Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Integrated pecan production systems
Plan Goals
To assess the effects of new and conventional management practices on pecan orchard yields and quality. To promote those orchard management practices demonstrated to enhance pecan orchard profitability.
- Owner
- Richard Heerema
- Related Plans
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Evaluation of integrated pecan production management systems (Chaves County)
Evaluation of integrated pecan production management systems (Doņa Ana County)
Evaluation of integrated pecan production management systems (Eddy County)
Evaluation of integrated pecan production management systems (Otero County)
Impact Reports
Western Pecan Growers Conference.
The 2011 Western Pecan Growers Conference had >500 attendees from around the western U.S ., as well as Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Chihuahua (MX), Sonora (MX), and even Australia. As in 2010, attendees were given a post-conference survey. Those responding to the survey were highly complimentary of the educational program and said that the topics were immediately relevant to their current needs for the 2011 season.
On the afternoon of Tuesday March 8th, a post-conference board meeting was held in which the WPGA board of gave their review of the past two days. The 18 board members in attendance gave an overwhelmingly positive review of the conference educational program. All of them confirmed that the presentations provide information immediately need by pecan growers in the West. They also expressed their complete satisfaction with equipment sales (in the tradeshow) and overall attendance. One member from New Mexico specifically praised the diverse topics covered by this conference. However, one board member (also from New Mexico) did have a complaint that it was difficult to hear some of the speakers.
The 2011 Western Pecan Growers Conference had >500 attendees from around the western U.S ., as well as Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Chihuahua (MX), Sonora (MX), and even Australia. As in 2010, attendees were given a post-conference survey. Those responding to the survey were highly complimentary of the educational program and said that the topics were immediately relevant to their current needs for the 2011 season.
On the afternoon of Tuesday March 8th, a post-conference board meeting was held in which the WPGA board of gave their review of the past two days. The 18 board members in attendance gave an overwhelmingly positive review of the conference educational program. All of them confirmed that the presentations provide information immediately need by pecan growers in the West. They also expressed their complete satisfaction with equipment sales (in the tradeshow) and overall attendance. One member from New Mexico specifically praised the diverse topics covered by this conference. However, one board member (also from New Mexico) did have a complaint that it was difficult to hear some of the speakers.
Throughout the growing season of 2011 the county agent with the entomology specilst at the Ag Science Center in Artesia worked with 5 producer on scouting and monotoring their insect population. Four news paper articles were writen to iform producers of what they need to be aware.
work continued with two producers on water managment, and orchard design.
work continued with two producers on water managment, and orchard design.
Pecan nut case bear scouting and reporting took place for crop year 2009. Producers were advised of appropriate actions via e-mail, news paper articles, and newsletters. The impact of PNC was minimal with less than a 1% loss to PNC compared with a 12 to 23% loss when control measures are not implemented. The proper use of integrated pest management for pecans increases the gross revenue to the county producers by about 4 million dollars.
Due to late freeze and high spring wind most pecan orchards have a low production yield for crop year 2008. This makes it very important to retain all the nuts possible. Ten producers were advised on water impacts and need in mid -summer in an effort to reduce the normal August nut drop. Six of the producers reported back that they felt like they had reduced their late summer nut drop in half. However these impressions could be a result of low nut count to start with. Based on cluster counts it is predicted that this year yield will be about 60% of last years.
In cooperation with Chaves county extension agent a pecan field day was held with 12 producers learning about bio security, irrigation management and pest management as well as soil fertility and nutrient management. Cooperative effort with NMDA and the City of Artesia for control of Pecan weevil was initiated this year as well as a grower education program
Due to late freeze and high spring wind most pecan orchards have a low production yield for crop year 2008. This makes it very important to retain all the nuts possible. Ten producers were advised on water impacts and need in mid -summer in an effort to reduce the normal August nut drop. Six of the producers reported back that they felt like they had reduced their late summer nut drop in half. However these impressions could be a result of low nut count to start with. Based on cluster counts it is predicted that this year yield will be about 60% of last years.
In cooperation with Chaves county extension agent a pecan field day was held with 12 producers learning about bio security, irrigation management and pest management as well as soil fertility and nutrient management. Cooperative effort with NMDA and the City of Artesia for control of Pecan weevil was initiated this year as well as a grower education program
Pecan Program:
Doņa Ana County is the number one pecan producing county in New Mexico. In 2010, Doņa Ana County pecan producers produced 43,600,000 pounds of pecans, on over 25,597 acres, worth over $123,388,000 million dollars. This makes pecans the most profitable agricultural crop for Doņa Ana County.
With Doņa Ana County being the largest pecan producing county in New Mexico the agents' objective is to find his personal niche to help pecan producers. The agent would like to make himself a better authority on pecan nutrition. Since NMSU already has a pecan specialist, Dr. Richard Heerema, who can answer all questions related to pecans the agent has chosen this topic which partners us both together. The agent studied plant nutrition at NMSU when he was working on both his BS and MS degrees. The agent loved learning the principles of plant mineral nutrition, and he still loves to continue learning these principles. Therefore, in order to learn more about plant mineral nutrition the agent recently purchased the book Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants by Horst Marschner. This book is very technical, but offers the agent insight into how minerals interact with one another, and why we have plant deficiencies. By applying these principles and learning pecan nutrition to the highest degree, the agent will be able to better help pecan producers maintain, or improve the quality standards we currently have in pecans. By partnering with the pecan specialist the agent will learn and establish himself firmly with the industry here in Doņa Ana County.
When it comes to pecan activities you will find the agent there. This past year the agent participated in; the November 2010 NM Pecan Field Day as moderator held at the NMSU Leyendecker Research Science Center Farm; and as moderator at the Western Pecan Growers Association Conference held March 2011 in Las Cruces, NM which drew in over 600 attendees. The agent and Master Gardeners assisted the Pecan Food Fantasy contest in 2011 with workers and tasters to better facilitate this large contest.
Doņa Ana County is the number one pecan producing county in New Mexico. In 2010, Doņa Ana County pecan producers produced 43,600,000 pounds of pecans, on over 25,597 acres, worth over $123,388,000 million dollars. This makes pecans the most profitable agricultural crop for Doņa Ana County.
With Doņa Ana County being the largest pecan producing county in New Mexico the agents' objective is to find his personal niche to help pecan producers. The agent would like to make himself a better authority on pecan nutrition. Since NMSU already has a pecan specialist, Dr. Richard Heerema, who can answer all questions related to pecans the agent has chosen this topic which partners us both together. The agent studied plant nutrition at NMSU when he was working on both his BS and MS degrees. The agent loved learning the principles of plant mineral nutrition, and he still loves to continue learning these principles. Therefore, in order to learn more about plant mineral nutrition the agent recently purchased the book Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants by Horst Marschner. This book is very technical, but offers the agent insight into how minerals interact with one another, and why we have plant deficiencies. By applying these principles and learning pecan nutrition to the highest degree, the agent will be able to better help pecan producers maintain, or improve the quality standards we currently have in pecans. By partnering with the pecan specialist the agent will learn and establish himself firmly with the industry here in Doņa Ana County.
When it comes to pecan activities you will find the agent there. This past year the agent participated in; the November 2010 NM Pecan Field Day as moderator held at the NMSU Leyendecker Research Science Center Farm; and as moderator at the Western Pecan Growers Association Conference held March 2011 in Las Cruces, NM which drew in over 600 attendees. The agent and Master Gardeners assisted the Pecan Food Fantasy contest in 2011 with workers and tasters to better facilitate this large contest.
Western Pecan Production Short Course
There were more than 70 attendees (hailing from New Mexico, west Texas, Arizona and California) at the Western Pecan Production Short Course, Sept 8-10, 2010. In an evaluation given after the short course, 100% of respondents indicated that the short course met their expectations when they registered for the course(with 14% of these volunteering that it exceeded their expecations). 100% of respondents indicated that they had acquired information at the course which would be incorporated into their orchard operations. One attendee wrote, "every aspect of this short course will be taken back to my orchard. I received a lot of great information!". Another wrote of the course, "Very informative. Well worth the time and price of admission[$240]".
There were more than 70 attendees (hailing from New Mexico, west Texas, Arizona and California) at the Western Pecan Production Short Course, Sept 8-10, 2010. In an evaluation given after the short course, 100% of respondents indicated that the short course met their expectations when they registered for the course(with 14% of these volunteering that it exceeded their expecations). 100% of respondents indicated that they had acquired information at the course which would be incorporated into their orchard operations. One attendee wrote, "every aspect of this short course will be taken back to my orchard. I received a lot of great information!". Another wrote of the course, "Very informative. Well worth the time and price of admission[$240]".