Before the Drop, Pecan Crop Estimates for 2018

The 2018 Texas pecan crop at pollination and pecan nut casebearer (PNC) stage looks outstanding. At this moment, it appears that the crop is going to be big, very big, possibly the largest crop ever. However, we can easily lose the entire crop to a number of sources. Every pecan grower in Texas and the…

Planting resistant cultivars, planting on elevated land, and improving the orchard’s airflow are three key factors in managing pecan scab. However, for existing orchards, it is too late at this point in the season to do much about these variables. So, we are left with the most direct line of defense—fungicide application. Regarding this route…

Several years ago, I submitted an article on leafcutter ants and thought it was a good time to remind growers of this pest that can be found in Texas, Louisiana and the northeastern states of Mexico. Overall, leafcutter ants are not a big issue, but if they’re in your orchard they become one. For this…

This is the second of a planned bimonthly series of articles describing the mission and operation of the U.S. Pecan Growers Council (USPGC) and its work in developing overseas markets for American pecans. Following an article in the April issue, this article will dive into the Council’s work in China. For more than a decade…

Superfood Pecan Tacos From Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN with the American Pecan Council Ingredients 1 cup raw pecan halves or pieces (or lightly toasted) 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil 1/2 medium onion, diced (about 1/2 cup) 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (or low sodium tamari) 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon oregano 1/2 teaspoon chili powder…

Darrell Sparks’ legacy at the University of Georgia spans more than 50 years and includes the release of eight patented pecan cultivars and research focused on the development of new and improved pecan varieties. For his contributions to Georgia’s pecan industry, Sparks is the 2018 recipient of the University’s Inventor of the Year Award. A…

Texas has many, many native pecan trees. In fact, we like to claim that the pecan originated in Texas! These trees are located on some of the very best pecan soils in the world—deep, well-drained, fertile and typically with a static water table at about 20 to 25 feet. However, in the grand scheme of…

No two years are the same. I heard this statement growing up, and now that I have lived a little life I can say I’ve seen this play out in my own life. It’s certainly a versatile saying with many variables, but perhaps its meaning is most applicable to farmers and small business owners. For…

The final week of National Pecan Month ended with a flurry of marketing and promotional activity as the pecan industry’s first-ever consumer-facing brand made its debut. Consumers coast to coast, along with our industry, have been introduced to American Pecans, The Original Supernut—a new brand identity and consumer education initiative created by the American Pecan…

It’s no secret that pecan growers have benefited from higher than normal prices for the last several years. As a result, many growers have increased their pecan acreage and replaced less productive trees and varieties with more productive ones. Unfortunately, the laws of supply and demand dictate that the natural outcome of high prices is…

Back in October, I opened the door to article submissions and pitches. Here at Pecan South, we’re working hard to meet all our readers’ needs and wishes. Our staff has been connecting with new potential contributors, and we’re hoping to bring even more pecan-related content to you soon. But the thing about Pecan South is…

On the morning of April 5, growers throughout Central Texas gathered in the tiny town of Goldthwaite for the annual Central Texas Pecan Short Course. Hosted by Mills County AgriLife Extension Service, the Central Texas Short Course provided local growers an opportunity to earn a total of three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and to re-learn…

May is another time of year that can feel like a transition. Pecan growers across the country sit on the cusp of the 2018 crop. With this month, we’ve officially entered the part of the season where our focus and energy is needed now more than ever. Sure, harvest is when we hope to truly…

As I was preparing to write this article, I was pondering what to write about this month but then mother nature gave me an unexpected and unwanted topic. Over the weekend of April 7 and 8 temperatures across the northern pecan production areas dropped below freezing. With budbreak having started on several trees in southern…

As we travel through the pecan passage of time, we learn much and develop a production system for our operation. Young or old, rich or poor, beginner or expert—we all develop the best system for our trees. Since there are many pecan techniques and variables, we should never generalize as to what should or should…

Smoky Pecan Dip From Jessie Snyder, Faring Well, through the American Pecan Council Total 30 minutes Ingredients 1 cup fresh pecan halves 3 cups chickpeas, rinsed and drained 2 cloves garlic 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 heaping teaspoon smoked hot paprika 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Sea salt, to taste 1/4 to 1/2 cup filtered…

Well, as I sit down to write tonight, it is early April. Spring is here…right? During this first week of April, the forecast was in the low 40s in Louisiana, and the weatherman said there would be over a foot of snow in the northern U.S. by the end of the week. During the last…

Conducted by researchers at Tufts University, a new pecan study was recently published in Nutrients, an open access peer-reviewed scientific journal. This study, titled “A Pecan-Rich Diet Improves Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” examined the link between eating pecans and risk for cardiometabolic diseases in adults who were…

The American Pecan Council met in Dallas, Texas on April 16 and 17 to conduct business. A total of 25 councilmembers were in attendance. During the meeting, the members voted to fill two open council positions. Adam Harrell of Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts will take on the East Alternate Large Sheller position, while Steve…

Kids across America are in great anticipation this month. The weight of school responsibilities has worn their welcome thin, and it’s about all teachers can do to keep their students’ attention for the next several weeks. I’m certainly not a teacher, but I can sympathize with the struggle they are facing. After all, I’m facing…

During the growing season, there are several major nut feeding insects—such as pecan nut casebearer and pecan weevil—whose occurrence in an orchard can be anticipated and treatments are applied based on damage threat. Although these two pests are generally considered the two most important pecan feeding insects and as such can have a tremendous impact…

The country was introduced to American Pecans: The Original Supernut™ on April 25—and consumers may never look at pecans the same way again. The goal of this first-ever national campaign developed by the American Pecan Council is to help consumers realize that pecans are super nutritious, super delicious and super versatile. It’s a new brand…