The Texas State Pecan Show for pecans grown in 2023 was judged on July 14, 2024, in conjunction with the Texas Pecan Grower’s Association annual conference in San Marcos.
Dr. Warren Chatwin and Mr. Braden Tondre, USDA-ARS Pecan Breeding & Genetics Program in College Station, Texas, judged the 187 entries divided into 42 variety classes.
Seventy-five entities—individual growers or commercial farms- representing 32 Texas counties previously placed at their respective regional competition to be judged at the state competition.
Menard County had the highest number of entries among counties (20) with nine growers receiving awards. Washington County had the highest number of growers receiving awards (12), and DeWitt had the second highest (11).
Grand and reserve champion distinctions were made in three divisions—Commercial, Classic & New, and Native.
For the native division, Grand Champion was awarded to Luedeker Farm, Austin County, for a native having 66 nuts per pound and 42% kernel.
Reserve Champion native pecan was Marilyn Stein, Medina County, with a native sample having 63 nuts per pound and 43% kernel.
In the Classic & New division, the Grand Champion winner was Robert Schuetze, Milam County, with ‘GraTex’ variety, a sample having 40 nuts per pound and 64% kernel.
Reserve Champion (Classic & New) was won by Lloyd & Connie Boedeker, DeWitt County, ‘Shawnee’ variety at 45 nuts per pound and 56% kernel.
The Commercial Division Grand Champion was won by Lloyd & Connie Boedeker, DeWitt County, with a ‘Pawnee’ variety showing 36 nuts per pound and 61% kernel.
Reserve Champion Commercial was won by John & Bertha Abraham, Wharton County, with ‘Oconee’ showing 37 nuts per pound and 57% kernel.
San Saba County had 11 entries in the State Show and brought home five awards this year.
San Saba County Awards
Classic And New Division:
2nd Place - Prilop: TEXCAN PECAN
2nd Place - San Saba Improved: Vicky Key
Commercial Division:
2nd Place - Schley: Millican Pecan
3rd Place - Wichita: Vicky Key
Native Division:
3rd Place - Lightest Pecan: Vicky Key
The complete results will be posted online with Texas Pecan Growers Association, http://www.tpga.org/.