PRO*ACT Crop Update: Temperature roller coaster

As the coastal California growing season rapidly winds down the roller coaster in temperatures looks to continue. Cooler temperatures, winds and light rainfall last week will not help any of the remaining crops in the Salinas Valley. The cooler temperatures have decreased growth rates while increasing mildew, foliar and soil diseases in the valley, decreasing yields in these late stands. Add to this the extended warm temperatures during the Yuma growing season and transition supplies look to become extremely tight as we move through November.

The warm desert temperatures will contribute to heat-related defects, including weak tip internal burn, twist/irregular shape and especially seeders in these early leafy green fields. In the remaining Salinas stands broccoli seems to have been hit the hardest with heat and insect issues severely impacting current yields. 

In the leafy green fields mildew along with disease and insect pressure are taking a toll on current production of Iceberg and Romaine with some fields being left behind due to poor quality. These supplies will continue to show some premature pinking along the rib. This condition is not evident at harvest and tends to show up during transit and storage. Processed leafy green items will also likely see an increase in pinking showing up in the bag along with lesser texture and shelf life.

Processed tender leaf items will also likely see an increase in discoloration and breakdown showing up in the bag affecting shelf life. Spinach and spring mix items tend to be most susceptible to weather fluctuations due to being harvested at a very young stage. The spring mix and tender leaf items will continue to show some insect damage, yellowing, discoloration and breakdown in the bag along with weaker texture and lesser shelf life due to the growing conditions in the region.

Yuma will begin light harvests this week with full production expected to come from the region around mid-November. Lettuce and leafy green supplies traditionally begin with lighter carton weights due to lighter densities (puffy heads, light hearts) in these early fields. Seeders will likely be an issue in these early harvests in the region.

With over 30 years in the produce industry, Tim Lynch started as an inspector and advanced into quality control and food safety. Beyond work, he's an avid sports fan, relishing in activities like boating, fishing, and diving. Originally from Hollywood, California, Tim attended Cal Poly SLO before making Marina his home since 1994.