Southeast pecan producers interested in serving on the American Pecan Promotion Board can submit a nomination no later than March 26. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the board under the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order. The board will be comprised of 17 members; 10 producers and seven importers. The producers …
Cutting Costs: Pecan Producers Can Save Money by Avoiding Unnecessary Phosphorus Applications
In a time when prices are low and expenses are high, pecan producers need to cut costs, not corners. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, believes farmers can hold back in applying certain nutrients this year, if there is an abundant supply already in the orchard. Take phosphorus for example. “Most of our orchards are high in …
Water-Logged: Well-Drained Soils Key to Pecan Trees’ Health
Torrential rains this year have impacted farmers across the Southeast. Vegetable farmers are unable to get in the fields to apply plastic in preparation for the upcoming season. One commodity group that could also feel the sting of excessive rainfall this winter are pecan producers. While trees are currently dormant, their production could be affected this year and years to …
Liking Lakota: Pecan Variety Generates Interest in UGA Trial
One pecan variety could be a valuable option for producers seeking a low-cost input variety to plant. Lakota is a low-input variety where producers don’t have to spray much to manage it throughout the season. It has thrived in research trials on the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton campus, according to UGA Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells. “The yields …
Costs Cutting Essential for Pecan Producers
It’s a matter of survival for pecan producers. After a season in which prices were drastically low, farmers need to cut costs, not corners. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, emphasizes the importance of reducing input costs, starting with lime applications. “Of course, we know orchard soils need to be around 6 to 6.5; that’s where your …
Looking Ahead: How to Compensate for Low Pecan Prices?
As disappointing and disheartening last year’s pecan season was for Southeast producers, 2021 has the potential to be worse – if producers don’t take action or if prices don’t improve. It was a bountiful crop for Georgia with yields projected at 135 million pounds. But considering that pecan trees are alternate bearing (if they produce a good crop one year, …
Breaking Ground: UGA Establishes New Pecan Research and Demo Plot
The University of Georgia (UGA) broke ground on Wednesday at the UGA Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center for a new 5-acre pecan research and demonstration plot. The planted trees will highlight research that focuses on new and current varieties and be used as a location for producer demonstrations as well as other research projects. Virtual Production Meeting The University …
Poor Pecan Season Worse for Some Growers
A difficult pecan season was challenging for all and painful for a few. Some farmers compensated for the extremely low prices that lingered all season with bountiful harvests. However, some producers were not as fortunate. They either had a short crop or marginal crop that were amplified by some of the lowest prices producers haven’t experienced in decades. Georgia pecan …
Be on Alert: Pecan Producers Watch Out for Ambrosia Beetles
According to the University of Georgia Extension Pecan blog, now is the time of year where producers need to be wary of ambrosia beetles. This is especially important for farmers with trees that are less than 5 years old. Winter rains mean some trees are prone to flooded conditions, where they are susceptible to ambrosia beetle attacks. Angel Acebes-Doria, University …
Georgia Pecan Production Season Best Since 2007
Georgia pecan producers enjoyed a banner production season, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Georgia, which accounts for 47% of the nation’s pecan production, showed a 23% increase in value of production for 2020. Georgia produced 142 million pounds, compared to just 73 million in 2019 and 70 million in 2018. Those two years were down because of …