SAN MARCOS — The Texas State Pecan Show for pecans grown in 2023 was judged on July 14, along with the Texas Pecan Grower’s Association annual conference in San Marcos.
Dr. Warren Chatwin and Braden Tondre, USDA-ARS Pecan Breeding & Genetics Program in College Station, 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 competitions, qualifying them for the state competition. Menard County had the highest entries among 20 counties, with nine growers receiving awards. Washington County had the highest number of growers receiving awards, with 12 awards, and DeWitt had the second highest, with 11.
Austin County had 12 entries in the State Show, 10 of which were placed. Placings are as follows:
•1st Place Melrose - Florian Pawlak
•3rd Place Prilop - Lois Steele
•1st Place Stuart - Freddie Englebrecht
•2nd Place Success - Clint Rinn
•2nd Place Variety Seedling - J.L. Spiess
•3rd Place Desirable - Ronnie Kuciemba
•2nd Place Kiowa - Ronnie Kuciemba
•1st Place Natives - Luedeker Farms -Mud Tank; Native Grand Champion - Luedeker Farms 2nd Place Past State Champion - Lois Steele -2009 Champ.
•3rd Place Past State Champion - Annie Wittner -2023 Champ.
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 percent kernel. Reserve champion native pecan was Marilyn Stein, Medina County, with a native sample having 63 nuts per pound and 43 percent 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 percent kernel. Reserve champion in the Classic & New category was won by Lloyd and Connie Boedeker, DeWitt County, ‘Shawnee’ variety at 45 nuts per pound and 56 percent kernel. The Commercial Division grand champion was won by Lloyd and Connie Boedeker, De-Witt County, with a ‘Pawnee’ variety showing 36 nuts per pound and 61 percent kernel. Reserve champion Commercial was won by John and Bertha Abraham, Wharton County, with ‘Oconee’ showing 37 nuts per pound and 57 percent kernel.
To enter the Austin County Pecan Show, save 50 pecans from this year’s 2024 crop. Entries to the Austin County Extension Office are due Nov. 25 by 5 p.m.
If you have any questions, call Agent Stacie Villarreal at 979865-2072.
