Dry weather lessons
The nuts produced in the northern portions of the pecan tree’s native range are known for having bright, high-quality kernels that provide the food industry with great tasting ‘topper-halves’. However, northern natives are not renowned for their large nut size. Over the past couple of years, region-wide droughts have had a major impact on our...
Read more2012 in review
The 2012 crop in the East started a month early and it appears that it will end a month early also. By the time you read this, the crop should be in the bag with perhaps some minor clean up in progress. This has been a different year to say the least. This crop has...
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Pecan Truffle Research Underway in Texas
The word ‘truffle’ often evokes an image of elegant culinary items including the expensive garnish or flavoring of fine European cuisine. Although the aromatic, edible fungal fruiting structures that are known as truffles are more often associated with European countries, North America has several species that naturally grow in forests across the continent. One such...
Read morePlanting southeastern orchards for the export market
Like it or not, the new dynamic of export marketing, especially to China, is changing the pecan industry. This is true for growers, accumulators, shellers, processors and consumers, and is unlikely to change barring unforeseen circumstances. So, if you are a grower planting a new orchard, you would be prudent to make yourself aware of...
Read moreINC reports plans for upcoming tree nut projects
For a number of years, the pecan industry has been contributing $50,000 per year to the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation (INC NREF). The pecan industry’s funds have come from the National Pecan Shellers Association, the Texas Pecan Growers Association, Western Pecan Growers Association and the Georgia Pecan Commodity Commission. Other...
Read moreCarry-in stocks total 123 million
USDA’s end-of-September Cold Storage report puts pecan stocks at 123 million pounds, in-shell basis. This Sept. 30 number is utilized by the pecan industry as the “carry in” for the current season. The 123 million compares to 151 million at the end of August 2012. At the end of September last year, the cold storage...
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U.S. Pecans advances presence in European market
The National Pecan Growers Council participated in SIAL Paris 2012, a trade show billed as the world’s largest food industry exhibition, Oct. 21-25. The Paris, France event boasted 140,000 visitors from more than 200 countries; 6,000 exhibitors from 106 countries; 19 product sectors; and 1,500 journalists from 45 countries. This event is held every two...
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U.S.Pecans probes Indian market at Mumbai trade show
Bruce Caris of Green Valley Pecan Company, Sahuarita, Arizona and James Ditmore of New Mexico Department of Agriculture represented U.S. Pecans at the Annapoorna World Food of India trade show in Mumbai, India on Sept. 25-28, 2012. The trade show and visits to the local retail nut market and wholesale nut markets provided some unique...
Read moreNPSA launches Facebook page
The National Pecan Shellers Association has recently launched a Facebook page. Visit the page at www.Facebook.com/ILovePecans . “Like” the page to get regular updates and tips for using pecans. Also recently, NPSA hosted a nationwide media tour to promote the nutritional benefits of pecans for men. Nationally syndicated morning TV show, The Daily Buzz, highlighted...
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Late-season stink bug activity causes problems for some
I think that one of the most disappointing or frustrating aspects of pecan production has to be at harvest when a producer evaluates his/her crop and finds a significant amount of “stink bug” damage. In addition to this frustration, there can be a significant financial loss and a possible loss of a retail market. I...
Read moreThe ‘Desirable’ Pecan
Three Texas pecan buyers have stated the 2012 crop is “the year of ‘Desirable’.” It has produced top quality nuts across the river region from Victoria north to Waco. The Texas A&M pecan orchard ‘Desirables’ are the best ever and superior to all other varieties this year. We have 13 large 75-year-old ‘Desirable’ trees, 40...
Read moreCurrent harvest started early, progressing rapidly
Harvest has moved along at a fairly rapid clip this season after an early start in much of the country. A few Texas growers actually gathered their first ‘Pawnees’ during the last week of August, which they noted was their earliest ever harvest. Most other areas of the country are also reporting early crop maturity....
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