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 2010 Western Pecan Growers Conference had >500 attendees from around the western U.S. As in 2009, attendees responding in a post-conference survey comments were highly complimentary of the educational program. Again, they said that the topics were immediately relevant to their current needs and 84% of them said that information conveyed will directly affect practices in their pecan orchard operations in the 2010 season. All 21 of the WPGA board members gave a very positive review of the conference programconfirming that the presentations provided information immediately applicable for pecan growers throughout the west.
The 2010 Western Pecan Growers Conference had >500 attendees from around the western U.S. As in 2009, attendees responding in a post-conference survey comments were highly complimentary of the educational program. Again, they said that the topics were immediately relevant to their current needs and 84% of them said that information conveyed will directly affect practices in their pecan orchard operations in the 2010 season. All 21 of the WPGA board members gave a very positive review of the conference programconfirming that the presentations provided information immediately applicable for pecan growers throughout the west.
This year Pecan weevil has been under control by the NMDA. No weevil were found outside the first impact area. Producer continue to control pecan nut case bear, and this year motoring for leaf footed plant bug was started. A number were found in the late season and a low impact, but they have never bee seen in these number in the past.
Pecan Program:
Doņa Ana County is the number one pecan producing county in New Mexico. In 2008, Doņa Ana County pecan producers produced 31,400,000 pounds of pecans, on over 25,000 acres, worth over $45 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 my objective is to find my personal niche to help pecan producers. I would like to make myself a better authority on pecan nutrition. Since we already have a pecan specialist, Dr. Richard Heerema, who can answer all questions related to pecans I have chosen this topic which will partner us both together. I studied plant nutrition at NMSU when I was working on both my BS and MS degrees. I loved learning the principles of plant mineral nutrition, and I still love to continue learning these principles. Therefore, in order to learn more about plant mineral nutrition I recently purchased the book Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants by Horst Marschner. This book is very technical, but offers me insight into how minerals interact with one another, and why we have deficiencies. By applying these principles and learning pecan nutrition to the highest degree, I will be able to better help pecan producers maintain, or improve the quality standards we currently have in pecans. This will help me establish myself firmly with the industry here in Doņa Ana County.
When it comes to pecan activities you will find me there. This past year I participated in; the November 2009 NM Pecan Field Day held at the NMSU Leyendecker Research Farm; the Western Pecan Growers Association Conference held March 2010 in Las Cruces, NM which drew in over 600 attendees; co-organized the Western Pecan Production Short Course held in September 2010; and was a speaker at the Western Pecan Production Short Course held in September 2010.
Results from the Short Course indicated that there was 100% satisfaction with the course, and that 14% indicated they received more out of the course than they had expected. 100% indicated that they thought the course was well planned, executed, and that they would attend another one in the future.
Doņa Ana County is the number one pecan producing county in New Mexico. In 2008, Doņa Ana County pecan producers produced 31,400,000 pounds of pecans, on over 25,000 acres, worth over $45 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 my objective is to find my personal niche to help pecan producers. I would like to make myself a better authority on pecan nutrition. Since we already have a pecan specialist, Dr. Richard Heerema, who can answer all questions related to pecans I have chosen this topic which will partner us both together. I studied plant nutrition at NMSU when I was working on both my BS and MS degrees. I loved learning the principles of plant mineral nutrition, and I still love to continue learning these principles. Therefore, in order to learn more about plant mineral nutrition I recently purchased the book Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants by Horst Marschner. This book is very technical, but offers me insight into how minerals interact with one another, and why we have deficiencies. By applying these principles and learning pecan nutrition to the highest degree, I will be able to better help pecan producers maintain, or improve the quality standards we currently have in pecans. This will help me establish myself firmly with the industry here in Doņa Ana County.
When it comes to pecan activities you will find me there. This past year I participated in; the November 2009 NM Pecan Field Day held at the NMSU Leyendecker Research Farm; the Western Pecan Growers Association Conference held March 2010 in Las Cruces, NM which drew in over 600 attendees; co-organized the Western Pecan Production Short Course held in September 2010; and was a speaker at the Western Pecan Production Short Course held in September 2010.
Results from the Short Course indicated that there was 100% satisfaction with the course, and that 14% indicated they received more out of the course than they had expected. 100% indicated that they thought the course was well planned, executed, and that they would attend another one in the future.
Western Pecan Growers Conference.
The 2009 Western Pecan Growers Conference had >300 attendees from around the western U.S. As in 2008, attendees responding in a post-conference survey and face-to-face comments were highly complimentary of the educational program. Again, they said that the topics were immediately relevant to their current needs and that the information conveyed will directly affect practices in their pecan orchard operations. A few attendees also suggested additional topics that should have been addressedfor example, a pecan marketing presentation was requested by one survey respondent. These will hopefully be address in the 2010 WPGA program. Also, following the 2009 WPGA conference, the associations board evaluated the educational program which I coordinated. All 21 of the board members gave a very positive review of the conference programconfirming that the presentations provided information immediately applicable for pecan growers throughout the west.
The 2009 Western Pecan Growers Conference had >300 attendees from around the western U.S. As in 2008, attendees responding in a post-conference survey and face-to-face comments were highly complimentary of the educational program. Again, they said that the topics were immediately relevant to their current needs and that the information conveyed will directly affect practices in their pecan orchard operations. A few attendees also suggested additional topics that should have been addressedfor example, a pecan marketing presentation was requested by one survey respondent. These will hopefully be address in the 2010 WPGA program. Also, following the 2009 WPGA conference, the associations board evaluated the educational program which I coordinated. All 21 of the board members gave a very positive review of the conference programconfirming that the presentations provided information immediately applicable for pecan growers throughout the west.
Long term goals of alternate pecan bearing are being worked on. Emphasis on proper watering and nutrition techniques are being recommended to growers. Investigation of nutrient supply vs. bearing is underway. Preliminary research is indicating that nutrition and water play a major role in alternate bearing. While alternate bearing seems not to be preventable, the goal is to prevent a large crop followed by a small crop cycle. What we would like to see is more consistent bearing, and water/nutrition seems to be making the important factor here.