LAS CRUCES — Green chile farmers are reporting healthy crops with more than a month to go before harvest.

"We haven't had any problems at all weather-wise," said Jo Lytle, who farms chile with her husband in Hatch. "It's just really, really hot ... but that's good for chile."

Though the crop has escaped problems with insects and disease, the season didn't start out as well, said Stephanie Walker, extension vegetable specialist for New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service.

Rabbits and quails ate the chile seedlings, at times grazing the fields, she said. Prolonged cool spring temperatures and strong winds also hindered the crop.

"The crop is strong, but it's slightly delayed because of some of the problems early on in the season," Walker said.

Lytle said she is expecting the family's harvest to begin Aug. 1, with the peak harvest around Aug. 10. Demand for chile remains strong, she said.

Las Crucen Nigel Marketto was pleased to hear the chile crop is faring well.

"I hope that is true," Marketto said.
"I use chile in everything — breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's high in Vitamin C and an excellent source of nutrients."

Last year, Doña Ana County's production accounted for about 26 percent of the state's total.

Farmers, however, have continued a trend of planting less chile. Walker said that's partly because other crops, such as corn and alfalfa, are in higher demand.

In 2007, chile production declined in New Mexico by about 33 percent over the previous year, according to the state Department of Agriculture. That was due in part to a 21 percent decline in planted acreage from 2006.

Production in 2007 — 12,800 tons valued at $28.7 million — was down 45 percent compared to 2005.