Bark Grafting in the Native Grove
Most native pecan growers have areas in their groves that have dozens of young trees along fence rows or popping up in open areas among mature trees. Fence-line pecan trees are often moved using a tree spade into open areas of the grove to help fully utilize available land area. The bottom line is that...
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A Tribute to Robert Kensing, “Mr. Texas Pecan Show”
The pecan industry lost a significant leader with the death of Robert Kensing on March 26, 2016. His love of pecans was unmatched and his outstanding leadership of the Texas Pecan Show Program was the very best. Bob’s first love of pecans began as an undergraduate in Professor Fred R. Brison’s Pecan Culture course at...
Read moreTraining Young Pecan Trees
Every pecan grower wants to establish a new orchard as fast as possible with the trees trained as a central leader with the first scaffold limbs at least 5 feet above the ground. However, many fail to understand training or pruning young trees is not job one. More important needs are good soil, salt-free irrigation...
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Early Detection is Key to Prevent Economic Loss
During the growing season there are several major nut-feeding insects such as pecan nut casebearer and pecan weevil, whose occurrence in an orchard can be anticipated and, if needed, treatments are applied based on trap collections and stage on kernel development. These two pests are generally considered the two most important nut-feeding insects of pecan...
Read moreTDA Initiative Aims to Stop Feral Hogs in Their Tracks
The Texas Department of Agriculture announced recently the 2016 Coordinated Hog Out Management Program (CHOMP), which will run from May 1-31, 2016. The effort is focused on decreasing the feral hog population in Texas, which inflicts an estimated $52 million in agricultural damage each year. “Feral hogs cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage...
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Scab Management Keys: Sprayer coverage, orchard environment
As we descend into another spraying season, keep the following in mind. If you have problems with scab control, the least likely factor will be the efficacy of the fungicide you are using. Unfortunately, this is often the first thing most growers try to pin the blame on. Aside from the obvious issues of rainfall...
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NPSA Meeting: Attendees Hear Optimistic Presentations
The National Pecan Shellers Association provided an interesting program at its recent Mid Winter meeting in New Orleans, with updates on past and current activities within the industry as well as a look ahead at potential developments. Christopher Snabes of The Acheson Group related the impact of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) on the...
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