual Meeting on September 14 and 15 at the Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel. Attendees visited with each other, spoke with exhibitors, and heard from a variety of speakers. The…