Cooler weather came to the Salinas Valley, but it didn’t last long as high temperatures is once again playing havoc with vegetable quality. The heatwave started Thursday, July 14 and will continue through the middle of this week.
Morning lows will range from the upper 40°s to low 60°s and daytime highs for inland areas will be in the 80°s to low 100°s; coastal areas should remain in the 70°s.
The heat increases has been occurring every two weeks as this cycle of rising high pressure has been going on since early June. It is not typical of Salinas Valley weather patterns and many crops have reacted poorly to the heat and elevated humidity levels. This is resultin in widespread quality and shelf-life concerns in commodity and value-added crops.
Produce haulers are urge to use caution when loading and to check quality being put on the truck. The shippers should letting receivers know what to expect.
The most common heat-related defects observed:
Baby Leaf and Other Lettuces:
- Bolting/seeder
- Growth cracks
- Inconsistent growth/fluctuating density
- Increased insect pressure
- Internal burn/tip burn
- Shortened shelf-life
- Sun burn/sun scalding
Broccoli:
- Accelerated growth/oversized crowns
- Dehydration
- Hollow core
- Pin rot
- Shortened shelf-life
- Yellowing
Strawberries:
- Decreased size
- Lower volume
- Increased bruising
- Soft texture
- Shortened shelf-life
- Maintaining the proper cold chain throughout distribution is critical for maximizing quality and shelf-life.