Plenty Of Pumpkins Being Harvested This Year

Oct 01, 2020

Manitoba's pumpkin harvest is underway.

Scott Friesen operates Snowland Vegetable Farms near Halbstadt.

"So far, so good. The weather is really helping to facilitate the harvest this year. We can go pretty much everyday without pulling or tugging anything off the field in the mud and the pumpkins come off clean and it's easier to wash."

He notes while yields might be down a bit, the pumpkins seem to be bigger in size.

"Quality is very good. The pumpkins are sized quite nicely. I'm leaving lots of smalls out there, which is normal."

Friesen says demand for pumpkins is a bit slower this year.

"So far, maybe slightly slower. I think the buyers are just a little hesitant to take in stock early."

He notes the uncertainty around COVID-19 and Halloween is also playing a role.

Snowland Vegetable Farms grows about 40 acres of pumpkins, in addition to sweet corn, carrots, beets and other vegetables. The pumpkins go to Peak of the Market in Winnipeg and are then distributed to wholesalers from there.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.