By Bhabesh Dutta The climate prevalent in the Vidalia onion zone (southeastern Georgia) is conducive to many diseases. Among the diseases, those that are caused by bacteria and fungi are the prominent ones. Some of the diseases caused by water molds or oomycetes (Pythium damping-off and downy mildew) can also be seen periodically. Based on my experience as a vegetable …
Soggy Soils: Excessive Rains Concern Onion Producers
The wet winter weather has Georgia Vidalia onion producers concerned about not getting into their fields to apply fungicide sprays or make fertilizer applications. Certain diseases could soon become problematic considering how much rain the Vidalia onion region has received this year.  “They’re just not able to get caught up with their applications or get out there and do what …
Winter Rains Mean Reduced Chance of Summer Drought
Rainfall this winter should mean less potential for dry conditions in the summer for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. That could mean less need for irrigation usage for farmers during the hot summer months of June through August. Rain has not been lacking across the Southeast, especially during the latter part of December and so far in …
Abnormally Dry Conditions Benefit Georgia Onion Producers Finishing Planting
Abnormally dry weather conditions for Southeast Georgia have benefited Vidalia onion farmers who are trying to plant this year’s crop, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. “Most growers are completely finished or they’re finishing up within this week or shortly thereafter. That’s a good thing …
Optimum ICD Holdings Acquires Generation Farms
Optimum Agriculture (Optimum), a global agricultural company focused on land acquisition and management, announced that Optimum ICD Holdings LLC has acquired 5,587 acres of farmland, processing facilities and the trademark Generation Farms, as well as other assets in Tattnall and Toombs counties, Georgia, from Generation Farms, LLC and affiliates (Generation Farms). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. From now …