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“Bumper crop” refers to an unusually large harvest and can occur due to favorable environmental conditions or farming techniques. It originated from large bumps on baskets used to ship crops. It can generate profits for farmers and some crops, like zucchini, are known for producing bumper crops.
The slang term “buzz harvest” refers to an unusually large crop. While this term refers specifically to agricultural products, some people also use it more generally to talk about any unexpected contingency, as in, “there’s a bumper crop of students enrolling this year.” As a general rule, a bumper crop is seen as a very good thing.
The origins of this term trace their roots back to the 1700s when people began referring to extremely large bumps as “bumpers.” A bumper crop was a crop so large that it bloated the baskets and containers used to ship things to market. The origins of “bumper” also explain why bulges on automobiles are called “bumpers,” although it’s unclear how the leap from swelling to killing was made in 1908 when people started using “blow off” as a euphemism. for murder.
Bumper crops can occur for a variety of reasons. In general, particularly favorable environmental conditions encourage crops to produce in large quantities. Temperate weather, lots of well-timed rain, and ample sunshine when the plants are developing can lead to bumper crops. Farmers can also aid the process by using fertilizers, compost and other materials designed to enrich the soil, providing plenty of nutrition for plants to feed, or over-planting to ensure a high yield.
Often, the first year of decent yields after several years of decline is referred to as a “buzz year,” even if the yield isn’t particularly high compared to historical harvests. As a general rule, bumper crops generate profits for farmers because farmers usually set contract prices for their crops long before their crops actually grow. If harvests have been minimal in previous years, farmers may be able to secure a very high price for their crops, thus reaping a fortune when a bumper crop arrives, even if conversely, prices may be lower the following year due to excess .
Some crops are actually known to generate a bumper crop. Zucchini, for example, will produce prodigiously with little encouragement, as some gardeners have learned to their chagrin. In small towns in temperate climates where zucchini thrives, residents are often showered with zucchini from their neighbors’ plants, and zucchini “walks” have been known to occur to dispose of unwanted greens.
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