SeedlingNeedOnions a Hero
seed treatments provide early season disease and insect protection for young onion crops. Seed Dynamics applies the protectant to the seeds themselves, through a safe and controlled delivery. It works at the most critical time — during germination and seedling emergence — so your seeds can thrive, while fending o threats of early damage. Get a hero from Seed Dynamics , the Seed Preparation Professionals. Call us at 86 6.321.9747 or choose a dealer listed above. Visit our Website at SeedDynamics.com! When onion seed and seedcorn maggots threaten young crops, our heroes come prepared. FarMore FI500 and Spinosad/Lumiverd
ONION WORLD
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OnionWorld.net
ONION WOrLD CONTACTS
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Publisher / Advertising Manager
Dave Alexander dave@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
Director of Operations
Brian Feist brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
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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.
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Onion World magazine (ISSN 0892-578X), 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 2025. 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.
Does Smoke Affect Onions?
Story by Dave Alexander, Publisher
Wildfires happen every year in the Idaho mountains. In turn, smoke settles down into the Treasure Valley, often prompting unhealthy air quality warnings.
Potato growers in the area have noticed that their yields were off and stored potatoes had more disease in bad smoke years. Similarly, McCain Foods found that French fries made in these years were a darker color than desired.
Smoky years tend to be very hot and dry, but what was causing the yield and
Deron Beck with the University of Idaho starts up the smoke generator used in experiments designed to measure the effect of smoke on plants.
From left, Ross Nishihara, Les Ito, Suzanne Takasugi, Kay Riley, Brian Kameshige, Ken Teramura and Randy Kameshige, the former owners of Snake River Produce, gather at the meeting.
quality decline: the environment or the smoke?
In 2022, Mike Thornton and his team at the University of Idaho designed experiments to find out. After analyzing the results on fresh tubers and those coming out of storage, the researchers found smoke had very little impact on the potatoes that they induced for three hours a day with extreme levels of smoke. There was no weight loss on the smoke-induced versus the control spuds and little impact on storability. The team could not document the losses that the industry was seeing with their experiments.
What they did see was a loss in quality in the smoke potatoes, with a 2-3% decrease in No. 1s, which could affect returns. And if growing for processing, there are incentives for size and disincentives for culls, which could also impact the bottom line.
“Smoke exposure is reducing the quality output of potatoes,” Thornton said at the 65th meeting of the Idaho
Mike Thornton (pictured with wife Kristie) spoke at the meeting and also received one of two 2025 Treasure Valley Onion Hall of Fame awards.
Hatchet onions are on display in Ontario, Ore.
Onions taken from storage can always be seen at the Idaho-Malheur County Onion Growers’ Association trade show.
and Malheur County onion growers’ associations.
And in addressing the bottom line, Thornton said potatoes take longer to mature in smoke years, forcing growers to water and fertilize longer. In addition, more water could lead to more storage decay, further dropping returns.
how Potatoes relate to Onions
The smoke experiments were only done on spuds, but Thornton looked at historical data of smoke levels and onion production. Comparing four bad smoke years to four light smoke years in the Treasure Valley, he found that overall onion production seems to go down in heavy smoke years.
What This Means to Onion Growers’ Bottom Line
In the light smoke year of 2019, the area produced 20.5 million cwt of onions. About 80% of those were jumbo size or larger, totaling about 16.4 million cwt of jumbo onions. Assuming a 3% drop in a heavy smoke year, 77% of onions would be jumbos or larger, totaling 15.8 million cwt. This represents 616,000 fewer sacks of jumbo and larger onions in a heavy smoke year. With numbers like these, Thornton thinks heavy smoke years could have a significant impact on return.
Corey Maag (left) presents a 2025 Treasure Valley Onion Hall of Fame award to Kay Riley.
Ernie Chandler (left) and Ken Laubacher share a laugh at the trade show.
Water Woes in South Texas Impacts on Texas Onion Production
By Sabrina Fisher, Director of Marketing & Communications, Texas International Produce Association
South Texas, renowned for its fertile soils and the Texas 1015 sweet onion, is facing a tough growing season as a water shortage grips the region. This crisis is the result of dwindling rainfall, increased demand, and a critical issue: the lack of water deliveries from Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty.
Understanding the Water Crisis
The 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico mandates that Mexico deliver an average of 350,000 acrefeet of water annually to the Rio Grande system. This water is vital for South Texas agriculture, but inconsistent deliveries in
recent years have exacerbated the water shortage, leaving irrigation districts and farmers struggling to sustain crops.
“The lack of water deliveries from Mexico is having a compounding effect,” said Bret Erickson, executive vice president of business affairs at Little Bear Produce and chairperson of the Texas Vegetable Association (TVA). “We’re already dealing with reduced rainfall, and without these treaty obligations being met, our ability to plan and grow is significantly impacted.”
Impact on Texas Onions
Despite the water shortage, planting acreage for Texas onions has remained consistent this season. However, many growers planted their fields knowing they had access to only one irrigation cycle
and were relying on rainfall to sustain the crops. Unfortunately, with rainfall falling short, growers anticipate lower yields as the lack of water takes its toll during critical growth stages.
“While there will still be Texas onions this year, we expect supplies to be lighter,” said Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA). “Farmers took a calculated risk planting under these conditions, but without sufficient water, yields will inevitably be affected.”
Collaboration for Solutions
TIPA is actively working with state and federal organizations, as well as other key industry players, to address the water shortage. Efforts are focused on
raising awareness about the importance of honoring the 1944 Water Treaty and working toward a resolution that ensures consistent water deliveries from Mexico.
“This is not just an agricultural issue; it’s a matter of economic and environmental sustainability for the entire region,” Galeazzi said. “We’re advocating for stronger partnerships and solutions that secure the future of South Texas agriculture.”
resilience Amid Adversity
Despite the challenges, Texas onion growers are adapting. Many are investing in innovative water-saving technologies like drip irrigation and refining soil management practices to maximize efficiency. Others are collaborating with researchers and policymakers to navigate these difficult times.
Looking Ahead
As TIPA continues to advocate for longterm solutions, the hope is that increased collaboration and policy action will ensure a more sustainable future for Texas agriculture. In the meantime, South Texas growers remain committed to producing the quality onions that consumers know and love, even under tough conditions.
Let’s support our farmers, celebrate the resilience of the Texas onion industry and work together to secure sustainable water solutions for the years to come.
UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES
MEXICO
MEXICO
California (661) 699-0055
Lancaster & San Joaquin Valley (661) 978-5342
Irapuato
+52 (462) 220-0453
Torreón, Coahuila (461) 117-3878
Desert Southwest (928) 446-7737
California, New Mexico (661) 300-9109
Colorado & New Mexico (970) 396-9728
Southern California, Arizona (760) 791-0325
Idaho, East Oregon, Utah & Nevada (208) 941-1421
Colorado (208) 550-7733
Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Utah, Nevada, North Dakota (208) 941-1421 (208) 550-7733
Skagit Valley, Washington (360) 941-7503
Rio Grande Valley & West Texas (956) 618-5574
Washington, Western Oregon (509) 820-9887
Texas (956) 618-5574
Torreon +52 (461) 117-3878
Colima, Col. (461) 104-0134
San Luis Potosi (461) 140-9452
Chihuahua +52 (648) 109-1597
San Luis Potosi
Chihuahua (461) 171-9401
+52 (449) 196-1848
Tamaulipas (461) 134-2421
Tamaulipas +52 (461) 346-1531
Irapuato, Gto. (461) 546-5792
Colima
+52 (461) 104-0134
Should You Be Drone Spraying?
Story by Dave Alexander, Publisher
Photos courtesy Kimm Seed Potatoes
If you’re shopping on Amazon for a new TV, or a new computer or a new-fangled widget you don’t need, chances are good that you read the reviews before smashing the “buy” button. But what if you want to know how well a product works that isn’t intended for mass consumption? Something that doesn’t have 5,000 Amazon reviews.
If you need a new tractor or planter or harvester, you can talk to neighbors and other growers you trust because every farm will have some variation of this equipment. But what about newer technology like drone sprayers? Reading an ad or website will tell you what is does, but if you want to know how drone sprayers actually work in the field, read on.
Speaking at the Montana Seed Potato Seminar in Missoula, Montana, tech enthusiast Willem Kimm gave attendees his real-world experience using an XAG P100 Pro drone sprayer this past season on seed plots at Kimm Seed Potatoes. The lessons he learned from his experience with the drone in potatoes can certainly be used as a guide if you’re thinking about a spray drone for onions or other row crops.
Why Drones?
Father and son, Jason and Willem Kimm’s potato seed plots are five miles away from their main farm, on the edge of Bozeman, Montana. Towing a large spray rig on busy roads was always dicey, and spraying by plane risks exposure to neighboring fields and wasn’t even possible on their smallest plot. Jason used a makeshift sprayer he built from a rogueing cart, but it was difficult to run and inefficient.
Drones have better topographical access, are more costeffective on small plots than large rigs, deliver liquids more accurately with less drift, and can be used for dry fertilizer and even seed. They can also target problem areas, increasing or decreasing application rates on the fly. The capabilities seemed to solve a lot of problems at Kimm Seed, so they made the investment.
Got Time?
The rugged, high altitude-capable XAG drone with an easyto-clean atomizing disk system checked all the boxes for the Kimms when they went shopping, but there are licensing considerations that may cross one off your list.
The FAA requires three different licenses to fly large commercial drones. Part 107 allows for commercial, nonrecreational flight, Part 137 authorizes agriculture spraying, and
Part 137 Exemption allows for drones over 55 pounds, needed for heavy ag drones.
To get all these certifications, you’ll have to pass written exams and a physical exam, understand weather patterns and fronts, know airspace rules and sectional charts, and understand regulations and aeronautical processes. Suffice it to say, you’ll need time to study before you can fly, and it can take months to get licensed.
In the Field
Kimm Seed uses a trailer with a 10 kw generator to charge batteries when spraying. A total of six batteries are used – two on the drone, two on the charger and two ready to swap in.
But before spraying can start, an aerial map needs to be made and the data needs to be processed. Kimm uses a small DJI drone and PIX4D mapping software for this. There is one Kimm plot close to the Bozeman airport, so documentation has to be filed pre-spray every time they fly in that restricted airspace.
The drone actually pilots itself and controls its own flight from the mapping data, but two people are required to operate large agricultural drones efficiently. One person is batching and filling spray tanks, while the other is swapping batteries, and
both people watch the laptop and recalibrate spray rates as needed to ensure what is seen on-screen matches what is seen in the tanks.
The XAG drone holds 13.2 gallons, which is 110 pounds of fluid. Maximum takeoff weight is 255 pounds, and fully loaded, the drone will fly for seven minutes without changing batteries. Spraying at 4 gallons per acre, Kimm has found their drone averages about 30 acres per hour, well below what the manufacturer claims.
real-World results
Though slower than planes or ground rigs, the Kimms have found the ease of access to remote fields, flexibility that the drone provides, and accurate sprays with less drift made their drone a wise purchase. They did have to work through a learning curve, FAA compliance and glitchy software at times, as expected with all new technology.
Perhaps the biggest impediment when employing a drone sprayer is the tech itself. For Willem Kimm, a self-proclaimed tech lover, he adapted to his drone intuitively, but if you are someone who isn’t “techy,” you’ll have more significant challenges getting up and running. He recommends getting training from the manufacturer as he knows of people who have crashed their drones when trying to learn on their own.
“We haven’t crashed ours yet,” Kimm said.
Future or Fad?
Drone spraying has certainly found a spot at Kimm Seed Potatoes, but there are issues to keep an eye on for future use.
A commercial drone ban has been talked about in political circles. Chinese-made DJI, in particular, has been accused of spying and collecting geographic data. Kimm doesn’t see a ban happening, but acknowledged it is a possibility.
Better batteries, swarm spraying, and more controlled and more precise spot spraying are already in the works. Five years from now, technology will be completely different, possibly making a drone bought today obsolete. Technology keeps advancing at a rapid rate, and the possibilities excite and energize young growers.
Kimm envisions a fully autonomous farm one day, operating 24/7. For now, he’ll keep spraying with their drone and the farm may even invest in another one for the coming season. He said he loves their drone, but there are certainly challenges. If he was rating it on Amazon, he would give it four out of five stars.
Willem Kimm uses a drone to spray a seed plot near Bozeman, Mont.
Sort Onions By Size With No Labor Costs
Willem Kimm launches a drone, preparing to spray a seed plot at Kimm Seed Potatoes.
Plant Essential Oils
An Option for Controlling Root-Knot Nematodes Beyond Fumigants
By Peter Feng, Product Division Manager, JH Biotech Inc.
Root-knot nematodes are among the major pests in agricultural production. These nematodes infect the roots of plants, causing root tissue swelling, which hinders nutrient absorption, suppresses crop growth and development, and ultimately leads to reduced yields. Root-knot nematodes are widespread globally, especially prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.
Traditionally, chemical agents such as nematicides, especially fumigants, have been used to control these pests. While fumigants offer excellent soil-clearing effects, they also eliminate beneficial soil microorganisms, and most nematicides can only target nematodes themselves, without killing nematode egg masses. With the push for sustainable agriculture, research has increasingly focused on developing natural, safe and environmentally friendly control
methods, with essential oils showing significant potential in controlling rootknot nematodes.
Effects
Essential oils are volatile substances extracted from leaves, stems, flowers and roots of aromatic plants. These oils have bioactive properties such as antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant effects. Rich in aldehydes, terpenes, phenols and esters, essential oils have natural pest- and disease-fighting abilities. In combating root-knot nematodes, many essential oils have demonstrated the ability to inhibit nematode activity, prevent reproduction and reduce infection rates in plants. Essential oils can control root-knot nematodes through several mechanisms. First, the active components in essential oils can directly affect the nematodes’ nervous system, disrupting their
movement and reproductive ability. Many studies have found that essential oils containing terpene compounds, such as thyme oil, peppermint oil and cinnamon oil, effectively paralyze nematodes, preventing them from infesting plant roots.
Additionally, essential oils have strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which inhibit the growth and reproduction of root-knot nematodes. Essential oils like clove oil and lemongrass oil are rich in phenolic compounds that can destroy nematode cell membranes, leading to their death. Moreover, essential oils can boost plants’ immune systems, promote healthy root growth and increase crop resistance to nematodes.
Product Options
In recent years, numerous studies on essential oils for controlling
have shown varying effects. One study tested 16 different essential oils for their lethal effects on root-knot nematodes and found that wormwood,
were effective in killing half of the nematodes at dilutions higher than 500x. Cinnamon oil proved the most effective, killing over 50% of the nematodes at concentrations as low as 1/10,000 and inhibiting egg mass hatching at concentrations of 1/1000. Since cinnamon oil is a 25(b) exempt material, it is easily available on the market in plant protection products based on cinnamon oil.
In addition, some commercial essential oil products are gradually being applied in agriculture for rootknot nematode control. Neem oil, for example, has broad-spectrum insecticidal and antibacterial properties and has been proven effective against root-knot nematodes. The main active ingredient in neem oil, azadirachtin, inhibits nematode reproduction and prevents egg hatching. Neem oil is currently classified as an EPAregistered pesticide, which makes it more expensive than 25(b) exempt products, complicating its promotion.
The main components of clove oil and cinnamon oil, such as eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, are effective in controlling soil-borne diseases like damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani, wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum, and bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. Therefore, applying plant protection essential oil products based on cinnamon oil can not only reduce the damage caused by root-knot nematodes to crop roots but also lessen the impact of other soil-borne diseases on crops.
Advantages, Challenges
The primary advantage of using essential oils to control root-knot nematodes lies in their natural and environmentally friendly characteristics. Compared to traditional chemical nematicides, essential oils do not pollute the soil, water sources or ecosystems, and they pose relatively low risks to human health. Additionally, essential oils have multiple bioactive properties; beyond controlling nematodes, they promote plant health and reduce reliance on other pesticides and fertilizers. However, there are challenges in using essential oils for nematode control. First, essential oils are volatile, and their residual effect in the soil is relatively short, potentially requiring
frequent applications to maintain effectiveness. Alternatively, applying them in a fumigant-like manner – before planting, covering them with plastic to enhance volatility – could improve efficacy. Additionally, the cost of different essential oils varies significantly, with some highly effective oils being relatively expensive, which presents challenges for large-scale agricultural production. Moreover, the effectiveness of essential oils can be influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity
and soil type, requiring adjustments based on specific conditions in practical applications.
In conclusion, essential oils show significant potential as a natural and environmentally friendly alternative for controlling root-knot nematodes. With advancements in agricultural technology and increasing demand for sustainable agriculture, essential oils are likely to become an essential part of future integrated pest management strategies.
GROWTH ESSENTIALS BUyERS' GUIDE
CaTs
CaTs is a 100 percent water-soluble calcium with a 0-0-10S-6Ca analysis. CaTs applied through the irrigation system can supply much needed calcium and sulfur at critical growth and uptake times. Recent onion trials with CaTs in the Pacific Northwest have shown both increased yields and improved storability.
Free pHOS 24
CultivAce is a West Coast manufacturer and distributor of a comprehensive line of foliar and starter fertilizers. CultivAce offers innovative solutions that drive agricultural crop yields and cultivate profitable outcomes. With a relentless focus on delivering high quality foliar and starter fertilizers, the company is committed to empowering growers with the tools needed to achieve remarkable results. CultivAce is built on two fundamental principles: products must be the highest quality, and they must make the grower money. If a product doesn’t meet these standards, CultivAce doesn’t manufacture it.
CultivAce standout liquid phosphate Free Phos 8-24-0 is field proven in potatoes with supportive trials from various states, exemplifying the company’s dedication to effective agricultural solutions.
Polysulphate
Polysulphate is the only naturally occurring fertilizer delivering four essential nutrients, all in sulfate form: potassium, sulfur, magnesium and calcium. Every granule of Polysulphate contains naturally balanced nutrition for uniform distribution across fields and maximum soil productivity. Low chloride and pH neutral, Polysulphate is extremely safe and ensures onions reach their highest quality and yield potential. Polysulphate is well suited for blending with most standard fertilizers and is fully soluble.
Biomin
Biomin is a line of fully chelated plant nutrients resulting from the chelation of mineral nutrients with amino acids. These chelates protect the nutrient from combining with other elements or losing nutrient value for absorption. JH Biotech’s Biomin chelated line is OMRI, CDFA and WSDA organic certified and compatible with humic and fulvic acid products. Without using harsh chemicals, it provides plants with stable nutrients, balancing mineral deficiencies more quickly than conventional inorganic nutrients. It can be used for soil and foliar applications without compromising environmental quality and safety. Biomin may be applied to all crops and turf. It reduces the effects of saline soils, water deficiency and weather conditions while encouraging increased yield, homogeneous ripening, more flavored and high quality fruit, and greater nutrient absorption.
Nutri-K
Nutri-K liquid potassium is a special formulation of highly soluble potassium, carboxylic acids and carbohydrates. The carboxylic acids and carbohydrates, which are the same complexing agents identified in the formulation of NutriCal, are derived from plant extracts in a patented process. There are no nitrates, chlorides or sulfates. It has a low salt index and is therefore non-corrosive.
The product works when the T.O.G. complexes the elemental potassium ion, which subsequently allows the ion to be absorbed directly and immediately through the leaf and fruit cell walls.
Nutri-K T.O.G / liquid potassium complex provides a unique delivery system, which protects the potassium from forming an insoluble compound, enabling more efficient movement of potassium ion to the fruit/vegetable where it is needed most.
(2) RETIREMENT AUCTIONS FOR MICHAEL BOUWKAMP
AUCTION #1: CEDAR VALLEY PACKING TUES., MARCH 18 | ONLINE ONLY
• ONION PACKING LINE
• POTATO PACKING LINE
• POTATO WASH LINE
• BAGGERS
• BARREL WASHER
• APPLE BOXES
• BOX DUMPER
• PACKING BAGS
• KENWORTH T800
• GREAT DANE REFER TRAILER
• FORKLIFTS
• LARGE INVENTORY OF PAPER & POLY POTATO BAGS
• PLUS MUCH MORE
AUCTION #2: MICHAEL BOUWKAMP FARMS SAT., MARCH 22 | 10 AM (LIVE & ONLINE)
• ONION HARVESTER
• POTATO HARVESTER
• CARROT HARVESTER
• PARSNIP HARVESTER
• BEET HARVESTER
• SPINACH HARVESTER
• JD TRACTORS
• CASE & OLIVER CRAWLER TRACTORS
• PLANTERS
• IRRIGATION, PUMPS, PIPES & TRAVELERS
• PLUS MUCH MORE
FARM LOCATION: GRANT, MI
CONTACT: CHUCK RANNEY (616) 560-0839
BID LIVE ON THE FARM OR ONLINE ONLINE BIDDING ONLY EQUIPMENT LOCATION: 11800 S GORDON ST, GRANT,
GROWTH ESSENTIALS BUyERS' GUIDE
Slyce
Slyce by Omex Agrifluids Inc. is an 8% calcium product that has multiple benefits for soil and plants. Slyce aids in conditioning the soil by breaking free salts, phosphates and other nutrients off soil particles, allowing salts to move out of the root zone or nutrients to be available for plant uptake. By opening tight soils, Slyce promotes better water penetration. This allows growers to reduce ponding, puddling or blowing out beds from over watering. Slyce also reduces crusting of soils, allowing new seedlings to have better emergence.
Another benefit of Slyce is the available calcium for plants to use. The calcium in Slyce is available immediately and does not get tied up in soil. This allows plants to have stronger roots and cell structure during cell development.
Rate is 1-2 quarts/acre every 20-30 days. Apply by overhead, micro, drip or furrow irrigation.
Mainstay Calcium 2.0
Mainstay Calcium 2.0 from Redox Bio-Nutrients is a key asset to achieve premium onion quality come harvest time. It is specifically formulated to provide concentrated plant-available calcium and shortchain soluble carbon compounds for plant nutrition and soil structure. Results include crop firmness, cell wall strength, plant nutrition, soil structure and root growth. redox Bio-Nutrients • redoxgrows.com
CSL+
CSL+ is an innovative organic blend of L-amino acids from a combination of soy protein hydrolysate and corn steep liquor. This cutting-edge formulation provides many benefits from fulvic and other beneficial organic acids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, hormones and sugars.
CSL+ is a highly bioavailable nutrient source with outstanding uptake efficiency, effectively increasing the plant-available N-P-K chemical analysis over other fertilizers that are excellent for any conventional, sustainable or organic program. L-amino acids are nature’s building blocks of proteins and play a vital role in photosynthesis. They also contribute to many plant functions: cell wall strength, fruit quality, pollination, pollen fertility, hormone synthesis, formation of vegetative tissue, chlorophyll synthesis, stomatal regulation, chelation and more.
redox rolls Out rDx-N
RDX-N, a new nitrogen optimization product from Redox Bio-Nutrients, is now available. RDX-N is a stable, botanical extract biostimulant combined with organic carbon compounds designed to stimulate better nitrogen metabolism in plants. The product’s patent-pending combination of biostimulants is said to increase nitrogen optimization, including a 50% efficiency gain in synthetic liquid nitrogen applications, while maintaining crop production and quality. Visit redoxgrows.com.
Nutrien Introduces N-FINITY
Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc. is rolling out N-FINITY this spring. The product is meant to improve nitrogen use efficiency by enhancing the soil’s ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, recruiting nitrogen-fixing bacteria into the root zone and facilitating the liberation of nitrogen from soil organic pools. N-FINITY combines three modes of action and leverages biological technology to optimize nitrogen availability for improved plant health and crop yields, according to the company. Visit lovelandproducts.com/n-finity.
Protect Your Sodium Sensitive Crops
T-L Irrigation Co. Celebrates 70 Years
T-L Irrigation Co. has reached its platinum anniversary, marking 70 years in business. Starting as a supplier of irrigation equipment, the company took its first step into manufacturing in 1961 with the purchase of an aluminum pipe tube mill to make pipe for gravity irrigation. T-L Irrigation’s first hydrostatic drive-powered pivot came along in 1969, and the technology remains the cornerstone of the T-L product lineup.
A Nebraska-based family-owned business, T-L Irrigation Co. distributes center pivots, irrigation systems, agriculture equipment, and water management products throughout the U.S. and to 87 countries.
Crookham Company Collects Certifications
Crookham Company is now USDA accredited for its seed lab and seed sampling programs and Canadian certified for seed testing and seed grading.
USDA certification indicates that the lab and sampling program follow rigorous procedures and protocols to assure accurate and reliable results. Of the more than 200 labs in the U.S. that test agricultural seeds, 9% are accredited by the USDA’s Seed Laboratory Program.
The Canadian certification makes Crookham one of 14 seed testing labs in the U.S. certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and one of 26 in the U.S. to earn the grading certification.
Sakata Seed America Transitions to New Leadership
Sakata Seed America Inc. has announced an executive leadership transition to take effect April 1.
After 15 years as president and chief executive officer of Sakata Seed America, Dave Armstrong will step into the role of executive chairman.
Eduardo Flores will assume the position of president and CEO. Flores joined Sakata Seed America in 2021 as chief operating officer, bringing more than 20 years of experience in leading regional businesses, commercial activities, supply chain management and strategy development for global breeding companies.
In addition, John Nelson will move from executive vice president to executive advisor until his planned retirement next January. Hiroyuki Hashimoto will step into the role of vice president.
July 9-12
NOA Summer Convention
Holiday Inn Richland on the River Richland, Wash. www.onions-usa.org
Nov. 30 - Dec. 5
NOA Annual Convention
Royal Sonesta Hotel Kaua'i, Hawaii www.onions-usa.org
Editor’s note: To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller at editor@columbiamediagroup.com. Please send your information 90 days in advance.
New short day yellow granex introduction: Strong upright tops with great plant habit. High yielding deeper granex shape, strong root system, and firm bulbs. Pink root and bolting resistance.
“Vidalia Approved Variety ”
bejoseeds.com Exploring nature never stops
RED SENSATION
Early maturing grano red. Strong healthy tops. Pink root resistance. Excellent bulb firmness and color. Uniform round bulbs. Good internal color. Widely adapted across short day growing regions. High percentage single centers.
SWEET TULE (BEJO 369)
Early main season maturing yellow granex variety. Healthy and strong, with upright tops. Petite neck size for rapid field curing. Excellent bulb firmness with attractive appearance and great flavor!
“Vidalia Approved Variety ”
MARAGOGI
Early main season short day yellow onion. Attractive lighter colored skin. Uniform flat round to globe shape. Healthy with disease resistant tops. High percentage single centers.
“Vidalia Approved Variety ”
TANIA
Seller Beware!
By John Harris, Owner and Founder, Paradigm Fresh
Fraud in our industry has existed for years, not only in the onion business but also in the produce business. If we haven’t been directly affected by a trucking issue, we probably know someone who has. It usually goes by way of a shipper/broker paying for freight through a freight brokerage. The freight broker fails to pay the trucking line that hauled the produce, and then a collection agency knocks on your door to collect the freight that you already paid. This fraud is more about the trucking industry
having some bad players than it is directly correlated to the produce industry itself. However, it has affected many of us at one point or another.
Now there’s another scheme out there that has become quite prevalent and is extremely shady when peeling back the layers of how it is being played out. Unfortunately, I’m speaking from firsthand
produce/onion industry folks.
This buyer will offer to purchase a load of onions for a price point that is reasonable with the current market; they won’t overpay, which also helps build their credibility, especially when looking them up in the Produce Blue Book while on the phone with them. After a back and forth and perhaps a quick sale on an item
"People are getting tripped up and caught up in these schemes because the person calling is knowledgeable and educated on the onion business and the market."
experience and I know several others in the business that have been caught up in the situation I’m about to explain. Not only was I caught up in this fraudulent scheme, but I have seen the same scheme happening throughout the country.
Here is the scam. A fraudster will call or email you looking for onions. They will be representing a well-rated company found in the Produce Blue Book. Their email signature will be that of the company they are fraudulently representing. The phone numbers in their email signature will closely match the listing of the actual company, at least the area code. Their email address will also, at first glance, match up with the company they say they represent. Everything at first glance will check out.
People are getting tripped up and caught up in these schemes because the person calling is knowledgeable and educated on the onion business and the market. These people have a produce background, have become criminals out of greed, and have found a loophole in the system when industry salespeople sell off the cuff without proper vetting. They get immediate validation after a few minutes on the phone because they are real
that usually needs to move, this customer will send in a truck, and the load is sold FOB. These fraudsters send confirmations and purchase order numbers and have passings and invoices sent directly to them once the load has shipped.
Once the load has been picked up on the trucks that they are also defrauding and have no intention of paying, they will have the load sent to a completely different destination, unloaded and sold for cash, on the street, or whatever method they can use to collect. Since this fraudster has no intention of ever paying for the onions or the freight, they can sell for dollars under the market, and by the time you figure out what happened, the emails and phone numbers you had for this person have been shut down. It’s not rare for this fraudster to purchase multiple loads over multiple weeks from the same vendor, especially as a relationship begins to form and some trust and rapport are built.
Once it’s time to collect and you call the company you believe the onions were sold to, you’ll find out they have absolutely no idea who you are and no record of ever buying or receiving the onions that were picked up. You can’t file a Perishable
Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) claim against the company indicated as the original buyer, as they had nothing to do with the transaction. One would think you could get ahold of the truck line and obtain a delivery address or a signed copy of the bill of lading (BOL) from unloading. But the deliveries are made in inconspicuous places, and the BOL may only provide a received name scribbled and illegible, if it is even signed at all.
There has been enough fraud to warrant the PACAs starting to have special investigators handle these cases. There are many ways to prevent this from happening in the first place. A good place to start is to notice that the fraudster’s email won’t directly match that of the emails in the Produce Blue Book listing of the company they are representing. The phone numbers in their email signature are also close but don’t match, although if you call the office phone line from the email signature, there will be staff that answer and verify the information. It is fraudulent, and it’s quite a scheme. So instead, verify through the phone numbers and emails listed in the Produce Blue Book before proceeding. Everyone in the industry has their process, which should be followed while being on the lookout for this scam as it has been ramping up over the years. It’s elaborate and costing the industry thousands, possibly millions, of dollars.
I wish all the people involved were caught and thrown in jail. It would be great to be able to collect at some point, but I am certainly not holding my breath. Be prudent in your vetting of new customers so you don’t fall victim to one of these fraudulent scams. These folks are criminals and good at what they do.
