Pecan Harvest Decent Despite Weather, Disease

By Susan Collins-Smith

While most Mississippi pecan producers are reporting fair to good crops, dry summer weather and disease reduced harvest at some orchards.

“It appears to be somewhat of a mixed bag,” said Eric Stafne, fruit and nut specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, referring to the state’s pecan crop.

“Some growers are happy with their harvest, and some are not,” he said. “From what I’ve seen, that somewhat depends on the varieties being grown and the ability to effectively manage disease.”

A dry August and widespread pecan scab will likely impact fruit quantity and quality in some parts of the state, Stafne said. Pecan scab is a fungal disease, generally made worse by wet weather, that infects leaves, shoots and nuts. Infected trees drop leaves and nuts prematurely. Severe infections can wipe out an entire crop.

James Callahan, president of the Mississippi Pecan Growers Association, said he is hearing from growers across the state about the challenges they faced.