2011 New Mexico Pecan Crop No. 2 In U.S.

A new federal report shows New Mexico's crop of pecans was the 2nd biggest in the nation last year in both size and cash value.  The state's growers produced about 61 million pounds of the nuts. The amount was down about 5 million pounds from 2010.

Georgia churned out 102 million pounds last year. Texas yielded just 32 million pounds in a year that was known for its severe drought.

Dona Ana and Eddy counties are the center of the state's pecan growing area.

Eddy County's agriculture extension agent tells the Las Cruces Sun-News that many local farmers are switching over to pecans.

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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.