By Clint Thompson It is nearing harvest season for most pecan varieties in the Southeast. Growers should not be concerned about spraying for insects at this point in the season, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “Something like Sumner (variety) that’s a little bit later harvested nut, probably one of the later varieties that we have and …
USDA to Issue First Pecan Forecast for ’22 Crop
ATHENS, GA – During the last week of September, pecan growers will receive a survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Information generated from this survey will be used to forecast pecan production for 2022. “The pecan industry is an important part of U.S. agriculture, especially in southern states and it is crucial for us …
Kernel Filling Stage: Sunshine Needed for Pecan Crop
By Clint Thompson The pecan crop is loaded in orchards across the Southeast. But if the crop is to reach its full potential, it needs more sunshine over the next couple of weeks. Cloudy weather helped doom the crop last year, as sunshine was lacking during the most critical stage of development. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan …
Pecan Breeding: ‘Avalon’, ‘Kalos’ Strong Cultivars to Consider
By Clint Thompson Two pecan cultivar releases by University of Georgia (UGA) pecan breeder Patrick Conner provide growers strong varieties to consider producing in their orchards. The UGA Tifton scientist discussed what producers will see when planting ‘Avalon’ and ‘Kalos’. “We’ve had good response with our first release of ‘Avalon’ in the pecan breeding program. That’s gotten to be pretty …
Water Split in Pecan Crop Looming
University of Georgia Extension Pecan Blog Increased rainfall combined with the current stage that the pecan crop is under spells perfect conditions for water splits. University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells cautions growers in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog that they will likely see fruit split on multiple varieties over the next couple of weeks. “The problem …
UGA Hires New Pecan Entomologist
University of Georgia (UGA) Extension has a new pecan entomologist as part of its UGA Pecan Team, according to the UGA Extension Pecan Blog, Apurba Barman has been hired as an assistant professor in agroecology, tree nut and fruit entomology and will be stationed at the UGA Tifton Campus. Barman previously served as the University of California (UC) Extension IP …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Growers Need a Good Year
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers desperately need a productive season in yields and prices following years of frustration on the heels of Hurricane Michael in 2018. The growers could get their wish. Farmers could see high yields combined with favorable market prices, which should add up to the best season in years for producers. “This year it looks like we’ve …
August Make-or-Break Month for Pecans
By Clint Thompson August is the make-or-break month for pecan growers yearning to produce a crop this year and next season as well. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discussed in Tuesday’s UGA Extension Pecan Blog various factors producers should consider. Irrigation applications should be at 100% by mid-August, which equates to between 3,600 and 4,000 gallons …
Critical Time to Protect Against Scab Disease
By Clint Thompson It is a critical part of the production season for Southeast pecan growers. Producers should be diligent in their fungicide sprays against scab disease. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, stresses why this is an important time for farmers in protecting this year’s crop. “It’s a super critical time because those nuts are growing so …
Georgia Pecan Farmer: Pretty Good Looking Crop
By Clint Thompson Harvests for this year’s pecan crop is just a couple of months away. This year’s crop has exciting potential. But success will once again depend on the market prices that growers are able to receive, says farmer Randy Hudson. “We’ve got a pretty good looking crop. We’ve got some holes, though. Some older trees that had a …