Video shows Salinas lettuce damage

Markon Cooperative BB #:123315 released a Live from the Fields video October 19, showing the damage and significant yield loss in Salinas Valley lettuce crops caused by soil disease and plant virus issues.

In a report accompanying the video, Markon said:

•            Salinas Valley lettuce markets are hitting record highs as demand far exceeds supply levels;

•            The Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) has been extremely aggressive in large swaths of the Salinas Valley for over three months;

•            Diseases such as Sclerotinia, Fusarium Wilt, and others have also caused die-off in many crops;

•            Suppliers are running out of fields to harvest and expect the season to end early;

•            The aerial footage in this video shows just a small amount of the kind widespread crop loss currently being recorded;

•            Expect elevated markets and tight supplies for lettuce items until the desert season is in full swing in approximately mid- to late November.