Onion World February 2019 by Columbia Media Group

ONION WORLD Voice of the Industry • OnionWorld.net • February 2019

Sweet Maui NOA in Hawaii

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PLUS: Trade Trends Mycorrhizal Inoculants Washington Welcomes W-3008

Table of Contents Magazines For Maximum Yield

ONION WORLD Volume 35, Number 2

February 2019 4 10

PO Box 333 Roberts, Idaho 83444 Telephone: (208) 520-6461

www.O n i o n W o r l d .n e t Onion World Contacts

Sweet Maui

National Onion Association Annual Convention

Mycorrhizal Inoculants: Yea or Nay?

The Effects of Mycorrhizal Inoculants on Onion Crops in the Columbia Basin

Washington Welcomes W-3008

Middle East: Imports of Fresh Onions and US Exports

W-3008 Annual Meeting

Publisher / Advertising Manager Dave Alexander dave@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com Editor Denise Keller editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com Director of Operations Brian Feist brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com

EDITORIAL INFORMATION

Trade Trends

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.

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Cody Nickoloff with CSS Farms in Pasco, Wash., gives an overview of the farm’s fall-planted, overwintering onion bulb crop for W-3008 members visiting the farm. See the story on page 16.

On the Cover Robin Shimabuku with the University of Hawaii Maui County Extension goes over the results of the university’s sweet onion variety trial during the National Onion Association Annual Convention field day in Maui, Hawaii. See the story on page 4.

Onion World • February 2019

Departments

15 19 22

Insect Quiz Calendar 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.

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National Onion Association Annual Convention

Commitment to Quality Sweet Maui Story by Deborah Ruoho Photos by Dave Alexander, Publisher

The rich, volcanic soil on Otani Farm produces Kula sweet onions in the shadows of Haleakala Crater, which rises to over 10,000 feet.

aui, Hawaii, is rich in history and traditional culture and has infinite breathtaking attractions, making it an ideal location for the 2018 National Onion Association (NOA) Annual Convention, held Nov. 28 – Dec. 2. As an added bonus for the NOA, attendance at Hawaiian conventions usually doubles. Maui is also well known for the sweet and succulent Maui onion that has made its way from the slopes of Mount Haleakala to the tabletops of onion lovers everywhere. During the NOA ag tour, attendees had a chance to see and taste Maui’s famous sweets.

Touring Upcountry

The ag tour took place at Kula Agricultural Park, a track of land owned by Maui County and leased to growers. The locals refer to this higher elevation area as “upcountry.” Here, NOA members had the opportunity to sample different varieties of onions and take part in a blind survey conducted by the University of Hawaii Maui Experiment Station. The survey rated the pungency, aroma and flavor of several varieties of Maui onions. Robin Shimabuku was on hand to share the results of the station’s fall sweet onion variety field trials. Cultivars from Nunhems, Enza Zaden and Sakata were on display. From there, a short walk ended at the commercial farm of Bryan Otani. Otani grows the famed Kula sweet onions on 15 acres, as well as broccoli, baby carrots and beans on another 35 acres. He sells onions locally and ships them to Oahu and California. In late December, Maui County purchased an additional 262 acres that will be added to Kula Agricultural Park. This expansion will allow the county to set up more low-cost, long-term land leases for growers.

Pictured are members of the NOA golf tournament winning team (from left), Logan Skeen, Snap Keene, Anthony Molitor and Dallas Jensen. Tournament organizers Randy Clark with Volm and Snap Keene with Eqraft say the tourney was an over-sold success and they expect to do it again next winter.

Maui grower Bryan Otani (center) visits with NOA members during their visit to his Kula sweet onion farm. Wayne Mininger holds a T-shirt and toy to represent the tractor he is receiving from members as a retirement gift and token of appreciation for 33 years of service as NOA executive vice president.

General Session

Attendees at this year’s general session were treated to a martial arts demonstration presented by Rene Hardwick, NOA director of public and industry relations, her husband, Toby, and Snap Keene with Eqraft. Immediately following the exhibition, real-life ninja Hardwick introduced her new marketing program, “Nature’s Ninja,” featuring a cartoon OnionWorld.net

NOA Annual Convention

Rene Hardwick and Snap Keene duke it out during the NOA general session to bring attention to the NOA’s new marketing program “Nature’s Ninja.”

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ninja. Hardwick said that people of all ages are hunting for health and nutrition information on onions, so “let’s give it to them.” The cartoon ninja will be used to highlight the health and nutrition benefits of onions in a unique and catchy way, according to Hardwick. Sharla Johnston, NOA administrative assistant and accountant, announced a new members-only benefit. She has developed a database and member portal for the NOA website. The website will feature an online directory and message board that will allow members to add personal and company bios and logos, find NOA newsletters and invoices and list items for sale. The portal “will give members so much more value,” Johnston said. Keynote speaker Michele Payn, author of Food Truths from Farm to Table, was raised on a dairy farm and grew up in an agricultural community. She is well versed on issues that affect the agriculture industry and has a passion for educating both those in ag and consumers. The primary focus of her discussion was on the importance of providing concise and accurate information to consumers. Expanding the knowledge base of consumers helps eliminate misconceptions and alleviate fears that arise from information obtained by word of mouth. Payn outlined the importance of appealing to consumers’ emotional side. Something as simple as a picture of the farm or farm equipment in action can evoke emotional responses and make a message more meaningful. Payn emphasized the importance of acknowledging changes in trends regarding how people receive information. For instance, millennials are more likely to obtain their information from social media, websites and blogs. She stressed the importance of incorporating digital methods into the marketing approach. Payn said consumers are interested in the story behind the food they are purchasing. They want to know where it came from, how it was cared for, if it is organic or not, if it is GMO vs. non-GMO and its nutritional value. These are concerns that need to be addressed when educating consumers, she said.

Onion World Buyers Guide_Sept2018_Layout 1 9/25/2018 9:17 AM Page 1 Past NOA presidents are flanked by Executive Vice President Wayne Mininger (far left) and current President Doug Stanley (far right) at the banquet in Maui.

Incoming NOA Executive Vice President Greg Yielding tries on his new NOA-crested coat presented by Doug Stanley.

Keynote speaker Michele Payn challenges NOA members to spread positive messages about agriculture via social media.

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NOA Annual Convention Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello

Perhaps the highlight of this year’s NOA convention was the banquet at the conclusion of the convention. The evening kicked off with dinner and an impressive performance by Zenshin Daiko, a local taiko drum ensemble. The evening belonged to Executive Vice President, Wayne Mininger, however. After 33 years, Mininger is retiring this spring. Photos from throughout his career played on the big screens to honor him for his years of service. Mininger’s speech was both nostalgic and emontional, as he told attendees about his future plans. He and his wife, Ardith, are going to design and build a home outside of Austin, Texas, and he plans to make his fast 2012 Shelby Mustang even faster. As a going-away present, Mininger received a new tractor, which he will put to good use on his new homestead. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet to the incoming Executive Vice President, Greg Yielding. Yielding comes to the NOA from the rice industry and has

University of Hawaii staff conducts a Maui onion taste test during the NOA field day.

experience on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. NOA President Doug Stanley said Yielding’s lobbying experience was the tipping point in the board’s hiring decision. “I have a lot of experience in politics in Washington D.C. and advocating for farmers and agriculture, and I want to use that for the onion industry,” Yielding said.

The NOA Summer Convention is scheduled for July 24-27 in Madison, Wisconsin. This convention will combine the NOA meeting with the National Allium Research Conference and the International Allium Research Symposium. The scenery in cheese country may not be as stunning as Maui, but expect a fun, informative conference.

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Chris Speere, coordinator of Maui Food Innovation Center, offers dehydrated onions for attendees to sample during lunch at the field day. The Food Innovation Center provides opportunities for food entrepreneurship in Maui.

Zenshin Daiko, a local taiko drum ensemble, performs at the NOA banquet.

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Mycorrhizal Inoculants: Yea or Nay? The Effects of Mycorrhizal Inoculants on Onion Crops in the Columbia Basin By Louisa Winkler, Lindsey du Toit and Tim Waters, Washington State University

n a survey taken at the Washington State University (WSU) 2018 Onion Cultivar Demonstration and Field Day, held in central Washington state, 43 percent of farmers reported having used arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculants in onion or other crops. Of crop consultants and agronomists taking the survey, 21 percent said they had recommended AMF inoculants to clients. Are these AMF products effective? Several years ago, seeing the increasing number of commercial AMF inoculants in the marketplace, Lindsey du Toit, WSU plant pathologist, and Tim Waters, WSU regional vegetable specialist, set out to test these products in commercial onion crops grown in the semi-arid Columbia Basin of north-central Oregon and central Washington to determine their impact on onion crop performance.

What are AMF Inoculants?

AMF are a class of fungi, usually soil-borne, that form associations with the roots of most plant species, including onion.

They facilitate soil nutrient and water acquisition by crop plants and can improve tolerance of plants to some abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, as well as some biotic stresses such as certain soil-borne pathogens. Intensely-worked agricultural soils typically have reduced concentrations of AMF because cultivation disrupts the fungal association with plant roots. Soil fumigation also can have adverse effects on these beneficial fungi. Adding AMF back into the soil before or during seeding of a new crop could increase crop yield and quality while also reducing fertilizer requirements. Companies such as Reforestation Technologies International (RTI-Ag), AGTIV (formerly Premier Tech Agriculture), Plant Health LLC and Mycorrhizal Applications, Inc. have launched a variety of granular, powder, liquid and other formulations of products containing propagules of certain key AMF identified as having potential benefits for plants. These AMF inoculant products have been used successfully in many perennial cropping systems (e.g. in the forestry, nursery and landscape industries) and for producing transplants. However, AMF inoculants have been evaluated far less in direct-seeded, annual cropping systems. Since more than 95 percent of onion bulb crops in the Columbia Basin are direct-seeded, du Toit and Waters led a research and extension project to help evaluate the potential benefits for onion producers in the Columbia Basin.

Mike Derie and Barbara Holmes from Washington State University rate onion roots for severity of pink root in a field trial near Paterson, Wash., in which liquid AMF products were applied to onion seed at planting.

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Mycorrhizal Inoculants Product

Manufacturer

AGTIV Specialty Crops Granular

AGTIV, Quebec, Canada

AGTIV Specialty Crops Liquid

AGTIV, Quebec, Canada

AGTIV Specialty Crops Powder

AGTIV, Quebec, Canada

BioTerra Plus Dry Mix

Plant Health LLC, Corvallis, Ore.

MycoApply Endo Liquid

Mycorrhizal Applications LLC, Grants Pass, Ore.

MycoApply Ultrafine Endo Powder

Mycorrhizal Applications LLC, Grants Pass, Ore.

Myconate AS

Plant Health Care, Inc./SYM-AGRO, Inc.

Myconate HB

Plant Health Care, Inc./SYM-AGRO, Inc.

Mykos Gold Granular

RTI-Ag, Gilroy, Calif.

Mykos Liquid Mycorrhizal Inoculant

RTI-Ag, Gilroy, Calif.

Table 1. Commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) products evaluated in field and growth chamber trials by Washington State University researchers.

Field Trials, Growth Chamber Trials

From 2015 to 2018, 20 field trials were completed to test 10 commercial AMF inoculants (Table 1) on six commercial onion farms in the Columbia Basin. Growers used their own equipment and their standard fertilization and pest control programs. In each trial, treatments were replicated and randomized to the extent possible with large-scale growers’ equipment. Products were applied according to manufacturers’ recommendations, most often by banding in the seed furrow at planting. Each trial always included control plots with no AMF inoculant. In each field trial, onion stand counts were measured about six weeks after planting. In addition, onion plants were dug carefully mid-season to measure plant height and weight, assess foliar nutrient status and rate soil-borne disease severity (pink root and/ or white rot). Samples of the roots were stained and examined microscopically to calculate the extent of root colonization by AMF. Bulb yield (size and weight) was also determined for each plot from mature onion bulbs.

An arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) product is applied in March during a pre-plant, banded fertilizer application in a grower’s field that was planted with an onion crop under center-pivot irrigation.

In addition to the field trials, AMF inoculants were evaluated under controlled conditions in growth chamber trials. Soil for these trials was sampled from an onion grower’s field in the Columbia Basin. The soil was pasteurized to eliminate AMF present in the soil, so that any AMF activity detected was from the inoculants added. Onion growth and AMF root colonization were measured in these trials to compare results with the field trials. In almost all the field trials, AMF inoculants did not cause an increase in onion root colonization rates. Of the various products tested, the most effective was Mykos Gold Granular. In the most successful field trial, this product increased root colonization rates from 48 percent in the control plots to 51 percent. When Mykos Gold Granular was applied to pasteurized soil in the growth chamber trials, root colonization levels ranged from 30 percent to 80 percent, whereas roots in control soil had 0 percent colonization. As in the field trials, Mykos Gold Granular was the most effective product tested in growth chamber tests. Initially, many of the grower-cooperators expressed interest in treating onion seed with liquid formulations of AMF inoculants because of the ease of application (no need to modify their

Lindsey du Toit and Alex Batson from Washington State University count onion plants emerging between rows of winter wheat cover crop to assess the impacts of AMF treatments and pre-plant, banded fertilizer application rates on early-season onion stands.

Onion World • February 2019

The research team monitors an application of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) product using gandy boxes attached to a drip tape applicator in a field that was planted with an onion crop the next day.

equipment if the product could be applied to seed). However, liquid formulations proved to be even less effective than granular formulations in growth chamber trials, even when the products were applied to seed that had not been treated with fungicides or seed that had not been pelleted for precision planting. Five trials with liquid AMF formulations in commercial fields were similarly disappointing.

AMF in Non-Inoculated Fields

In the field trials, onion roots generally showed 40 to 50 percent colonization in non-inoculated control plots to which no AMF inoculant had been added. This indicated that root-colonizing AMF were present in the soil of these commercial production fields, even fields that had been fumigated the fall prior to planting with metam sodium applied through center pivots.

This was similar to results of two AMF surveys in onion bulb crops in 2014-2015 completed by du Toitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group with Tim Paulitz, USDA-ARS plant pathologist. For the first survey, AMF communities and root colonization rates were compared in five organic onion crops and four conventional onion crops. For the second survey, AMF were compared in eight conventional onion fields, four of which had been fumigated the autumn prior to planting with metam sodium (center-pivot chemigation) and four of which were not fumigated. AMF colonization of onion roots sampled mid-summer was greater in organic fields than conventional fields (67 versus 51 percent), and less in fumigated versus non-fumigated conventional fields (45 versus 67 percent). Molecular analyses showed that four main AMF dominated in these soils (Glomus, Claroideoglomus, Paraglomus and Diversispora). The AMF communities were slightly more diverse

Figure 1. Onion root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in a growth chamber test of the product Mykos Gold Granular and three formulations (liquid, powder and granular) of AGTIV. The trial was repeated. The data were averaged over both trials. In other growth chamber trials, AMF root colonization reached as much as 80 percent with Mykos Gold Granular.

AMF root colonization (%)

50 40 30 20 10 0

Mykos Gold

AGTIV Liquid

AGTIV Powder

AGTIV Granular

Control OnionWorld.net

Mycorrhizal Inoculants and abundant in the organic crops than the conventional crops. However, there was no consistent effect of metam sodium on the species composition of AMF communities in onion crops in fumigated versus non-fumigated conventional fields.

In Search of Explanations

Why were AMF inoculants ineffective at increasing onion root colonization in most of the field trials? Perhaps the fungi in these inoculants were not able to compete with AMF already present in the soils. Another explanation is that AMF products delivered in the seed furrow were inhibited by fungicides in the seed coatings typically used in conventional onion crops in the Columbia Basin. FarMore FI500, for example, contains azoxystrobin and fludioxonil, fungicides that can have inhibitory effects on many true fungi such as AMF. Another possibility is that some of the commercial formulations evaluated failed to preserve the vigor of fungal propagules or limited the capacity for root colonization, as demonstrated with several liquid formulations in the growth chamber trials. However, what was clear from this research was that less AMF root colonization occurred when soil nutrients were more concentrated, especially soil phosphorus (P). In some of the field trials, root colonization rates were compared for onions seeded with or without a pre-plant, banded fertilizer application. The results were striking: on average, AMF root colonization rates were 15 percent less in plots that received the pre-plant, banded fertilizer application than in plots that did not (Fig. 2). In companion growth chamber tests, the best inoculant, Mykos Gold Granular, was 76 percent less effective at causing AMF

colonization of onion roots when soil P concentration was 74 versus 25 ppm, and 64 percent less effective at 45 versus 25 ppm. A large majority of the onion fields surveyed during these studies had soil P levels considerably greater than 40 ppm. The results suggest that AMF inoculants might be more effective in situations where available soil nutrients are in low concentration, or other stressful situations, such as where soil water is scarce. Other research has demonstrated the benefits of AMF inoculants to be most apparent when plants are under stress.

Onion Crop Performance

Across all the field trials, AMF inoculants showed no consistent effects on onion growth characteristics measured. Even in the growth chamber trials, the benefits of AMF inoculants on onion growth were not observed when plants were grown in soil with moderate or high P levels. It appears that onion plants grown with adequate levels of fertilizer can access all the nutrients needed for optimum growth, even in the absence of AMF. AMF inoculants may be of value under nutrient-limiting conditions or in crops exposed to other stresses. Several studies demonstrated a benefit to using AMF inoculants in onion transplant production as the AMF-colonized plants displayed greater tolerance to transplant stress than non-colonized plants. However, in the context of direct-seeded onion production practices in the Columbia Basin, AMF inoculants appear to offer little to no advantage to these crops. Requests for publications resulting from this project can be sent to du Toit at dutoit@wsu.edu.

Figure 2. Rate of onion root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in two growers’ field trials in which half the plots received an application of pre-plant, banded fertilizer (“+”) and half the plots did not (“-”). Onions growing in plots amended with Mykos Gold Granular were compared with onions growing in control plots that were not inoculated with AMF. AMF colonization rates were greater in plots without the pre-plant fertilizer application, regardless of whether or not AMF inoculant was added. There was little difference between AMF root colonization rates in the AMF-inoculated plots compared with the control plots.

Trial 1

Trial 2

AMF root colonization (%)

100

Fertilizer

+ -

Mykos Gold 14

Onion World • February 2019

Control

Mykos Gold

Control

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Some of the insects and related arthropods that are beneficial predators in your crops are evident and easily seen before, during and after planting and before canopy development. Four common ones are pictured here. Can you identify them and name an important fact or two about each?

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Washington Welcomes W-3008 A

field trip to an onion farm and packing shed, along with research updates on some of the onion industry’s greatest challenges were among the items on the agenda for the annual meeting of the SAES-422 Multistate Research Project W-3008: Integrated Onion Pest and Disease Management. Over 40 onion specialists, producers, breeders, consultants, agronomists, packers and others gathered in Kennewick, Washington, to attend the Nov. 13 meeting.

Research Reports

In addition to state-by-state reports on onion production acreage, growing conditions and issues encountered in 2018, the group also heard brief research reports on half a dozen topics. Rob Wilson with the University of California presented an update on onion white rot and maggot pesticide efficacy trials. He noted that seedcorn and onion maggot have become an increasing pest of concern to onion growers in California, who can no longer use Lorsban in-furrow. They observed some control of maggot with seed treatments (Sepresto 75WS, Farmore 500 and Regard). James Woodhall with the University of Idaho delivered an overview of some of the main onion issues he has been working on in the Treasure Valley, particularly

Subas Malla, an onion breeder from Texas A&M University, snaps a picture of a Redwing onion in a CSS Farms storage shed.

characterizing soil-borne diseases and field trials on disease management. He has been evaluating predictive soil testing for the pink root, Fusarium basal rot and Pythium root rot pathogens. He noted that rotation of onion with corn may be increasing disease pressure for Fusarium proliferatum colonizing onion necks/bulbs late in the season. Chris Cramer from New Mexico State University gave an update on his shortday onion breeding program to develop cultivars with resistance to Fusarium basal rot.

Robert Sakata captures images of the onion grading system in action during a visit to CSS Farms’ packing facility.

Christy Hoepting from Cornell University shared results of research she conducted with colleagues Sarah Pethybridge and Frank Hays. The work looked at insensitivity of isolates of the Stemphylium leaf blight pathogen to fungicides in the FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee) Group 11, the strobilurins such as azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin, and FRAC Group 7, such as boscalid (e.g., the active ingredient in Endura). The researchers are also seeing evidence of resistance developing to the fungicide iprodione (Rovral). Also at Cornell, Steve Beer’s phytobacteriology program has identified a gene cluster in the center rot pathogen, Pantoea ananatis, that is critical for the ability to cause disease on onion. Hanu Pappu with Washington State University updated the group on his continued work looking at the genetic diversity of strains of Iris yellow spot virus. Beth Gugino with Pennsylvania State University spoke about the Allium leafminer situation in the northeastern U.S. led by entomologist Shelby Fleischer. Foliar applications of the insecticides Scorpion and Exirel reduced populations of the Allium leafminer significantly. The researchers are also looking into a parasitoid wasp found in Allium leafminer

Photo courtesy Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University Bhabesh Dutta, a plant pathologist with the University of Georgia; Lindsey du Toit, a vegetable seed pathologist with Washington State University; and Rachel Hills, an agronomist with Anderson Organics, look at larvae of fall armyworm feeding on wheat cover crop plants growing in strips between onion rows in a field of fall-planted, overwintering onions.

OnionWorld.net

W-3008 Annual Meeting pupae to see if it can be identified and reared for potential biocontrol of this new pest to the U.S.

Additional Discussion

The group also discussed federal grant proposals to support onion research. Pappu commented on the thrips and white rot USDA NIFA SCRI proposal that was funded in 2018 and led by Washington State University (WSU) with Cornell

University, New Mexico State University, Oregon State University and the University of Idaho. Another SCRI proposal on onion bacterial diseases led by WSU’s Lindsey du Toit and submitted in March 2018 was ranked highly by reviewers but was not funded. The proposal will be re-submitted this winter. Attendees brainstormed and discussed onion research and extension needs across the country. A common theme that

emerged is the interest in soil health in onion production, particularly in relation to soil-borne diseases like pink root that are almost ubiquitous across the country. Bhabesh Dutta from the University of Georgia gave an overview on the Alliumnet website www.alliumnet.com and encouraged members of the W-3008 to submit articles, information, publications and posters to be shared on the website. Alliumnet currently has 667 subscribers

Know Your Insects Answers (from page 15)

Photo A: This is a common kind of predaceous ground beetle known as Amara. These beetles are about a half-inch long, very shiny and can be seen scurrying across the soil all season long. Photo B: This is a big-eyed bug, also known as Geocoris. These are important predators of aphids and other small insects in the foliage during the growing season, but also spend a lot of their time on the soil surface, running quickly from clod to clod and plant to plant.

Photo C: This is a harvestman, also known as “daddy longlegs” or Opiliones. These are arachnids, close relatives of spiders and mites. They are aggressive predators of insects on the ground and sometimes in the crop canopy. Some species of harvestman are small and live in the soil. Photo D: This is another predaceous ground beetle known as Bembidion. These beautiful golden beetles are often the most apparent and arguably the most abundant soil-surface predator in our crops. Like other ground beetles, the larvae are also predaceous and live in the soil.

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with 70 percent of the users located in the U.S. The minutes of the W-3008 annual meeting will be posted on that website.

Plans for 2019

The W-3008 multi-state project builds on the five-year W-1008 project initiated by Howard Schwartz at Colorado State University, which was followed by the five-year W-2008 project led by Brian Nault at Cornell University. The five-year W-3008 project began in 2018. For 2019, Gugino will step up as chair of the W-3008, with Dutta serving as vicechair, Peter Rogers from Nunhems/BASF as secretary and Hoepting as immediate past-chair. The next W-3008 annual meeting will be combined with the meeting of the National Onion Association, National Allium Research Conference and International Allium Research Symposium on July 24-27, 2019, in Madison, Wisconsin.For details, visit www.onions-usa.org/narc-iarsconference.

Emma Lookabaugh and Peter Rogers with Nunhems check out some onions during the W-3008 group’s visit to CSS Farms’ packing shed.

Darlene Maxwell with Bejo Seeds inspects the internal qualities of a red onion.

Calendar Feb. 5

Idaho-Malheur County Onion Growers Association Annual Meeting Four Rivers Cultural Center Ontario, Ore. Contact Cindy Pusey (208) 888-0988 cindy@amgidaho.com

Feb. 12

Utah Onion Association Winter Meeting Bridgerland Technical College Brigham City, Utah Contact Dan Drost (435) 797-2258 dan.drost@usu.edu

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United Fresh 2018 Chicago, Ill www.unitedfresh.org Editor’s note: To have your event listed, please email: Denise Keller editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com

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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 the disaster, but came back to near normal By Mark Wocial, Certified Global Business Professional, Wocial & Associates LLC by the end of January as a result of increased imports from Mexico, according Egypt was the largest supplier of ccording to the U.N. imports, and Egypt supplied 16 to Dwayne Fisher, vice president of onions to Saudi Arabia. In 2017, international statistics, percent. In 2017, Iraq imported marketing at Championtrade Produce. countries in the Middle East an estimated 203,000 MT of fresh Packing lines were down for a week and exports of onions from Egypt accounted for 57 percent of Saudi onions, Kuwait 98,000 MT and approximately 1.3 the aimported half at Champion Produce following collapse three oftons the company’s Arabia’s imports. Yemen and India Qatar 78,000 MT. millionofmetric (MT) of storage fresh facilities – twoshallots in Parma,in Idaho, andvalued one were the second and third largest onions and 2017, Overall, fresh onion imports in Wilder, Idaho. An estimated 8 million suppliers, each accounting for at $384 million. The quantity of by countries in the region more pounds of onions were lost. around 20 percent of the import onions imported into the region than doubled between 2009 and Amid the devastation, Treasure Valley market. 2017. Unfortunately, U.S. exports accounted for approximately 16 onion companies impacted by this winter’s The U.A.E. is the second largest showed an opposite trend. Overall, percentare ofmaking globalplans imports. weather to rebuild and be onion importing country in the U.S. exports of fresh onions and Saudi Arabia, andsaid. Iraq even stronger in the U.A.E. future, they end of the day, buildings and Middle East. In 2017, the country shallots reached a peak of 3,640 are“At thethelargest importers in the equipment are replaceable,” Myers said. imported 365,000 MT of fresh region. In 2017, Saudi Arabia MT in 2011 and declined steadily “Our concerns lie with our people: our onions and was the fourth largest imported 393,000 MT of fresh to 1,010 MT in 2017. Approximately 3.6 million pounds of onions were This storage in Parma, Idaho, was the first of employees and our customers. The safety importer in the world. TheChampion U.A.E.Produce is thestorage largest market onions andandwas third largest in this facility when three Champion Produce onion India storage facilities of our crew the the relationships with our the roof caved in. Photo courtesy Champion to collapse under the weight of of heavy snow in supplied 75 percent U.A.E in the Middle East for U.S. exports importing country in the world. customers are far more valuable than any Produce January. Photo courtesy Champion Produce shed.”

Middle East: Imports of Fresh Onions and US Exports

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Middle East - Imports of fresh onions and shallots in 2017

of fresh onions. In 2017, the country accounted for 86 percent of U.S. shipments to the region. However, U.S. exports reached a peak of 2,200 MT in 2011 and declined steadily in the following years, down to 864 MT in 2017, valued at $756,000. Kuwait is the second largest market in the region, but U.S. exports reached 659 MT in 2011 and fell to 94 MT

in 2017. Exports to other countries in the region showed similar 393 declining trends. In 2017, the365 U.S. exported 46 MT to Saudi Arabia,203 2.5 MT to Oman, 2 MT to Bahrain and 1.3 MT to Qatar. Given the fact that the Middle East is a large importer of fresh onions, and the U.S. has four free trade agreements with countries in the region (Bahrain, Israel,

Middle East - Imports of fresh onions and shallots in 2017

1,000 Jordan MT andx Oman), it seems that export potential is not being fully realized. 98 Author’s 78 67 This information 35note: 25 14 12 8 4 2 0.06

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.

U.S. exports of fresh onions and shallots to the Middle East

MT x 1,000

393 365

3.6 203

98 78 67 35 25 14 12 8

2 0.06

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2.0

1.7

3.1

2.4

2.1

2.0

1.6

1.0

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U.S. exports of fresh onions and shallots to the Middle East MT x 1,000

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From the NOA

Don’t Let Your Onion Voice be Lost in the 116th Congress By René Hardwick, National Onion Association Director of Public and Industry Relations

s we begin 2019, those of us in the onion industry have a chore ahead of us. Not only are we working to comply with Food Safety Modernization Act rules, but our influence in Congress may be somewhat muted with the 2018 midterm elections. The election flipped the longstanding Republican Congress to a Democratic majority, which means those of us in the specialty crop industry should start paying a bit more attention to what Congress will be doing. While the Senate remained Republican, the loss of the majority in the House is concerning. The National Onion Association (NOA) has long fought for the onion industry, working to educate policymakers on how the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and changes to the IR4 Program could affect our industry. We’ve been largely successful at getting our issues addressed and even preventing rulemaking and interpretation that could cripple our industry. The fear now, however, is that with the House flipping to a Democrat majority (which brought us the FSMA in 2011, the last time the House was ruled by Democrat majority), our voice may get lost in the noise. “I think the ag influence is being lost in Congress,” said NOA President

Doug Stanley, who was retained by the association for the coming year. “Our congressional leaders are who will hold the FDA accountable, and we’re going to have to get our ground game on to figure out who we need to talk to and figure out who’s giving the FDA’s new direction.” While ag supporters come from either party, we are aware of some large Republican losses that were supporters of agriculture such as David Valadao, who represented California’s District 21, a massive ag producing district. Rep. Jeff Denham, an almond rancher who represented the San Joaquin Valley in California’s District 10 and who sat on the House Agriculture Committee, also lost his bid for re-election. And Rep. John Faso, who represented New York’s 19th District for the last two years, also will be leaving service. He sat on the Ag committee, as well, and listed agriculture as one of his top issues. What that means for the onion industry is to dust off our suits, open up the phonebook and start getting out the good word. NOA leadership annually goes to Washington D.C. as a collective force to plead its cases among several policymakers and legislators. Smaller contingents make regular trips to discuss policy issues. “It’s a matter of taking the time to do it,” Stanley said. Outgoing Executive Vice President Wayne Mininger has been doing this for 33 years; he’s seen both houses flip, back and

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forth. But this time may be a bit more of a work in progress. “It’s going to be a bigger chore because the new Congress’s tendency is to be more social-centric rather than productioncentric,” Mininger said. “So, it’s not just ag, but energy, manufacturing, all the industries that produce will likely be given less emphasis as this House is likely to be more concerned about social issues.” The challenge is just that — challenge. “Because numbers are small in ag, in general – in specialty ag, in particular – we will need to be even more exercised at engaging our representatives at the local, state and national levels,” Mininger said. The NOA’s issues include continued implementation, compliance and enforcement of FSMA, maintaining a good source of reliable, legal labor, solving transportation woes that have plagued the nation, as well as continued support and funding for the IR4 program, which ensures federal dollars to help the specialty crop industry gain EPA approval of safe and effective biological and chemical pesticides needed to grow its crops. Gaining EPA approval for such necessary pesticides is a time-consuming and expensive prospect, but vital to our industry. So, how do you make a difference? As a member of the National Onion Association, those in the onion industry can take advantage of that collective – and effective – lobbying force in D.C. A good lobbying firm in D.C. can cost upward of $50,000 a month. The NOA can help make your voice heard for less than $2 per acre or load of onions handled. Join today at www.onions-usa.org/members/become-amember and be a part of a national force to be heard in Washington.

ONION PODCAST THE