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.
Evaluation of integrated pecan production management systems (Otero County)
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. And also the use of water in the valley.
- Owner
- Related Plans
-
Integrated pecan production systems
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.
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]".
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 program—confirming 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 program—confirming that the presentations provided information immediately applicable for pecan growers throughout the west.
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 addressed—for 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 association’s board evaluated the educational program which I coordinated. All 21 of the board members gave a very positive review of the conference program—confirming 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 addressed—for 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 association’s board evaluated the educational program which I coordinated. All 21 of the board members gave a very positive review of the conference program—confirming that the presentations provided information immediately applicable for pecan growers throughout the west.
The “Pecanigator”.
The “Pecanigator” is an irrigation scheduling device designed by a team of NMSU researchers and extension personnel. The original design was a cardboard “slide rule”, but now is available online. It is designed specifically for increasing pecan profitability per acre-foot of irrigation water applied under the conditions of Dona Ana county (where 70% of New Mexico’s pecan acreage is found), but may also be used in most of New Mexico’s other pecan producing counties. In informal surveys, growers have been overwhelmingly positive about this device. One prominent, mid-scale pecan grower from the Mesilla Valley has informed me that he had tried unsuccessfully to develop a similar device on his own—he now uses the online “Pecanigator” to schedule irrigations for his orchards. A Mesilla Valley certified organic pecan grower has said, “I want to get [“Pecanigators”] out to some of these small organic (and some conventional farms) that think 4 irrigations per season suffice--then they whine when they grade out 52%!!! I saw the device at the NM Pecan Growers workshop. Simple and easy to use.” NMSU CES agriculture/horticulture agents in all New Mexico counties with appreciable pecan acreage have expressed to me that the “Pecanigator” is extremely useful for growers in their counties—but agents in eastern and northern pecan-growing counties have expressed a need to adapt it for conditions particular to their counties.
The “Pecanigator” is an irrigation scheduling device designed by a team of NMSU researchers and extension personnel. The original design was a cardboard “slide rule”, but now is available online. It is designed specifically for increasing pecan profitability per acre-foot of irrigation water applied under the conditions of Dona Ana county (where 70% of New Mexico’s pecan acreage is found), but may also be used in most of New Mexico’s other pecan producing counties. In informal surveys, growers have been overwhelmingly positive about this device. One prominent, mid-scale pecan grower from the Mesilla Valley has informed me that he had tried unsuccessfully to develop a similar device on his own—he now uses the online “Pecanigator” to schedule irrigations for his orchards. A Mesilla Valley certified organic pecan grower has said, “I want to get [“Pecanigators”] out to some of these small organic (and some conventional farms) that think 4 irrigations per season suffice--then they whine when they grade out 52%!!! I saw the device at the NM Pecan Growers workshop. Simple and easy to use.” NMSU CES agriculture/horticulture agents in all New Mexico counties with appreciable pecan acreage have expressed to me that the “Pecanigator” is extremely useful for growers in their counties—but agents in eastern and northern pecan-growing counties have expressed a need to adapt it for conditions particular to their counties.