THANKS TO A STRONG CROP…A UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS PLANT PATHOLOGIST SAYS THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY OF PUMPKINS TO GO AROUND FOR ALL OF YOUR THANKSGIVING NEEDS.
ILLINOIS IS THE LEADING PUMPKIN PRODUCER IN THE COUNTRY, GROWING BOTH JACK O LANTERNS AND PROCESSING PUMPKINS. U OF I PUMPKIN EXPERT MOHAMMAD BABADOOST SAYS THERE WERE A FEW CONCERNS EARLIER IN THE SEASON ABOUT FRUIT ROT, BUT THAT DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL.
BABADOOST. HE NOTES THE NEAR PERFECT CONDITIONS THROUGH HARVEST HAVE HELPED PRODUCE HEALTHY TOTALS.
ILLINOIS HAS ABOUT 15 THOUSAND ACRES DEDICATED TO THE PROCESSING PUMPKINS USED IN BAKING…PRODUCING 20 TO 30 TONS PER ACRE.
