For the Advertiser Index click here
PROTECT ONIONS from NEMATODES
High-yielding, high-quality onions begin with Telone® II soil fumigant. Telone provides the greatest level of nematode management and creates a zone of protection throughout seedbeds. Blending Telone with chloropicrin will also help manage pink root. By significantly reducing nematode populations, Telone becomes part of an effective long-term nematode management program.
Visit us at corteva.us ™Trademark of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer and their affiliated companies or respective owners. Telone is a Restricted Use Pesticide. Always read and follow label directions. ®
r t
RiteYield No One Tracks Root Crop Yields Like We Do The RiteYield system adds convenience And accuracy by automatically collecting data for all the various fields, varieties and test plots.
RiteTrace Advanced Track & Trace System Tracks from know locations in the field to precise layers and areas in storage. Bin Map - by load
Field Map - by load
• Measures yields once per second • Fits most harvesters • Optional Tilt Sensor • GPS receiver connectivity • Real-time map display available for JD2630 and Trimble terminals
Yield Map (raw data)
Learn More at
• Fully-automated load-by-load traceability solution. Generates detailed Field and Bin Maps.
.com
• View/Print Maps by Load, Field, Date. • Provides clear links between field and storage.
• Provides data for efficiency analyses and a variety of management reports.
519-669-4698
Contact us for a free RiteTrace demo
LEE SHUKNECHT & SONS, INC. For the ultimate quality onion...use the best onion harvester in the world!
Call Now to Schedule Your Self-propelled or Pull-behind
Custom-Built Harvester
SP-132 Onion Harvester
PB-66 Onion Harvester
4458 Ford Road, Elba, NY 14058 (585) 757-6628 Fax (585) 757-9395 "Since 1974" w w w . s h u k n e c h t . c o m OnionWorld.net
3
Table of Contents Magazines For Maximum Yield
ONION WORLD Volume 35, Number 6
September/October 2019 6 10
www.O n i o n W o r l d .n e t Onion World Contacts
Allium’s Big Three Meet in Madison
Publisher / Advertising Manager Dave Alexander dave@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
Metam Movement
Editor Denise Keller editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
2019 International Allium Conference
Field Study Explains Metam Sodium Movement in Soil, Helps Increase Efficacy of Applications
12
PO Box 333 Roberts, Idaho 83444 Telephone: (208) 520-6461
NY Recognizes IPM Efforts
Onion Growers Put Skin in the Game, Earn Excellence in IPM Award
14
Central America: Imports of Fresh Onions, Shallots
20
Storage Essentials
Trade Trends
Buyers' Guide
Director of Operations Brian Feist brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
EDITORIAL INFORMATION Onion World is interested in newsworthy material related to onion production and marketing. Contributions from all segments of the industry are welcome. Submit news releases, new product submissions, stories and photos via email to: editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com, or call (509) 697-9436.
ADVERTISING SALES For information on rates, mechanics, deadlines, list rental, direct mail, inserts or other information, call (208) 520-6461 or email: dave@onionworld.net
SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. $24 per year Canada $40 per year Foreign $80 per year Payments may be made by check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
Check out the latest products for onion storage in the Storage Essentials Buyers’ Guide on page 20. Photo courtesy Suberizer
On the Cover Rod and Richard Gumz host part of the NOA Summer Convention field day at their Endeavor, Wisc. mucksoil farm. See the story on page 6.
4
Departments
16 17 19 22
Onion World • September/October 2019
Calendar New Products In the News From the NOA
Subscribe online at: www.OnionWorld.net or call (503) 724-3581. Email address changes/corrections to brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com or mail to: Onion World PO Box 333 Roberts, ID 83444 Onion World magazine (ISSN 1071-6653), is published eight times a year and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices. Produced by Columbia Media Group PO Box 333, Roberts, ID, 83444. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group. For information on reprints call (208) 520-6461.
Bejo Onions
Long Day Yellow
Cartier F1
103 days. Thin neck and high sprouting tolerance. Very good vigor and productivity. Makes very uniform, nice medium bulbs for pre-packs. IR: Pt
► bejoseeds.com
Mid-Season Yellow
Oneida F1
New mid-season yellow storage onion with a nice round bulb shape. Fine neck and good skin. Good productivity, high quality, and good mid-term storage. IR: FOC, HR: Pt
Mid-Season Red
Red Mountain F1 NEW
110 days. Mid-season maturity. Large, jumbo, deep globe bulb size. Mid-long term storage depending on harvest slot. Medium dark red color that can have a slight bronzing in heat conditions. Performs well as early maturing storage onion. IR: Pt
Jim Christopherson
Senior Sales & Product Development Manager, NW 509-531-8683
Long Day Yellow
Dawson F1
j.christopherson@bejoseeds.com
Jan van der Heide
Northeast Market Manager
108 days. Productive 315-789-4155 j.vanderheide@bejoseeds.com variety. Large and round bulbs, with medium neck and good storage. Medium green tops. IR: Pt
OnionWorld.net
5
Allium’s Big Three Meet in Madison
N
ational Onion Association (NOA) meetings are always an international affair, drawing people from around the globe. But this July in Madison, Wisconsin, the National Allium Research Conference (NARC) and International Allium Research Symposium (IARS) joined forces and combined their meetings with the NOA, making a three-way conference packed with diversity, research, ideas and an enhanced international feel. If a grower had a problem, there were endless experts to consult. NARC meets every two years and has combined its conference with NOA before. The IARS, however, meets only every four years in different countries. The IARS addition to NOA is what upped the international spice. Mike Havey with the University of Wisconsin and USDA-ARS coordinated the NARC and IARS arms of the convention. At the conference banquet, Havey was honored for his career achievements and contributions to the allium industry, including breeding, genetics and mentoring. “This is the first time that the NOA, NARC and IARS have ever been together,” Havey said. “The close interaction between the grower and the research community makes our total community and our commodity stronger, so we really worked hard to bring the groups together.”
Jeremiah Dung with Oregon State University reviews a poster presentation on white rot management with an attendee. Researchers displayed 30 posters throughout the conference.
International Appeal
Subas Malla with Texas A&M AgriLife Research was one of several individuals attending their first NOA conference. “I came to interact with other researchers and for the W-3008,” Malla said. The Multistate Research Project W-3008 meeting was held the day before the
conference began, so in reality, four groups were in Madison, but many W-3008 folks are members of one or more of the other groups, as well. Although Ludmilla Khrustaleva attends every IARS meeting, she was a firsttimer to NOA. Khrustaleva traveled from Moscow, Russia, to the convention because
Flanked by colleagues, Mike Havey receives a lifetime recognition award from NOA Executive Vice President Greg Yielding.
6
Onion World • September/October 2019
she was invited as one of the featured international speakers. “It was not easy to come because I needed a visa,” she said, adding that she was glad she made the effort and enjoyed the conference and catching up with old colleagues and collaborators, including Havey. Kota Tsutsui with Shippo Seed Company in Japan has been to the NOA meetings before and always attends IARS. He came to the U.S. this time primarily looking for new research, but this trip was a natural because his colleague and travel mate, company director Kazumitsu Tsutsui graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Since Hazera co-workers Charlene Deciou and Stephan Schroder are both new to the industry, they came to their first NOA conference from the Netherlands to network and to learn. They said they enjoyed listening to the research presentations, finding out about new diseases and learning about alliums in general. New Zealand onion grower Eamon Balle with Balle Brothers Group flew to Wisconsin to gain information and knowledge, primarily about diseases and pests. Balle said New Zealand growers face many of the same challenges as their U.S. counterparts, including thrips, white rot, downy mildew and stemphylium. Hanging out with Balle was fellow Kiwi Shane Smith with Inta-Ag Ltd. He came to the conference this year specifically because the three groups combined their conferences. He expected more agronomists and growers to talk to, and he was not disappointed. He said his trip was very worthwhile and beneficial and it “was very helpful interacting with some of the scientists of the universities and picking their brains and getting extra information.” The three groups (four, counting W-3008) represented 17 countries. Attendees included 229 registered growers, researchers, sponsors, associated industry and family members. This count more than doubled last year’s summer registrations, attesting to the power of joining forces.
Attendees at the NOA field day check out Gumz Farms’ new Univerco onion harvester.
NOA Field Day
The field day featured two stops: the Gumz Farms packing shed in Endeavor, Wisconsin, and Seminis Vegetable Seeds in DeForest, Wisconsin. Gumz grows 40 percent of Wisconsin’s onions in addition to potatoes, carrots and mint. The farm and packing shed are impressive – modern, clean and professional. Attendees toured the farm and enjoyed a Wisconsinthemed lunch including brats, cheese curds, frozen custard and even onion brownies. Tours were also offered at the Seminis onion breeding facility. Attendees got to see onion cages and isolation pillow tubes in the field. Each wagon full of visitors had its own tour guide.
A wagon full of field day participants rolls past seed cages at the Seminis seed facility in DeForest, Wisc.
Many attendees were envious about the muck soil at Gumz Farms.
Rod and Richard Gumz share a laugh with visitors at their farm during the NOA field day.
International Allium Conference
Allium Leafminer
T
The NOA Summer Convention Any state can apply for FRSMP, featured presentations from but it is a complicated and lengthy Brian Nault with Cornell University process. More information can and Erin Otto with USDA APHIS be found at www.aphis.usda. discussing the Allium leafminer. gov/frsmp or by emailing Otto at Otto reminded attendees that erin.m.otto@usda.gov. the Allium leafminer is a nonNault said that leafminer quarantined pest in U.S. ports of infestations in onion are really entry. Anything with the pest on nothing new. The American it can enter the country, except serpentine leafminer is found for states with the Federally throughout all onion areas in Recognized State Managed North America, and the vegetable Phytosanitary (FRSMP aka “freeleafminer is found in southern stamp”) program in place. Currently, states. Both of these pests feed on only California has FRSMP, which leaves, so economic loss is typically means the feds officially recognize not much of a problem in onion. the state’s desire to control the Allium leafminers are larger pest’s movement and provide and lay eggs in leaves. The larvae assistance at ports of entry. ultimately migrate down to the As of March 2019, Oregon has base of the plant, leaving entry temporary FRSMP status because points in bulbs for bacteria, which the state has informed APHIS’ can lead to soft rot. The insect is Plant Protection and Quarantine found in Pennsylvania, New York, (PPQ) of its intent to submit a Massachusetts, New Jersey and FRSMP petition. If Oregon does not Maryland. submit a petition by April 2020, the The good news, Nault said, is that temporary status ends. there has been no economic loss If customs officials find Allium due to Allium leafminer damage in leafminer at a California (or Oregon, conventional onion bulb fields. temporarily) port of entry, there are “This insect seems to clearly like four options: treatment (if available), leek and scallion a lot more than it re-export to the country of origin, does bulb onion,” he said. destruction or the shipment can be redirected to another state. To hear recordings of Nault’s and Otto’s complete NOA presentations, go to www.onionworld.net/alm2019.
What can onion growers do to minimize Allium leafminer risk: • Visually scout for Allium leafminer when scouting for other pests. The Allium leafminer has two generations a year, but only the first overlaps with other pests such as onion maggot and early onion thrips infestations. • Delay planting times to avoid peak oviposition by Allium leafminer. • Keep crop residue out of fields. • Rotate crops far from previously infested fields. • Continue practices already in place for thrips, seedcorn maggot and onion maggot to help prevent infestations. Ideal management takes place when adults are present. • Encourage state regulatory officials to apply for FRSMP.
From left, Brian Nault with Cornell University, Erin Otto with USDA APHIS, Greg Yielding with NOA and Tim Waters with Washington State University form a panel at the NOA Summer Convention to answer questions about Allium leafminer. Summer Convention to answer questions about Allium leafminer.
8
Onion World • July/August 2019
Going Once, Going Twice… The NOA holds a fundraising auction at every summer convention to support marketing and public relations efforts. Attendees at the dinner are encouraged to donate money to the NOA and to bid on a number of items up for auction. In all, a record $33,055 was raised – 29 percent Onion World Buyers Guide_Sept2018_Layout 1 higher than last year.
Sharla Johnston with NOA keeps track of the bids for auctioneer Austin Booker with Booker Auction Company. 9:17 AM Page 1 9/25/2018
Jennifer England with Macro Plastics holds a sterling silver allium necklace donated by Enza Zaden. The piece went for $600 at the NOA auction.
Wisconsinite and Cheesehead Doug Bulgrin shows off a selection of Badger State treats at the NOA auction. Bulgrin will become NOA president at the winter convention in December. This pewter onion dish, shown by Breann Speer with Van Doren Sales, went for $400 at the auction.
Your Acres. Your Livelihood. Our Priority. Nampa, Idaho • HQ (208) 442-5251
Washington & Western Oregon (509) 551-4060
Lancaster & San Joaquin Valley (661) 397-5717
Skagit Valley, Washington (360) 941-7503
Desert Southwest (760) 398-2729
Florida, Georgia & The Carolinas (912) 585-8934
Colorado & New Mexico (970) 396-9728
Rio Grande Valley & West Texas (956) 618-5574
Idaho, East Oregon, Utah & Nevada (208) 890-4549
Winter Garden Texas (830) 278-5850
16155 North High Desert Street • Nampa, ID 83687 WWW.SEEDWAY.COM OnionWorld.net
9
Metam Movement Field Study Explains Metam Sodium Movement in Soil, Helps Increase Efficacy of Applications By Bill Woodward, NovaSource
E
ven after decades of use, many onion growers continue to use the soil fumigant metam sodium as a reliable tool for suppressing weeds and diseases. Yet recent field studies conducted by NovaSource reveal new findings that demonstrate the importance of soil preparation, soil moisture and precision placement. These insights are helping growers gain a greater understanding of how they can improve the outcome of their metam sodium applications.
Precision Placement
This more comprehensive awareness of both the product’s properties and the condition of the soil where it is being applied is enabling more than a dozen onion growers in the Pacific Northwest to witness significant performance improvement. During the past two years, results from more than 20,000 post-application soil readings show that applicators can match metam sodium to the targeted pest in more efficient ways. These post-application fumigant level measurements were taken by NovaSource and cooperators at more
than 100 fields. Samples represented a variety of soil types and growing conditions throughout eight states, including Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Readings were taken within hours and days of metam sodium application at different soil depths, using a photoionization detector (PID). A longstanding common assumption has been that all fumigants behave generally the same way upon application. Many applicators have thought that metam sodium acted as a typical fumigant by moving widely, deeply and evenly throughout the soil profile. “But it’s not true,” said Kyle Coleman, director of marketing and commercial development for NovaSource North America, who spearheaded the process of data gathering. “We’re seeing that precision placement is key because metam sodium shows limited mobility in the soil due to its low vapor pressure,” Coleman added. For years, onion growers have simply chemigated or shanked metam sodium, thinking the product would move evenly throughout the entire soil profile.
However, NovaSource field studies show that vertical and lateral movement is not happening in the ways that many growers have often assumed. Metam sodium movement was found to be limited to a vertical range of only 4 to 6 inches, and lateral movement was also observed to be inconsistent in dry, compacted soil conditions.
Proper Preparation
Another insight from the studies reveals the importance of moisture. Metam sodium has been shown to move farther in soil that is already pre-irrigated, so an increasing number of growers are finding it beneficial to properly prepare the soil in advance of application. Ideally, the soil moisture level should be 80 percent throughout the targeted soil profile, while maintaining that moisture level for up to 30 days in advance of the day you apply the product, if possible. This is critical to prevent surface drying while initiating other activity below the soil surface. Moisture in the soil activates respiration, and respiring pests are easier to control,
Skips in metam sodium soil fumigant coverage prior to planting in this Oregon onion field resulted in visible outbreaks of yellow nutsedge. Photo courtesy Tad Comer, NovaSource
10
Onion World • September/October 2019
according to Steven Fennimore, extension weed scientist at the University of California Davis. “Actively respiring seeds, weeds and diseases are more susceptible to fumigants,” Fennimore said. “Dry seeds are hard to kill.” In the NovaSource field tests, average post-application metam sodium readings at 80 percent moisture were higher and lasted longer than in 50 percent soil moisture – further evidence that the “use label” provides excellent guidance for both maximizing results and for adhering to excellent stewardship standards. Upon learning about the importance of soil moisture in both facilitating metam sodium movement in soil and activating pest respiration, onion growers at more than a dozen Pacific Northwest locations began experimenting with soil moisture levels. “These growers saw significant changes in their onion fields as a result of prewatering the soil for up to six weeks before fumigating,” said Tad Comer, a regional account manager for NovaSource in Idaho. Comer explained that several of the growers had been in a three-year cornwheat-onion rotation and were besieged by yellow nutsedge following the harvest of their small grains. “The ones who pre-conditioned the weeds for up to six weeks by keeping the soil moist found the greatest success following their fumigant application,” Comer said. “The fumigant did a better job of suppressing the yellow nutsedge that can cause problems with onion seedlings.” He added that applicators who also shanked their metam sodium at a shallower depth than they had been doing previously – applying the product at depths between 6 and 7 inches versus 8 to 10 inches – observed additional favorable results.
Best Conditions
Overall, the findings in the NovaSource studies have validated that the ideal conditions for planting are often the best conditions for fumigating. Every application situation is unique. When you know your target pest and its depth in the soil, the most effective use of metam sodium is driven by three things, according to Coleman:
Kyle Coleman
Steven Fennimore
1. Prepare the soil the same way you’d create ideal growing conditions, by making sure it’s mixed, mellow and noncompacted. 2. Moisten the soil for up to 30 days. Remember, you’re both conditioning the soil and enabling the pest to respirate to maximize efficacy. 3. Place the product exactly where you need it to work by using the most effective application technique. “After studying metam sodium movement at each location, every single cooperator did something a little different the next time they applied the product,” Coleman said.
Tad Comer
Whether it was the way they prepped their fields, or the way they applied metam sodium or the sealing practices, every one of them changed something to improve their application method. “I urge you to see things differently and to consider new ways to prepare and moisten your soil to enhance the efficacy of metam sodium,” Coleman said. “Two years in trenches and 20,000 post-application readings have shown our cooperators that metam sodium does the job when applied within inches of the pest after proper field preparation. Armed with this information, you’ll know exactly where to place your metam sodium to be most effective.”
TUCANNON Tucannon is a Spanish onion from Seminis that features dark scale color, deep globe shape and long term storage potential.
• Low incidence of internal dry leaf and bacterial issues • Long storability and high percentage of single centers • 114 to 116 day maturity • Trialed as SV2011 Contact Your Local Representative Steve Graton
Casey Crookham
Larry Duell
Curtis Mokler
509-531-7254 Columbia Basin
208-841-9702 Treasure Valley
970-397-8566 Colorado
509-820-8489 Columbia Basin
Wade Schwark
209-607-2870 Treasure Valley & Utah
Larry Chambers
Brian Haddon
Jimmy Graton
Norm Haak
971-282-2884 Western OR & WA
805-305-5447 Product Development
435-230-4667 Utah 701-710-0099 North Dakota
P.O. Box 190 • Chualar, CA 93925
831- 679- 1900 OnionWorld.net
11
NY Recognizes IPM Efforts Onion Growers Put Skin in the Game, Earn Excellence in IPM Award Ongoing efforts to better manage thrips have earned honors for a half dozen New York onion growers.
Problem and Solution
Onion growers Matt Mortellaro, Guy Smith, Chuck Barie, Emmaline Long, and Mark and Max Torrey received Excellence in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Awards from the New York State Integrated Pest Management program (NYSIPM). The six are muck onion farmers in Elba, New York, who meet weekly during the growing season to discuss crop protection tactics. NYSIPM develops sustainable ways to manage pests and helps people use methods that minimize environmental, health and economic risks. The organization’s IPM award honors individuals who encourage the adoption of IPM in their businesses, schools, communities and farms and who develop new tools and tactics for sharing these practices.
In 2005, onion thrips infestations were nearly uncontrollable in New York. Insect populations were resistant to multiple insecticides, and the hot and dry conditions created a worst-case scenario, causing crop losses exceeding 30 percent. The Elba muck growers helped Cornell University researchers conduct dozens of research trials and host largescale demonstrations on their land in an attempt to understand the biology, ecology and management of thrips. “The result culminated in a practical thrips management program, which includes regular scouting of onion fields followed by sparing use of insecticides designed to minimize resistance,” says Brian Nault, professor of entomology at Cornell AgriTech. The growers are now able to successfully manage thrips infestations. They average between one and four fewer insecticide applications and have saved an average of
PRECISION VACUUM PLANTERS
Tਈਅ ਐਁਔਅ ਕਓਅ ਂਙ ਓਕਃਃਅਓਓਆਕ ਏਉਏ ਇਏਗਅਓ ਉ ਔਈਅ Wਅਓਔਅ Uਉਔਅ Sਔਁਔਅਓ ਁ Cਁਁਁ ਆਏ ਏਖਅ 25 ਙਅਁਓ 3 Modules - 24 Lines Model # AI-640-SNT Shown
Our proven accurate seed placement is why growers have continued to purchase our planters over these many years. Special inner and outer singulators removes doubles to insure placement of individual seeds. All planters are assembled and tested at our plant in Chino, California, to insure accuracy. 13477 Benson Ave. • Chino, CA 91710 Ph: 800.833.3023 • Fax: 909.548.4747 www.gearmore.com
12
Onion World • September/October 2019
Onion World Ad
$113/acre, which is approximately $6,000 to $226,000 per farm per year. In addition to regular scouting, the other key tool in the IPM arsenal is information exchange and discussions at what is known as the Muck Donut Hour, which Christy Hoepting, senior extension associate with the Cornell Vegetable Program, describes as a way she keeps her “finger on the pulse” of the pest complex each year. A Cornell Cooperative Extension tradition for over 20 years, the Muck Donut Hour is held weekly during the growing season. There, growers and researchers discuss the latest research findings, scouting and spray reports. Hoepting notes the willingness of the muck onion farmers to entrust their crops to Cornell’s research and their transparency in sharing spray records. “The Elba growers are undeniably brave; to so wholeheartedly adopt IPM practices demonstrates the extent of their faith in Cornell’s research on their farms,” she continues. “The risk of a pest spiraling out of control in a high-value onion crop is frightening. Clearly, these growers believe in solid science and go above and beyond to support it.” “Without the cooperation of the Elba onion growers, it is not likely that so many IPM-themed tactics would have been adequately tested under real grower conditions. They set the standard for other growers,” adds Steven Beer, professor emeritus of plant pathology and plantmicrobe biology at Cornell.
The Honorees
The onion farmers honored with the award include Matt Mortellaro. The third generation muck farmer co-owns G. Mortellaro & Sons with his brother Paul. “Matt is a fearless leader in adopting IPM strategies. He is committed to sustainable onion production and environmental stewardship and is a strong advocate of onion IPM,” Hoepting says. Guy Smith, a fourth generation muck farmer, owns Triple G Farms with his brother Greg and nephew Peter. Smith represents the Elba growing region on the
Elba muck onion growers receive Excellence in Integrated Pest Management Awards from the New York State Integrated Pest Management program (NYSIPM) in a small roadside ceremony at their weekly Muck Donut Hour. Pictured from left to right are Brian Nault with Cornell, Chuck Barie with CY Farms, Peter Smith representing Guy Smith with Triple G Farms, Emmaline Long with CY Farms, Matt Mortellaro with G. Mortellaro & Sons, Jennifer Grant with NYSIPM, Max Torrey with Torrey Farms and Christy Hoepting with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Not pictured is Mark Torrey with Torrey Farms. Photo courtesy Sarah Vande Brake
board of directors for the New York Onion Research and Development Program. Chuck Barie and Emmaline Long are crop production managers for CY Farms LLC, which grows 120 acres in Batavia and Elba. Barie has been responsible for planting, spraying, irrigating and harvesting the onions for over 20 years. Long joined the farm in 2014 after graduating from Cornell; she scouts CY’s entire onion acreage weekly, including counting thrips, to implement IPM. Together, she and Barie make pest management decisions. CY has the ability to micromanage every five- to 20-acre onion field based on each area’s precise pest management needs. Mark and Max Torrey are a father and son onion growing duo and 11th and 12th generation farmers with Torrey Farms Inc. Max serves as the general manager for Torrey’s onion operation, Big O Farms. As the largest grower in Elba, the Torreys’ pest management practices affect everyone. “Their commitment to implementing resistance management strategies and following IPM spray thresholds has been instrumental in preserving the longevity of insecticides remaining effective against thrips,” Hoepting says. Onions grown in muck soil – organically rich former swampland where production practices are unique and intense – are one of the most valuable crops in New York, with an average value of $34.6 million. In the Elba muck and surrounding pockets in Orleans, Genesee and Livingston counties, eight farms produce 40 percent of the New York onion acreage on 3,000 acres. Mortellaro, Triple G, CY and Big O farms account for almost 75 percent of that production.
Innovative flexible
Packaging Solutions Streamlining your operations and extending onion shelf-life.
Recyclable. reusable.
www.foxbag.com | (956) 682-6176 |
OnionWorld.net
13
Snow Takes Toll NOA/NARC
Trade Trends
With many onion packing houses temporarily out of commission due to either a loss of onions or a loss of the means to pack, the supply chain was disrupted and onion prices increased in response. Prices nearly doubled following MarkbutWocial, Certified Global Business Professional, Wocial & Associates LLC the By disaster, came back to near normal by the end of January as a result of ccording to the U.N. international Mexico supplied 24 percent. Between increased imports from Mexico, according trade statistics, countries in Central 2013 and 2017, imports of fresh onions to Dwayne Fisher, vice president of America imported 112,000 metric tons by El Salvador grew at an average annual marketing at Champion Produce. (MT) of fresh onions and shallots in Packing lines were down for a week and rate of 7.5 percent. 2017, valued at $27Produce million.following In the fiveAlthough Guatemala is an important a half at Champion the year period fromof2013 to 2017, thestorage annual exporter in the region, the country is also collapse of three the company’s volume of imports averaged 110,000 MT. the second largest importer. Guatemala facilities – two in Parma, Idaho, and one The Netherlands and Mexico are the key imported only 10,000 MT in 2017, but the in Wilder, Idaho. An estimated 8 million suppliers of fresh onions from outside five-year annual average was 24,000 MT. pounds of onions were lost. Central while Guatemala is A vast majority of Guatemalan imports AmidAmerica, the devastation, Treasure Valley the largest regional exporter. onion companies impacted by In this2017, winter’s were supplied by Mexico. the Netherlands andplans Guatemala each Nicaragua is the third largest importer weather are making to rebuild and be even stronger in the said.which exported 39,000 MTfuture, to thethey region, in the region. Between 2013 and 2017, “At the end the day, and represented 70of percent ofbuildings all imports. the volume of imports grew at an average equipment are replaceable,” Myers said. In 2017, Panama imported 19,000 Mexico exported 18,000 MT (15 percent). annual rate of over 10 percent. In 2017, “Our concerns lie with our people: ourof MT, and shipments from the Netherlands El Salvador is the largest importer Nicaragua imported 22,000 MT, and the Approximately million onions This storage inaccounted Parma, Idaho, the first employees and The safety accounted for3.6over 65 pounds percentofof thosewere fresh onions in our the customers. region. In 2017, the Netherlands forwas almost 60of in this Champion Produce storage facility when three Champion Produce onion storage facilities of our crew and the relationships with our imports, followed bycourtesy the U.S., Chile and country imported 42,000 MT. Guatemala percent ofunder thosethe imports. the roof caved in. Photo Champion to collapse weight ofOther heavysuppliers snow in customers far more than any Produce Peru. Honduras imported 14,000 MT of January. courtesy Champion supplied 70arepercent of valuable those imports, and includedPhoto Guatemala, China andProduce Peru. shed.”
Central America: Imports of Fresh Onions, Shallots
A
Edp Electro-bagger model AB-2110-DF
TURNING RAW IDEAS INTO STAINLESS STEEL SOLUTIONS CMI is an expert at taking a vision - and engineering it to work at production speed. Whether onions need to be peeled, or a complete processing line developed, CMI delivers its magic in stainless steel.
www.cmiequip-eng.com
320-864-5894 14 12
September/October 2019 Onion World • March/April 2017
This model now has the ability to do bags as well as cartons with the new touch screen controls. It also comes with pneumatic bag clamps as standard equipment
For information contact: Gary Loewe: 800-219-2245 or (208) 331-1126 Fax: (208) 331-1264 chinookequipment@gmail.com www.chinookequipment.com
Central America: Imports of Fresh Onions and Shallots (MT)
US Exports of Fresh Onions and Shallots to Countries in Central America (annual average 2013‐2017, MT) Panama
100,000
3,200
Nicaragua
2,100
El Salvador
50,000
690
Honduras
360
Costa Rica
350
Guatemala
150,000
0
160
fresh onions, Belize 2,900 MT and Costa Rica 900 MT. Despite several free trade agreements with these Central American countries, U.S. exports of fresh onions and shallots still face either the remaining import tariffs or import quotas in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and El Salvador. U.S. exports to the region reached a peak of 12,000 MT in 2013, valued at $5.5
2013
2014
2015
2016
Total imports
From Mexico
From Guatemala
From Netheralnds
2017
Best-in-Class
US Exports of Fresh Onions and Shallots to Countries in Central America (annual average 2013‐2017, MT)
Equipment Solutions Panama
Nicaragua
2,100
El Salvador
690
Honduras
360
Costa Rica
350
Guatemala
3,200
160
million, and showed a downward trend thereafter. In 2017, exports declined to 5,000 MT, valued at $2.3 million. Panama is the largest market for U.S. exports of fresh onions in Central America. Between 2013 and 2017, the average annual U.S. exports to Panama amounted to about 3,200 MT. Nicaragua is the second largest market, with average annual shipments of 2,100 MT, followed by El Salvador (690 MT), Honduras (360 MT), Costa Rica (350 MT) and Guatemala (160 MT).
Stainless steel construction for optimal food safety.
Author’s note: This information is based on the author’s analysis of the international trade data collected by the United Nations International Trade Statistics Database and the U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Division.
www.solutionsbyfox.com | (956) 682-6176 |
OnionWorld.net
15
Calendar Oct. 17-19
PMA Fresh Summit Convention and Expo Anaheim, Calif. www.freshsummit.com
ONION STORAGE
STEEL BUILDINGS
Nov. 20-21
Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference and Trade Show Three Rivers Convention Center Kennewick, Wash. Sheri Nolan, (509) 585-5460 or www.pnva.org
Dec. 4-7
National Onion Association Annual Convention Naples Grande Beach Resort Naples, Fla. www.onions-usa.org
Dec. 10-12
Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO DeVos Place Conference Center Grand Rapids, Mich. www.glexpo.com
Editor’s note: To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller at editor@columbiamediagroup.com. Please send your information 90 days in advance
CUSTOM STEEL BUILDINGS & COMPONENTS
PACIFIC BUILDING SYSTEMS ENGINEERED & MANUFACTURED IN OREGON SINCE 1962 • TEMPERATURE CONTROL • HUMIDITY CONTROL • VENTILATION • LOADING RATE • BULK OR PALLET STORAGE DESIGN
REQUEST A QUOTE 1-800-727-7844
PBSBUILDINGS.COM
rd 33 33rd ANNUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 20-21, 2019 Three Rivers Convention Center Kennewick, WA
(509) 585-5460
www.pnva.org
16
Onion World • September/October 2019
New Products
M&P Promotes Peeler
The M&P Engineering Large Onion Peeling Machine tops, tails and peels onions of 1.75 to 4.5 inches in diameter using selfadjusting floating knife assemblies over a range of up to 1 inch on any one setting. The peeler is designed to help streamline a manufacturing process by greatly improving productivity and efficiency as well as reducing the amount of food waste produced. Visit www.modernproduceequipment.com.
Lindsay Adds Crops, Debuts Product
Lindsay Corporation has added a handful of beta crops including onions to its FieldNET Advisor, the company’s automated irrigation scheduling tool, which has also been updated with several new features and enhancements. In addition, Lindsay’s FieldNET Pivot Watch is now available through Zimmatic dealers in the U.S. and Canada. Announced earlier this year, FieldNET Pivot Watch is the company’s budget-friendly irrigation monitoring solution. Pivot Watch works on any pivot brand and offers do-it-yourself installation. It includes a solarpowered remote telemetry device and a monitor-only subscription to Lindsay’s FieldNET irrigation management platform. Pivot Watch has integrated cellular connectivity, GPS positioning and other embedded sensors, enabling growers to remotely monitor their pivots’ functions, such as current position, status, direction and speed, using the FieldNET app. Visit www.myfieldnet.com.
Stokes Seeds Trial Evaluation Researching the best for our customers since 1881.
SV4643NT
110 day. Large round bulb has medium to dark red exterior with good internal color. Medium storage potential.
www.sgaequip.com • 1-888-742-6199
MONTCLAIR
112 day. Large bulbs with heavy dark bronze skin mature as excellent high quality medium jumbos after 6-7 months of long term storage.
CATSKILL
SADDLEBACK
110 day. Attractive large round bulb with dark skin and small neck. High yield potential with long-term storage potential.
Contact Your Area Territory Manager: We sell new and used Produce Handling Equipment.
POCONO
110 day. Extra large uniform round bulbs with dark skin color and very small necks that have long term 7-8 month storage potential.
100 day. Large, uniform globe shaped bulb with medium skin color and a small neck. Widely adapted with medium storage potential.
Tom Pagels
Randy DeMay George Dobson James Young
Tom Jacobs
609-247-7140
585-747-3379
616-307-4322
New York
New York, MA, CT
MI, OH, IN, IL, MO, WI, MN
Tom Dauria
Tim Clark
Karen Grybko
Ken Wagner
Carol Korey
908-489-4896
608-609-5884
603-654-5362
317-409-3445
845-258-0172
NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, LI
NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, LI WI, MN, IA, ND, SD
585-734-7214
NH, VT, ME, MA, RI
616-250-0329 IL, IN, MO, KY, TN
MI, OH, IN
New York
— Quality Seed Since 1881 — T: 1-800-263-7233 │www.stokeseeds.com │ Box 548 Buffalo NY 14240-0548 OnionWorld.net
17
WHAT A...
ONION PODCAST THE
.COM
Sponsored by:
To sponsor or participate in www.TheOnionPodcast.com Contact: dave@OnionWorld.net
Connection!
Our Agri-Star Control Panel to your storage: Temperature Humidity
Idaho: 208.733.7000 Colorado: 719.850.7783 Washington: 509.349.7000
CO2 Levels Lights
Airflow
AGRI-STOR.COM
Refrigeration
Coming in the next issue of
ONION WORLD Buyers' Guide
www.OnionWorld.net/subscribe
ONION GRADING 50-TONS/HOUR
in stainless steel
RADIAL GRADER USES 3-ROLLER SYSTEM MOST GENTLE GRADING SYSTEM FOR ROUND ONIONS SINGLE MACHINE CAPACITY OF 60-TONS/HOUR HEAVIEST BUILT ONION TOPPERS IN THE INDUSTRY BIN-TIPPERS, STORAGE HOPPERS, BIN-FILLERS
ALLROUND
COMPLETE AUTOMATED BIN TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE
MACHINERY & PARTS
NOW IN STOCK IN OUR MIDWEST FACILITY
GRADING & SIZING
OPTICAL SORTING
john@rietveldequipment.com 18
Onion World • September/October 2019
815-936-9800
D U ST E X T R A C T I O N
www.rietveldequipment.com
In the News
Stokes Seeds Grows Team
Stokes Seeds has hired James Young as product development and territory manager for the Midwest U.S. region. He will supply commercial vegetable seed recommendations to select producers in Michigan and Ohio, working with growers to match seed options with their crop and profit goals. Additionally, he will collaborate with Stokes Seeds Midwest territory managers and vendors to trial and select new products best suited for the region. Young has more than 20 years of greenhouse, crop input and commercial vegetable seed sales experience.
Redefining the onion industry
Vive Crop Protection Names New CEO
Darren Anderson has stepped into the role of CEO at Vive Crop Protection. Previously, Anderson was the company’s president and is one of the co-founders of the company. He has been with the company for 13 years, working in product development, marketing and communications and new business development. Anderson replaces Keith Thomas as CEO. Thomas is now serving as executive chair of Vive’s board of directors and remains one of the company’s key investors.
1) Enza Zaden [εnˌza ̍zædn̩̩] noun
i. An entrepreneurial culture has defined Enza Zaden since our early days as a vegetable breeding company. Our breeding teams deliver innovative vegetable varieties to top North American growers. ii. The combination of Francesca’s firmness, its relatively uniform size, its excellent top and root vigors, provide an opportunity to significantly reduce labor costs while improving overall harvest efficiency. Mechanical harvest can make a major difference, and growers are excited about varieties with that game changing potential.
enzazaden.us DIX-087-enza-onion-4.875x7.375-fnl.indd 1
3/20/19 10:03 AM OnionWorld.net
19
Storage Essentials Buyers’ Agri-Stor Companies • www.agri-stor.com Agri-Star Control Panel
Agri-Stor Companies helps growers take control of their onion storage with Gellert’s Agri-Star Control Panel. Since 1964, Agri-Stor has designed and sold thousands of Agri-Star panels for a wide range of postharvest products. Through all these years of application experience and university-based research, Agri-Stor Companies has developed a user-friendly, advanced control panel. Features include a full-color, interactive touchscreen, easy-to-understand programming and internet capabilities with an intuitive app. Fully adaptable to growers’ onion storages, the Agri-Star panel can handle everything including curing mode, burners, humidity, refrigeration, airflow, temperature, carbon dioxide levels, heat and lights. When growers match the Agri-Star panel with Gellert’s climate control equipment, their onions are wrapped in the perfect climate, extending their life and quality.
GroupAg • www.groupag.com Vaapor Sanitizing Fog
Not all PAA thermal fogging is the same. GroupAg developed the Jet-Ag thermal fogging application over 10 years ago. Since that first application, GroupAg has continuously developed its specially designed application equipment specifically for applying PAA chemistries in storages. GroupAg has done extensive laboratory testing as well as real-world bacteria and fungus testing before and after the application in storages, and thus has shown great results in sanitizing all types of crops in storage.
Jet Harvest Solutions • www.jetharvest.com Jet-Ag
Jet-Ag’s original and unique patented formulation and process superheats and produces a thermal fog, which creates a vapor that permeates throughout the storage facility. The patented technology utilizes the free radicals generated from superheated Jet-Ag into super microbial oxides which kills all microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and algae such as bacterial soft rot pathogens, Botrytis and black mold. Jet-Ag also has a desiccant effect which creates a curative effect on the onion bulb in storage to help control disease. Jet-Ag can be applied at any time, but ideally upon completed storage of onions. Jet Harvest Solutions and Industrial Ventilation (IVI) offer application of this cost-effective treatment.
Pacific Building Systems • www.pbsbuildings.com Steel Buildings
Proudly serving business owners, communities and farmers throughout the Pacific Northwest, PBS offers the experience and products to meet onion growers’ crop storage building needs. As experts in the industry since 1962, PBS designs, details, engineers and manufactures steel buildings. The company offers multiple bulk storage methods, effective building optimization and quality building products. PBS buildings provide customized solutions for aspects regarding temperature control, ventilation and energy efficiency. Customers can incorporate mezzanines, crane bridges and solar panels in designs based on building requirements. The company also engineers and designs building additions and expansions to accommodate business growth and increase buildings’ functionality and durability. Through the use of sound engineering, superior steel and seasoned experience, PBS provides reliable, high-quality, steel buildings customized to fit customer needs.
Suberizer • www.suberizer.com Suberizer Storage Systems
Suberizer offers turnkey storage systems that are engineered for maximum efficiency. As a proven industry leader in raw product storage, Suberizer’s commitment to innovation has impacted the way raw products are stored. Suberizer Curve and Envelope storage systems use AirEverywhere floors that ensure optimum airflow through the pile. This system minimizes loss, maintains quality and maximizes return.
20
Onion World • September/October 2019
Guide
Committed to onion advocacy, education, family
Join Today www.onions-usa.org To apply online, hover smart phone over this quick response code.
OnionWorld.net
21
From the NOA
Chlorpyrifos Fight Is Not Over — Even With EPA Stamp of Approval
By René Hardwick, National Onion Association Director of Public and Industry Relations
I
f you think the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent refusal to ban chlorpyrifos was a win, you may want to think again. The fight to ban chlorpyrifos — the pesticide that is most effective to control maggots in onions and other pests in more than 50 other U.S. crops — has been going on for at least a decade. It’s a fight that is being waged not only nationally, but internationally. Chlorpyrifos has been used worldwide since 1965. More than 4,000 regulatory and critically evaluated studies have been conducted on chlorpyrifos in 100 countries, and it has been deemed safe for use. The EPA determined in 2006 that there is “reasonable certainty of no harm” from approved uses of chlorpyrifos. But even with EPA’s recent stamp of approval — essentially stating that opponents of the ban didn’t really prove their claims of damage to humans — the fight will not end there. Even with this “win,” it’s almost a sure bet there will be more legal action. At this point, regardless of the federal concerns, individual states are taking up the fight against chlorpyrifos, sold commonly under the brand name Lorsban. Hawaii became the first state in the country to ban it last year. New York may be next in line if the state’s governor signs a bill that recently passed. California also has moved to ban the substance, and the Oregon state legislature faced two bills on the matter this past session. They’ve opted to create a subcommittee to study its use in Oregon with a report due for the 2020 legislative session. “Bans initiated at the local level must be based on sound science and not emotion based on incomplete information,” said Greg Yielding, executive vice president of the National Onion Association. “This chemical does exactly what it is supposed to do, which is kill maggots in onions, and will not be a danger to humans if it is used according to the current label.” Most will agree chlorpyrifos, like many chemicals used to kill pests, shouldn’t be handled casually. But used appropriately, it is the most effective for onion growers in the Pacific Northwest, and on the East Coast, when it is paired with other treatments. In fact, onion growers throughout the nation use it. Growers have two options: examine your options for chemical alternatives now, or continue to fight — both of which will help you in the long run. There are multiple alternatives to chlorpyrifos, but they may be more expensive, and the treatment really depends on the pest, according to Brian Nault, a professor of entomology at Cornell University in New York.
22
Onion World • September/October 2019
“In some cases, like maggot control in onion, there are few effective alternatives,” Nault said. “Eliminating chlorpyrifos just means that there are fewer options.” Nault said he is working with other researchers to evaluate combinations of existing insecticides as seed treatments for onion maggot control in varying areas across the country, and he would like to have more areas to study. He also is working with Syngenta and BASF to identify effective products that can be delivered as seed treatments. “There is a great need to identify additional effective products and get that registered ASAP,” Nault said. Sometimes registration takes a while, and that’s where onion growers can come in. Nault suggests that pressuring these chemical companies to pursue registration of new products would prove helpful in this regard. But onion growers also can get involved in actions at the state level to work to prevent outright bans of the pesticides, especially in areas where chlorpyrifos is the most cost-effective and efficient tool to control maggots. Greg Bennett of Northwest Onion Company in Oregon did just that this past spring. Two bills were on the table calling for outright bans of chlorpyrifos, citing concerns that the chemical causes neurological damage in children and is harmful to farmworkers who handle it. Bennett said that he and other farmers are all in when it comes to the safest chemical routes to take, but taking away a treatment that has been the norm for decades without providing alternatives puts a huge barrier in the face of today’s growers. “For us, it’s what we have that’s effective in controlling onion maggots,” Bennett said. “It’s registered, labeled and it has been our mainstay for many years. I’m sure I’m speaking for all farmers. We’re all in for new chemistry, safer chemistry. That’s not a problem. But until that happens, don’t pull the rug from beneath us. If we could buy another one to three years, that’s in our favor.” “I hope there a lot of people from other growing areas that are probably as strong about their feelings as we were. Maybe that pushback pressure will be enough if we’re all telling the same story,” Bennett continued. Let’s not let the special interest groups dictate our landscape. Now is not the time to sit back and watch this happen, hoping it will all go away. We need to work together for the safest and most effective ways to put onions and other agricultural products on people’s tables.
The latest development from Stanhay; 50 years of precision planting experience has gone into designing this row unit. The ProAir is a compact, lightweight but durable row unit packed with adjustability and options to suit any type of ground condition or planting pattern. As all previous models the Pro Air can plant one, two or three lines from one metering unit.
1. Adjustable row unit down force 6. Unobstructed access to the metering unit for 2. Adjustable rear wheel down force maintenance and changing seed discs 3. Single bolt adjustment to switch between hyline and loline setups 7. Independently articulating seed press wheels with 4. Infinitely adjustable depth control measurable to a 0.1mm adjustable downforce accuracy via mechanical counter 8. Individual scraper blades on each stainless steel press 5. Sealed maintenance free flexible drive shaft wheel 9. Ability to latch row unit our of work
www.solexcorp.com • (707)678-5533 OnionWorld.net
23
LAYERS OF TO KEEP YOUR CROPS FRESH Y O U R C O M P L E T E O N I O N S T O R A G E. WITH CURVE STORAGE + AIREVERYWHERE FLOOR Turn-key storage systems that are engineered for maximum efficiency. That’s what to expect from Suberizer. As a proven industry leader in raw product storage, our commitment to innovation has revolutionized the way raw products are stored. Suberizer storage systems ensure optimum performance – minimizing loss, while maintaining quality, for a maximum return. When storage performance matters, turn to Suberizer.
suberizer.com |
|
MADE IN THE USA
Advertiser Index Hotlinks Click on the Advertiser to Jump Straight to Their Ad
ONION SEED
EQUIPMENT
Bejo Seeds Inc.
Agri-Stor
DP Seeds
CMI Equipment & Engineering Co.
Enza Zaden Gowan Seed Seedway Stokes Seeds
STORAGE Suberizer
MISCELLANEOUS
Chinook Equipment, Inc. Clearwater Supply, Inc. Fox Packaging Fox Solutions Gearmore Inc. Greentronics Lee Shuknecht & Sons, Inc Noffsinger Manufacturing
National Onion Association
Pacific Building Systems
Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference
Redwood Empire Awning Company
TheOnionPodcast.com
CROP INPUTS Corteva-Telone
Rietveld Equipment Solex South Georgia Equipment Top Air Volm