Missouri Nut Growers gathered at Nevada, Mo. in early February to crack hundreds of nuts to determine the best of the 1997 crop. The judges were looking for high kernel percentage and size as well as high quality. The following listing shows the results including a notation of number of nuts per pound.
Seedling pecans and walnuts are those trees that have grown from a native nut with unknown parentage or grown from a nut from a tree that was grafted to a known cultivar (mother tree) but the male parent is unknown.
Cultivars are nuts from trees that have been grafted to known, recognized cultivars or varieties. These grafted trees essentially are clones. However, sites, weather conditions and cultural practices result in differences in nuts. The same cultivar grown by three different producers at different sites around the state may vary by three or more points in percentage of kernel. This can often be seen when comparing nuts from a plantation that has been fertilized and irrigated to those from a plantation that has not received such care.
It should be noted that many "seedling" nuts have been named but are not recognized by the Missouri Nut Growers Association as a true cultivar. Cultivar status usually is achieved when the seedling is accepted by a large number of growers and is deemed to have commercial or specific breeding value.
This year's show had the most black walnut entries on record and the pecan entries were the highest in several years. It should be noted that many of the seedlings, especially in the black walnut class, have very low kernel percentages. Most of these entries are natives that have not been analyzed before. The parent tree may have shown the sought after qualities of high nut production and a trend toward annual bearing, but the nuts themselves yield small amounts of kernel or are of poor kernel quality. All these elements must come together to be recognized as a top cultivar.
In the pecan seedling category, there were several new "finds" that came from native groves, city parks and individual trees in pastures. Most notable is the pecan entered by Mary Ann Byrd of Butler, Mo. This seedling not only has a fairly high kernel percentage, but also is fairly large (only 80 nuts per pound). In contrast, the other top- placing seedling pecans all were rather small nuts requiring more than 100 nuts to make a pound.
One of the show judges, Bill Reid, director of the Pecan Experiment Field at Chetopa, Kansas, reported that several exceptionally large seedling pecan nuts showed up in this year's show. Most of these are coming from the southern part of the state. He feels that many of these are coming from trees that have grown from nuts produced by grafted trees that were introduced into Missouri at the beginning of this cen tury. The grafted stock came from southern nurseries and were some of the older, well-known southern cultivars such as Stuart. The seedling trees often produce large nuts typical of the southern varieties. The trees may also be cold hardy enough to survive in Missouri, especially in the southern portion. However, the nuts may not mature because of Missouri's shorter growing season.
In the black walnut seedling class, the first place winner is a recent find from south Missouri. Its 31.58 percent kernel makes it worth watching for other desirable characteristics. Most of the seedling walnuts, though, had little to offer in kernel percentage since the average of native nuts is about 20 percent.
Special awards were given to Paul Woody, Bronaugh, Mo. for the Grand Champion black walnut cultivar (Surprise); Bill Reid, Chetopa, Kan. for the Grand Champion pecan cultivar (Kanza); Bob Nieman, Lockwood, Mo. for 1st Place black walnut seedling and Mary Ann Byrd, Butler, Mo. for 1st Place pecan seedling.
Seedling pecans
% Nuts
Grower Tree Kernel /Lb. Place
=======================================================
M. Byrd Seedling #2 49.38 80.00 1st
P. Rotert #12 48.50 100.00 2nd
J. Rupp Jenkins 52.91 114.28 3rd
B. Kussman Irma 47.87 114.28 4th
L. Weber #1 45.07 88.89
P. Woody #1 52.91 100.00
R. Dye #108 43.11 88.89
N. Schafer #202 42.33 80.00
N. Schafer #299 45.56 66.67
B. Nieman #3 43.11 88.89
P. Rotert #38 43.11 88.89
P. Rotert #64 37.79 114.28
P. Rotert #7 43.29 72.73
J. Stewart #780 39.68 100.00
G. Kempf 12K67 41.89 100.00
D. Warren 317 49.97 133.33
D. Warren 346 42.83 114.28
J. Wilson B12 35.27 72.73
J. Wilson B2 35.27 114.28
J. Wilson Bee Tree 41.15 88.89
G. Nuse Brohn 49.97 133.33
J. Byram Delane 41.89 100.00
G. Kempf F 35.27 133.33
B. Nieman Fence Row 48.10 72.73
B. Kussman Goose Pond 43.29 72.73
D. Grotjan Grotjan #1 47.03 88.89
W. Adams Harts 45.86 53.33
L. Harper HH-P1 35.27 133.33
V. Byrd Improved Seedling 44.68 53.33
J. Byram Kelly 42.83 114.28
B. Kussman Kussman 49.97 133.33
W. Adams Marylou 49.80 47.06
P. Woody McDowell 16 49.38 80.00
N. Wilkerson N1 44.89 72.73
N. Wilkerson N2 38.80 80.00
D. Johnson Native 15 48.99 88.89
G. Gardner Ozarkia 41.15 133.33
G. McDowell Pond 40.08 72.73
D. Warren Rema 45.86 80.00
G. Nuse Sandy 41.89 100.00
M. Byrd Seedling #1 37.79 114.28
J. Bays Seedling #1 40.56 80.00
J. Rupp Sturgis 42.62 66.67
G. McDowell Top Middle Tree 46.13 61.54
G. McDowell Top Row 39.68 66.67
G. McDowell Unknown 51.55 61.54
J. Wilson unnamed 42.33 80.00
J. Rupp Walker 42.83 114.28
G. Gardner Warren 57.32 100.00
P. Woody Woody #1 58.79 133.33
Pecan cultivars
Grower Tree % Kernel Nuts/Lb. Place
==========================================================
B. Kussman Colby 43.20 61.54 1st
R. Dye Colby 39.68 100.00
R. Dye Colby 42.33 80.00
G. Gardner Dooley 47.03 88.89 1st
W. Knaust Dooley 48.10 72.73
B. Nieman Dooley 45.86 80.00
P. Woody Dooley 45.35 114.28
R. Dye Giles 54.87 88.89 1st
P. Woody Giles 51.15 80.00
V. Byrd Giles 43.41 61.54
R. Dye Giles 57.32 100.00
R. Dye Giles 50.95 88.89
G. Gardner Giles 54.51 72.73
G. McDowell Mohawk 59.41 42.10 1st
J. Wilson Mohawk 58.10 47.06
G. Gardner Mohawk 57.32 50.00
G. McDowell Pawnee 56.02 47.06 1st
V. Byrd Pawnee 58.79 44.44
G. Kempf Pawnee 40.31 57.14
P. Woody Peruque 62.71 88.89 1st
E. Williams Peruque 59.52 100.00
R. Dye Peruque 47.03 88.89
K. Hunt Peruque 66.63 88.89
G. Kempf Posey 57.72 72.73 1st
R. Dye Posey 54.51 72.73
R. Dye Posey 56.44 80.00
K. Hunt Posey 60.93 72.73
D. Warren Posey 55.85 66.67
W. Reid Kanza 54.51 72.73 1st
B. Kussman Niblack 49.38 80.00 2nd
W. Reid Canton 49.38 80.00
J. Wilson Chief 46.30 50.00
J. Wilson GraCross 55.85 66.67
P. Woody Greenriver 54.27 61.54
J. Wilson Greenriver 52.91 66.67
P. Woody Hirschi 48.50 100.00
J. Stewart Hirschi 48.50 100.00
P. Woody Indiana 49.38 80.00
P. Woody Johnson 38.80 80.00
D. Warren Lucas 58.79 133.33
P. Woody Major 47.03 88.89
M. Koehn Major 51.31 72.73
J. Wilson Maramec 52.91 66.67
G. McDowell Maramec 52.91 57.14
G. McDowell McLaurie 45.56 66.67
G. McDowell McLeon 48.84 61.54
W. Reid Norton 49.97 66.67
D. Warren Norton 43.41 61.54
G. Gardner Osage 51.31 72.73
P. Woody S. Hirschi 47.62 80.00
P. Woody Shephard 48.50 100.00
G. Gardner Shephard 48.10 72.73
J. Wilson Shoshoni 54.27 61.54
R. Dye Starking Hardy Giant 44.09 100.00
J. Stewart Stuart 50.39 57.14
P. Woody Unknown 50.95 88.89
G. McDowell USDA 61-4-36 62.67 53.33
E. Williams Witte 54.51 72.73
Seedling black walnuts
% Nuts
Grower Tree Kernel /Lb. Place
====================================================
B. Nieman Pond Tree 31.58 29.84 1st
B. Lane Lee's Summit 23.08 17.45 2nd
G. Gardner Gardner 345 22.86 32.40 3rd
J. Fann #1 16.67 21.00
G. Messner #11 21.62 30.65
J. Fann #2 11.11 25.20
J. Devine Agnes Blomes 21.43 20.25
L. Harper Briscoe #1 12.24 23.14
L. Harper Briscoe #2 20.00 28.35
L. Harper Briscoe #3 19.15 24.13
L. Harper Briscoe #4 19.35 36.58
J. Devine Devine #1 25.41 18.59
P. Moore Drain Tree 24.24 34.36
J. Fleck FBW-1 10.00 32.40
J. Devine Gray Summit 14.15 21.40
J. Devine Hanlon #8 23.53 33.35
K. Hunt HR3 24.07 21.00
J. Devine Long Walnut 29.76 27.00
G. Gardner Ozark King 25.00 21.81
G. McDowell Tank Tree 26.25 28.35
P. Moore Williams Seedling 25.00 47.25
P. Woody Woody #1 23.96 23.62
P. Woody Woody #2 22.60 15.53
N. Workman Workman #1 19.15 24.13
Black walnut cultivars
% Nuts
Grower Cultivar Kernel /Lb. Place
======================================================
K. Hunt Clermont 23.68 19.89 1st
P. Moore Clermont 21.82 20.62
B. Lane Clermont 25.00 19.55
J. Stevens Emma-K 28.75 28.35 1st
W. Knaust Emma-K 33.67 23.14 2nd
E. Williams Emma-K 30.00 25.20
K. Hunt Emma-K 30.00 28.35
G. Gardner Emma-K 34.78 24.65
B. Lane Emma-K 30.85 24.13
G. Leaming Emma-K 30.68 25.77
W. Knaust Football 29.46 20.25 1st
J. Stevens Football 19.77 26.37 2nd
P. Woody Football 21.82 20.62
P. Moore Football 24.24 34.36
K. Hunt Football 24.07 21.00
G. Leaming Football 22.73 25.77
G. Gardner Football 26.00 22.68
B. Lane Kwik-Krop 27.27 25.77 1st
E. Williams Kwik-Krop 26.83 27.66 2nd
P. Moore Kwik-Krop 22.37 29.84
J. Stevens Kwik-Krop 25.53 24.13
W. Knaust Kwik-Krop 29.46 20.25
G. Gardner Kwik-Krop 28.00 22.68
B. Lane Mintle 26.56 35.44 1st
E. Williams Mintle (B. Nugget) 24.29 32.40 2nd
P. Woody Mintle (B. Nugget) 25.00 31.50
J. Stevens Mintle (B. Nugget) 20.59 33.35
B. Lane Mintle (B. Nugget) 25.71 32.40
K. Hunt Mintle (B. Nugget) 22.22 31.50
P. Woody Sauber 25.61 27.66 1st
J. Stevens Sauber 27.27 34.36
E. Williams Sauber 29.46 20.25
G. Gardner Sauber 30.30 34.36
B. Lane Sauber 31.25 28.35
E. Williams Sparks 127 34.21 29.84 1st
B. Lane Sparks 127 29.73 30.65
G. Gardner Sparks 127 30.56 31.50
B. Lane Sparks 147 35.14 30.65
E. Williams Sparrow 28.21 29.08 1st
W. Knaust Sparrow 26.85 21.00 2nd
P. Moore Sparrow 26.74 26.37
J. Stevens Sparrow 26.67 25.20
L. Harper Sparrow 27.55 23.14
G. Gardner Sparrow 25.56 25.20
P. Woody Surprise 29.63 21.00 1st
B. Lane Surprise 30.85 24.13 2nd
E. Williams Surprise 27.91 26.37
G. Gardner Surprise 29.09 20.62
K. Hunt Surprise 22.45 23.14
W. Knaust Surprise 32.41 21.00
G. Leaming Surprise 27.55 23.14
B. Lane Tomboy 24.00 22.68 1st
E. Williams Tomboy 22.12 21.81 2nd
P. Moore Tomboy 20.65 24.65
G. Gardner Tomboy 23.00 22.68
W. Knaust Bowser 29.76 27.00 1st
B. Lane Hare 26.67 18.90 2nd
G. Gardner Hay II 27.63 29.84 3rd
G. Gardner Jackson 31.25 35.44 4th
G. Gardner Bowser 24.36 29.08
B. Lane Crosby 22.64 21.40
B. Lane Daniels 30.65 18.29
B. Lane Dubois 27.78 25.20
E. Williams Harney 25.56 25.20
E. Williams Hay 30.16 18.00
B. Lane Hay 30.36 20.25
E. Williams HRC3 25.93 21.00
E. Williams Jackson 24.53 42.79
G. Gardner Mystery 23.26 26.37
B. Lane Mystery 25.51 23.14
B. Lane Ogden 22.64 21.40
E. Williams Patterson 29.76 27.00
B. Lane Patterson 32.56 26.37
E. Williams Ridgeway 22.56 13.83
G. Gardner Ridgeway 20.37 14.00
B. Lane Rowher 27.36 21.40
G. Gardner Rowher 21.67 18.90
E. Williams Sauber II 26.47 33.35
B. Lane Schreiber 26.56 17.72
G. Gardner Shessler 26.60 24.13
E. Williams South Fork 20.69 39.10
B. Lane Stanek 19.23 21.81
J. Stevens Thomas 23.15 21.00
B. Lane Thomas 25.41 18.59
E. Williams Thomas-Myers 30.56 21.00
G. Gardner Thomas-Myers 27.68 20.25
E. Williams Woody 22.22 36.00
Hickories
% Nuts
Grower Species Cultivar Kernel /Lb. Place
==========================================================
E. Williams Mockernut Windsor Park 18.75 47.25
E. Williams Shagbark Wilcox 36.67 75.60
J. Stewart Shellbark 959 29.17 18.90 1st
J. Stewart Shellbark 873 29.17 23.62 2nd
J. Stewart Shellbark 867 27.78 31.50
J. Stewart Shellbark 872 21.15 21.81
J. Stewart Shellbark 874 31.25 23.62
J. Stewart Shellbark 875 22.22 21.00
J. Stewart Shellbark Banana 23.33 18.90
J. Wilson Shellbark JW1 15.31 23.14
Miscellaneous nut species
% Nuts
Grower Species Cultivar Kernel /Lb. Place
=============================================================
K. Hunt Chestnut Sleeping Giant 22.68 1st
K. Hunt Chestnut AU-Cropper 54.00
K. Hunt Chestnut AU-Homestead 22.23
K. Hunt Chestnut Crane 29.84
K. Hunt Chestnut Mossbarger 29.08
K. Hunt Chestnut Revival 25.20
K. Hunt Heartnut Canoka 21.05 59.68
J. Wilson Hican Wilson 43.86 39.79 1st
P. Woody Hican Weese 41.67 37.80 2nd
D. Warren Hican Gun Club 26.67 50.40
B. Lane Hican Underwood 30.30 34.36
