News and Stories

California’s Central Coast growing regions are experiencing yet another warming trend that will continue through the rest of this week and impact broccoli, lettuce/leaf, and strawberries, among other row crops. With little or no marine layer in the forecast, coastal temperatures will see anywhere from 12-20 degrees above normal through Friday, October 16, but onshore flow brings them back to the 70s by Sunday afternoon.

Salinas

• Broccoli may see prolonged challenges with pin rot and hollow core as well as decreased yields
• Lettuce items may develop internal burn, long core/seeder, rib blight, and sun scalding
• Harvesting crews are adjusting production hours to avoid peak temperatures (harvesting earlier in the morning)
• Expect tight supplies on most Salinas Valley vegetable crops through the remainder of the season

Santa Maria

• Higher temperatures are causing quality concerns in strawberries such as bruising, decay, small size, and soft fruit
• Harvesting crews are adjusting production hours to avoid peak temperatures and will be culling out as much overripe, soft and crooked fruit as they can over the next 10 days
• Strawberries are coloring up at a fast rate than they are growing due to the heat, resulting in smaller size
• Expect tight strawberry supplies and shortened shelf life for the next 2 weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
 
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