By Ashley Robinson A long growing season and a relatively shallow root system make Vidalia onions a crop with specific fertilizer management for soil nitrogen availability during development. Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) are conducting trials to investigate the optimal rates of nitrogen fertilizer to produce Vidalia onions. RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS According to Andre da Silva, UGA Cooperative Extension …
UGA Researchers Working on Disease Control in Vidalia Onions
By Karla Arboleda After some growers reported seeing center rot, downy mildew and Botrytis leaf blight in their fields, University of Georgia (UGA) researchers are working on better disease control for Vidalia onions. UGA researchers work with both organic and conventional Vidalia onions to develop ways to deal with fungal and bacterial diseases. Bhabesh Dutta, an Extension vegetable pathologist at …
Growers of Organic Vidalia Onions Face Challenges
By Bhabesh Dutta, Carroll Johnson and Jason Schmidt Vidalia onion ranks first in terms of farmgate value among vegetables in Georgia, making it the most important vegetable crop in the state. Among the spring-grown onions in the United States, Georgia ranks first because Vidalia onions are predominantly grown in spring. Although most of the acreage is conventional, nearly 20 percent …
Research Progress in Combating Center Rot of Vidalia Onion
By Bhabesh Dutta Annually, Georgia plants over 12,000 acres of sweet Vidalia onions (National Agricultural Statistical Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture) with farmgate value of approximately $145 million dollars. Vidalia onion ranks first in terms of farmgate value among vegetables in Georgia, making it the most important vegetable crop in the state. Among the spring-grown onions in the United States, …
Vidalia Onion Committee Steps Up Marketing Efforts
The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC), located in Vidalia, Georgia, is looking forward to new marketing initiatives it has put in place for the upcoming season. Bob Stafford, VOC manager, said “Only Vidalia” is the new phrase for the committee. He spoke with AgNet Media’s Josh McGill at the Produce Marketing Association’s 2017 Fresh Summit. The Fresh Summit was held October …
Florida Citrus Leader Applauds Block Grant Agreement
By Clint Thompson This week’s block grant agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) concerning federal disaster assistance is a win for the state’s producers, including Dan Richey, president of Riverfront Packing Company. He was present for Monday’s press conference in Felda, Florida, where Ag Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced …
Secretary Rollins Announces $675.9 Million in Disaster Assistance for Florida Farmers
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins met with Florida agricultural leaders and producers on Monday and announced additional U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance to help producers recover from Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene and Milton. Secretary Rollins signed a block grant agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) that provides recovery assistance …
Summer Rains Limit Dry Conditions Across Southeast
Drought continues to be mostly a non-issue across the Southeast. This summer has provided adequate moisture across southern states like Alabama and Georgia. Even in Florida where dry conditions are prevalent, they have improved in recent weeks. This is according to the June 19 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida’s driest conditions are concentrated to the southern area of …
Georgia Ag Commissioner Touts ‘Great’ Time of Year for Fruits, Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Spring vegetable crops are in the ground. Fruits like peaches and blueberries are being harvested or about to be, as are Vidalia onions. It’s a great time of year for Georgia’s specialty crop industry, explains Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper. He touted Georgia Grown during the UGA Grand Farm groundbreaking ceremony in Perry, Georgia. “When you get …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Corbett Brothers Expanding Amid Increased Challenges
By Clint Thompson If your farming operation isn’t growing, it’s shrinking. That’s the Corbett family motto that’s been passed down from generation to generation. The philosophy serves as the basis for Justin Corbett, who operates Corbett Brothers Farms in Lake Park, Georgia, with his brother Jared. While some specialty crop farms are operating in survival mode due to increased input …