News and Stories
FROM THE FIELDS: Desert Row Crop Quality
The Arizona/California desert growing region experienced multiple mornings of freezing temperatures last week; the weather has since warmed to above seasonal norms. Markon inspectors are beginning to observe the effects of the weather fluctuations on row crop items. Quality defects include, but are not limited to the following:
- Dehydration
- Dull appearance/less vibrancy
- Epidermal blistering and peeling in lettuce items
- Shortened shelf-life
- Yellowing and/or purple shading in tender leaf items such as arugula, spinach, and spring mix
Younger crops that experienced the recent freezing temperatures will show progressively worse damage as they mature over the next two to three weeks. Concerns of a supply gap are also looming as growth rates have slowed. Markon inspectors will monitor quality and supply levels closely and will update further as needed.
Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
John Galvez
Quality Assurance
©2017 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.