Let’s Learn from Zinc Studies this Growing Season

We are rapidly coming upon spring. And for many in the pecan industry, that means zinc. Pecans are uniquely sensitive among nut crops in their susceptibility to zinc deficiencies. This might be a consequence of a higher zinc requirement than some other plant species. Or perhaps it’s due to the kinds of soils that we…

The American Pecan Council, the federal marketing order working to increase the demand and value of U.S. pecans, is pleased to invite nominations for new members to serve a four-year term of office beginning on Oct. 1, 2024. Seats are currently open for five growers, three shellers, one accumulator, and one public member, as well…

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today announced the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, spanning more than 6 million data points about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them down to the county level. The information collected directly from producers…

WASHINGTON—The U. S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing final Emergency Relief Program (ERP) payments totaling approximately $306 million to eligible commodity and specialty crop producers who incurred losses due to natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin issuing these additional payments to eligible producers this week. “In the natural disaster…

I often get asked if we can manage pecans regeneratively and still be productive and profitable. My answer? Yes, we can, but regenerative management will be different for each producer. Each producer will have unique circumstances that will require individualized management practices. Many producers have been seeking ways to reduce input costs while maintaining or…

Dear Readers, I am excited to announce the winner of our Annual Harvest Photo Contest: “Pecan Alley” by Susan Jeter. Congratulations, Susan! Thank you for sharing this photo with us. Readers, you can spot the winning picture on our cover. We received entries from around the world. Pecan growers and industry members captured the beauty…

If you haven’t already, now is a good time to evaluate your goals for 2024 and develop a financial plan that can adapt to what lies ahead. The profitability of orchards will be impacted by several external variables going into the spring season, including variable market conditions and pressures from pests and diseases, which are…

Once a small, regional crop within the southern United States, pecans are now a globally marketed and, indeed, a globally produced crop. Pecans are produced in significant volume in the United States, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Australia, and China. The pecan industry is also being developed in European countries, with commercial…

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

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

According to a recent survey from Forbes Health/One Poll, improving fitness, improving mental health, losing weight, and improving diet were four of the top five resolutions among Americans for 2024. Unfortunately, the survey also finds the average resolution lasts just 3.74 months. Not very long and likely not surprising. However, since it’s February, a very…

We had so many fantastic entries for our 6th Annual Harvest Photo Contest that we couldn’t help but share them all with you. Participants were able to submit photos from October 15, 2023, to Jan. 11, 2024. The winning photo—featured at the top of this article—appeared on the cover of our February 2024 magazine. Thank…

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today 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, to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products…

Fort Worth, TX – In an effort to grow the industry’s global relationships to drive exports, the American Pecan Council (APC) conducted its first reverse trade mission with Indian nut importers in key growing regions. The mission gave importers an up-close, educational look at the U.S. pecan industry and how the full value chain can…

When I tell people that I am a plant pathologist, they always ask how I ended up in this career. The truth is I had no idea that I would find my life’s work in agriculture. My dad was a navigator in the United States Air Force, and my mom was a nurse. We bounced…

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

As the only native tree nut in the United States, pecans are uniquely American. However, the fact that they’re a nutritional powerhouse that has essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants makes them uniquely qualified to meet consumers’ growing demands for delicious and nutritious snack options—particularly abroad.  In fact, consumers in Europe—specifically Germany and the United Kingdom—are…

Dear Readers, I’m writing you from the past. While you open this magazine well into 2024, I’m preparing for Christmas and hurrying to get this issue to print. It’s an odd fact about magazines that to get each issue to you in the proper month, we prepare it the month before. Sometimes it feels like…

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

Agricultural Groups Appeal for Changes to 2022 Disaster Relief and Aid On Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 that provides about $3.7 billion in financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by eligible natural disasters that occurred in calendar year 2022.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released the…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominees for the American Pecan Promotion Board. Nominees are needed to fill five seats for members whose terms will begin Oct. 1, 2024, and end Sept. 30, 2027. The nomination period is open until Feb. 16, 2024. APPB is seeking nominees for the following seats: Three producer seats…

As a native species, pecan is associated with many native beneficial and pest insect species. Granted, there are exotic insect species now established in the U.S. that are associated with pecan and likely will be forever. These include the beneficial multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, and the pestiferous brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys….

Stephenville, TX—The Texas Pecan Growers Association and the Texas Pecan Board proudly announce an innovative collaboration with Tarleton State University to establish the Texas Pecan Innovation Center. This strategic partnership, made possible through the Texas Department of Agriculture Innovation Pilot Project grant, marks a significant milestone in the efforts to enhance resources for Texas pecan…

In the southern part of South America, the summer is approaching, and with that are the worries about having the pecan orchards in suitable conditions to “start the race” for yielding nuts. The good news is that this will be a season with an El Niño event, meaning a wet summer and potentially high nut…