Agricultural Weather Highlights
West:
- Record-breaking heat continues from California into the Southwest with windy conditions farther north.
- Northwestern winds, dry weather, low humidity levels, and ample fuels contributed to elevated wildfire threats, especially across the northern Great Basin and northern Intermountain West. This includes the actively burning 50,000-acre Elk Fire near Dayton, Wyoming.
South:
- Thunderstorms over the northern and western Gulf of Mexico are affecting coastal locations from Texas to Florida.
- Warm, dry weather favors farming activities, including Southeastern hurricane recovery and damage assessments.
- In Louisiana, the sugarcane harvest is underway, just a little over three weeks after Hurricane Francine traversed the production area.
Plains:
- Unusual warmth persists across much of Oklahoma, Texas, and southeastern Kansas, with today's high temperatures from 85 to 95°F.
- Slightly cooler air spread over the remainder of the region, however warm weather is imminent across the northern High Plains.
- Drier areas including much of Nebraska and South Dakota face elevated wildfire threats as winds increase.
Corn Belt:
- Scattered sub-freezing temperatures hit the far upper Midwest, from eastern South Dakota into northern Minnesota.
- Brief showers in the vicinity of the cold front extend southwestward from Michigan.
- Elsewhere in the Midwest, mild dry weather favors crop progress and harvesting.
Market Updates
Avocado (Jalisco and Michoacan):
- Harvest was halted a few days heading into the national celebration of Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, on October 1. Supplies are very light causing prices to increase steadily. Shippers anticipate the shortage to be short-lived as harvest restarted on Wednesday, October 2. Movement is expected to remain about the same. Trading of 60-84s is very active, others are active. Prices of organic 60-70s are generally unchanged, others are higher.
Cucumber:
- Movement from Mexico crossings through Texas is expected to decrease. Trading is moderate. Prices of large are slightly lower, medium are generally unchanged.
- Movement from Mexico crossings through Otay Mesa California is expected to decrease slightly. Supplies of large are fairly light. Trading is moderate. Prices of medium are slightly higher, others are slightly lower.
- Movement from the Sonoran growing regions crossing through Nogales, Arizona is expected to increase seasonally. Supplies are insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market. Quality is generally good.
- Movement from Western and Central New York along with Michigan is expected to decrease seasonally. Remaining supplies are in too few hands to establish a market.
- Movement from Central and South Florida is expected to increase slightly. Supplies are very light.
- Movement from South Georgia expected to remain about the same as growers assess damage from Hurricane Helene. Supplies insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market.
Green Bell Pepper:
- Movement from San Joaquin Valley, California is expected to decrease as most growers are finished for the season. Available supplies are very light.
- Movement from Michigan is expected to decrease seasonally. Trading is fairly active. Prices are slightly higher.
- Movement from Western North Carolina was halted by the arrival of Hurricane Helene. Harvest in South Georgia is expected to begin late in the week of September 29. Quality is expected to be variable due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
Tomato:
- Movement from Mexico crossings through Texas is expected to decrease. Trading is moderate. Prices of 4x4-4x5s and 4x4-4x5 sizes are slightly higher, others are generally unchanged.
- Movement from Central District California is expected to remain about the same. Trading of medium is slow, others are fairly slow. Prices of medium are lower, large are slightly lower, and extra-large are generally unchanged.
- Movement from Mexico crossings through Otay Mesa, California is expected about the same. Trading Active. Prices 4x4-4x5s slightly higher, 5x5-5x6s much higher.
- Harvest in Western North Carolina is halted by downed trees, road closures, no electricity, and cleanup activities from Hurricane Helene. Harvest from Florida, West District is expected to start within 14 days.
Blueberry:
- Movement of Peru imports mostly via boat, Ports of entry Philadelphia and New York areas is expected to increase seasonally. Trading is active. Prices are unchanged.
- Movement from Mexico crossings through Arizona, California, and Texas is expected to increase seasonally. Current supplies are insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market.
- Movement from Oregon, Washington, and Michigan is expected to decrease seasonally. Supplies are insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market.
For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.usda.gov
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