Pecan Crop Prediction is 256 Million Pounds
Posted by wernuts2 on 8th Jul 2014
The 2014 Tri-State Pecan Growers Conference was held in Alexandria, Louisiana from June 19-20. Growers attending were from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. At the conclusion of the meeting the much anticipated pecan crop guesstimate was given by Ben Littlepage of Colfax, Louisiana. The 2014 U.S. Pecan Crop estimate by Mr. Littlepage was 256 million pounds. Following is the state-by-state prediction for the 2014 pecan crop:
Alabama .................................9.0 million lbs.
Arizona .................................18.0 million lbs.
Arkansas .................................3.0 million lbs.
California .................................4.0 million lbs.
Florida .....................................1.0 million lbs.
Georgia ..................................65.0 million lbs.
Kansas .....................................2.0 million lbs.
Louisiana ...............................16.0 million lbs.
Mississippi ...............................1.0 million lbs.
Missouri ...................................1.0 million lbs.
New Mexico ............................55.0 million lbs.
North Carolina ..........................0.5 million lbs.
Oklahoma ................................15.0 million lbs.
South Carolina ..........................0.5 million lbs.
Texas ......................................65.0 million lbs.
U.S. Total ...............................256 million lbs.
Participants toured two local pecan orchards over the course of the two days. The Inglewood Orchard and Harvest Barn became a certified organic operation last year, after the required 3-year period of not using synthetic management methods. This orchard is around 80 acres. Trey Decker with Inglewood Farm presented the group with information about this farm's operation. The second orchard toured was Rosalie Plantation. This farm is centered around a picturesque antebellum sugarmill and includes approximately 100 acres of improved pecan trees .
Other speakers included Charlie Graham from the LSU Pecan Research Station, Bill Goff retired from Auburn University Horticulture and George Ray McEachern from Texas A&M University. Information about pecan orchard management, specifically about orchard spacing, thinning and hedging was discussed. Pest and disease control as well as updates on the future of pecan research in Louisiana were talked about also.
Louisiana pecan growers in particular say that this year's crop in each pecan orchard looks to be good compared to the last couple of years as it has not been as dry. However - all wise pecan growers know - Do not count your nuts before they are in the bag!
