Consistent summer rains spur this year’s pumpkin harvest

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 heat-sensitive 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.

North

Weather was suitable for fieldwork with areas receiving some rain. A cool front provided lower temperatures. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good, with subsoil and topsoil being adequate and short. Some pond levels dropped. Most corn was mature, and cotton bolls were opening. Peanuts were in fair to good condition, with a small percentage in the mature stage. Soybeans were in fair to good condition, and many fields showed dropped leaves. Winter wheat and oats were planted, and some winter wheat was emerging. The harvesting of corn, hay, cotton, peanuts, sorghum, soybeans and sunflowers continued. Livestock were mainly in fair to good condition. Fall armyworms were spotted in pastures and hay fields. Mosquitoes and biting gnats increased in number.

East

Subsoil and topsoil conditions remained adequate. In some parts of the district, rainfall improved soil moisture and gave producers confidence to move forward with winter pasture planting. However, most of the district needed rain. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Hay production started to wind down. Livestock were in fair to good condition, and producers were providing protein and energy supplements. Cattle markets remained strong. Wild pig activity increased in some areas.

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.

Central

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 3.5 inches, with no more in the 10-day forecast. Milder temperatures followed the rain. Rangeland and pasture conditions remained good. Some winter forage for grazing started to emerge. Producers were baling the last cutting of hay. Farm stock ponds and creek flows dropped but were still adequate. Cotton harvest continued. Some wheat planting started, and early planted wheat was starting to emerge. Oat planting continued, but some producers were waiting for bigger rains. Livestock were in fair to good condition with supplemental feeding occurring.

Southeast

The district experienced particularly hot and dry weather, with areas being monitored for potentially rapid development of drought conditions. Rainfall the past week remained below average, with only 2.5 inches recorded for the month. Corn, sunflower and sorghum harvests finished while cotton harvest ranged from 20% to 90% complete. There were a few isolated reports of armyworms. Cotton harvest began. Dry conditions led to early cattle culling and concerns over hay availability, as late-season yields were down significantly, and future cuttings were unlikely. Hay producers finished operations for the summer and were allowing pastures to return to natural states amid a complete absence of rainfall in the upcoming forecast. Pasture and rangeland ratings were fair to excellent. Livestock conditions ranged from poor to excellent.

Southwest

Temperatures were hotter than normal before a cool front brought slightly cooler conditions and spotty rainfall, though no measurable accumulations were reported. Dry conditions persisted across the area. Cotton harvest was expected to wrap up soon, with good yields reported. Field preparation for winter pastures was underway, and planting of small grains and food plots was progressing. Livestock markets remained steady to strong. Pasture conditions continued to decline, and supplemental feeding of livestock was increasingly evident. Stomach worms affected sheep, but overall, livestock were in good shape. Wildlife benefited from the acorn drop, and turkeys found an abundance of seeds from mature grasses and plentiful grasshoppers. Some very late-hatched turkey poults were observed in recent weeks and remained small for this time of year. Rangeland grasses were at or near maturity as the breeding season began. Bucks shed most of their velvet.

Coastal Bend

Hot, dry conditions persisted with little measurable rain since July, leaving soil moisture very dry and pastures stressed. Scattered showers brought slight improvements, but subsoil moisture remained poor, and drought conditions were critical. All major crops were harvested. Cotton yields were excellent, and ginning continued at full pace. Rangeland and pasture conditions varied from poor to good, forcing many producers to start hay feeding earlier than usual. Livestock remained in good condition, though supplemental feeding was increasing and concerns about hay inventories were growing. Pecan producers were preparing orchards for harvest, and crop potential looked fair to good.