Issue Cover
Floodwaters cover a field of crops. Only the tops of the crops appear above the surface at the top of the image.

USDA Makes Indemnity Payments to Producers Impacted by Hurricane Debby

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the counties that have triggered for payment under the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement for Hurricane Debby. Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) have 30 days to issue payments to producers. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) first offered HIP-WI for the 2020 hurricane season, and last year, the endorsement...

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Two rows of mature pecan trees at the Texas A&M Orchard in College Station, Texas.

Texas AgriLife Job Opening: IPM Extension Program Specialist I or II

POSITION DESCRIPTION Position: Extension Program Specialist I or II (Integrated Pest Management). Appointment is 100% Extension in a non-tenure track, 12-month position.  Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center – El Paso, Texas  Overview: The Extension Program Specialist (Integrated Pest Management) will develop and deliver Extension educational programming with a supporting applied research component designed to...

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A bat flies through the night with a mouthful of insect.

Noble Research Institute Joins Forces with Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation to Further Research on Bats for Land and Crop Management

ARDMORE, Okla. (July 31, 2024) – Noble Research Institute (Noble) and Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation (MTBC) have entered a collaboration to explore the role and ability of bats as an alternative pest management strategy in agriculture. From its work, the partnership will disseminate information and educational materials to equip farmers and ranchers with the ability to incorporate bats into…

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A pecan tree with some branches with healthy leaves and one large branch with brown, dying leaves.

Flatheaded Borer in Pecan Trees

Environmental stress, such as a prolonged drought or a hard freeze, is a major issue for pecan production in Texas. Not only does stress affect tree growth and production, but it can also make the trees more susceptible to attacks from insects such as flatheaded borers.  Flatheaded borers, also called metallic woodboring beetles and “jewel...

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Two adult pecan weevils on display.

Considerations for Pecan Weevil Management

As we roll into August, pecan weevil management is a likely topic on the mind of many pecan growers. Where the pecan weevil occurs, it can be a serious pest. For any one grower, its pest status usually depends on several factors centered around insecticide application and pecan weevil biology. When thinking about all the...

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A canal leading underneath a dirt road bridge with four circular gates.

Growing Pecans Under Waterlogging Conditions

As discussed in my previous article, “The Consequences and Management of Flooding in Pecans,” pecan trees require plenty of water but cannot tolerate waterlogging. Over the past few months, growers in Brazil, Argentina, and Texas have battled with flooding, leading to devastating consequences in some cases due to these weather adversities. Agricultural Engineer Mariano Marcó...

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Letter from the Editor graphic with a pecan background

Letter from the Editor — August 2024

Dear Readers, We’re inching closer and closer to another harvest. Growers throughout the United States and Mexico check their trees and monitor kernel development. Shellers and buyers track their inventory and prepare new contracts and sales. Everyone worries about the weather and the market. While we confront these familiar challenges, we can turn to pecan...

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A chart showing the budburst findings from a recent OSU study.

Carbohydrates Build Robust Pecan Trees

Leaves produce carbohydrates using two simple ingredients: water and carbon dioxide. The water is mainly absorbed by the roots, while the carbon dioxide is obtained by the leaves. Plants are the most amazing chemists, using these simple materials to feed the world. Nonstructural carbohydrates, especially soluble sugars and starch, play a critical role in transport,...

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