Demand for Texas citrus trees is stronger than ever, as consumers want the benefit of growing citrus in their own backyards. “Citrus has always been very popular,” explains Ricky Becnel, owner of Saxon Becnel and Sons. “It’s top of the fruit chain.”
Saxon and Sons is the main provider of citrus to 1/3 of the United States, and exports a few tractor trailer loads a year into Canada. The company also has contracts with Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, and Costco.
Although there has been a recent increase in prices, consumers realize the increase was necessary. “We work with regulations set in place by the USDA and state government to ensure that our trees are the highest quality available,” declares Becnel, who uses only the highest quality fertilizer and soil for growing operations. “The pay increase doesn’t provide more money directly into our pockets, but pays off the price of new structures.”
Due to the large number of insects and diseases which affect citrus trees, Saxon and Sons has recently made several upgrades to their nursery facility. This includes a retrofitted double door entry greenhouse structure. “When the first set of doors open, high speed fans blow the hallway clean of any lingering threats,” explains Becnel, “only after the primary door closes, and the fans have stopped are people permitted entry into the greenhouse.”
These screen structures and protocols are following a USDA regulatory program. There are a total of five citrus growing states within The United States: Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, and California. The guidelines set forth by the USDA ensure that any grower wanting to build a citrus greenhouse facility will already have a procedure to follow.
Saxon and Sons, which is based in Louisiana, decided to expand their operations into Texas after Hurricane Katrina almost destroyed the family business which has been in place since 1850. “Our Texas operation is now 50% larger than our six generation home site,” states Becnel, “We work with the community in Texas and pull our water from a freshwater canal.”
For more information please contact:
Ricky Becnel
Owner
Saxon Becnel and Sons, LLC
Tel: 504.656.7535
Fax: 504.656.7065
LACitrus1@cmaaccess.com
www.saxonbecnelandsons.com/