US (TX): Recent flooding could pose problems for pecans
"We have had a lot of rain this spring which is, really it's a good thing," said Orchard Manager Andy Sherrod. "We need the water and we need it in abundance, but we also need some periods of dry. We could start to see fruit abortion and that would be the worst case scenario. I don't anticipate that, but it's a possibility," said Sherrod.
If the soggy conditions persist, they can put stress on the trees. The wet grounds also prevent caregivers from spraying nutrients on the trees.
Water in the soil can also deprive the roots of oxygen. This could potentially harm next year's crop.
"If they perceive they're stressed in the later part of the year, then it effects next year's crop," said Sherrod. "They won't set the fruiting buds that are essential for another crop the following year."
There is also an issue when it comes to demand.
"If we don't have enough pecans to satisfy that demand, then we lose customers, they move onto somebody else and we really rather they didn't do that," said Rebekah Stallsworth with Royalty Pecan Farms.
Especially when pride is taken in producing the pecans.
"We throw our heart and soul into it during growing season and we make sure everything we have is the highest quality," said Stallsworth.
Source: kagstv.com
