By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers are getting closer to harvesting this year’s crop. Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman, discussed the expected timeframe growers have in preparing to pick this year’s onions. “Most everything’s going to be the end of March and first of April to start. We’ll probably see a slight gap after the very first ones …
Warm February Accelerates Vidalia Onion Production
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion plants are nearing harvest time. That timeframe was accelerated this year thanks to warmer temperatures in February. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, discussed the progression of this year’s crop. “Looking at the heat units, obviously, everybody knows that it was really warm in February and the heat unit model that …
Downy Mildew Discovered in Vidalia Onion
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease has been confirmed on Vidalia onion in Tattnall County, Georgia. According to the University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Blog, Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension vegetable plant pathologist, said growers should be scouting for symptoms since weather conditions are suitable for infection and spread of the pathogen. They should contact their local county …
Labor Still Costly Expense for Vidalia Onion Producers
By Clint Thompson The latest Vidalia onion budget prepared by University of Georgia Extension specialists estimates farmers invest more than $7,000 in input costs. That puts the break-even price at $15 per box for producers. Fortunately, market prices have been strong in recent years. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research …
Vidalia Plants Significantly Damaged by Christmas Freeze
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion plants suffered significant damage during the Christmas freeze event. As much as 30% in some fields were impacted by consecutive days of sub-freezing temperatures, according to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. ac “We know we’ve got significant stand loss, in …
Vidalia Onion Extension Agent ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ Following Sub-Freezing Temperatures
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop had not been in the ground long before sub-freezing temperatures (temps) impacted Southeast Georgia Christmas Eve. They were especially vulnerable to temps that reached the teens Saturday morning and stayed mostly in the 20s for consecutive days. Still, any damage assessments will have to wait, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area …
UGA Extension Encourages Copper Applications for Vidalia Onion Producers
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Extension vegetable plant pathologist Bhabesh Dutta encourages Vidalia onion producers to apply copper ahead of this weekend’s frigid temperatures. “We need to put out at least copper before the freezing weather sets in. Copper may provide some degree of protection from saprophytes and pathogens after cold injury to foliage” Dutta said. Something is Better …
Vidalia Onion Farmers Wary of Impact from Frigid Weekend
By Clint Thompson A frigid weekend in the forecast for Southeast Georgia could impact the Vidalia onion plants in the ground. Chris Tyson, UGA Extension area onion agent, talked about what producers can expect with the looming sub-freezing temperatures. “Friday night is like the coldest it looks like. Right now, for Reidsville (Georgia), they’re calling for 18 degrees (Fahrenheit) and …
Vidalia Onion Plants Progressing Amid Dry Weather
By Clint Thompson The current dry spell is having a minimal impact on the growth of this season’s Vidalia onion crop. All seedbeds are grown under irrigation pivots, according to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent. “All our seedbeds are under irrigation so we can give them the water they need. There is something about rainwater when …
Georgia’s Vidalia Onion Plants Spared by Ian
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion producers were fortunate that Hurricane Ian skirted the Southeast Georgia region and spared this year’s seedlings that were in the ground. Instead of heavy rains and high winds that were felt in some areas in Florida, the Vidalia onion region received some winds but dodged any major impact, says Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman. …