Good PNC Management Tools and Web-based Information Available
Although it is early March at the time of this writing it is not too early to start planning your pecan nut casebearer management program. Here in Texas, the pecan nut casebearer is considered our most important nut pest and management of this insect is really the cornerstone of our pecan IPM program. The results...
Read moreShellers Hear Outlook on Economy, Report on Prevalence Study
Even though the pecan industry has enjoyed a profitable season, the U.S. economy will require a little more “patience” before it rebounds, according to Dr. Gerald Swanson, Professor of Economics, University of Arizona. Swanson addressed the National Pecan Shellers Association at its recent mid-winter meeting in New Orleans. “Believe it or not,” Swanson said, the...
Read moreIndustry Meets to Pinpoint Research and Extension Priorities
A common misconception among clientele is that funding for research and Extension activities is available from the university. Thirty years ago a large portion of the funding was based on “formula funds”, those funds allocated by the federal government for states to administer as needed to support agricultural and human environmental science programs. This gradually...
Read moreThe Other Pecan Product
The 2010 pecan crop set new records for prices paid to the producers of native pecans. With high prices comes renewed interest in developing new or long-time abandoned native pecan groves. Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time working with landowners ready to get rich in the pecan game (oh, if...
Read morePecan Weed Control Options
Pecan producers are fairly limited in their choice of herbicide options. We have basically three burndown herbicides available for use on pecan. These include glyphosate, paraquat and glufosinate (Rely). Glyphosate is the old standby that has been used for years. When it first came out, glyphosate seemed like a miracle herbicide. Its systemic activity killed...
Read moreSEPGA Convention Draws Enthusiastic Turnout
The Southeastern Pecan Growers Association enjoyed an enthusiastic turnout for its annual convention, Feb. 24-26, at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. A lot of activity was packed into the 2-day event — educational programming, trade show, golf tournament, and awards banquet. The program included several updates regarding important promotional and marketing projects underway...
Read moreDig Deep and Make it Work!
On Feb. 26, I attended a meeting of the National Pecan Growers Council held at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi, in conjunction with the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association meeting. We were exposed to the work that the National Pecan Growers Council has been doing in obtaining and using funds from two federal programs...
Read moreAre record high prices sustainable?
Pecan prices reached record highs this past season and the industry is concerned with the sustainability of these high prices. While it may be difficult to sustain these high prices this coming on-year, it appears doubtful that prices will weaken significantly. Increased demand from China has been an important factor influencing the recent surge in...
Read moreWestern Growers Keep Up to Date on Pest Issues and More
The western pecan-growing region of the United States has been fortunate in not having to deal with many of the insect pests that plague the eastern half of the pecan belt. So, when a new pest threat shows any sign of emerging in the West, the industry there is quick to respond. Several speakers at...
Read morePecan Planting Success
Pecan Professor Fred R. Brison said, “Planting a pecan tree is a rendezvous with death.” Early in my career during the pecan planting hay day of the early 1970s we saw many orchards go in overnight which failed to grow and, after a couple of years, the trees died. We cannot stick the tree in...
Read more