TEXAS — Even though it may not feel like with Texas temperatures, fall is right around the corner and with that means many are starting to prepare to harvest.
Despite the extreme temperatures this year, there is hope producers could see a slightly above average harvest in the coming months.
The Wimberly family has deep roots in pecan production. Their Central Texas orchard spans generations. Turner Wimberly has memories of helping his grandfather gather pecans.
“Even when I was a kid, they would shake them on to a big tarp,” Wimberly said.
Operations like his are used to getting hit with wet spring storms and hot drought conditions.
“We had a rainy spring, which kind of bailed us out this year. We had good soil moisture going into the hot, dry part of the summer. So, I mean, our orchards in good shape. Would love to have more rain, though. It would help,” Wimberly said.
Early estimates predict Texas will produce around 39 million pounds of pecans. While still below the 75 million pounds the state should produce on paper, that 39 million is an improvement from last year, according to Texas A&M AgriLife pecan specialist and associate professor Monte Nesbitt.
“What we produced lately falls in that 25-45 million pound range. So we’re kind of falling into a middle area of production capacity for the state, 25 to 30 starts to look low for Texas, 40 starts to be in the middle. And I think that’s where we are this year,” Nesbitt said.
Experts say that harvest numbers don’t always guarantee a profit for producers. Wimberly says he’s seen the cost of diesel, fertilizer and equipment explode over the last year.
“Everything that goes into doing this has gotten tremendously more expensive,” Wimberly said. During that time, he says “pecans have not gotten tremendously more expensive. So the gross sales haven’t really changed. But the cost to grow has gone up tremendously.”
Despite the challenges, Wimberly is hoping to finish the season strong.