College Station, Texas
December 2, 2003
from
Texas Crop, Wheather Report
Texas A&M University
Cooler
temperatures are helping put the finishing touches on the Texas
spinach crop, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.
A
warmer-than-usual fall made for a less-than-ideal growing
season, said Jose Peña, Extension economist in Uvalde.
"The recent
warm weather with high humidity caused above-average disease
incidence in the crop," he said. The warm weather has also
contributed to unusually heavy worm problems throughout the
region.
But "the
recent cool weather should reduce disease problems, improve
quality and increase yields," Peña said.
The freeze
that occurred a week ago was both beneficial and detrimental to
the spinach, said Marcelino Valdez, Extension agent in Zavala
County. "Fresh market spinach quality is fair due to a good
freeze that we had in the region about a week ago."
On the plus
side, the region has experienced considerably less problems with
insects, he said.
Ideal
growing conditions include cool, sunny days with adequate soil
moisture.
The spinach
currently harvested is being sold on the fresh market. Farmers
started planting the spinach in late September.
"There are
about 1,500 acres of fresh market spinach, and a little over
2,500 acres of processed spinach planted in this area," said
Valdez.
"The
difference between fresh market and processed spinach is mainly
in the leaves. Fresh market spinach leaves are crinkly, whereas
processed spinach leaves are more flat and smooth," Pena said.
Most of the
spinach in the state is grown in the Winter Garden in Southwest
Texas, Pena said.
"Spinach
planting in Southwest Texas normally begins in late September,
with planting staggered from fall through late winter," Pena
said. "This is so we have steady spinach supplies starting from
around the middle of November through mid-March."
Currently,
yields are slightly lower than last year. Despite this, farmers
should be pleased with prices.
"Prices for
spinach for the fresh market have been slightly above last year.
Prices for the spinach for the processed market are about the
same as last year," Peña said.
"Processed
spinach is currently selling for about $78 per ton, whereas
fresh market spinach is selling for about $10 per 30-pound
plastic container," Pena said.
Texas leads
the nation in fresh spinach production, but falls second behind
California in processed spinach production. |