Yuma Pest Control Advisors prepare for winter produce season challenges

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - As Yuma County prepares for another winter growing season, a group of agricultural professionals is already working behind the scenes to help protect the crops that feed communities across the country.

Known as the "Winter Salad Bowl of America," Yuma produces a significant share of the nation's leafy greens during the colder months.

Before those crops reach grocery stores and dinner tables, Pest Control Advisors (PCA) are in the fields monitoring plants, tracking insects, and watching for diseases that could impact the harvest.

PCAs act as a first line of defense for growers, using field observations, data, and experience to identify potential problems before they become larger threats.

Local advisors say every growing season brings a new set of challenges, including unpredictable weather and changing pest pressures.

"A lot of it's weather dependent," said John Hume, a PCA licensed since 2003. "If we have another warm fall, warm winter, a lot of rain like we did last year, it could be real expensive...a lot of bugs, a lot of diseases."

One of the major concerns in recent seasons has been increased insect pressure, including the diamondback moth, a pest that can damage crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

PCA Gordon Goodwin, who has nearly three decades of experience, says conditions can vary greatly from year to year.

"We've had extremely heavy pressure in insect and disease years and we've had lighter years," Goodwin said. "Every year is just a new game."

Advisors say careful monitoring and planning remain critical as they prepare for the upcoming season. By scouting fields, managing pests, and adapting to changing conditions, PCAs help protect Yuma's agricultural industry and the winter crops relied on by consumers nationwide.

As planting continues across the region, these crop experts say they'll continue putting boots on the ground to help ensure a successful harvest.