How is Drought Affecting Irrigation Water for Pecans?

Nov 22, 2021

The pecan industry is substantial, according to USDA statistics. On average, pecan orchards produced around 250 million pounds of nuts per year in the past decade. But due to drought, water for irrigation is becoming more salty, which can impact pecan production. The November 22^nd, 2021, Sustainable, Secure Food Blog explains how researchers in New Mexico are looking at how using brackish water affects pecan production.

When water comes in contact with rocks or other sources of salt, some salts dissolve in the water – a natural process. But as the water evaporates, that increases the salinity of the water, because salt does not evaporate along with the water. This salty water is called brackish, which has less salt than ocean water.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.