Temperatures throughout the Arizona/California desert growing region ranged from 95°-103° yesterday and the forecast calls for even hotter temperatures through the rest of the week and into the weekend, prompting an Extreme Heat Warning from Wednesday, March 18 through Sunday, March 22.

The kind of heat taking place is 20-30 degrees above seasonal norms and will not only create dangerous conditions for farm workers but will also have immediate and lasting effects on the quality and shelf life of desert row crops such as broccoli, lettuces and tender leaf items, among others.

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
• Sun burn/sun scald
• Weak tip

The Salinas Valley, which will become the major growing region for West Coast vegetable crops in the coming weeks, is also receiving high temperatures in the upper 80°s to mid-90°s. Growers are hopeful that the heat will be warm enough to bring crops ahead of schedule, but not hot enough to cause major quality challenges on the front end of the Salinas season. At the very least, some increased insect & disease pressure may develop.

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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