ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico pecan producers had their day in the sun earlier this year when initial estimates showed the state was No. 1 in the country in pecan production for the first time, beating out the usual top producing states of Georgia and Texas.

But now Texas has shaken New Mexico from the top spot after a late surge of pecans hit the market, putting that state's total of in-shell pecans for 2006 at 47 million pounds - roughly a million pounds above New Mexico's harvest.

Crop predictions released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July had New Mexico first with 46 million pounds, followed by 40 million pounds from Georgia, which typically holds the top spot. Texas was third with 36 million pounds.

The late surge by Texas was uncommon, said Richard Heerema, extension pecan specialist with New Mexico State University.

"It was a bit of a surprise. But it just gives us a chance to try for that No. 1 spot once again," Heerema said. "There's not a huge difference between (New Mexico and Texas). We're more or less tied."

Heerema said shelled weight of New Mexico's pecans is still No. 1, although the industry measures only pounds in shell. The shelled weight includes only the nut kernel, or meat, weight.

The state is also the top in crop value. In 2006, New Mexico's crop was worth $85 million, followed by Texas at $75 million and Georgia with $66 million.

Pecan farmer David Salopek, president of the New Mexico Pecan Growers Association, said listing Texas as the top producer is a misnomer when you compare actual kernel meat.

"What you pay for is the meat. New Mexico produces more meat, and that's all that matters. (Texas) produces more pecans in theory but they produce less kernels," said Salopek, noting that on average New Mexico produces 23 million pounds of kernels compared to Texas' 21 million pounds.

The state's abundant sunshine, pruning practices, soil management and irrigation techniques help growers keep quality reliable. Heerema said that quality is what demands the higher price.

New Mexico had a higher average price per pound last year than other states at $1.85.

"The size of New Mexico pe- cans is about as big as they get," Heerema said.

Because pecans grow on an alternate "on-off" bearing cycle, New Mexico growers also use pruning techniques to bring more light to pecans inside the canopy and increase flowering to bring up quality in both on and off years. These techniques also help keep the nut bearing relatively steady, Heerema said.

This year will be an on year for the pecan crop nationwide, but Heerema said it will be tough for New Mexico to hit the top spot again.

The nation produced nearly 189 million pounds of pecans in 2006 from the pecan belt - a 15- state growing region located in the southeastern and southwestern part of the country. New Mexico's crop accounted for 24 percent of the total production, according to the National Pecan Growers Council in Albany, Georgia.

Heerema expects the 2007 crop to yield between 65 and 75 million pounds, comparable to 2005's on year of 65 million pounds. A higher yield for this year is also due to increased acreage in the Pecos River Valley and Mesilla Valley. About 70 percent of all pecans produced in the state are grown in the Mesilla Valley in Dona Ana County.

Georgia is expected to have very high yields for 2007, thanks to a drought controlling disease issues. Texas yields could be affected by flooding and parts of Oklahoma are recovering from an early freeze.

The pecan harvest is expected to begin in late November and will last about six weeks.

Pecan grower Phillip Arnold of Las Cruces said he anticipates well-managed, established orchards to average between 2,200 to 2,500 pounds per acre this year.

"We have less acreage than other states but we have more yield. This year the crop is fairly sizable and we have pretty consistent production because we have younger, higher yielding varieties," Arnold said.

Salopek, whose family harvests thousands of acres of pecans in the Mesilla Valley, said weather has been cooperative so far and farmers are expecting a good harvest.

"We could be onto a record crop. It could be one of the top three crops in New Mexico history. It's just been a good growing season," he said.