| Estimated Cost | $800 to $1500 per acre |
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| Market Outlets | Wholesale, grocery store, farmers markets, roadside, pick-your-own |
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| Market Potential | Moderate; seasonal peaks; very competitive at times |
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| Yield Potential | 400- 600 25lb bu/ac |
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| Profit Potential | $0 to $1,000 per acre |
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| Adapted Areas | Statewide |
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| Labor Requirements | 1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest |
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| Equipment Requirements | Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, trailer and irrigation system |
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| Soil Requirements | Sandy to medium textured soil with good drainage |
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| Water Requirements | 15 to 20 inches water per acre during season |
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| Minimum Size | 1 to 5 acres |
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| Risk Factor | Moderate to high |
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| Other Limiting Factors | Viruses are major limiting factor, especially for fall and summer production. Must have honey bees for pollination. Requires daily harvest to maintain quality. Fruit easily bruises. |
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| Comments | Wholesale costs range from 20 to 30 percent for growing and 70 to 80 percent of costs for harvesting, grading, labor and transportation. (Direct-to-consumer sales have a volume limit but return more per unit to producer.) Squash has a fall season in most areas of Texas. |
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