# New Mexico Agriculture: Chile, Pecans, Dairies & Onions

> New Mexico leads U.S. chile, ranks #2 in pecans, and is home to the world’s largest single cheese plant. Explore fast facts and classroom resources.

Source: https://getagripp.com/post/new-mexico
Published: February 19, 2026. Category: Farm Bureau.

## New Mexico Agriculture: Chile, Pecans, Dairies & Onions

## Why New Mexico agriculture matters

From world-famous chile peppers and desert-adapted dairies to pecan orchards and onions, New Mexico blends science-driven innovation with arid-land stewardship. University and industry partnerships (like NMSU’s Chile Pepper Institute) help producers compete on quality and resilience in tough environments.

## Snapshot: the essential facts

- **Chile peppers:** New Mexico is **#1** in U.S. chile production, providing ~**44%** of national output. NMSU’s Chile Pepper Institute develops ‘**NuMex**’ varieties (e.g., NuMex Big Jim, NuMex Joe E. Parker, NuMex Heritage 6-4).
- **Pecans:#2** in U.S. pecan production (~**32%** of national total); about **70%** come from the **Mesilla Valley** (Doña Ana County).
- **Angora goats:#3** in the U.S., with ~**6,000** head, valued for mohair fiber.
- **Cheese & dairy:#4** in U.S. cheese production and home to the world’s **largest single cheese plant** (Southwest Cheese, Clovis). NM dairies typically reuse water **3–5×** (drinking, cooling, sanitation, flushing, then irrigation).
- **Onions:#5** in U.S. onion production, over half of the nation’s **summer onions**; NMSU’s ‘NuMex’ onion varieties are bred for Southwest conditions.

## From numbers to impact: how New Mexico’s farm economy shows up

### Food

New Mexico chile anchors salsas and sauces used nationwide; pecans and onions uplift retail and foodservice menus. Cheese production supports supermarket dairy cases and industrial ingredients.

### Feed & fiber

Dairy by-products and locally grown forages support milk output, while Angora goats contribute mohair for textiles, adding niche value to rangeland systems.

## Water-smart operations

Dairy and specialty crop systems emphasize water reuse, soil health, drip irrigation, and saline-tolerant varieties, maximizing every acre-inch in arid conditions.

## Research advantage

NMSU breeding programs and industry partners help scale resilient genetics (‘NuMex’ lines) and best practices that translate into higher quality and predictable yields.

## The human side: family farms and local plants

From multigeneration pecan growers in the Mesilla Valley to dairy teams and onion sheds, agriculture supports year-round jobs in orchards, plants, trucking, maintenance, and cold chain logistics across southern and eastern NM.

## Support the producers behind these numbers

Farm Bureau membership is a simple way to back New Mexico’s farm and ranch families. Members help advance commonsense ag policy, strengthen rural communities, and expand classroom resources. Benefits may vary by state program.

### What membership supports:

- **Advocacy**, a grassroots voice on water, land, markets, and transportation.
- **Education**, ag-in-the-classroom, scholarships, and leadership programs.
- **Community**, county Farm Bureaus, service projects, and local events.

Join New Mexico Farm Bureau: [https://www.nmflb.org/join](https://www.nmflb.org/join) 
Not in New Mexico? Find your state Farm Bureau: [https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved](https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved)

Through our partnership with the [New Mexico Farm Bureau](https://www.nmflb.org/New-Mexico-Farm-and-Livestock-Bureau), we’re proud to support New Mexico farmers with tools designed for real-world operations. As part of this partnership, **New Mexico Farm Bureau members receive exclusive Gripp pricing**, helping operations digitize records, streamline daily work, and stay audit-ready, without adding complexity.

Learn more about [Farm Bureau pricing](/partner/farm-bureau).