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APGA News Volume 16, Issue 4 Annual Conference Announcement Sept 1, 2013

This year’s official conference hotel is the

Holiday Inn Express (251-928-9191) in

Fairhope. It has a block of rooms reserved

at the special discounted rate of $99.00 for

the APGA conference. Please make

reservations as soon as possible. They

sell out quickly this time of year.

Responding to the very difficult year resulting from heavy rainfall and

high incidence of diseases this year's Alabama Pecan Growers convention in

Fairhope will feature several speakers discussing ways to combat pests and

disease. The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 19, at the Gulf Coast

Research and Extension Center auditorium northeast of Fairhope on Highway 104,

with registration beginning at 8 AM.

“Growers have asked more about scab control than any other problem this year,”

says Auburn extension specialist Bill Goff, the program chairman.

Among the speakers discussing scab control will be USDA scientist Clive Bock,

Auburn research associate Bryan Wilkins, and Goff. Various ways of combating

the disease through a combination of techniques including spraying, variety

selection, and cultural methods will be discussed.

In addition to scab growers experienced difficulty this year with controlling mites

and insects. Speakers on those topics include University of Georgia entomologist

Jim Dutcher and USDA entomologist Ted Cottrell.

“Keeping up with industry developments nationwide, and now worldwide with the

emergence of China as a major buyer of pecans, is very important to our growers,”

Goff adds.

“We have the President of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association,

Randy Hudson, from Ocilla, Georgia; and the interim president of the US Pecan

Council, Mike Adams from Bryan, Texas to update us on industry developments,”

Goff stated.

(Continued on page 2)

Dynamic speakers,

great fellowship,

great fun and great

sunsets on beautiful

Mobile Bay.

PECANS

Alabama’s Best

Nuts!

2012-2013

DIAMOND SPONSOR

NuFarm Americas, Inc.

2012-2013

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Albany Tractor Supply

2012-2013

GOLD SPONSORS

Alabama Ag Credit

AGRI-AFC, LLC

B & B Pecans

Bertolla Farm Supply

Crop Production Services

D & S Agency, Crop Insurance

Dow AgriSciences

First South Farm Credit

Holmes Pecan Company

J.W. Renfroe Pecan Co.

Ken Buck Farms

NIPAN, LLC

Savage Equipment, Inc.

South Central Crop Insurance

Triangle Chemical Co.

Tucker Farm Center

Underwood Pecan &

Citrus Nursery

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APGA News

Additionally, University of Georgia horticulturist Lenny Wells will update our group on developments in the Georgia pe-

can industry. And Dr. Bill Batchelor, the Dean of the College of agriculture at Auburn will discuss how Auburn Universi-

ty plans to assist the industry.

Always popular with growers is a presentation by fellow grower who has walked in their shoes. This year Georgia grower

Randy Hudson, who also was a pioneer in marketing pecans to China, will share a presentation on “Experiences in Grow-

ing and Marketing Pecans ".

Finally, Monte Nesbitt, former Auburn research associate and currently extension program specialist with Texas A&M

University will return to a warm welcome and will present the topic “Producing Quality Pecans” to our group.

(Continued from page 1)

YOU ARE INVITED!

You are invited to attend the welcome dinner, To be held at 6:00 pm on

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013 American Legion Post 199 700 South Mobile Avenue

Fairhope, AL 36532

-DUTCH TREAT-

APGA has a new website!

After much anticipation, the new website for the Alabama Pecan Growers Association is up and

running. Be sure to check it out! http://www.alabamapecangrowers.com/

Thursday September 12, 2013 Friendship Pecans

1807 Wiliamsburg Road Albany, Georgia 31705

Program starts at 8:30 am NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Topics to be covered include:

Hedge pruning

Fruit thinning

Fertilizer management

Pecan cultivars

Management of young trees

Inter-planning nursery trees in existing orchards

The Georgia Pecan Growers Association Announces Their Annual Fall Field Day:

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A great wealth of professional information awaits you! So check it out TODAY!

APGA News

2013 Conference Program Alabama Pecan Growers 53rd Annual Conference

Tentative Educational Program

Thursday, September 19, 2013 Gulf Coast Research & Extension Center Auditorium

Fairhope, Alabama

8:00 Registration 8:30 Call to Order & Introduction of Guests– Clarence Bishop 8:40 Opening remarks– Bill Batchelor Moderating – Bill Goff

9:00 The US Pecan Council - Mike Adams

9:20 Pecan scab control and fungicide coverage from ground-based sprayers - Clive Bock

9:50 Controlling pecan scab in a tough year - Bill Goff 10:20 Scab and foliage condition on pecan cultivars at the Gulf Coast Station in 2013 - Bryan Wilkins 10:50 Break 11:10 Controlling mites in pecans - Jim Dutcher 11:40 Awards and APGA Business Meeting- Clarence Bishop 12:00 Lunch Moderating—Bryan Wilkins 1:15 Experiences in growing and marketing pecans - Randy Hudson 1:40 Developments in the pecan industry in Georgia - Lenny Wells 2:10 Insect control research - Ted Cottrell 2:30 Break 2:50 Producing quality pecans - Monte Nesbitt 3:20 Pecan crop estimate- Bill Goff 3:30 Announcements and Adjourn

Clarence Bishop President, Alabama Pecan Growers Association Bill Batchelor Dean, College of Agriculture & Director, Alabama Agriculture Experiment Station Auburn University Bill Goff

of Horticulture Auburn University, AL Mike Adams Interim President, US Pecan Council Bryan, TX Clive Bock Research Plant Pathologist USDA Southeastern Fruit & Tree Nut Research Laboratory Byron, GA Bryan Wilkins Research Associate Dept. of Horticulture Auburn University Jim Dutcher Professor Department of Entomology University of Georgia Randy Hudson Pecan grower & President Georgia Pecan Growers Association Ocilla, GA Lenny Wells Associate of Horticulture Department of Horticulture University of Georgia Ted Cottrell Research Entomologist USDA Southeastern Fruit & Tree Nut Research Laboratory Byron, GA Monte Nesbitt Extension Program Specialist Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M University, TX

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APGA News

How to Get Around Fairhope: From Interstate 10, take US 98 South (Daphne/Fairhope Exit).

Go approximately 8 miles to Hwy 104 and travel east 1/4 mile to the Gulf Coast Research Center. It is easily found on the north side, adjacent to the highway. The phone # for the research station is 251-928-2740, should you need more help. See map below for Gulf Coast Research Center as well as hotel and American Legion Hall locations.

(Daphne, AL)

Approximately 8 miles

To Pensacola To Mobile Interstate 10

MOBILE BAY

US Hwy 98

aka Greeno Rd.

Gulf Coast Research Center

8300 Hwy 104

Holiday Inn Express

19751 Greeno Rd

(US Hwy 98)

Scenic 98

Hwy 104 (to Robertsdale)

Gayfer Ave

About 2.4 mile from

Research Center to Holiday Inn Express

(Fairhope, AL)

North

E W

S

Hwy 48

American

Legion Hall

Gambino Restaurant

Fairhope Ave.

Scenic 98

Section Street

About .8 mile

A good crowd of attendants had fun at the Alabama Pecan Growers’ Summer Tour,

held at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope, AL on Tuesday, August 6, 2013.

The APGA Summer Tour was held at the Gulf Coast Research & Extension Center in Fairhope, AL on Tuesday, August 6th, 2013. Bryan Wilkins and Dr. Bill Goff lead the tour through several new research projects. There were over fifty people in attendance, including several new growers and several from

out-of-state.

The hot, humid morning began with a trip though the Low Input variety trial. Bryan explained that the (Continued on page 5)

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APGA News

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Other Motels in the outlying areas

Fairhope, AL (approx. 0-2 miles away) ***Holiday Inn Express 251 928-9191 Key West Inn 251 990-7373 Hampton Inn 251-928-0956 Point Clear (approx. 2-5 miles away) Grand Hotel Marriott (Bay Resort) 800 544-9933 Daphne, AL (approx. 5-15 miles away) Hampton Inn 251 626-2220 Comfort Suites 251 626-1113 Hilton Garden Inn 251 625-0020

difficult growing conditions this season actually helped in evaluating trees. The abundant rainfall this year allowed the scab susceptibility of many cultivars to be evaluated better than in the past because of the increased disease pressure. The “Amling” variety of pecan trees, along with several other varieties, looked

very good, but the “Desirable” trees were a total loss.

The group then began a discussion and review of the Organic orchard study, which Dr. Goff stated is the only research study in the world to be growing pecans organically. Weed control was the primary topic, because insect and disease management had been discussed during the variety review. The group observed some interesting trial methods and discussed possible alternate methods for controlling weeds. Bryan then demonstrated the “burning” method for the group by using a propane torch, but only briefly,

because the day was already extremely hot!

Next, there was a ride across the highway to the High Input block where a new irrigation system had been installed. Dr. Goff spoke of the many challenges brought about by the increase in rain and how several varieties work as a testament to the power of scab this year. However, Bryan explained that despite the large rainfall totals, the rain is often absent during the critical nut filling period in September, and the

absence of rain can lead to poor quality if one can’t irrigate.

Finally, the group recessed to the air-conditioning, where a question-and-answer session was held, mostly centered on reviewing the effectiveness of different chemicals and spray programs used this year. Dr. Goff led an open discussion of prices and harvest expectations, and after a few more minutes of cooling down, the group enjoyed a boxed lunch. Afterwards, the meeting was adjourned.

(Continued from page 4)

Clarennce Bishop Grand Bay Ken Buck Director Bayou La Batre

President Gary Cox Director Fairhope

Matt Goff Silverhill Ray Bertolla Director Daphne

Vice President Andy Bertolla Director Robertsdale

Gary Underwood Foley Stinson Ellis Director Fort Deposit Sec.-Treasurer Dick Higbee Drecitor Fairhope

Dr. Bill Goff Auburn Mark Hatchett Director Grand Bay Advisor David Tucker Director Uriah

Jodie Giles Summerdale Taylor Harper Director Grand Bay Secretary Rodger Cook Ex-officio Silverhill David Sessions Honorary Dir ector Silverhill

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APGA News

Sponsors Help Pecan Growers Promote Pecans!

Support our 2012-2013 Sponsors!

Organization Name

First

Name Last Name City State Home Phone

Agri-AFC, LLC Roger Barnhill III Summerdale AL (251) 964-5031

Agri-AFC,LLC Kevin Stokes Grand Bay AL (251) 865-6110

Alabama AG Credit, FLCA Andrew Grant Loxley AL (251) 964-9770

Alaga-Whitfield Foods Tim Hamer Montgomery AL (334) 263-2541

Albany Tractor Co. William Brown Albany GA (229) 888-1212

B & B Pecan Co. Clarence Bishop Fairhope AL (251) 928-9031

Baldwin County Farmers Fed. David Bitto Robertsdale AL (251) 947-9551

BASF William Reed Dothan AL (334) 794-7342

Bayer Crop Science Jerry Spivey Red Level AL (334) 313-8036

BBVA Compass Bank Tim Rosson Fairhope AL (251) 990-7601

Bertolla Farm Supply Andy Bertolla Robertsdale AL (251) 947-2932

Bushy Creek Clays Gary Cox Fairhope AL (251) 928-1826

Chemtura Agro Solutions Klois J Watts Greenwood MS (662) 299-3816

D & S Agency, Crop Insurance Lisa Sessions Grand Bay AL (251) 865-5468

Dow AgroSciences Al Wright Dothan AL (334) 726-0249

Dupont Jeffrey Howell Auburn AL (334) 707-7861

First South Farm Credit,ACA Joe Ellis Bay Minette AL (251) 580-8678

Foley Implement Co., Inc. Larry Blackmon Foley AL (251) 943-5091

Holmes Pecan Company Tony Holmes Fairhope AL (251) 928-2502

Holmes Pecan Company Ashley Morgan Andalusia AL (334) 222-9827

Hurst Pecan Co. JuJu Hurst Louisville AL (334) 266-5144

J.W. Renfroe Pecan Co. Jake Renfroe Pensacola FL (850) 432-9600

Ken Buck Farms Ken Buck Irvington AL (251) 824-2838

Louisville Pecan Co. Homer Henson Louisville AL (334) 266-5388

Merrill Lynch Melanie Harris Fairhope AL (251) 990-2371

Mobile County Farmers Fed. Calvin Freeland Mobile AL (251) 635-1616

Monsanto Co., Inc. Randy Barwick Loxley AL (251) 964-6236

Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney Tod Frik Fairhope AL (251) 990-2944

National Bank of Commerce June Wilson Fairhope AL (251)

NIPAN, LLC Hilton Segler Albany GA (229) 881-4082

NIPAN, LLC Mark Crawford Valdosta GA (229) 460-5922

NuFarm Americas, Inc. Craig Noll Cape Coral FL (239) 691-8060

NuFarm Americas, Inc. Kinney Carlton Natchez MS (601) 422-3906

Pennington Seed Gary Schaffer Cullman AL (850) 554-7152

Pennington Seed-Alabama Div. Marvin Jones Cullman AL (800) 768-7333

Priester's Pecans Company Thomas Ellis Fort Deposit AL (334) 227-4301

Traingle Chemical Company Mark Hawke Macon GA (229) 344-6508

Tucker Farm Center James Tucker Frisco City AL (251) 267-3104

United Phosphorus, Inc. Randy Gilliam West Columbia SC (803) 760-4743

Savage Equipment, Inc Basil Savage Madill OK (580) 795-3394

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APGA News

2013-2014 Dues

APGA dues expire on August 31st, the end of our fiscal year. Dues are good from September 1st to August 31st of the next year. Dues must be paid by October 1st to maintain magazine subscriptions. Members

receive quarterly newsletters as well as quarterly issues of the Pecan Grower Magazine. Pecan South is an optional monthly publication (available for $18.00 for 12 issues). Thank you for your continued support of APGA.

Together we can find ways to help the pecan industry in Alabama!

Member Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Organization: ______________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City:_______________________________ State:________________ Postal Code:______________

Phone: ( ) _____________________________________________________________________

E-mail Address: ___________________________________________________________________

Amount

Membership dues (Choose one membership category)

General Membership: $45.00 annual dues _______________________________________

OR

Extension Membership: $20.00 annual dues _______________________________________

(County Agents and University Professors)

Magazine Subscriptions:

Please check if you want a subscription to:

The Pecan Grower (included with dues) _ ( ___)__________________________ __

Pecan South ($18.00 for 4 issues) _ (______)__________________________ __

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: _______________________________________________

Please make checks payable to APGA

MAIL COMPLETED FORM TO: APGA, PO BOX 443, FAIRHOPE, AL 36533

Invoices for dues have already been sent out. If you have mailed in your dues, you do not have to

fill out this form. If you are new or have NOT received an invoice and would like to join or come to the convention please fill out this form.

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APGA News

APGA 2013 News APGA, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that serves the Alabama

Commercial Pecan Industry by promoting education and research of

improved pecan production practices. APGA sponsors a pecan orchard

tour during the year and an annual convention the 3rd Thursday in

September in Fairhope, AL. APGA works closely with Auburn University

Research and Extension Service to solve the latest problems facing

pecan growers and to make pecan growing profitable.

Check that your dues are current!!!!

Annual membership dues $45, Extension personnel membership $20.

Send dues to: APGA, P. O. Box 443, Fairhope, AL 36532

PO Box 443 Fairhope, AL 36533

(251) 459-4235

www.alabamapecangrowers.com