Oklahoma State University Extension Hosting Native Pecan Field Day to Promote Local Pecan Industry Growth

The annual pecan field day will cover topics such as establishing a native grove, the effects of prolonged drought stress and wildlife depredation. (Photo by OSU Pecan Management)

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Oklahoma State University Extension will host the 2023 Native Pecan Field Day on Oct. 12 in Okfuskee County.

The free event welcomes commercial pecan growers, landowners with pecans, or hobbyists.

Oklahoma is one of the top native pecan producers in the nation, and around 75% of Oklahoma’s total pecan production is native pecans.

“Although the 2017 Census of Agriculture reported Oklahoma at 96,569 acres in pecan production, the number of potential acres could be several times that if native timber was reclaimed for production and management,” said Becky Carroll, OSU Extension specialist for fruit and pecans. “Okfuskee County was chosen for the fall field day because of its large amount of wild pecan acres as well as those in surrounding counties. We thought the event would be helpful for landowners with questions about how to start the process of cleaning up native pecan land. The field day will also focus on other native pecan topics that affect many pecan producers.”

The Leon Bailey Family, OSU Pecan Management, Okfuskee County Extension, and the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association will host the field day to share their knowledge of pecan management.

Featured topics will include:

• Establishing a native grove
• Assessing native timber area and marking pecan trees
• Equipment needed for tree cleanup
• Thinning out remaining pecans
• Native pecan inputs
• Grazing and forage
• Prolonged drought stress effects
• Wildlife depredation
• Updates on the 2023 season
• Insect and disease management and more

Thursday, Oct. 12, registration will begin at 2:30 p.m. The field day program is from 3 to 6 p.m.

Leon Bailey’s Pecan Farm, 363112 Est 960 Road Paden, Oklahoma.

Brice Callahan, the OSU Extension agriculture educator in Okfuskee County, encourages everyone to attend the field day and enjoy an afternoon in the pecan grove.

“Take this opportunity to learn about updates in the pecan industry and network with other pecan producers,” he said.

Anyone is welcome to attend. Bring a lawn chair and plan to stay for dinner in the pecan grove.