Texas pecans near harvest in challenging season

Texas pecan growers are preparing for the 2025 harvest season with a crop outlook that reflects the state’s diversity in weather and geography, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Monte Nesbitt, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension pecan specialist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, Bryan-College Station, forecast the state’s crop at 32 million pounds, a number that falls near the middle of Texas’ recent production history.

Texas’ all-time high pecan production was 91 million pounds in 1979, while the record low – 5 million pounds – occurred in 1951.

“This year would be considered average — maybe mediocre,” Nesbitt said. “Some regions are looking at decent yields, but weather conditions created challenges for others, and crop losses are expected.”

Weather drives regional differences

Harvest is about to get underway, but Nesbitt said conditions throughout the growing season created clear contrasts around Texas. He said nut quality remains in question. Cooler, wetter weather around the state helped trees recover from years of drought and triple-digit temperatures, but it also created higher pressure from pecan scab, a fungal disease that can cause fruit loss and reduce nut quality.

In East Texas, abundant rainfall and more moderate summer temperatures helped tree health but fueled pecan scab. He said pecan yield and quality losses to the disease could be significant in the region, especially for backyard and smaller commercial producers.

“Even with best management practices, including fungicide applications, we’ve seen crop injury that would suggest the possibility of quality losses for East Texas,” he said. “Scab is the No. 1 biological threat to pecans, and it was back in full force this year.”

Central Texas pecan trees in some areas encountered spring frost, but the region overall saw better rainfall and a departure from prolonged drought of the previous three years. Many orchards were in an “off year” of their natural alternate bearing cycle and scab was similarly more of a problem in Central Texas than usual. July flooding in some areas also caused tree damage and crop losses.

In West Texas, the pecan crop potential was lowered in some orchards by an early spring frost and then hail in late spring, but otherwise the growing conditions have been normal and conducive to good production.

Market challenges persist

Even as growers look toward the upcoming harvest, market prices remain a pressing concern for producers, Nesbitt said. Wholesale pecan prices have lingered below $2 per pound in recent years, creating financial strain for many producers.

“There’s frustration across the industry,” Nesbitt said. “Growers don’t understand why prices are so low. It shouldn’t be from oversupply since domestic production has not been really high. It’s generally thought to be a mix of global trade factors and a reduction in the number of shellers.”

Retail and direct-to-consumer sales remain strong, with increased consumer awareness of expanded ways to cook with pecans beyond traditional holiday baking. Promotion at state, national and local levels are helping boost that awareness, Nesbitt said, but the wholesale outlook remains uncertain.

“There’s optimism that new markets, like India, could help,” he said. “But right now, the perception among many growers is that current wholesale prices are not sustainable.”

Long-term perspective for Texas pecans

Despite market and weather-related pressures, Nesbitt said Texas pecan producers are hoping better days are ahead. The state’s size and regional diversity mean productivity often shifts year by year, creating statewide consistency overall despite localized highs and lows.

As growers and pecan industry organizations mobilize to raise the nut’s profile with consumers, researchers like Nesbitt continue to work on solutions for pecan scab and other pest and disease issues that increase costs and hamper production.

“The good news is that scab-resistant varieties exist,” Nesbitt said. “We’re working to identify and develop trees that can hold up and produce good pecans with fewer inputs. That’s the future for growers and homeowners alike.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Panhandle

Cooler weather across the district helped break recent heat. Light, scattered showers were reported in some areas. Overall soil moisture levels were short to adequate. Harvesting of forage sorghum for silage continued based on planting date, moisture content and transportation logistics, among other factors. Weather conditions were favorable for final development and maturity of feed grain crops and cotton. Moisture was needed to improve forage production to benefit producers with winter cattle supplementation. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Overall crops were in fair to good condition.

South Plains

Rain showers were received in some parts of the district, and totals ranged from trace amounts to 1.6 inches. The moisture was timely for cotton fields as they were setting bolls and should help improve pasture conditions. Livestock were in good condition. Pumpkin, corn and silage harvests were strong. Peanuts were in fair to good condition.

Rolling Plains

Recent rainfall across much of the district improved topsoil conditions, but subsoil moisture remained short. Winter wheat planting was underway in several counties, though prospects varied depending on available moisture. Pasture conditions were generally favorable, supporting healthy livestock and strong calf gains. Most areas reported good to excellent pasture conditions. Grasshoppers were a nuisance in hayfields, and producers were monitoring fall armyworms. Cotton across the district performed well in general due to timely rains, though some areas faced challenges. Heat units continued to be a concern for cotton as fall approached.

North

Conditions were favorable for most counties. Some counties received up to 2 inches of rain along with some storms. Temperatures were ideal for outside activity. Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels were mainly short to adequate. Corn was in the dented and mature stages. Upland cotton was in fair to good condition with a majority of fields setting bolls and opening. Peanuts were in good condition. Sorghum was coloring or mature. Soybeans were also in good condition with many fields setting pods and dropping leaves. Winter wheat was planted, and fields were being prepared for planting oats. Okra and fall vegetables produced well. Persimmons, hay, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and corn were harvested in some areas. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good and should improve where rain fell. Fall armyworms were reported in Bermuda grass, and populations were expected to increase. Livestock were in fair to good condition. Feral hogs were active.

East

Recent rainfall kept forages growing. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate. Hay production continued. Cattle markets were strong, and livestock were in fair to good condition with no supplementation taking place. Armyworms were reported, and some producers chose not to try to control them due to having plenty of hay.

West Central

Some parts of the district received rain, up to 1 inch in areas. Moisture conditions remained adequate in some areas, but many parts of the district were short on moisture and drying. A cold front moved through, significantly lowering temperatures. Preparations for cool-season forages were underway, while some producers waited for moisture before planting wheat and/or oats for grazing and grain. Some farmers were delaying plantings to avoid armyworms. Grain sorghum was mostly mature, and a few fields were being harvested. Cotton fields were declining and needed rain as bolls developed. The pecan crop outcome seemed uncertain. Stock tanks were full. Pastures looked good in many areas while grazing conditions declined in drier areas. Livestock were in healthy condition, and cattle were in fair to good shape. Some ranchers began putting out hay due to dry conditions. Cattle markets reported steady to higher prices and high demand across most classes.

Central

Rainfall was received across the district. Temperatures cooled considerably after some 100-degree days the previous week, providing a little relief. Most corn was harvested with excellent yields reported. Local elevators were full, and some farmers had to wait to harvest until they had somewhere to store their grain. A few acres of peanuts were harvested, and yields were excellent. Cotton yields were also above average. Pastures were in good condition, and the recent moisture helped extend grazing and eased pressure on hay supplies heading into the fall. Warm-season forages such as Bermuda grass and native grasses showed good regrowth. Weed pressure began to taper off as days shortened. Ranchers planted cool-season forages for winter grazing for stocker cattle, and producers continued to cut hay. Hay bales were in low demand. Water sources were largely adequate. Hay and livestock producers were on the lookout for fall armyworms as conditions set up for a potential outbreak, and armyworms were seen in fields. Second crop corn for silage looked strong. Livestock were in good condition, and producers continued to monitor for internal and external parasites due to the recent wet conditions. Markets stayed strong, with steady demand for both packer cows and calves.

Southeast

Counties benefited from recent rainfall that improved crop, pasture and rangeland conditions. Soil moisture levels were adequate to surplus. Some areas experienced fieldwork delays due to rain and soggy fields. The rice harvest was complete in many areas but delayed in remaining fields due to a combination of wet conditions, mill backups and other logistical issues. Producers made strong progress with the cotton and corn harvests. Cotton conditions were good in most areas, and soybeans were in fair to good condition. Sorghum was coloring or mature. Pasture and rangeland ratings were fair to excellent. Hay producers completed cuttings and prepared for a potential final cutting. Some areas reported 2.5-3 bales of hay per acre. Conditions contributed to outbreaks of armyworms in pastures. Livestock conditions were very poor to excellent.

Southwest

Scattered rainfall was received over the weekend, with some areas reporting up to 5 inches. Temperatures were cooler; however, heat and drought persisted. Soil moisture levels remained very short, though small, regular amounts of rain helped retain some topsoil moisture. Corn and sorghum harvests were complete, and cotton harvest was set to begin soon. Some cotton was harvested with fair to average yields reported. Pecans continued to mature. Bacterial and fungal infections spiked in ornamental and production trees. Rangeland and livestock conditions continued to improve. Livestock markets ranged from steady to higher. Wildlife were in fair to good condition with many bedding down during the day to avoid the heat. Dove hunters reported a fair harvest during opening day. Livestock continued to receive some supplemental feed and forage. Cooler temperatures were expected for the remainder of the week.

Coastal Bend

Hot, dry weather continued across the district, though scattered showers brought some short-term relief. Soil moisture remained low, with little rainfall over the past four to six weeks. Corn and rice harvests were complete, and soybean harvest was also finished with good yields reported. Ratoon rice prospects were poor due to rice delphacid, and some second-crop rice was already abandoned. Cotton harvest continued and was behind schedule in some areas due to rain interruptions, with yields ranging from 1.5-3 bales per acre. The pecan crop looked fair to good, but early nut drop occurred due to drought stress. Rangeland and pasture conditions mostly declined, with forage quality reduced by dry weather and pest damage. Livestock water supplies were becoming a concern, and supplemental hay feeding began in drier areas. Livestock remained in fair condition, though supplemental feeding increased where rains missed.

South

Conditions improved slightly, with trace amounts of rain up to 3.5 inches received over parts of the district. Conditions were dry, and temperatures remained in the triple digits in other areas. The moisture improved short-term conditions and helped support forage growth. Forecasted temperatures were average to below average. Cotton reached maturity with the defoliation process upcoming, and some fields were being harvested. Vegetable harvest and planting continued, and onion planting was in full swing. Row crop harvest came to an end with a few late-planted fields. Producers prepped their fields for winter crops. Peanut fields were in very good condition and continued to progress under irrigation. Sesame harvest was approximately 75% complete, and yields in those fields were 800 to 1,000 pounds per acre. Hay producers were busy baling and irrigation of meadows continued. Citrus orchards also received irrigation. Falcon Lake levels remained extremely low. Pastures started to improve in the areas that received rain, but triple-digit temperatures did not allow much growth and declined soil moisture conditions. Forage conditions continued to deteriorate in drier areas, forcing ranchers to provide supplemental hay and protein to their herds. Despite the drought, beef cattle were in good condition, and prices continued to be strong for all classes of beef cattle at market. Some cattle producers were selling calves earlier to take pressure off cows and to take advantage of premium prices. Cattle and deer producers fed and supplemented their livestock and wildlife with hay and protein. The opening of dove season was a great success for many hunters, though populations were not as plentiful as in years past. However, turkeys and quail had good populations in the area, and wildlife was active.