Why are beer hops harvested at night.?

Question

Me and my mom are wondering why they harvest beer hops at night. If anyone has any answers that would be great. I have looked on the internet and can find nothing.

Answer 1

Because that is the  way it is

Answer 2

Light causes a photochemical reaction with some chemicals in hops (isomerized alpha-acids) which causes a skunky taste and smell, and by harvesting at night they are lessening light exposure a bit.

Answer 3

It has something to do with a reaction to sunlight but, on another note... According to the latest issue of DRAFT magazine, there is a worldwide shortage in  the hops crop so be prepared to pay more for quality craft brews ;-(((

Answer 4

I began growing hops for my brewing this year and have read quite a bit about cultivation and havesting, and I havn't seen anything saying that I should harvest them at night.  

However, I do know that the oils in the hop cones can go bad and turn skunky if they are exposed to direct sunlight after they are harvested, so harvesting at night would avoid this.  Maybe thats why some people harvest at night.