NMSU to host Western Pecan Production Short Course in October

NMSU to host Western Pecan Production Short Course in October DATE: 08/08/2016 WRITER: Tiffany Acosta, 575-646-3929, tfrank@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Richard Heerema, 575-646-2921, rjheerem@nmsu.edu This fall, New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences will host the 2016 Western Pecan Production Short Course. The short course, which will teach the public about pecan production, will be held Oct. 17-19 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. The registration fee is $350. The short course is intended to help farmers increase yields, quality and profitability of pecan orchards. Topics to be covered during the short course range from orchard site selection and tree planting to irrigation and pest control to marketing. In addition to presenters from NMSU, speakers from the University of Arizona, University of Georgia and New Mexico Department of Agriculture also will make presentations. “This course will greatly benefit experienced and inexperienced farmers alike,” said Richard Heerema, NMSU extension pecan specialist. “Furthermore, I would encourage pecan farmers to send their farm managers and even their children who may be interested in continuing farming.” Continuing Education Units will be available for growers holding pesticide applicators licenses in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. This will be the fourth time NMSU has offered this short course, which has been held every other year since 2010. To register visit http://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/pecans/. The course’s agenda will be posted at a later date.