Results of the 2024 Texas state pecan show were announced Sunday, July 20th, at the 104th Texas Pecan Growers Annual Conference in Denton, Texas. There were 193 entries from the three regional shows (East, West, Central) representing 47 pecan varieties, including natives and variety seedlings. Judges for the show were Dr. Warren Chatwin, Dr. Xinwang Wang, Dr. Angelyn Hilton, Keith Kubenka, and Braden Tondre, all from USDAARS Pecan Breeding & Genetics Lab, College Station, Texas.
The Grand Champion Commercial Division pecan was entered by Eric Olson, Palo Pinto County with Hopi variety having 42 nuts per pound and 58% kernel. The Grand Champion Classic & New Division pecan was entered by Fritz Pecan Farm, Washington County, with a Lakota variety having 39 nuts per pound and 60% kernel. The Grand Champion Native pecan was grown by Luedeker Farm, Austin County, a pecan with 71 nuts per pound and 57% kernel. The counties with the highest number of state pecan show entries were Menard (22), San Saba (18), and Comanche and Washington (14 each). San Saba and Victoria Counties tied for the highest number of variety class awards per county (1st, 2nd, 3rd) with 11 each.
The results were as follows:
Steve Stifflemire – Burkett – 1st Place
Jackie Brister - Cheyenne – 3rd Place
Steve Stifflemire - Choctaw – 1st Place
Eddie Holland – Comanche – 1st Place
Lance Hill – Desirable – 2nd Place
Texcan – Elliott – 1st Place
Jackie Brister – Lightest Pecan – 3rd Place
Texcan – Natives – 1st Place – Reserve Champion
Steve Stifflemire – Oconee – 3rd Place
Vicky Key – San Saba Improved – 1st Place
Vickie Key – Wichita – 2nd Place
CONGRATULATIONS to these exhibitors. Thank You for representing San Saba County. Ribbons and plaques will be forwarded to county offices in the next three weeks.
Texas Pecan Growers Association website: https://tpga.org/.