The summer vegetable crop in California’s Salinas Valley may be a little shorter than normal as farmers work through issues surrounding this winter’s floods.
Not all the early-season leafy greens typically planted in the Salinas Valley could be, because of the significant flooding that took place on the Salinas and Pajaro rivers. Monterey County’s strawberry crop was also significantly impacted from the winter rain and floods, according to Norm Groot, executive director, Monterey County Farm Bureau.
Groot says county agricultural officials are still surveying damage from January and March floods. Early estimates suggest one-fourth of Monterey County’s agricultural value, or about $1 billion, may be lost by the flooding and heavy rain. Lettuce growers remain concerned for this year’s late-season lettuce crop after last year’s Impatiens necrotic spot virus, or INSV, destroyed much of that crop.
Not all was lost. Lettuce harvest activities were under way in early May amidst rain and thunderstorms. Broccoli and artichokes could also be seen growing in parts of the Salinas Valley. Some fields still appeared to be unplanted as of May 4.
Read more at \farmprogress.com