Georgia Pecan Farmer Wants Yield Increase to Outweigh Application Costs
Arren Moses is content that life’s path led him to be the seventh-generation farmer in his family. It must have been that same path that guided him to be his family’s first-generation pecan farmer. After all, he does live in Uvalda, Georgia, a town known for its pecan farms and production — in a state that leads the United States in pecan production.
Arren Moses Farms’ pecan entity encompasses 800 acres of orchards stretched across three counties. Arren and his wife, Taylor, are raising their young son, Thomas, who might become the family’s eighth-generation farmer.
“There’s nothing more rewarding to me than being able to work with my family on our farm. That includes my father, who is still active in day-to-day operations,” Arren Moses says. “It’s fulfilling to see all things grow – our farm, the fruits of our labor, but most importantly, our family.”
Equipment, Labor and Crop Protection
With farming margins as tight as they are, Moses’ on-farm goals are all efficiency-driven. From his choice of crop protection chemistries, equipment and labor to agronomic and operational decisions, he is constantly looking for ways to maximize the yield potential of his pecan trees while controlling input costs.
“I cut back on labor when I can, without allowing it to put me behind on my production schedule,” Moses says. “I take advantage of equipment innovations when it pencils out on paper. When the load capacity of drones increased, I bought one and learned to fly it. I use it to spray my pecans at 30% of the cost that I would pay for an aerial application. It’s a niche use but it makes sense for us on pecans.”
Low input production and maximum yields is the target he aims for each season. He puts together a cost/benefit analysis for just about everything on the farm. Behind water, he ranks pest control as his No. 2 concern each season. When it comes to purchasing the products he uses to protect his pecans, Moses admits he has encountered a learning curve to get to where he is today.
“I was struggling to control black pecan aphids and had been using older products, making multiple applications and not getting good control,” Moses says. “Our local Corteva representative, Jared Walls, stopped by and recommended I try Transform WG insecticide. I did, and with the control it delivered, I went from making three applications of the previous products to just one application of Transform WG.
Hickory shuckworms were becoming an increasing problem one season. Hickory shuckworm larvae overwinter in pecan shucks and pupate in the spring before emerging as moths. Moses was hamstrung by timing problems with other products he was using that offered limited application flexibility.
“Walls suggested we try Intrepid Edge insecticide because it has two modes of action that opened up that flexibility window,” Moses says. “It worked well, and the extended residual activity it delivers was a bonus.”
Intrepid Edge® insecticide includes both an Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Group 5 insecticide with spinetoram and a Group 18 with methoxyfenozide. Transform® WG insecticide with Isoclast® active is a Group 4C insecticide and is labeled for a variety of tree nuts including almond, pecan, pistachio, macadamia and walnut – among others.
“The value of insect control can be the difference between making a profit and not making a profit,” Moses says. “Intrepid Edge and Transform WG insecticides work well for us. The biggest plus from my perspective was the knockdown and extended control they offer.”
Hurricane Helene
After high winds from Hurricane Helene uprooted many of Moses’ pecan-producing trees on Sept. 26, 2024, he and Taylor took the loss in stride.
“We’ve already replanted and look forward to harvesting the trees that were not taken down during the hurricane,” Moses says. “We’ll keep protecting them with Intrepid Edge and Transform WG insecticides too.”
Legals:
™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Transform® WG and Intrepid Edge® are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Isoclast® is a registered active ingredient. Always read and follow label directions. ©2025 Corteva. 000000 BR (06/25) CAAG5INSC052
