Dry Weather a Plus for Pecan Producers?

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Dry weather this time of year is not always a bad thing for pecan producers, but that is contingent on growers having irrigation set up for their orchards. “We recommend that you don’t even try to grow them without irrigation to begin with,” says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “For growing pecans, it’s actually …

Alabama Producers Optimistic About Pecan Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Alabama pecan producers are feeling optimistic about the crop for the first time in four years. Not since 2020 have the state’s pecan farmers felt this good about its crop heading into harvest season, according to Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate. “It was a decent June drop, but it just really thinned them out like they …

What’s Next? Georgia Pecan Grower Stresses Education with Potential Exports to India

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson The trade mission to India last April went about as well as could be expected, according to Georgia pecan industry experts. But what happens next? Justin Jones, Georgia pecan grower, chairman of industry relations for the American Pecan Council and co-owner of brand Zorro Pecans, discussed the next step in making a trade partnership with India, not …

Pure Speculation: Hard to Estimate Georgia’s Pecan Production This Year

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests are on the horizon for Georgia producers. How many yields the state’s pecan farmers will produce is almost impossible to estimate, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. “It’s hard to really put a number on or estimate Georgia’s pecan production at this point because of all the planting that’s taken place …

Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Pressing USDA to Promote Georgia Pecans

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are pushing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help Georgia farmers export more pecans. Both are urging the USDA to provide adequate promotional resources for marketing Georgia pecans to the global market. The inquiry comes after the USDA announced the first tranche of funding under the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program …

Typical June: Huge Nut Drop in Desirable Pecan Variety

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson An increased nut drop of one of Georgia’s older and more established pecan varieties will impact volume this year. But growers should know this is a common occurrence with Desirable varieties, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “There was a big drop of Desirables this year. Desirables always have a drop in June. This …

Drought’s Impact on Southeast Pecans

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson It is never an ideal time for a drought but the current prolonged dry period came at an especially bad time of the season for pecan orchards in Georgia and Alabama. The pecan development is at a time when water consumption is vital to harvests which are a couple of months away. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia …

‘Real Excitement’ Surrounds Potential Pecan Relationship with India

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson A trade mission to India in April highlighting pecans was successful. But more education is needed to make exporting pecans to India a reality and not just a dream. Justin Jones, Georgia pecan grower, chairman of industry relations for the American Pecan Council and co-owner of brand Zorro Pecans, attended the trip and talked about the educational …

USDA NASS: Update on Pecan Acreage, Price

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s bearing pecan acres continues to increase, though its yield per acre dropped in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Georgia’s acreage has increased from 139,000 acres in 2021, to 146,000 acres in 2022 and 148,000 acres in 2023. However, its yields per acre dropped from 898 pounds in …