By Clint Thompson There were fewer Vidalia onions in Georgia this year. It was a direct result of the freeze event during last Christmas, believes Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. He discussed how much of this year’s crop was lost as a result of multiple …
Vidalia Onion Harvests Winding Down Across Georgia
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion harvests are winding down across the Southeast Georgia region. Weather once again was a challenge for growers, with sporadic rain events recorded in the onion-producing counties, according to Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman. “We’ve been really blessed to have a lot of good weather as well as some rain challenges, but (two weeks ago) …
UGA’s Tyson Discusses Vidalia Onion Harvest Season
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion industry specialists are optimistic about this year’s crop despite the challenges it encountered during the early part of the production season at Christmas time. Multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures stymied the growth of plants after they were just put into the ground. It led to some plant stand issues, said Chris Tyson, University of Georgia …
Rain, Rain Stay Away: Vidalia Onion Producers Need Dry Weather During Harvest
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion harvests continue across the Southeast Georgia region. Producers are yearning for dry weather over the next several weeks. Not only will a lack of rainfall allow growers to harvest their crop in a timely fashion, it will also decrease the potential for disease development as onions are harvested and placed into cold storage. Cliff Riner, …
Vidalia Onion Producer: We’re Probably About a Week Behind
By Clint Thompson Harvests of early-season varieties of Vidalia onions are lagging behind compared to previous years. That could soon be problematic for growers as the season continues in Southeast Georgia. Jimmy Cowart, who farms 430 acres in Toombs County, highlights the concern he has with certain onions not being fully mature this early in the harvest season. “It’s been …
Be on the Lookout: Thrips Could Be Concerning for Vidalia Onion Producers
By Clint Thompson Thrips populations have spiked in recent weeks. Vidalia onion producers should be wary of these insects and their impact on a crop that is currently being harvested in Southeast Georgia. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, highlighted what he has observed in vegetable fields recently with regards to thrips infestations. “In general, over …
Vidalia Onion Harvests Underway Across Southeast Georgia
By Clint Thompson The Vidalia onion harvest season is in full swing across Southeast Georgia. After a production season that’s experienced multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures during Christmas, along with an occurrence of downy mildew disease this spring, producers are thankful for the crop they’re harvesting. Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman, discussed what growers are experiencing during this early …
Harvest Nears for Vidalia Onion Crop
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 …
Upcoming Vidalia Onion Field Day
Vidalia onion producers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for the annual Vidalia Onion Field Day, scheduled for Thursday, April 6, at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center (VOVRC). The VOVRC is located at 8163 Hwy 178, Lyons, Georgia 30436. It will start with a sponsored lunch at noon, followed by a tour through the …