Holy Cow Peas, Variety is a Success

Ted Morelock, a professor of horticulture at the University of Arkansas, developed a variety of southern peas in December 1995 that has become one of the most widely used by major canning companies.

Known in most parts of the country as cow peas, Morelock’s pink-eyed peas are being harvested because of their high-yield potential, which can measure as much as 2,000 pounds per acre. The peas are primarily grown in the Arkansas River Valley and are widely used by companies like Allen Canning Co. of Siloam Springs and Bush Brothers Inc. of Blytheville.

James Phillips, assistant vice-president of corporate services at Allen, says the scarlet variety of Morelock’s pink-eyed peas has been especially profitable for the company. He was reluctant to release further data as to amount of pink-eyed peas Allen uses.

“They have been very, very good for us in the canning process,” Phillips says. “The agriculture [department] does a great job and we continue to support their efforts.”