Possible hike in prices for winter vegetables

It is a busy time of year for farmers in the Yuma area. With the recent storms in our area, it has taken a toll on our crops and may also impact the consumer.

Experts are saying to expect a hike in prices for your winter vegetables. That is due to our colder temperatures, which prevent crops from growing at their normal pace. Local farmer John Boelts says production is a bit behind schedule and consumers may experience the affects at the supermarket. “Weather can have a impact on these fields, hail is one of the most damaging things, but this wind can be very devastating… luckily I haven’t seen too much damage around. Most of the crops have done pretty well through the recent storms,” Boelts said. “It’s just the cooler weather has delayed things,” he added.

This doesn’t mean that crops will not be harvested. It means that they will have to harvest crops a little less mature. Our recent winds have also taken a toll on the newly planted produce. Heavy winds mess with up the pattern of the sprinklers that germinate the crop. Wind also damages the little seedlings, moves pests around and changes the salinity levels in the soil. On a positive note, Boelts says the rain storms help save our water supply.