After a week of cooler temperatures, another warm trend develops in the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys expecting temperatures to reach the mid-70s to mid-80s near the coast and triple digits inland.

As previously noted, these heat waves and other end-of-season factors are contributing to quality, yield, and shelf-life challenges across most Salinas and Santa Maria Valley row crops. These challenges include, but are not limited to:

• Lettuce: internal burn, weak tip, insect pressure, INSV, mildew pressure, rib blight, sun scald, and case weight challenges
• Broccoli, broccolini, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower: increased Diamondback Moth activity, with larvae and pupae being observed in many crops
• Tender leaf items: bolting/seeder, increased insect pressure, shorter shelf-life potential, yellowing, and quality variability under elevated temperatures
• Strawberries: bruising, decreased size, soft texture, reduced shelf-life potential, and greater susceptibility to decay
• Value-added lettuce and romaine blends: heat stress, higher respiration rates, shortened shelf-life, premature pinking

Markon inspectors will continue to work with suppliers, mitigating issues, and selecting the best available product for Markon orders.

Ordering for quick turns is recommended, and as always, strict cold-chain management is critical to maximize quality and shelf life.

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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