President’s Message
June 2008

The fourteen plus inches of rain here in the New Roads area from May is gone, and everyone in the state could pretty much use a few showers.

The fungicides I've sprayed with my zinc seem to have kept the scab in check.  Sherman Richardson says they're having to spray for leaf scorch mites in the northwestern and central part of the state.  With the price of chemicals steadily going up, and four dollar diesel, one has to wonder if 2008 will be a profitable year.        

The growers I've talked to seem to think we have an average to light crop of natives from Alexandria south.  One of the largest custom harvesters in this area has said that if the prices aren't there, what few pecans he sees may not get picked.  Our Candy's seem to have a decent crop, but everyone north to south says there are very few Elliotts.  Oconees and Desirables seem to have a decent crop, also.

I'd like to invite everyone to attend Our TriState Pecan Trade Show and Convention in Vicksburg Mississippi on July 24 & 25.  This year our show is focusing on our vendors in the pecan industry.  Without them, where would we the growers be?  This was Perry Jenkins's idea, and the best compliment I can give him is:  "I wish it had been my idea".  And of course you know the living legend, Ben Littlepage, will be giving his famous prognostication on what the nation-wide pecan crop will be.

While you're out there toiling in your orchard in the heat of the day remember this verse from the Joe Nichols song "The Shade":

     There's not another place I'd rather be
     'Cause out here in the country
     Bluebirds sing for nothin',
     And the shade comes free with the tree.

2008 Tri-State Pecan Trade Show and Convention

The 2008 Tri-State Pecan Trade Show and Convention will be held at the Vicksburg Convention Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 24 - 25, 2008.  This convention will be a joint tri-state meeting with the Mississippi Pecan Growers Association and the Arkansas Pecan Growers Association.

Instead of an orchard day this year we are having a special focus on our vendors.  All events of the show will take place in the exhibit hall of the convention center.  So far we have about 25 exhibitors signed up.  It should be a great opportunity to get all the latest information on products that keep us going.

Registration will begin at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 24, and lunch will be served around noon.  The afternoon will feature special presentations by selected vendors.  The three state groups will have their annual meetings at the end of the afternoon, and we'll be on our own for dinner.

Friday we'll begin about 8:00 am with scientific presentations, breaking for a buffet lunch and ending with Ben Littlepage's Annual Pecan Prognostication.

As usual, we will have a Silent Auction to benefit pecan research.

Registration is $25 before July 1, and $35 after then.  Your spouse/guest can register for $10.

We're staying at the Horizon Casino Hotel a couple of blocks away.  For reservations, their phone number is (601) 636-3423.  Be sure to mention Mississippi Pecan Growers to get the reduced rate.