One thing is certain about this year’s pecan crop in Alabama and Georgia – it is loaded. One thing that is not certain is what kind of price those pecans command at the market once they’re harvested this fall. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells said there are various factors that will impact prices for farmers this …
Recent Rains Beneficial for Pecan Crop
Recent rainfall is a sight for sore eyes for pecan farmers on the verge of harvesting this year’s crop, according to University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells. “We’ve had years where August and September we didn’t get a drop of rain. Even with the best irrigation the percent kernel didn’t fill out as good as you would expect,” …
Sweet Grown Alabama is a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Consumers
More than 150 farmers are part of the Sweet Grown Alabama database. Director Ellie Watson believes the sweetgrownalabama website is an integral part of connecting the state’s producers with its consumers. “We have a pretty great representation across all counties and all areas of the state. Of course, we’re still looking to grow that database,” Watson said. “We know that …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Fruit Thinning a Hard Sale
Fruit thinning will likely be a hard practice for pecan producers to follow through on in the next couple of weeks. But University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells believes it is the right course of action to take, especially considering the quantity of this year’s pecan supply. “This is going to be a hard sale because a …
Alabama Pecan Crop Projected at 2.5 Million Pounds
Alabama’s pecan trees are progressing with a strong crop this year. Alabama Extension Research Associate Bryan Wilkins believes the fungicide Miravis Top’s has worked well against scab disease and believes producers in his state should be in good shape come harvest time, barring a hurricane. “I think Alabama will be up there around 2.5 million pounds, maybe a little bit …
Water Needs Essential for Pecan Trees
Pecan producers will soon enter a critical point in this year’s production season in ensuring their trees have adequate moisture. If the current dry period continues as expected into August, water needs will be even more essential. According to UGA Extension Pecan Management calendar, water needs increase from 120 to 158 gallons per tree per day in July to 300 …
Potential La Nina Weather Event Could Impact Pecans Later This Season
An increasing likelihood of a La Nina weather event this fall could impact row crop farmers and specialty crop producers as well, said Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist. “When we do have a La Nina, we do tend to have a little bit drier than normal fall. Dryness in the fall isn’t necessarily bad. It’s helpful …
Pecan Crop Could Be One of Best in Recent Seasons
Georgia’s pecan industry is shaping up to have one of its most productive crops in recent years. But what that means for the industry come harvest time and how that will impact prices remains to be seen, according to South Georgia farmer Randy Hudson. “We do feel like we have a really good crop. Now, what that actually means, I …
Thinning Pecan Trees Better Equips Producers For Future
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is encouraging pecan growers to thin their bumper crop this summer to avoid having a down year next season. Southeast Georgia Area Pecan Agent Andrew Sawyer said this year’s pecan crop exceeds the 70% fruit-bearing terminals they recommend pecan trees to have at this stage in the growing season, along with having …
Georgia Growers Renew Pecan Assessment
Georgia Department of Agriculture ATLANTA- Georgia pecan growers voted to continue an assessment of one cent per pound of pecans by producers with more than 30 acres for an additional three years — 83.5% of eligible ballots returned were in favor of the assessment. The Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Pecans, also known as, the Georgia Pecan Commission was established …