Texas pumpkin producers are experiencing a strong harvest thanks to consistent rainfall and a dry July. While quantity is on par with last season’s harvest, producers say overall pumpkin quality is better compared to last year, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
Mark Carroll, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Floyd County, said consumers can expect a significant improvement when purchasing their Texas-grown pumpkins this year.
Floyd County, east of Lubbock in the Texas High Plains, is where the bulk of Texas pumpkins are grown.
“Overall, producers in Floyd County saw early, consistent rainfall early in the growing season, which is needed for pumpkin producers,” Carroll said. “This was followed by a dry period during the second week of July, providing the ideal dry climate for pumpkin growers.”
Pumpkin prices are expected to remain consistent, with some variability as Halloween approaches. For the best prices, consumers are encouraged to purchase their pumpkins early.
Carroll said consumers can prolong the life of fresh, Texas pumpkins by keeping the bottom dry to prevent wet rot and decay. He also recommends carving your jack-o-lanterns no earlier than Oct. 20 to prolong the quality of a pumpkin for Halloween decor.
In 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, Economic Research Service reported Texas as the national leader in pumpkin revenue. While states like Illinois. Indiana and Michigan lead in production quantity; most of their product is used for pie filling and processed foods, receiving a lower price per pound than Texas’ ornamental jack-o-lantern-style pumpkin. Favorable conditions for Texas pumpkin growers Juan Anciso, Ph. D., AgriLife Extension horticulture program leader and associate head of the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, said that Floyd County poses an ideal location for Texas pumpkin production.
“Pumpkin production can be tricky,” Anciso said. “Fresh market pumpkins grown for Halloween have to be planted between two of the hottest months in Texas, June and July.”
Anciso said cooler nights in the Panhandle help to provide the temperatures required to produce a heatsensitive crop like pumpkins.
Pumpkins thrive in mild, frost- free climates with plenty of water. Unlike midwestern states, Texas producers battle warmer temperatures and windier conditions that slow the growing rate for pumpkins and affect fruit set. Producers in Floyd County utilize drip irrigation to ensure their pumpkin crops remain cool and receive adequate and timely water.
Anciso acknowledged a history of success for pumpkin production within the state. Data shows Texas led the nation in 2020 for pumpkin crop value at $25.9 million, according to USDA While dry weather reduces yields, it helps to produce a higher quality pumpkin, contributing to the increase in pumpkin prices compared to other states. Both Carroll and Anciso encouraged consumers to purchase pumpkins from bins containing a Texas pumpkin logo to ensure support of Texas producers.
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Panhandle Overall, soil moisture was reported as short to adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were reported fair to good. Crops were reported fair to good. More rain was needed to maintain soil moisture profiles going into late fall and winter. The district saw cooler, dry conditions. Silage harvest continued. Corn harvest progressed. Cotton acres were limited in some areas due to early season hail- out. Wheat planting continued. Fall armyworm activity was reported as high.
South Plains
Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels were low in the district due to lack of recent moisture. Pastures were in good condition. Producers started to dig peanuts and prepare for the remainder of the harvest season. Grain sorghum and corn harvests continued. Bolls began to open in the cotton fields for the past couple of weeks, and in some areas, producers were starting to defoliate. Cattle were in good condition.
Far West
Temperatures held steady, with a slight dip toward more seasonal temperatures at week’s end. Rain ranging from trace amounts up to 2 inches fell across much of the district. Responding green- up helped livestock pastures going into fall. The rain was too late for the cotton crop but was good for the wheat crop. Most cotton bolls were open, and harvest was expected to start soon. Pima and upland cotton fields in western parts of the district were in the final stage of development, and most farmers irrigated for the last time of the season. Pest pressure was minimal, with some whitefly seen, but nothing alarming to date. The pecan crop looked good overall, with pecans filling well, as weather and low pest pressures cooperated thus far. Alfalfa growers experienced decent production, and, weather permitting, fields in western parts of the district were expected to see two more cuts this season.
West Central
The district received scattered showers and storms during a midweek cold front and low-pressure system. The rainfall improved soil moisture and created optimal conditions for planting small grains, though additional rain is needed to maintain progress toward crop germination. Cotton remained in poor to fair condition, though slight improvements were noted. Sorghum harvest continued. Some pecan orchards experienced a 50%-75% crop loss due to flooding, though pecan prices remained good. Weed germination was spurred by rainfall, increasing pressure in pastures. Rangeland conditions slightly improved, but wildfire risk remained high due to standing forage. Some grass fires were reported. Cattle conditions were good overall, with supplemental feeding still ongoing in dry areas. Stocker and feeder markets remained steady, with some higher prices in feeder steers.