Pecan Task Force Advisory Board.

The Pecan Task Force is formed to identify best management practices including, pruning, irrigation, pest, and fertilizer management to sustain and increase pecan profitability. Team players include growers, processors, crop consultants, state and federal agricultural specialists and NMSU  researchers, Extension specialist, county agents and engineers. One of the early pioneers of pecan promotion in the Mesilla Valley was  J.W. Newberry of Fairacres, NM. Newberry grew, propagated, and sold pecan trees. The late Deanne F. Stahmann, however, made the first large-scale planting of pecans in New Mexico. This 30-acre planting was made on the Snow Ranch, a farm south of Las Cruces in 1934 and 1935. Pecan acreage increased since then and five of the top 10 pecan-producing counties in the United States are located in the western region. The top-producing  county is Doña Ana, NM in southern New Mexico. Pecan production has increased from 626,000 lb in 1920 to over 50,000,000 lb in 2002 on 29622 acres. The price has varies from $0.57 to $1.14 per pound over the last 12 years  making the pecan industry a 50 million industry in New Mexico. The Pecan Task Force is formed to protect this industry.

Lowell Catlett
Dean,
NMSU College of Agriculture & Home Economics, Extension Office
Tele: (505) 646-3748

agdean@nmsu.edu