Warm autumn delays pecan harvest in southern New Mexico

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The pecan harvest in one southern New Mexico county is being delayed by warm temperatures. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (http://bit.ly/2gceRHB ) equipment is sitting idle and farm workers are eagerly awaiting a deep freeze to prep trees and nuts in Dona Ana County. Thanksgiving typically marks the start of the harvest, but this autumn has been the warmest on record. Some farmers say depending on the weather, the start of the harvest could be a couple of weeks away. Even after a deep freeze or a series of lighter freezes, it can take days for leaves and tree matter to dry out enough for the harvesting equipment. Last winter, New Mexico produced about 73 million pounds of in-shell pecans — the state's second-largest crop ever. This is expected to be a light production year.