Drought cuts Texas pumpkin yields by an estimated 30% to 40%

Texas pumpkin growers are finishing an early harvest after drought cut yields in the state's main growing area. An agent with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service estimated the decline at 30% to 40%.

Mark Carroll, the AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Floyd County, said the area was in drought throughout the summer. He said the crop received no rainfall, which greatly affected yields. He said yields are down anywhere from 30% to 40% across acres planted in pumpkins.