A CHILE EXPERT AT NEW MEXICO STATE SAYS IT’LL BE A WEEK OR SO BEFORE WE KNOW IF THE CHILE CROP AROUND HATCH HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY RECENT HEAVY RAINS. DR. STEPHANIE WALKER SAYS WET WEATHER CAN PROMOTE CHILE WILT IN THE PLANTS…BUT FARMERS KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.
SHE SAYS THEY DRAIN ANY STANDING WATER FROM THEIR FIELD, AND IF IT’S DONE QUICKLY ENOUGH, FARMERS CAN MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE.
WALKER SAYS THE CHILE HARVEST IS ALREADY UNDERWAY AROUND HATCH…AND THE WET FIELDS MAKE THAT PROCESS MORE DIFFICULT.
