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Harvesting Video
Fight to Survive
New Mexico is on the verge of losing its $200 million chile industry to international competition. Growers,
processors and scientists on the Chile Pepper Task Force have dedicated themselves to keeping the industry
in New Mexico. To stay competitive, they need mechanical harvesting technology. But time is running out, and
a state investment is urgently needed to keep New Mexico from losing its signature crop. Length of video (7 min)
View the Fight to Survive video clip
Lyle Farm Mechanical Harvesting/Chile Variety Trial
A 15-acre research plot was established at Steve Lyles Farm in the Mesilla Valley. Jim McClendon, owner and
developer of McClendon Pepper, donated the use of a pepper harvester. Biad Chili Inc. purchased the peppers and
worked with the research team to commercially process the research data. Extensive data was collected on the four
red chile varieties. The results included information about pepper varieties, plant structure, traits necessary
for mechanical harvesting, harvesting efficiency by variety types and financial feasibility and profitability.
View the Lyle Study video clip
Borderland Farm 'Density Study'
This study looked at the correlation between soil factors and yields as well as the relationship between plant
density and mechanically harvested yields. Data analysis and results are pending.
Last Modified: Apr 12, 2006 at 13:19
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