<p>As Fall gets underway, growers in the Central and San Joaquin Valley are getting ready to make the transition down to the Yuma/desert regions of the Western U.S.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Growers tell AndNowUKnow that so far the transition is looking good for both supply and quality on lettuce and leaf items with the rest of the traditional desert portfolio transitioning into the region as the season ramps up. There have been a few small delays with cooler temperatures, but no major issues. Harvest on leafy greens is slated to start up around mid-November and will then move into broccoli and cauliflower in the coming weeks.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The main concern right now is labor. The delay in H-2A confirmations is falling right in the beginning of the Yuma transition. Without adequate labor, the harvest schedule may be delayed. Government agencies are confident that the actions they are taking to respond to the 16 day delay created by the government shutdown will get workers into the region and back on schedule. This week, some growers tell us, they have production people walking the fields and checking on start dates for various crops. There should be a more complete report in the coming days. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we follow the transition and the H-2A complications.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
