Predicted July Heat Could Damage Central Valley Crops

By Rich Ibarra

You might think it’s hot now, but weather forecasters are predicting an even hotter July — and that could spell trouble for farmers in the Central Valley.

Hot weather can affect everything from dairy cattle to tomatoes. About 6,000 dairy cattle in the valley were killed by a June heatwave in 2017. As for tomatoes, heat can slow growth and cause stress and damage.

Harvest is approaching for many crops including plums, peaches and cucumbers, and some, such as leafy vegetables, have already been affected by recent high temperatures.