News and Stories

Rainfall and gusty winds entered the Salinas Valley early this morning and will continue throughout the day here as well as in the Santa Maria and Oxnard, California growing regions. Up to 1.5 inches of rain may be recorded in Watsonville, but most of Salinas Valley, Santa Maria, and Oxnard will receive 0.5-1 inch of rain.

Moderate harvesting and loading delays can be expected over the next few days due to poor field conditions; some Salinas growers have cancelled today’s production. Harvesting crews will be taking measures to keep cartons as clean and dry as possible, but end users may see elevated levels of dirt/mud on cartons and field-packed lettuce items.

Quality and/or shelf life concerns in commodity and value-added lettuce and tender leaf items may also develop after the storm passes. Markon inspectors will be monitoring product for some of the following rain-related issues and will update further with more information soon:

•         Bottom rot

•         Bruising in strawberries

•         Higher respiration rates in value-added items

•         Increased mildew pressure

•         Pin rot in broccoli

•         Premature pinking

•         Shortened shelf life

•         Soft texture in strawberries

•         Water damage in strawberries

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

John Galvez

Quality Assurance

markon.com

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