BY WILL CHERMAK

HERALD DEMOCRAT

DENISON -- Local pecan farmers in Grayson and surrounding counties are experiencing a drop in pecan production. This drop can be seen throughout Texas and across the United States.

"Over the pecan belt, we are 51 percent short of our crop from last year," said Cecil Crabtree, who owns Crabtree Farms in Denison. His is the only commercial pecan orchard in Grayson County and also processes pecans for other farmers and the public. "The pecan belt stretches all the way from California to Florida."

Crabtree said that his business is experiencing "a bad, bad down year," but knows that this is part of his business. He still emphasizes that his pecans are of good quality, even though the quantity is just short of expectations.

"Pecans are an alternate-bearing crop" said Cindy Wise, executive vice president of Texas Pecan Growers Association. This means a "bigger crop one year, followed by a smaller crop. This past season was the 'off' year."

Crabtree, however, said he believes this "off year" was, in fact, worse than normal. Hurricane Ike caused heavier damage than he and other pecan farmers had expected in Lousiana and Texas. The drought over the spring and summer in Texas also had an affect on his crop.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed that Texas produced 70 million pounds of pecans in 2007, and in 2008 brought in only 30 million pounds.

"The estimated value of the pecans for Grayson County in 2008 was $110,000," said Chuck Jones, extension agent for Grayson County. In 2007, the crop was worth $600,000. Jones said he talked to extension agents in Cooke and Fannin counties, and both pecan harvests were lower than usual.