Nearly a dozen Arizona farmers are growing an industrial test crop called guayule in the arid Arizona low desert. Within this decade possibly several thousands of acres or more could be grown commercially under contract in Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.

Growing the perennial desert shrub for the second year in a row are Gary and Billie Deen of Marana who are farming 38 acres of guayule under contract for the Bridgestone tire company. The tire giant wants the plant's natural rubber to make tires - possibly 30 percent of its future tire volume.

Western Farm Press toured the Deen's guayule fields to learn their pros and cons so far in farming guayule. Enjoy these photos at the Deen farm.

An article featuring Gary and Billie and their guayule production practices is available online at  

http://westernfarmpress.com/tree-nuts/deen-family-farmer-s-take-growing-guayule.

A WFP guayule article focusing on several commercial companies planning to become major players in the guayule business are available with this link - http://westernfarmpress.com/miscellaneous/guayule-future-cropping-option-west-southwest.