Extreme Gardening

Organizers of a fair in northeastern Massachusetts claim a Rhode Island man has set a new world record with the first pumpkin ever to weigh more than a ton. Leaders of the Topsfield Fair say the huge gourd grown by Ron Wallace of Greene, R.I., tipped the scales at 2,009 pounds , winning him $5,500 for first place and another $10,000 as a bonus for breaking the one-ton mark.

This fall, the world witnessed a scientific and agricultural feat – the heaviest pumpkin ever. In fact, the record was broken twice this year. First to do so was Steve Geddes at the Deerfield Fair in New Hampshire with a pumpkin weighing in at 1,843.5 pounds. Just a few days later, Ron Wallace topped this number at the Topsfield Fair in Massachusetts. His pumpkin weighed 2,009 pounds, breaking the record for the largest pumpkin in history and the largest fruit grown in the world.

It would be interesting to see what a pumpkin carving master like Ray Villafane could do with the behemoth gourd.

Pumpkin festivals and competitions have long existed as a hobby among farmers and other pumpkin enthusiasts, and standards for competition have developed over the years. The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) is an organization that oversees the technical process, and they have put strict regulations into place to ensure that pumpkin weighing is accurate and fair.

In order to enter the competition for prize money, pumpkin growers must weigh the fruit on a certified scale. These scales need to be inspected and certified by a governmental agency and must have a visible certification sticker. They are usually borrowed from a local company offering scale rental, and a representative from the company will often remain on site in case there are any technical issues.

Once scales are calibrated, pumpkins are moved with a forklift or lifting ring. Only the fruit is allowed on the scale, which has a 4’x4’ platform or larger. In addition to weight, other measurements are taken and recorded, such as the pumpkin’s circumference. There are strict guidelines for these as well to guarantee the highest accuracy possible. The utilization of certified weighing technology for precise measurements proves just how serious pumpkin growers are about the competition. For fruit that weighs more than a smart car, this is a necessary part of the process. As growers discover better agricultural resources and planting techniques, the weighing technology must continue to be top-notch to keep up with new pumpkin records.



SOURCES  Greatpumpkincommonwealth.com, Abcnews.go.com

By Lindsay Tremain

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Author Bio:

Lindsay Traiman writes on behalf of Data Weighing Systems. Data Weighing Systems is a leading distributor of weighing and force measuring equipment with expertise in technology and electronics products that can significantly increase business efficiency and measurement accuracy. To explore rental scales, reel counter rentals or Sartorius scales, visit www.dataweigh.com.