AN ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF SQUASH & PUMPKINS Executive Summary Squash and pumpkins are produced commercially in almost every State. In most States, there are a large number of farms devoting a small number of acres to squash or pumpkin production. The States with the greatest acreage in squash production in 1992 included Florida, California, Georgia, Michigan, and New Jersey. For pumpkins, Illinois, California, New York, and Pennsylvania had the greatest acreage. Both squash and pumpkin production have grown between 1987 and 1992, although pumpkin acreage has expanded much more rapidly. Between 1987 and 1992, total squash acreage increased 19 percent, while total pumpkin acreage increased 56 percent. Many farmers are interested in pumpkin production, viewing it as a lucrative activity for which there is great demand and involving lower input and harvesting costs than squash and other vegetables. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) does not collect data on squash and pumpkins. Therefore, it is difficult to determine total U.S. production. California, Florida, and Michigan, however, do collect basic data. Florida has the largest squash harvested acreage in the U.S. and produces the largest quantity of squash. Florida's peak production and shipment months are from November through April. California's squash is marketed mostly from March through May. Squash and pumpkins, which are members of the cucurbit family, are warm-season crops. They grow best during hot weather and cannot tolerate frost. Seeds will germinate at 600F, but ideal germination temperatures are between 850F to 900F. Pumpkins and squash grow best at temperatures ranging from 750F to 850F during the day and 600F to 700F at night. Growth virtually stops when temperatures are below 500F, and the plants may be severely injured and maturity delayed if temperatures fall below 400F for several days. Summer squash are harvested while the fruit is immature. The skin and seeds should still be soft. In contrast, winter squash and pumpkins are harvested only after the fruit has matured, when the skin and seeds are hard. This difference in harvesting practice accounts for summer squash's shorter length of time from seed to harvest and its greater perishability. Most squash grown for fresh-market use is sold wholesale either through produce terminals or State farmers' markets. Occasionally, growers may have contracts with local retailers. Growers located near urban areas may have arrangements with restaurants, or they may sell their squash at roadside stands. Pumpkins for fresh use are mostly purchased during October for use as jack o'lanterns. After October, demand drops off drastically. Some fresh pumpkin varieties are sold for homemade pies and as a vegetable. However, the quantity of pumpkins remaining in retail markets after Halloween is small and is usually non-existent after Christmas. Since pumpkins and squash for processing are grown under contract, growers do not need to market them. Contracts are on a yearly basis, and price is based on weight. Growers receive a base level for their produce plus a designated amount based on tonnage. During years of surplus production, processors may pay growers only the base level, and not buy their excess production. Squash and pumpkin production is susceptible to insect, disease, and weather factors. The long growing time required for winter squash and pumpkins increases their likelihood of being affected by such perils. While breeding has helped reduce the risks of loss to some diseases, in some States disease can still be a major factor affecting overall production levels. Diseases can become a problem especially during years with poor weather conditions, such as excessive heat, moisture, or drought. Large quantities of squash are grown in areas where weather factors have lead to large losses and disaster assistance payments. Florida and Georgia are susceptible to hurricanes. Drought, unpredictable frosts, excessive heat, and excessive moisture have hampered production in almost all States. These weather conditions are especially a problem for small growers and in States that tend to use fewer inputs, such as irrigation and plastic mulching, in their squash and pumpkin production. Disaster assistance payments totalled almost $25 million for pumpkin losses and $62 million for squash losses over the 1988-93 period. The States receiving the largest disaster assistance payments over this period for pumpkins, in order of their ranking, were Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan, Texas, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The States receiving the largest payments for squash were Georgia, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, and North Carolina. Our assessment is that squash and pumpkins may be good candidates for crop insurance. Many squash and pumpkin growers also grow other crops that are presently covered by crop insurance, such as tomatoes, peppers, and field crops. Growers who already have insurance for these crops will likely add squash and pumpkins to their coverage. While many squash and pumpkin specialists interviewed for this report stated that they believed squash and pumpkin growers would be interested in crop insurance, several also stated that smaller growers, in particular, may not be willing to invest in the added expense of crop insurance. Squash is often a second crop or is rotated in the field with other crops. Pumpkins are often planted on pastureland or by orchards as a supplemental crop. Therefore, growers may be willing to take the loss from a failed crop and hope to make up the loss with either their next vegetable or field crop that follows or with their main agricultural interest.