Pecans and cold weather
The winter of 2013-2014 has been the coldest sustained weather in Texas without a warm “Indian Summer” in my 43 years at Texas A&M. At College Station, we have received more than 900 hours of winter chilling requirement below 45 degrees F from October to this date. In addition to the chilling, there have been...
Read moreOSU offers pecan management course beginning March 11
The 2014 Fundamentals of Pecan Management course offered by Oklahoma State University will offer seasoned growers or those new to the industry a wealth of research-based information. The goal of the course is to provide an in-depth experience, both in the classroom and hands-on in the orchard, for current and prospective pecan growers, said Becky...
Read moreDFA offers validation workshop for nut processors
The DFA of California, also known as the American Council for Food Safety and Quality, is offering a validation class for nut processors on April 2 in Monterey. The course costs $150 and covers sanitation practices, pathogen reduction/pasteurization and testing with surrogate organisms. The goal of the class is to prepare nut processors for compliance...
Read morePecan museum to begin construction in Seguin, TX
A Pecan Museum is back on the drawing board for Seguin, Texas, after a few years of non-activity. The museum will soon be under construction at the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center in Seguin, better known locally in Seguin as the Big Red Barn. Seguin’s Pecan Museum Association presented a check for $264,366 to...
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Ready, Set, Budbreak
In a National Football League game, the quarterback of the team on offense has 40 seconds from the end of the previous play to get the next play from the coach, gather his teammates in a huddle, tell them the next play, walk up into formation, glance at the opposing team’s defense, and bark out...
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Prionus root borers in pecan orchards
One recent research project that has peaked the interest of pecan entomologists, horticulturalists and growers alike is the development of improved methods for monitoring and control of tilehorned prionus and broadnecked root borer – 2 insect pests that contribute to the decline and loss of production of pecan trees and are difficult to control. The...
Read moreTexas to proceed with water lawsuit against New Mexico
Editor’s note: this news release is compiled from Associated Press and Las Cruces Sun Times reporting. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in late January that Texas can proceed with its lawsuit against New Mexico over management of the Rio Grande. Texas contends that groundwater pumping near the Texas-New Mexico border has resulted in Texas...
Read moreWinter brought good chilling but drought continues
We are off and running on another pecan year and many folks are looking forward to the New Year after the poor crop in 2013. What a winter it has been to date – unbelievable cold weather. Not so much from extreme lows, but rather from extended periods of cold weather. All temperate fruit crops...
Read moreNew insecticides available for producers in 2014
I think that every day something happens that reminds me or just reinforces the fact that this is a fast-paced world and it is difficult, if not almost impossible, to catch up or even stay abreast with change. One of these realization events occurred for me earlier this month as I made my annual search...
Read moreCottage Food Law expands in Texas
Recent changes by the 83rd Texas Legislature to the Texas Cottage Food Law now make it permissible to sell nonperishable coated and uncoated nuts from one’s home. Sales must be face-to-face with the consumer and includes selling at some farmer’s markets, fairs, festivals and non-profit events. Online sales are prohibited as well as any other...
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Culinary Students Create World’s Largest Praline
More than 2,000 high school culinary students secured their place in the Guinness Book of World Records as they created the world’s largest praline with donations supplied by the Georgia Pecan Commission and U.S. Foods. The 531-pound confection was prepared to celebrate the Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia’s (HEFG) 10th annual Career Expo, held on...
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