By Clint Thompson Predicting the pecan market is not an exact science. In fact, it can be as unpredictable as the weather. No one really knows what the market will be like when pecans are harvested in the fall. “I keep hearing, spurts here and there from a couple of people, that demand is there and all of that, but …
Ambrosia Beetle Impact: Pecan Producers Beware
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers in the Southeast should be mindful that ambrosia beetles are currently active and pose a threat to younger tree orchards. University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells cautioned growers about the beetles in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog. “They start emerging in that February-March timeframe, but they’re usually a problem for us …
Expensive Equipment Needs for Beginner Pecan Producers
By Clint Thompson Equipment needs are an obvious and expensive component of pecan production. Southeast growers interested in producing trees need to understand that reality, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “For equipment on pecans, that’s one of the biggest expenses. With pecans, there are certain things you have to have if you’re going to do the …
Pecan Production: Fears of Oversupply on Minds of Growers
By Clint Thompson A 200-million pound production season is in the near future for Georgia’s pecan producers. That’s a belief shared by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells. It’s also a concern on the minds of growers in the Southeast. If the leading pecan-producing state expands that much in the next few years, due to more trees …
200-Million Pound Crop? Georgia Pecan Yields to Increase in Next Few Years
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s pecan production netted 125 million pounds this past season. That number could reach 200 million pounds in a few years, believes Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “I think a 200-million pound crop out of Georgia is a strong likelihood over the next few years,” Wells said. Wells’ outlook on Georgia’s crop …
Plant Pecan Trees Early, Not Late
By Clint Thompson Pecan trees planted in March are at disadvantage when compared to those planted in January and February. Growers should abstain from trying to plant new trees during this time of year, believes Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. UGA research shows that trees trying to get established in early spring will struggle compared …
Early Budbreak Could be Devastating for Pecan Producers
By Clint Thompson Early budbreak for pecan trees in the Southeast could be a devastating development for producers. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, highlighted the concerns growers have with buds breaking 2 to 3 weeks earlier than last year. “It could be good or bad, it just depends on what our weather does between now and …
Additional Acres Help Georgia Pecan Farmers Produce ‘Good’ Crop
By Clint Thompson The pecan harvest season is mostly in the books for Georgia producers. While market prices did not cooperate for the growers, production was good, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. He said additional acreage coming into production offset some of the missed projections by producers at the beginning of the season. “It wasn’t …
Pecan Expert: We’re Cautiously Optimistic on Price
By Clint Thompson This year’s pecan crop has the potential to be really strong, though harvest season is still a few months away. The question is will market pecan prices also be good for growers following last year’s down production season? Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, provides an outlook on the current market situation facing pecan producers. …
Hot and Dry: Weather Conditions Not Conducive for Pecan Scab Development
By Clint Thompson What a difference a year has made so far for Georgia pecan producers. Unlike last season when persistent rainfall forced growers to be active in their fungicide applications, this year’s dry conditions have allowed farmers to be more conservative in their scab sprays. “It could not be any better. Everybody should have their irrigation running,” University of …