Texas pumpkin production challenging, demand strong.

Field preparation continued in other fields for small grain planting once rain has provided moisture. Texas pumpkin growers faced countless challenges to produce average yields, but demand for the fall cooking and decorative staple remains high, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. Winter pasture and wheat plantings began and should pick up with recent moisture. Migrant harvest crews with H-2A work visas he typically hires were not allowed into the country, and finding people to harvest, clean and stack pumpkins has been his biggest challenge this season. [Extracted from the article]