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Tomato harvest is set to begin

Weather has been the topic of discussion for corn and soybean farmers since the start of the year – and that likely will not change.  Weather hasn’t been challenging just for traditional row crops in Indiana, but for the tomato crop as well.  Steve Smith, Director of Agriculture for Red Gold said tomato growers struggled a rough growing season.  He says producers are spread out geographically, and some of the crops had better conditions in the northern part of the state but in central Indiana it had been hot and dry and the tomato crop has suffered.

Smith says the weather stress reduced the yield in some areas by causing the plants to drop blossoms and not set a fruit or the fruits to be smaller in size.  He says the average tomato field can produce around 33 tons per acre but with the weather this year some portions of Indiana may see a 10 to 15 percent reduction in yield.

Red Gold is set to begin tomato harvest on Friday