Clouterville, Louisiana (PRWEB) August 31, 2013 -- Natchitoches Pecans, Inc. attended the Tri-State Pecan Convention & Trade Show in Vicksburg, Mississippi, an annual conference that brings together pecan buyers and growers from across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Following last year's demonstration of new in-shell pecan sorting machinery by Natchitoches Pecans' co-owner Mark Swanson, the convention once again visited local orchard operations.
In addition to understanding new machinery, orchard visits provided a chance for attendees to experience and understand the variety of issues a pecan grower may be faced with, from thinning pecan trees to the difficulties of irrigation. Swanson is familiar with thinning out trees and lesser varieties, as he has employed the same practices throughout the years in Natchitoches Pecans' own orchards.
Alongside the practical display of orchard maintenance and growth, the trade show delivers a platform for pecan growers to discuss new advances in pecan research, such as clinical trials that focus on health improvement when pecans are added to a subject's diet. It is a matter important to growers and buyers alike, as positive public perception of a diet enriched with pecans can affect in store buying trends.
The conference is a meeting point for growers and industry specialists to share and discuss new or experimental growth practices, strategies for pest and disease control, and operational management. The Tri-State convention ends with an always anticipated annual estimate of the expected U.S. pecan crop. This year's crop estimate was placed at 222 million pounds, the lowest in recent years.
The importance of the conference is clear to Natchitoches Pecans co-owner Julie Swanson. "The annual convention keeps everyone abreast of government regulations on the horizon, new products that may be available for controlling insects or diseases within the orchards, and research done by scientists in the field," Swanson said. "It's a place to gather and exchange ideas, and bring us up-to-date on the field."
Natchitoches Pecans
Established in 1987, Natchitoches Pecans, Inc. is a family owned and operated pecan orchard. Mark Swanson sees to the everyday operations, his wife, Julie, takes care of Little Eva's Pecan Store and the mail-order business, and their mothers, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews all help wherever needed. Natchitoches Pecans is proud to provide high-quality, gourmet Louisiana pecans for all of its customers.
Julie Swanson, Natchitoches Pecans, Inc., http://www.natchitochespecans.com/, (318) 379-0272, [email protected]
SOURCE Natchitoches Pecans, Inc.
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