We are now entering the hottest period of this unprecedented heat wave in the Arizona/California desert growing region. Temperatures will be in the triple-digit range today through Sunday, March 22, creating conditions that are dangerous for farmworkers and detrimental to row crop vegetables. Please see the chart below that illustrates historical averages vs. current temperatures.

All week long, harvest crews that normally start at 7:00 a.m. have been starting as early as 3:00 a.m. to beat the heat, and that will continue into next week. Supplies are being affected and some growers are finishing their desert acreage earlier than they would like.

Challenges facing desert region crops:

• Curtailed harvesting and cultivating operations
• Decreased yields
• Dehydration
• Elevated insect & weed pressure
• Internal burn
• Mildew and soil disease pressure
• Pin rot & brown bead in broccoli
• Premature pinking in commodity and value-added lettuces
• Rib blight
• Reduced shelf life
• Sunburn/sun scald
• Weak tip

Markon inspectors are actively monitoring field and finished product conditions across all transitional growing regions and will update further as needed. Ordering for quick turns is recommended, and, as always, cold chain management throughout the supply chain will be critical to maximizing quality and shelf life.

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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