The worst of this week’s significant West Coast heat spike has passed. Coastal temperatures will continue cooling through early next week as marine influence increases, with highs in the mid-70s to low 80s expected. Inland temperatures will decrease as well, but will remain above seasonal norms, with temperatures ranging from mid-80s to low 90s after reaching nearly 110° earlier this week. Current forecasts call for high pressure and elevated temperatures to return the week of September 21.

These heat waves, along with other end-of-season factors, are contributing to quality, yield, and shelf-life challenges across most Salinas Valley row crops. These challenges, include, but are not limited to:

• Lettuce: internal burn, weak tip, insect pressure, INSV, 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 continue to work with suppliers to mitigate issues and select the strongest product for Markon orders, but many of the above-mentioned challenges will be difficult or impossible to avoid completely. 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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