Zika Virus and What Texas Need to Know

This month’s column is a bit different in that it does not deal with typical production or post-harvest pest problems but rather presents information on a real potential threat to producers. The following information has been taken from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension publication, ENTO-052, “What Texans Need to Know about Zika Virus,” written by...

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Invest in Your Native Pecan Trees

All too often I hear native growers complain that they have little or no crop because wet weather in the spring prevented pecan pollination. The truth of the matter is that a few rain storms during pollination rarely prevent nut set in native groves. When someone complains about lack of pollination, I immediately suspect the...

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Oklahoma companies sponsor gathering, offer info and tour

In early October, growers were offered an afternoon and evening of pecan education and networking in southern Oklahoma. Those who wanted a seminar and demonstration in pecan tree planting headed over to Baker Pecan Tree Nursery in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Charles Rohla from the Noble Foundation and Becky Carroll from the Oklahoma State University pecan program joined Roger Baker,...

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USDA Estimates 2016 U.S.Pecan Crop at 263 Million

USDA released its 2016 pecan crop estimate (see next page) on Oct. 12 with the following statement. “Production is forecast at 263 million pounds (utilized, in-shell basis), up 3 percent from 2015. Improved varieties are expected to produce 239 million pounds or 91 percent of the total. The native and seedling varieties are expected to...

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NPSA Annual Meeting Provides Timely Industry Updates

When the National Pecan Shellers Association met for its annual meeting in September, topics requiring immediate responses and compliance within the industry were featured on the program — including Food Safety Modernization Act compliance and implementation of the newly enacted federal marketing order. NPSA’s legal counsel, Dick Wood of the Wood Burditt Group in Chicago,...

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Pecan Harvest and Rain

We are up and running with our 2016 harvest at the A&M pecan orchard.  Most Texas growers outside the far west are through harvesting their ‘Pawnee’ and are now picking ‘Desirables.’  The results are too early to tell; it has been a year of rain, no rain, and rain.  We had great rains in the...

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Pecans Well Represented at Fresh Summit Show

The pecan industry was well-represented at the Oct. 14-16 Produce Marketing Association’s 67th Annual Fresh Summit Convention in Orlando, Florida. Two associations and four individual companies had booths to showcase pecans to buyers at the annual event, which attracted 20,889 attendees from 65 countries. Over 1,200 exhibitors participated. The exhibiting companies showcased new products, trends,...

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