May 2023 - 32

WEATHER CHALLENGES
Flooded fields in Tulare County, in the Central
Valley. Photo: California Department of Water
Never-ending rains
Pest, disease damage expected, harvest effect unknown
BY DOUG OHLEMEIER
ASSISTANT EDITOR
A
seemingly endless flow of water saturating their
fields is burdening California growers with pests
and diseases. Growers of strawberries and other
fruits expect the heavy rains to delay some planting and
harvesting and cause other crop problems.
From February into April, at least 14 " atmospheric
rivers " deluged the Golden State from Southern
California to northern regions, jeopardizing crops in
the central coast region, the San Joaquin and Central
valleys and other regions.
" If we're not in a drought, we're drowning, " said Juan
Hidalgo, Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner.
" Certainly, this year has really been hard for a lot of
our counties. "
Despite the storms bringing much-needed water
to areas facing drought conditions for three years,
flooding, over-saturated fields and waterlogged plants
delayed strawberries and leafy greens and caused
numerous other challenges.
Agronomic pressures
Fields that were flooded but drained quickly may
see more weeds and soil diseases, said Paul Pezzini
of Pezzini Berry Farms in Salinas.
" They won't make it in heavily flooded fields, "
he said.
If rains continue, they could damage crops starting
to produce. The effect on quality could change the
32 | MAY 2023
Never-ending rains are expected to bring more pests
and disease to California fields. Growers and agencies
were uncertain of how the difficult weather would affect
harvesting. Photo: California Department of Water
crop from a fresh harvest to a clean-up type of
harvesting for processing buyers, and sometimes,
the berries won't be fit for that market, Pezzini said.
In general, grower members of the California Fresh
Fruit Association (CFFA) report escaping serious
damage, based upon where they are growing, but
face more challenges, said Ian LeMay, president.

May 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2023

Editor's Letter
Crop management: A mighty shield
Pest management: Sparganothis fruitworm
Technology: FlightSensor provides pest surveillance
Technology: The new AI tool
Cover Story: The survey shows…
Packaging Materials & Equipment: Cherry packing tech
Berries: Singing the blues
Biocontrols: Advancing biologicals
Weather challenges: Never-ending rains
Farm Market & Agritourism: Seven takeaways from benchmark survey of markets
CMI
Ag Labor Review
Classifieds
Ad Index
May 2023 - 1
May 2023 - 2
May 2023 - 3
May 2023 - Editor's Letter
May 2023 - 5
May 2023 - Crop management: A mighty shield
May 2023 - 7
May 2023 - Pest management: Sparganothis fruitworm
May 2023 - 9
May 2023 - Technology: FlightSensor provides pest surveillance
May 2023 - 11
May 2023 - 12
May 2023 - 13
May 2023 - Technology: The new AI tool
May 2023 - 15
May 2023 - Cover Story: The survey shows…
May 2023 - 17
May 2023 - 18
May 2023 - 19
May 2023 - 20
May 2023 - 21
May 2023 - Packaging Materials & Equipment: Cherry packing tech
May 2023 - 23
May 2023 - 24
May 2023 - 25
May 2023 - Berries: Singing the blues
May 2023 - 27
May 2023 - 28
May 2023 - Biocontrols: Advancing biologicals
May 2023 - 30
May 2023 - 31
May 2023 - Weather challenges: Never-ending rains
May 2023 - 33
May 2023 - 34
May 2023 - 35
May 2023 - Farm Market & Agritourism: Seven takeaways from benchmark survey of markets
May 2023 - 37
May 2023 - CMI
May 2023 - 39
May 2023 - Ag Labor Review
May 2023 - Classifieds
May 2023 - Ad Index
May 2023 - 43
May 2023 - 44
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