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. …
UGA Extension to Host Vidalia Onion Meeting
University of Georgia (UGA) Extension will host a Vidalia onion production meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at the UGA Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. Lunch and Georgia pesticide license credits will be provided for potential attendees. UGA Extension specialists will provide timely information on disease management, storage trials, flavor research and fertility trials. Those interested can …
Vidalia Onion Producers Preparing for Upcoming Season
By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion producers are already preparing for the upcoming season. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, discusses what growers are doing now with planting season less than a month away. “A lot of growers have been putting in orders for seed. We’re now at the time where we’re getting our seed beds …
Vidalia Onion Variety Trial Meeting Scheduled for June 23
By Clint Thompson It is already time for Georgia Vidalia onion producers to start thinking about what varieties they will be planting for the 2022-23 crop season. University of Georgia (UGA) Extension hopes to help make that selection process easier. UGA Extension will host a variety trial meeting on Thursday, June 23 at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center …
Vidalia Onion Producers ‘Happy’ with Season
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onions are harvested for the 2022 season. Growers are ‘happy’ with the results, says Bob Stafford, manager of the Vidalia Onion Committee. Most of their contentment stems from a dry spring, meaning less potential disease pressure for this year’s crop. “It was kind of an awkward start, but it cranked up and we had a …
Extreme Weather Conditions: Georgia’s Vidalia Onions, Blueberries Impacted
By Clint Thompson Two of Georgia’s top specialty crops were impacted significantly by extreme weather events this spring; one positively and one negatively. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, described the impact that the current dry conditions have had on onion harvests and the spring freeze events on the state’s blueberry crop. “The onion harvests this year, of …
Vidalia Onion Harvests ‘Rolling’ Amid Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry weather in Southeast Georgia are ideal conditions for Vidalia onion harvests. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, discusses the impact the current conditions are having on onion harvests in the area. “It’s bad for somebody trying to plant but it’s good …
Vidalia Onions Could Be Impacted by Rain at Harvest
By Clint Thompson Farmers of Georgia’s Vidalia onions are crossing their fingers and hoping for minimal impact from the rains the Southeast Georgia region has experienced in recent weeks. Onions are vulnerable to secondary pathogens during weather events, especially as the crop is being harvested. Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, believes the impact could be felt …
Weather Impacting Vidalia Onion Quality?
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion harvests have begun in Southeast Georgia. Early returns are positive despite changing weather patterns over the past month, says one Georgia farmer. “Overall, the quality looks like it’s going to be fair quality,” said producer Aries Haygood. “These changes in these weather patterns the last three or four weeks has got us a little bit …
Vidalia Onion Field Day: Information for Industry’s Future
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion farmers are not just managing their crop for this season. They are planning for future seasons as well. That is why Wednesday’s Vidalia Onion Field Day was an important day for the industry. Research conducted at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center (VOVRC) in Lyons, Georgia is vital to the industry’s …