SEPGA, WPGA Offering Online Registration Now
Two regional pecan organizations will be hosting their annual conferences soon and registration is currently underway. The Southeastern Pecan Growers Association will meet Feb. 24-25 at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the Western Pecan Growers Association will convene March 5-7 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. To register, visit the online sites for...
Read moreOld Pecan Varieties
Every new pecan grower wants to establish an orchard as fast as possible in order to establish a cash flow and pay off the land, establishment, development and production costs as soon as possible. Important factors in this new orchard process are ideal climate, soil, salt-free irrigation water, management, labor, money, available time, knowledge, and...
Read moreStudy Shows Eating Nuts Have Body-wide Benefits
An international group of researchers, publishing in the journal BMC Medicine, analyzed 29 studies about nuts and health outcomes and found that daily consumption of nuts may help prevent heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness, and diabetes. In their review, which included data on more than 800,000 people, they found dramatic body-wide benefits for eating nuts....
Read moreLiebig’s Law of the Minimum
Last month, Monte Nesbitt provided us with a great overview on biotic and abiotic stresses that pecan trees had to deal within the 2016 growing season. He also called out researchers and extension specialists (and I agree with him) for too often generalizing a problem with the “tree stress” response. Since I am as guilty...
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Update on Invasive Ant and Stink Bug Pests
Throughout my career, I have felt that in addition to assisting producers with annual pest problems, I also need to keep my eyes on the horizon for other potential pests that may possibly impact the industry. Two potential pests that are being monitored are the invasive tawny crazy ant and the brown marmorated stink bug....
Read moreHarvest Progressing as Prices Strengthen
Although harvest in the West got a relatively late start, pecan growers were actively gathering their crop in December after cold weather finally descended on western production regions. Prices were surging upwards partially as a result of the late availability and partially because other areas of the country have seen lower-than-expected quality and quantity, resulting...
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Harvest Sights and Sounds at Sunnyland
These photos of harvest at Sunnyland Farms near Albany, Georgia, are certain to evoke the sounds, the smells and the feel of the earth moving for pecan growers who experience this special event every fall. These photos were taken by Emily Myers, executive director of the National Pecan Shellers Association (E.M. Connor Photography). NPSA...
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A Farewell Salute to Sammy Helmers
It is once again time to bid a final farewell to one of Extension Horticulture’s finest: Dr. Sammy G. Helmers. It seems the Good Lord was in need of a new “storyteller” and our own Dr. Helmers was called in for the job on Nov. 15, 2016. Since we are talking about our one and...
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INC Says Tree Nut Production to Increase in 2016/17
The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) has released its latest Global Statistical Review with production trends for almonds, Amazonia (Brazil) nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, dates, dried apricots, dried figs, prunes, raisins, sultanas and currants for 2016-17. In the 2015/16 season, world tree nut production has been...
Read moreRegistration Underway for Texas Shortcourse Coming Up Jan. 23-26
The annual Texas Pecan Shortcourse, sponsored by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension and Texas A&M University, is a comprehensive class aimed at preparing individuals to enter the pecan business. The 2017 event will be Jan. 23-26 and online registration is available. All aspects of commercial pecan production are covered during the 4-day class, from basic...
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