Permian Basin 2008 Permian Basin Pecan Show The Permian Basin Pecan Show was held on December 9, 2008, at the Midland County Extension Office. Pecan Committee members started early processing the sixy-one (61) entries which were submitted. We would like to offer a special thanks to Lura Davis, Dave Davis, Boyd Reece, Norma Reece, Don Hollister, & Linda Hollister for helping in the organization of the 2008 Pecan Show. Without their involvement and input, in both the planning and implementation phase, the show would not have been the great success it was in 2008. We also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Permian Basin Master Gardeners and other volunteers who participated in the shelling process. For those of you who are not aware of this part of the pecan show, it is very tedious and time consuming. On December 10, 2008, the day after the 2008 Permian Basin Pecan Show, we received the division champion plaques. We apologize for not having them on the day of the show, however, sometimes things are out of our control. We would like to thank everyone who assisted with the show and look forward to the 2009 Permian Basin Pecan Show and HOPEFULLY an excellent year for pecan production in the Permian Basin. - RESULTS ON PAGE 2 - THANK YOU! Midland & Ector Counties Volume 1, Issue 1 January 12, 2009 Special points of interest: Pecan Show Results Permian Basin Show West Region Show Economic Impact Of Pecans In The Permian Basin 2009 Permian Basin Extension Pecan Educational Program Inside this issue: PB Pecan Show Results Regional Pecan Show Results 2 3 Nut Economics 3 Zan s Nutty Corner 4 Ms. Crystal Henderson County Extension Agent Agriculture / Natural Resources Ector County Texas AgriLIfe Extension Service (432) 498-4071 Ms. Debbie Benge Frost County Extension Agent Horticulture Midland/Ector Counties Texas AgriLIfe Extension Service (432) 498-4071 Mr. A. Zan Matthies Jr. County Extension Agent Agriculture / Natural Resources Midland County Texas AgriLIfe Extension Service (432) 686-4700 Pecan Tree Seminar 4 Kernels From Debbie 5 Pecan Program Overview 5 Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
2008 Permian Basin Pecan Show Results Variety Name Place Champ Progress To Regional Commercial Division Cheyenne Sam Austin 1 st Champion Yes Cheyenne Henry Clingman 2 nd Yes Cheyenne Boyd Reece 3 rd Choctaw Edwin & Dorothy Fisher 1 st Choctaw Boyd Reece 2 nd Choctaw Ken Marks 3 rd Forkett Edwin & Dorothy Fisher 1 st Yes Kiowa Edwin & Dorothy Fisher 1 st Yes Kiowa Boyd Reece 2 nd Pawnee Edwin & Dorothy Fisher 1 st Reserve Yes Pawnee Harold Dunegan 2 nd Yes Pawnee Dave & Lura Davis 3 rd Sioux Don & Linda Hollister 1 st Yes Sioux Robert Thames 2 nd Sioux Sam Austin 3 rd Western Hazel Wright 1 st Western Don & Linda Hollister 2 nd Western Howard Farr 3 rd Wichita Edwin & Dorothy Fisher 1 st Wichita Robert Thames 2 nd Wichita Christine Thames 3 rd Classic Division Apache Henry Clingman 1 st Apache Don & Linda Hollister 2 nd Burkett Dave & Lura Davis 1 st Reserve Yes Burkett Neel Wright 2 nd Burkett Don & Linda Hollister 3 rd Comanche Deyje Printz 1 st Champion Yes Comanche Don & Linda Hollister 2 nd Mahan Margie Langitt 1 st Navaho Boyd Reece 1 st Yes Navaho Dave & Lura Davis 2 nd Podsednik Carla Diaz 1 st Yes Podsednik Tonya Reece 2 nd Yes Podsednik Don & Linda Hollister 3 rd Stuart Howard Scott 1 st Other Variety Daniel Dalager 1 st Other Variety Boyd Reece 2 nd Other Variety Boyd Reece 3 rd Variety Seedling Seedling Boyd Reece 1 st Champion Seedling R. W. Osborn 2 nd Reserve Seedling Edwin & Dorothy Fisher 3 rd Page 2 Permian Basin NUTS
2008 West Region Pecan Show - Abilene, Texas On December 12, 2008, I transported 12 entries identified by our judge as progressing to the West Region Pecan Show. The regional show was conducted on December 18 & 19. Of our 12 entries, 9 of them placed either 1 st or 2 nd. Below is a breakdown of those results. For those of you who placed at the 2008 West Region Pecan Show, we have your ribbons at the Midland County Extension Office. You can either come by the office and pick them up or give us a call at 432.686.4700 and we will be happy to mail them to you. 2008 West Region Pecan Show Results Exhibitor Variety Placing Sam Austin Cheyenne 2 nd Edwin Fisher Forkert 1 st Edwin Fisher Kiowa 2 nd Harold Duegan Pawnee 2 nd Dave Davis Burkett 2 nd Deyje Printz Comanche 2 nd Boyd Reece Navaho 2 nd Tonya Reece Podsednik 1 st Carla Diaz Podsednik 2 nd Permian Basin Pecan Production: NUT Economics When you look at the pecan tree in our back yard or small orchard, have you ever wondered what the economic impact of pecans has on our Permian Basin economy? Each year, as county Extension agents, we have the opportunity to compile an economic based report call an Agriculture Increment Report. In order to compile this report, we meet with representatives from USDA - Farm Service Agency, local agri-businesses and processors, and agriculture producers. Each of you is probably aware of the decline in commercial orchards in the Permian Basin, however it seems there is a trend. Years ago, I looked at the statistics regarding cattle production. It seemed odd that the cattle inventory (total head) was staying relatively constant; however, larger ranches were declining in number. The answer was found in the smaller rancher, those with less acreage and less head, they were increasing. The same might be the answer in our pecan production. Over the last few years, there have been some decreases in acreage, yet there are a large number of people who have small orchards less than 20 acres. When looking at the graph below, I would like you to keep the following in mind: Commodity prices fluctuate from year to year and effect economic impact, In 2001, 900 acres were reported in production, in 2008, 500 acres were reported (USDA - FSA), This data is taken from Midland County Reports, Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn t, 2500 Sometimes it rains at the right time, sometimes it doesn t, 2000 Irrigation practices and management have changed over the last 9 years, 1500 Cost of production has changed, There are other fluctuation reasons. 1000 Economic Impact of PB Pecan Production $1,000's The income report is in $1,000 s of dollars, so 1,000 actually represent $1,000,000.00 of commodity income and economic impact. 500 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 est Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3
Zan s Nutty Corner Since starting as the Midland County Extension Agent in July 2007, I have thoroughly enjoyed my interaction with Permian Basin Pecan Committee, my collegues in the Ector County Office, and each of you I have had the chance to meet who have a genuine interest in pecan production. Many of you know my father, Zan Matthies Sr., who has been a great supporter of pecan production in West Texas. He has continued to be a great resource to myself and the Ector County Agents since his retirement. But beyond him, I am greatly appreciative of the time the Permian Basin Pecan Committee has taken to educate me on pecan production. Personnally, I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to Boyd & Norma Reece, Dave & Lura Davis, and Don & Linda Hollister for their patience on my orientation to West Texas pecan production. I would be remiss if I didn t mention the reason we were able to have our pecan show on December 9, instead earlier in November. During our August meeting, it was brought to my attention that due to the previous scheduling of the regional pecan show, ours would have had to been scheduled in late November. However the committee requested an inquiry on why the regional show was so early. In short, the excellent and knowledgeable representation each of you pecan growers has on the Permian Basin Pecan Committee is one of the main reasons we were able to get the regional pecan show moved back two weeks to allow for some of later maturing varieties. I would like to personally commend the Permian Basin Pecan Committee on their active involvement and representation of Permian Basin Pecan Growers. - AZM Home Fruit & Nut Production: Pecan Tree Seminar The Permian Basin Pecan Committee is sponsoring two (2) Pecan Tree Seminars on Thursday, January 22, 2009. The seminars will be held at the Commemorative Air Force Museum, 9600 Wright Drive, Midland near the Midland International Airport. Topics of discussion will be concerning pecan tree management in the yard or small orchard. Most homeowners are unaware of the production potential of their yard tree, and with a little knowledge and guidance, your home tree can produce nuts. Two sessions of this program will be held on January 22. The first program will start at 11:30 am and the second will start at 6:30 pm. Participants are encouraged to bring a brown-bag lunch or dinner for the program. We will provide tea and water for drinks. Trainers for this program include Ms. Debbie Benge-Frost, County Extension Agent for Horticulture for Midland and Ector Counties, Ms. Crystal Henderson, County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources in Ector County and Mr. Zan Matthies Jr., County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Midland County. The seminar will cover general management of small numbers of pecan trees which include fertility, insect, and disease management. Also to be discussed will be water needs, both quantity and quality, of pecan trees and how water affects production. Other management topics such as establishment, pruning, etc. will be touched during this seminar. Cost to attend this program is $10.00 per person. Feel free to contact either the Midland County Extension Office at (432) 686-4700 or the Ector County Extension Office at (432) 498-4071 for further information. Page 4 Permian Basin NUTS
Kernels From Debbie Freeze, Drought & Wind Remember the late spring freeze in April 2007? The one that knocked many trees for a loop...including pecan trees? Well, the effects of that freeze are still evident. Most pecan trees were leafing out when temperatures took a low and lengthy plunge. As a result they lost their leaves and even some wood. Other tree species began to re-leaf within a few weeks, but pecans were much slower to re-sprout. Once they finally leafed out, their leaves were unusually large and lush. Since the ends of the limbs were dead new leaves sprouted along the major branches and trunk. The following year, 2008, pecan trees leafed out with small leaves and thin canopies. The most likely reason for this drastic difference in leaf size and quantity was the depletion of stored food reserves from the previous growing season. Trees store food in the form of carbohydrates, which are needed at bud break and leafing out. Low carbohydrates could easily cause smaller and fewer leaves. Combine low food reserves with the dry conditions of last winter, spring and summer and it s no wonder the leaves were fewer and smaller. So, don t forget to water this winter. Pecan Nut Casebearer Forecast System http://pncforecast.tamu.edu/ 2009 Permian Basin Pecan Program (Overview) During our meetings with the Permian Basin Pecan Committee, a sequential set of educational programs were developed for 2009. Below is a list of those programs and approximately when they will be conducted. We will be starting on January 22, 2008 with the first educational program of this set and will proceed throughout the year with the following program topics. Pecan Tree Workshop January 2009 - General informational program concerning pecan tree care for an audience new to pecan production. Pruning and Grafting Clinic & Insect Management of Pecan Trees February 2009 - Informational meeting concerning pruning and grafting of pecan trees. Hands-on demonstrative sessions & informational meeting targeting insect pests of West Texas Pecan trees and orchards. Water Needs For Pecan Production March 2009 - Informational meeting targeting irrigation needs and management, water quality, impacts of water on nut production. Pecan Field Day June 2009 - Field day at a West Texas orchard where specific management topics could be discussed on-site as well as identification of actual insect damage to train participants. Pecan Grading and Judging Seminar October 2009 - Seminar targeting the importance of grading pecans. Samples will be collected this year based on entries of the 2008 pecan shows. We look forward to seeing you at these programs, and specific information regarding these program will be disseminated in subsequent newsletters. Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 5
Texas AgriLife Extension Service United States Department of Agriculture Texas A&M University System c/o CEA AGNR 2445 E. HWY 80 Midland, TX 79706 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non Profit Org US Postage Paid Midland, TX 79711 PERMIT NO. 412