SUMMARY:

There were 125 entries in the 1997 DeWitt County Pecan Show making it one of the largest shows ever. The large number of entries was an indication of the good pecan crop experienced by most producers in DeWitt county. Of the 125 entries, 28 qualified to advance on to the Regional Pecan Show held in Brenham. At Brenham, DeWitt county fared very well winning 6 first places, 3 second places, and 1 third place. Lloyd Boedeker won Reserve Champion in the Classic Division with a Shawnee entry. In the county show the Champion Native was produced by John Guevara and the Reserve was won by Lloyd Boedeker. The Champion Classic was a Schley produced by Shawn Braun and the Reserve was a Podsednik produced by Leonell Post. The Champion Commercial was a Shawnee produced by Lloyd Boedeker and the Reserve was a Graking produced by Lloyd Boedeker.

PURPOSE:

The pecan show, for many years, has been a way for producers to promote pecans, exchange ideas and learn more about the pecans they produce - not only about quality but about varieties and problems that show up as blemishes or reduce the percent kernel. Pecans are discarded if flawed in the following ways:

* stink bug - black spots on the kernel

* vivipary - sprouting, root developing out of kernel

* mold - gray or black mold on kernel

* oily - kernel is oil soaked

* embryo rot - the eye of the kernel is discolored at the point where the halves attach

* vivipary rot - the dorsal ridge of the kernel is shriveled, beginning at the apex end of the kernel

* fuzz - 50% or more of the kernel is covered with fuzz

* wafer - 50% or more of the kernel is a wafer

* watery - the kernel is spongy and discolored, usually off-green

The color of the nut is important because it influences the value of the pecan. The lighter the kernel color, the higher the value when all other factors are equal. The five colors are Cream, Golden, Light Brown, Brown and Black.