The results of the 2025 Austin County Pecan Show have been announced following judging held Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Austin County Extension Office in Bellville. The annual show, hosted by the Austin County Horticulture Committee in partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Austin County, featured 55 pecan entries from local growers. The contest is free and open to any Austin County resident with a pecan tree, whether located in a yard, pasture or orchard. Entries were judged by Dr. Philip Shackelford based on weight before and after shelling, kernel color, absence of insect damage and ease of shelling. An educational program titled “What It Takes to Win the State Pecan Show” was held in conjunction with the awards presentation.
Classic & New Varieties Champion – Pete Berckenhoff (Fayette)
Classic & New Varieties Reserve Champion – Pete Berckenhoff (Variety Seedling)
1st Place Mahan – Tina Webb
1st Place Other Varieties – Pete Berckenhoff (Fayette)
2nd Place Other Varieties – Amy & Merrill Wood (Lakota)
1st Place Shawnee – Clint Rinn
1st Place Stuart – Freddie Engelbrecht
2nd Place Stuart – Tina Webb
3rd Place Stuart – Tina Webb
1st Place Success – Chance Riden
2nd Place Success – Fidel Campos
1st Place Variety Seedling – Pete Berckenhoff
2nd Place Variety Seedling – Veronica Ashorn
3rd Place Variety Seedling – Randy & Adrienne Petter
Commercial Champion – Ronnie Kuciemba (Kiowa)
Commercial Reserve Champion – Doug Schultz (Pawnee)
1st Place Cheyenne – Nisha Coker
2nd Place Cheyenne – Pete Berckenhoff
1st Place Desirable – Ronnie Kuciemba
2nd Place Desirable – Pete Berckenhoff
3rd Place Desirable – Nisha Coker
1st Place Kiowa – Ronnie Kuciemba
1st Place Mohawk – Ronnie Kuciemba
1st Place Nacono – Henry Mlcak
1st Place Pawnee – Doug Schultz
2nd Place Pawnee – Amy & Bubba Wood
1st Place Schley – Tina Webb
2nd Place Schley – Tina Webb
Native Champion – Luedeker Farms
Native Reserve Champion – George & Betty Thiel
1st Place Lightest Pecan – Charlotte Rinn, 216 pecans to make 1 lb.
2nd Place Lightest Pecan – Sherry Burnham, 181 pecans to make 1 lb.
1st Place Natives – Luedeker Farms
2nd Place Natives – George & Betty Thiel
3rd Place Natives – Alan Hozak
4th Place Natives – Theodore Wittner
5th Place Natives – Annie Wittner
Overall, 27 pecan entries from the Austin County show will move on to the East Regional Pecan Show scheduled for February. Congratulations to the winners! For more information on this contest or future events, contact the Austin County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office at 979-865-2072.
