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Oklahoma Pecan Production Off To Slow Start As Farmers Face Harsh Weather

Flickr / Leslie

Oklahoma farmers are expecting fewer pecans this season due to weather conditions.

Oklahoma typically averages 17 million pounds of pecans each year, and ranks top three in the country for native pecan production, according to a report from Oklahoma State University.

Oklahoma farmers are estimated to produce about 9 million pounds of pecans, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Chad Sellman, the president of the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association, said it’s been a tough year between unexpected weather and lower prices.

“We had kind of a light freeze there in April that also damaged crops more so just got a combination of things delivering a small crop this year,” Sellman said. “Prices are lower than normal, lower than last year.”

Pecan trees are considered alternate bearing crops, meaning some years will have more pecans than others. Sellman said if the weather stays steady, harvest will move quickly.

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Seth Bodine was KOSU's agriculture and rural issues reporter from June 2020 to February 2022.
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