Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development

Pecan Production in Chaves County
Chaves County produces approximately 4 million pounds of pecans annually on 4000 acres in the Pecos Valley. The county has both large and small producers, plus homeowners with only a few trees in their yard, so demand for researched-base information is high.

The agent continued to work with the NMSU Pecan Specialist and the entomologist from the Artesia Ag Science Center to assist local pecan growers with tree health problems. It was determined that the hard freeze that hit in February and the extreme heat during the summer is to blame for the majority of health issues in the pecan trees, including insect problems.

The NMSU pecan specialist cooperated with the agent to host a Tree Grafting Workshop in Roswell for the public. The program included a lecture on the biology of tree grafting of fruit and nut trees and grafting techniques, then a hands-on portion of the class to actually practice banana grafting and patch budding. The agent purchased bare-root pecan trees and potted them for the attendees to have a tree to practice on and take home. Seventeen persons, both large and small producers, attended the program and gained knowledge about grafting trees to change and improve the cultivars they are currently growing.

Pistachio Production in Chaves County
Although pistachio production is not a large cash crop in Chaves County, there are small growers in the area who are interested in expanding their knowledge about pistachio tree management and harvesting processes to maximize their efforts with their crop. Since this is not a common crop, people do not possess the knowledge of production and management of pistachios. The agent assisted two growers this reporting year in this area. One grower attended the Pistachio Growers Workshop with the agent to have his questions answered about tree care and management. The agent also sent literature from the workshop to a grower that was unable to attend. The agent also assisted both growers with harvesting, nut processing techniques, and marketing. One grower in the Hagerman area was very pleased with the end results of his crop after he learned how to harvest the nuts and ultimately marketed them with an Alamogordo processing facility.

Pecos Valley Water Issues

The agent was appointed this year as a representative for Chaves County on the Pecos Valley Water User’s Association. This association is a very important group as they are the body that wrote the regional water plan for the Chaves and Eddy County areas. The group is very aware of water demands on the area due to litigation about Pecos Valley water that has occurred through the years and realizes that their actions would affect water usage for all in the Pecos Valley. The group continues to work with the regional water plan and plans to update as funds allow.

Networking with Agencies
The monthly meetings of two Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the county are attended by the agent. Participating in these meetings gives the agent the opportunity to interact with county clientele that are on the board and be aware of producer activities and other agency events. These activities further the impacts of the Extension Service by allowing networking with area agencies and individuals.

Alfalfa Weevil Biocontrol
The agent continued to work with the entomologist from the Artesia Ag Science Center on releasing a parasitoid to control alfalfa weevil in the Pecos Valley. One species of parasitoid is present in the area, but research shows that two different species are needed to keep up with control until after the first cutting of alfalfa. To establish the second species, insects were released on one producer’s alfalfa. Field monitoring will continue to be done during the next few seasons to determine if the insect numbers increase and any benefit is seen.