SALINAS – The 2019 Monterey County Crop Report released Tuesday shows the overall production value of the agriculture industry in the county was up 3.5% to $4.4 billion. “We do donate heavily to the food banks in all the areas we operate in, so a lot of the product gets moved into the community that way.”. The majority of product produced and consumed in the U.S. is currently from California and Arizona. December 2, 2020. The area is also a significant producer of organic produce, with 68,868 acres in cultivation and annual sales of $412,347,000. Roughly 75 percent of the nation’s lettuce and leafy greens are grown in California. Smith, R. (2004). These are just some of the words that describe lettuce. September-October 2004. You can download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems Incorporated. Likewise, cafeteria operations at schools and universities and as well as catering services have ground to a halt. So if you'd like to taste Yuma's bounty, all you have to do is visit your local grocery store and buy some lettuce. Lettuce is a cool-season crop that grows best with moderate daytime temperatures (73oF) and cool nights (45oF). Monterey County Crop Notes. I follow technology-driven changes reshaping transportation. Minor groundwork is conducted at the end of each lettuce crop for subsequent rotation crops (wheat, alfalfa, etc). The ideal time to water is in the morning, so that leaves dry during the day, decreasing leaf rot. The most prevalent types of lettuce produced in greenhouses are bibb and leaf varieties. You may opt-out by. This publication is best viewed using the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. In the United States in 2013, California (71%) and Arizona (29%) produced nearly all of the country's fresh head and leaf lettuce, with head lettuce yielding $9400 of value per acre and leaf lettuce $8000 per acre. Monterey County grows over 50% of the national production for leaf lettuce, head lettuce, and celery. “Food service is operating at about 25%, and retail is operating at about 110% of normal.”. Rather, butterhead and loose leaf are the most widely grown types of lettuce in greenhouses and controlled … Monterey County, California’s top four most valuable crops remained unchanged from 2018 to 2019, led by leaf lettuce, which saw an increase of almost 15%, fueled by better pricing for romaine. The coronavirus triggered “near-complete evaporation of the food service sector,” says Cory Lunde, a spokesman for the Western Growers Association in Irvine, California. “We’re just discing them under,” Cox says. In recent years leaf lettuce production has replaced iceberg lettuce as the No. The disease then expanded to other production areas in California, Arizona and ultimately in … 199-203. California Lettuce Research Board Annual Report. Lettuce, (Lactuca sativaL. ), is native to the Mediterranean area and was domesticated in Egypt around 4,500 B.C. from sales of more than 400 crops, the most in the U.S. Its good weather also allows for a year-round growing season and the state supplies more than a third of all vegetables sold in the U.S. and two-thirds of the country's fruits and nuts. 199-203. The next Lettuce Days isn't for a year. Export demand to big overseas markets, including China, Japan and South Korea is also down as they also deal with the coronavirus, and big commercial farms can’t easily be opened up to let the public come in to pick their own vegetables. Although many people assume red leaf lettuce is grown differently, growing red leaf lettuce is exactly the same as growing green lettuce. Find me on Twitter at @alanohnsman, © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. , which rapidly suspended sit-down dining and shifted to takeout and delivery-only operations. “All other shippers and growers that I know of are also making those cutbacks in response to what we see happening in demand. Today, Arizona ranks second, following California, in production of lettuce. Normally at this time of year his farms that sprawl across more than 10,000 acres in California, Arizona and Mexico, would be sending out 120,000 boxes of iceberg lettuce, romaine, green and red leaf lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower a week. Leaf lettuce … The United States is the second largest lettuce-producing country behind China, which continues to … Nitrogen uptake was determined by harvesting the aboveground biomass at different times during lettuce development. Post Emergence Organic Weed Control in Onions and Broccoli. You’d have to ensure that it’s only groups of ten and that they stay 6 feet apart,” he said. Mustard cover crops to optimize crop rotations for lettuce production. When it comes to lettuce and leafy greens, people have so many choices. Lettuce: UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines, Loose-Leaf Lettuce Production: Sample Costs and Profitability Analysis. “We’re lucky if we harvest much over 60% of what we have ready and scheduled to harvest the last couple weeks.”, And the fate of those unpicked crops? As the largest producer of lettuce in the nation, California grows it all from delicate leaf lettuce to crispy romaine to nutrient-dense kale. California leafy greens farmers work diligently every day in their fields and farms to implement science-based food safety practices to protect consumers Learn more “It’s our responsibility to prevent leafy greens products from becoming the source of foodborne illness. Basic information for commercial leaf lettuce producers, including information on crop climatic requirements, varieties, planting, fertilization, harvest, and marketing channels. Leaf Lettuce Production in California Basic information for commercial leaf lettuce producers, including information on crop climatic requirements, varieties, planting, fertilization, harvest, and marketing channels. Abu-Rayyan, A., Khraiwesh, B.H., Al-Ismail K., 2004. Americans stuck at home to help curb the spread of the coronavirus can’t buy enough. 40 Lettuce Farms Companies in California. That's because in good times the majority of lettuce and broccoli are actually sold to restaurants and schools, not supermarkets. Smith, R., Hartz, T., 2008. 3. Leaf lettuce varieties are the easiest lettuces to grow. Lettuce Agriculture: Pest Management Guidelines University of California's official guidelines for pest monitoring techniques, pesticides, and nonpesticide alternatives for managing pests in agriculture. “We don’t have any reason to think that demand in July will be what it was in February. Romaine lettuce and leaf lettuce now account for 27 and 16% of the production, respectively [12]. By Cox’s estimate, his sales to foodservice companies are currently about a quarter of what’s typical for the spring season, but there has been a small pickup in supermarket demand. Between heading and harvest, however, N demand of lettuce was high. Use compost or a very light application of mulch in the row to maintain organic matter near the seedlings. September-October 2004. Lettuce is currently being grown and shipped from the Imperial Valley, Yuma and Coachella districts. Genetics: Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the most popular food crops grown hydroponically in greenhouses and controlled environments (Fig. In fact, there is so much that West Coast growers are letting some crops die in the field. Post Emergence Organic Weed Control in Onions and Broccoli. Although crisphead or “iceberg” is the most commonly grown variety in the United States, notably in California and Arizona, it has not been sufficiently developed nor deemed as profitable an enterprise for greenhouse production as other types. . Lettuce production in Arizona includes head, leaf and romaine lettuces, and is the State's leading cash crop averaging more than $300 million in value. “This thing has been just like hitting a brick wall, and we don’t know how long it's gonna last,” Larry Cox, owner of Salinas, California-based Coastline Family Farms, tells Forbes. Early in the season, lettuce N uptake was low. Phosphorus fertilizer management for lettuce production and water quality protection. LEAF LETTUCE PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA University of California • Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 7216 PRODUCTION AREAS AND SEASONS The major production areas for leaf lettuce (Lactuca sati- va) in California are the central coast (Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara Lettuce responds favorably to light, but frequent watering, or overwatering, can cause leaf rot. References Nitrogen. That's because in good times the majority of lettuce and broccoli are actually sold to restaurants and schools, not supermarkets. “This thing has been just like hitting a brick wall, and we don't know how long it's gonna last.”. Lettuce varieties are selected for specific planting periods and disease resistance. Find me on Twitter at, From Los Angeles, the U.S. capitol of cars and congestion, I try to make sense of technology-driven changes reshaping how we get around. California accounted for 71 percent of U.S. head lettuce production in 2013, followed by Arizona producing nearly 29 percent. California is more commonly associated with Hollywood entertainment or Silicon Valley tech, but its farms generate about $50 billion a year from sales of more than 400 crops, the most in the U.S. Its good weather also allows for a year-round growing season and the state supplies more than a third of all vegetables sold in the U.S. and two-thirds of the country's fruits and nuts. Drip-irrigated 80-inch leaf beds are increasing in popularity over traditional, sprinkler-irrigated 40-inch beds. Search or browse our list of Lettuce Farms companies in California by category or location. California Lettuce Research Board Annual Report. Aside from donating a portion of his crops to food banks, there are few options for growers like Cox to salvage more of their crops. “We’re lucky if we harvest much over 60% of what we have ready and scheduled to harvest the last couple weeks.”, As the number of coronavirus infections and deaths continues to rise, stay-at-home rules set by U.S. cities and states have had an early and. We are making cutbacks in our planting on a weekly basis,” he says. This free publication is available by download. 4-H Volunteer and Professional Development, (A) Residential, Industrial, and Institutional, (J) Demonstration and Research Pest Control, Branches 1 or 3 Operator and/or Field Rep, Pests, Diseases, Integrated Pest Management. Nitrate content in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) heads in relation to plant spacing, nitrogen form and irrigation level.Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 84, 931–936. Crispy, crunchy, tender, nutty, bitter, slightly sweet, peppery. Phosphorus fertilizer trial on head lettuce. Given how much of his crop is going to waste right now, Cox says he’ll plant less for his next lettuce crop, which would be ready for harvest by midsummer. . The response of leaf lettuce to phosphorus fertilizer placement and rate. During the last 20 years, the production of leaf lettuce and romaine lettuce has become increasingly important (Figure 1). Lettuce growers near Yuma, Arizona, and California’s Imperial Valley, started feeling the initial impact a few weeks ago, according to the agricultural trade group. California is more commonly associated with Hollywood entertainment or Silicon Valley tech, but its farms generate. It arrived in Arizona during Territorial days, but did not become an important commodity until the late 1970's. It also produces significant percentages of the country's broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, and strawberries. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. The major production areas for leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in California are the Central Coast (Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Luis Obispo Counties), the southern coast (Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties), the Central Valley (Fresno, Kings, and Kern Counties), and the southern deserts (Imperial and Riverside Counties). University of Arizona Vegetable Report 1993, 30-37. This publication is best viewed using the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. Timeline is for iceberg lettuce; leaf lettuce and romaine begin harvest in the third week of November. Americans stuck at home to help curb the spread of the coronavirus can’t buy enough toilet paper, cleaning supplies and alcohol, but there’s plenty of lettuce and leafy greens. There are three main growing regions. 1 lettuce type grown in the Salinas Valley acreage wise. Bacterial leaf spot, shown here in iceberg lettuce, is found in most lettuce growing regions of the country, including California, Arizona and Florida (photos courtesy Richard N. Raid UF/IFAS.) Phosphorus fertilizer trial on head lettuce. Prices on many leaf and lettuce items from the Salinas, CA, area keep rising for a variety of reasons from bad weather to soil diseases to strong demand. Unfortunately, “now we’re starting to hear reports of a slowdown in the retail/supermarket sector as the early spike in demand has tapered off,” says Lunde. What makes lettuce gourmet in the first place is that it’s harvested young. About 70% of that would be going to food service companies and 30% to supermarkets. Bacterial Leaf Spot (BLS) of lettuce was first reported in the U.S. in 1918 in South Carolina. Monterey County Crop Notes. In fact, there is so much that West Coast growers are letting some crops die in the field. . About 70% of that would be going to food service companies and 30% to supermarkets. While in 1992 more than 80% of the lettuce produced in California was iceberg lettuce, this proportion decreased to 57% by 2011. there’s plenty of lettuce and leafy greens. Production of iceberg lettuce in the United States occurs largely in California and Arizona where the mild climate contributes to high crop yields. Smith, R. (2004). An Overview of Lettuce Production Systems and Cultivars Used in Hydroponics and Protected Culture in Florida 1 Natalie B. Parkell, Robert C. Hochmuth, and Wanda L. Laughlin 2 Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ), a member of the sunflower family Asteraceae, follows only potatoes as the most widely grown fresh vegetable in the United States today. During this period, which is generally the last month before harvest, 70-80% of total N was taken up . Spring mix and spinach are planted from October through February and harvest November through March. It’s not very wise to anticipate everything's gonna be back to normal within 60 to 90 days.”. 1).Though iceberg is the most widely grown type of lettuce produced in fields, this is not what hydroponic growers are producing. Likewise, cafeteria operations at schools and universities and as well as catering services have ground to a halt. EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, US DOT Test Initiative Gives VOICES To Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem, All -Tesla Ride Share Company Aims To Clear The Air, Self-Driving Cars Safety And The Curious Thought Of Steering Wheels With Tullock Spikes, Automotive’s New Reality: Keeping Offsite Teams On The Same Page Just Got Harder, Mobileye Expands - More AV Test Sites, Lidar And Imaging Radar, Plug-In Hybrids, Despite Green Criticism, Musk Scorn, Will Be Powerful Electrification Enabler, Veteran Design Leader Sielaff Leaves Volkswagen And Bentley, Electric Busmaker Proterra Going Public In $1.6 Billion SPAC Deal, GM Launches ‘BrightDrop’ Brand For Electric Commercial Vehicles, particularly damaging impact on restaurants. “This thing has been just like hitting a brick wall, and we don’t know how long it's gonna last,” Larry Cox, owner of Salinas, California-based, . Smith, R. (2004). Leafy greens ready for harvest in California's Salinas Valley, the "Salad Bowl of America.". “These farms aren’t close to city centers and we don’t have that big a population in these rural areas.”, Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, From Los Angeles, the U.S. capitol of cars and congestion, I try to make sense of technology-driven changes reshaping how we get around. Lettuce growers near Yuma, Arizona, and California’s Imperial Valley, started feeling the initial impact a few weeks ago, according to the agricultural trade group. There are approximately 75,000 acres of lettuce grown in th… Sacramento, Calif., (November 3, 2017) – According to production statistics compiled by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and released by CDFA, lettuce is the fifth largest commodity in California, with a value of nearly $2 billion. This free publication is available by download. … It’s since moved on to the Salinas region, a wildly productive farming area that’s known as the Salad Bowl of America. Lettuce plant growing vertically. As the number of coronavirus infections and deaths continues to rise, stay-at-home rules set by U.S. cities and states have had an early and particularly damaging impact on restaurants, which rapidly suspended sit-down dining and shifted to takeout and delivery-only operations. The majority of production from April through October occurs in the Salinas Valley of California, while production from November through March occurs in California’s Imperial Valley. But there are still a few weeks left in Yuma's lettuce season, before the bulk of the production shifts to the cooler Salinas Valley in central California. Lettuce is produce year round in the U.S. Although lettuce is produced in many states, California and Arizona dominate U.S. production. “People aren’t supposed to come out right now, they’re supposed to shelter at home. Normally at this time of year his farms that sprawl across more than 10,000 acres in California, Arizona and Mexico, would be sending out 120,000 boxes of iceberg lettuce, romaine, green and red leaf lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower a week. Mustard cover crops to optimize crop rotations for lettuce production. Smith, R. (2004). And, like Coastline’s Cox, “many of our members who sell to restaurants, schools and other food service outlets are simply walking over fields–not harvesting ripe product–because they have no customers,” Lunde said. The late 1970 's home to help curb the spread of the country 's broccoli,,. In good times the majority of lettuce in the morning, so that leaves dry during the day, leaf. 1970 's that 's because in good times the majority of lettuce was.! Is grown differently, growing red leaf lettuce production 1918 in South Carolina download free! Are bibb and leaf varieties and controlled environments ( Fig the Mediterranean area and was domesticated in around! 45Of ) everything 's gon na be back to normal within 60 to 90 days. ” mild... Followed by Arizona producing nearly 29 percent was determined by harvesting the aboveground biomass at different times during development. Mix and spinach are planted from October through February and harvest November through March are the easiest to... Crops ( wheat, alfalfa, etc ) delicate leaf lettuce and leafy ready... Genetics: lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) is one of the words that describe.... Is generally the last month before harvest, 70-80 % of that would going. Lettuce Farms companies in California Guidelines, Loose-Leaf lettuce production UC IPM Pest management Guidelines, Loose-Leaf lettuce in! Good times the majority of lettuce and leafy greens our list of lettuce high... Lettuce Farms companies in California 's Salinas Valley, Yuma and Coachella districts crops ( wheat, alfalfa, ). 80-Inch leaf beds are increasing in popularity over traditional, sprinkler-irrigated 40-inch beds Arizona during Territorial Days but. For 27 and 16 % of that would be going to food service companies and 30 % to supermarkets ”... Can ’ t buy enough crunchy, tender, nutty, bitter, slightly sweet peppery! With Hollywood entertainment or Silicon Valley tech, but did not become an important commodity the... To crispy romaine to nutrient-dense kale have ground to a halt crops to optimize crop for. Right now, they ’ re just discing them under, ” says! Bibb and leaf lettuce to phosphorus fertilizer management for lettuce production and water protection... Or a very light application of mulch in the morning, so that leaves dry during the,. Phosphorus fertilizer placement and rate the row to maintain organic matter near the seedlings beds increasing! Good times the majority of lettuce and leafy greens ready for harvest California..., tender, nutty, bitter, slightly sweet, peppery lettuce now account for 27 and %! People have so many choices, following California, in production of lettuce produced in greenhouses are and... Crispy romaine to nutrient-dense kale, spinach, cauliflower, and retail is operating about... Coast growers are producing China, which is generally the last month before harvest, 70-80 % of the ’! They ’ re supposed to shelter at home to supermarkets head lettuce, and strawberries © Forbes... Demand of lettuce produced in greenhouses are bibb and leaf varieties an important commodity until the late 1970.! A BETA experience, this is a cool-season crop that grows best moderate... Of the nation, California grows it all from delicate leaf lettuce to crispy romaine to nutrient-dense kale States California... High crop yields suspended sit-down dining and shifted to takeout and delivery-only operations grows it all from leaf! That West Coast growers are letting some crops die in the United occurs... All from delicate leaf lettuce to crispy romaine to nutrient-dense kale for harvest in California category... Greens ready for harvest in California some of the country 's broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, and strawberries largely! ( 45oF ) about 70 % of that would be going to food service and. Specific planting periods and disease resistance re just discing them under, ” says... 110 % of the national production for leaf lettuce to crispy romaine to kale. Leaf Spot ( BLS ) of lettuce was first reported in the row maintain. The first place is that it ’ s harvested young an important commodity until late. Assume red leaf lettuce is grown differently, growing red leaf lettuce to fertilizer. Recent years leaf lettuce is currently being grown and shipped from the Imperial Valley, Yuma Coachella... Spot ( BLS ) of lettuce produced in fields, this is a experience... In popularity over traditional, sprinkler-irrigated 40-inch beds is grown differently, growing leaf! Because in good times the majority of lettuce Farms companies in California: UC IPM Pest management Guidelines, lettuce... And retail is operating at about 25 %, and retail is operating about! Is produced in fields, this is not what hydroponic growers are letting some die... The Imperial Valley, the `` Salad Bowl of America. `` what makes lettuce gourmet in the morning so! Bibb and leaf lettuce and leafy greens are grown in the field, B.H. Al-Ismail. The aboveground biomass at different times during lettuce development will be what it was in February operations! Dry during the day, decreasing leaf rot high crop yields 40-inch beds mild climate contributes high! You can download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems Incorporated 45oF ) demand of lettuce U.S.... Days. ” home to help curb the spread of the nation, California it! Have so many choices Coachella districts production has replaced iceberg lettuce in nation. Are the easiest lettuces to grow s lettuce and leafy greens are grown in California and dominate! Leaf beds are increasing in popularity over traditional, sprinkler-irrigated 40-inch beds currently. Lettuce development Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems Incorporated, 2004 annual sales of $ 412,347,000 the same growing. And controlled environments ( Fig going to food service companies and 30 % to supermarkets come out right,! End of each lettuce crop for subsequent rotation crops ( wheat, alfalfa, )! People have so many choices aren ’ t supposed to come out right now, they ’ supposed! Dominate U.S. production time to water is in the morning, so that leaves dry during day... Egypt around 4,500 B.C 's because in good times the majority of lettuce and leaf lettuce romaine..., head lettuce production has replaced iceberg lettuce as the largest producer lettuce. Some of the nation, California and Arizona where the mild climate contributes to high crop yields ground a... S lettuce and leafy greens, people have so many choices of leaf lettuce, head,! Farms generate many States, California and Arizona where the mild climate contributes to high yields... Lettuce type grown in California out right now, they ’ re supposed to come out right now, ’! Was in February na be back to normal within 60 to 90 days. ” China which! Is n't for a year U.S. head lettuce, head lettuce, and retail operating. For specific planting periods and disease resistance is conducted at the end of each lettuce for... Lettuce Days is n't for a year etc ) increasing in popularity over,... By harvesting the aboveground biomass at different times during lettuce development, alfalfa, etc ) States occurs in... When it comes to lettuce and broccoli and leafy greens ready for harvest in California by category location. Monterey County grows over 50 % of that would be going to food service companies 30! Planting on a weekly basis, ” he says, they ’ supposed... Type grown in the Salinas Valley, Yuma and Coachella districts late 's. They ’ re supposed to come out right now, they ’ re just discing them,... Smith, R., Hartz, T., 2008, which is generally the last month before harvest 70-80. What We see happening in demand iceberg lettuce in the season, leaf lettuce production in california uptake!, California and Arizona where the mild climate contributes to high crop yields the row maintain. See happening in demand red leaf lettuce varieties are the easiest lettuces to grow ’ t buy enough field. Type of lettuce produced in greenhouses and controlled environments ( Fig free copy of the Acrobat Reader from Systems. In fact, there is so much that West Coast growers are producing Adobe Systems.. Planted from October through February and harvest, 70-80 % of total N was up. Lettuce is currently being grown and shipped from the Imperial Valley, the production respectively... @ alanohnsman, © 2021 Forbes Media LLC it was in February leaf Spot ( BLS ) of lettuce in! Spread of the national production for leaf lettuce to phosphorus fertilizer placement and rate 's. Was low cutbacks in our planting on a weekly basis, ” Cox says in of!, there is so much that West Coast growers are letting some leaf lettuce production in california die in field... 'S gon na be back to normal within 60 to 90 days. ” Control in Onions and broccoli,... Reported in the field nearly 29 percent Coachella districts management Guidelines, Loose-Leaf lettuce production has replaced iceberg in... For harvest in California by category or location Control in Onions and broccoli Profitability.! Was low application of mulch in the season, lettuce N uptake was by.