Michigan's fall squash program is well underway, while its bin pumpkin program just began with harvest.
Hard squash: "The crop looks great–the hard squash crop started with some early acreage at the end of July and we're rolling along with good supply," says Tyler Hodges of Superior Sales, Inc."That is only going to increase as we get into the fall timeframe."
The company's fall hard squash program includes acorn, butternut, spaghetti, Kabocha as well as specialty squash such as Buttercup, Butterkin, Carnival, Delicata, Gold Buttercup, Gold Nugget, HoneyNut, Hubbard (blue and gold), Orangetti, Red Kuri, Sweet Dumpling and Turban squash.
© Superior SalesAcorn squash is one of the many varieties the company carries.
In growing these varieties, Michigan has seen a bit of a dry summer, which helped offset disease pressure on the squash crop. "We had good rains that were timely. You still need some rain to size up the crop," says Hodges, adding that the quality looks good as well for the season.
Harvest will continue on hard squash in Michigan until early November, and then squash will be put in storage and shipped well into December.
Pumpkins: The bin pumpkin harvest in the state began last Friday, and that crop also looks good. "The somewhat dry summer was good for pumpkins, and the weather forecast looks promising," says Hodges.
In terms of bin bumpkins, the company ships around 400 loads annually, and it's on track to do so again this year. This season, Superior Sales has added a few new pumpkin growers to its program, which in all has 13 different bin pumpkin growers throughout Michigan, and that is contributing to its increased volume this season.
On shipping, the pumpkins are generally loaded at full load volumes and are loaded directly from the farm to alleviate shuttle costs for growers.
© Superior Sales
The company ships about 400 loads annually of pumpkins.
On timing, this year, the pumpkin harvest began slightly ahead of schedule. "Labor Day is a bit earlier this year, and that has an effect–a lot of people want product in their warehouses so they can switch over to fall displays coming out of Labor Day weekend," says Hodges.
Harvest on pumpkins will continue until late October, with peak season hitting late September-early October.
Demand for squash and pumpkins
As for demand on these items, it is steady. "We have a few more loads of bin pumpkins to sell above and beyond our contract, so hopefully we can," he says. "I have no concerns about moving the crop, though."
All of this is leaving pricing stable. "We're promoting acorn and spaghetti squash currently with our promotable supplies. Otherwise, we're steady," says Hodges.
In addition to these items, the fall program also includes Indian corn, Strawberry corn, gourds, and ornamental pumpkins.
For more information:
Tyler Hodges
Superior Sales, Inc.
Tel: +1 (616) 896-6500 ext 117
www.superior-sales.com
