January 2019

Before You Plant, Evaluate Your Soil

Each January, people throughout the southern United States prepare to plant a new pecan orchard. For many, it’s a first-time venture, perhaps even their first agricultural endeavor. Others may be expanding or renovating an existing orchard by planting trees on new ground or within their present boundaries. Some people may be planting ten trees, while...

More than a tree

We all know that the wood from pecan trees is great for barbecuing and smoking meat. Along with adding flavor to your meats, pecan wood makes unique furniture, flooring, and paneling. It is also used in producing pallets for transportation of goods. After pecan wood is cured, it is extremely durable. Pecan wood has also...

Have you heard the story of Ben Littlepage?

As usual, I turned onto I-49 driving south from Shreveport. I got off at exit 99, turned left and took the bridge over the Red River, driving northeast on Highway 8 toward Colfax. At McNeely Crossing, I would normally turn right at the farmhouse with the cannon sitting out front, but today, I continued on...

Things We Can Control, Things We Can’t

The pecan industry has received several severe blows in 2018. First, we had the Chinese tariffs go from 7 to 47 percent and consequently the virtual loss of this valuable market. Next, Hurricane Michael ripped through the Southeast and destroyed some of the best pecan orchards in the world, along with two-thirds of the Georgia...

Letter from the Editor: “Welcoming in a New Year”

By the time you’re reading this, we’ll have entered a new year. And like every year before it, 2019 seemed to appear before we were fully prepared. But unlike some years, we are welcoming this one with open arms. Last year started off with a bang. Industry members across the United States were excited to...

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Hunting Down the Cause of Black Pecan Kernels

This month’s column deals with the issue of black pecan kernels, which I have seen throughout my entire career. This problem is not the same as stink bug damage which is localized black spots on the kernel. This black kernel issue as shown in the pictures can have different degrees or levels of blackening. Some...

A New Year for American Pecans

The coming of the New Year marks a time for renewal and possibility. By now, most of you have finished or are wrapping up harvest operations, and thinking ahead to the growing season. Perhaps you’re planning to expand your orchards, are looking forward to seeing the first fruit from trees planted nearly a decade ago,...

New Year, New Pecan Snack

This new year, we’re all trying to stick to our resolutions, especially our efforts to become healthier. These sweet, spicy, salty candied pecans will help you satisfy every craving and still give you a nutrient boost. Sweet, Spicy, Salty Candied Pecans Recipe by Jenn Segal from Once Upon a Chef Makes 2 servings | Prep...

The Soil is Alive

If you eliminate the other environmental factors (i.e., water, light, temperature), it could be agreed that growing an optimum crop with maximum yield potential is ultimately limited by the health and condition of the soil. This is especially true when your crop is a perennial crop like our pecan tree. After all, a healthy soil...

Evaluating Pecan Quality by Variety for 2018

The 2018 pecan production season is now complete and harvest is well underway, over, or abandoned. All growers are now wondering how much they will be paid for their hard work and investment in this year’s crop. In an effort to stop China’s unfair trade practices, President Donald Trump made the market season interesting by...

New NPSA Executive Director Sets His Sights on Collaboration & Unity

Jon Krueger has been Executive Director of the National Pecan Shellers Association for around 5 months now, and while things across the industry may have settled a bit, he still has a lot of work ahead, especially as the association begins to focus on new projects and increased industry-wide collaboration. Shortly after Krueger came on...

APC Finishes 2018 with Steps Forward and Compromises

The American Pecan Council met at the Hyatt Regency at the DFW International Airport on Dec. 18 for its last meeting of 2018. In this meeting, the council addressed a proposal for revised grades and standards for kernels, revised forms, and a funding request from the U.S. Pecan Growers Council. Chairman Mike Adams opened the...