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where his son, Fay, eventually followed in his footsteps. Today, there are three generations of the family that continue to farm: Dick Corn, Fay’s son; Bruce Corn, Dick’s son; and Dan Corn, Bruce’s son. All three farm independently and grow onions and other crops. Dick and Dan both have approximate 650 acres under production, while Bruce farms approximately 700 acres. The Corns grow multiple crops, but despite the ups and downs of the onion industry, recognize that over the long haul, onions have been good to them. Bruce had 80 acres of onions this year, Dan, 70, and Dick, 60 acres. Most of the ups and downs in the marketplace, at least for the Treasure Valley, are not due to more acres being planted each year, Bruce insists. The real problem is widespread yield variability. “Over the past five years in Malheur County, I doubt that the number of acres has varied more than 1,000 to 2,000 acres,” Bruce notes. “But the yields have swung from as low as 400 cwt per acre up to 900 and even 1,000 cwt. So, you can see what that does to a market. The Columbia Basin is in a similar situation. Production there is very similar to the Treasure Valley, and between the two areas, we largely determine the outcome of the winter storage market. Mother Nature Rules “How can you plan for swings like that?” he asks. “You work just as hard each year. The 2006 crop was very poor in terms of yield, but for those with open onions brought record prices. On the other hand, the 2007 crop produced unheard of yields and ended up an absolute disaster. When it comes down to it, there isn’t much you can do to control Mother Nature.” Based on their experience with the 2007 onion crop, when the bottom literally dropped out of the market, all three cut their onion acreage slightly and this year grew more corn and wheat. Dating back to the family’s first involvement in agriculture, sugar beets have also been a family tradition. Unfortunately, the margins on sugar beets today are also very thin. Over the past couple of years, at least, the returns on corn and wheat have proven more rewarding. “We’re still hanging in there with our beets, and I mean literally hanging on with 10 Onion World our finger nails,” Bruce grimaces. “Beet returns have not been good. While all of our input costs—fuel, fertilizer, equipment, etc.—are going through the roof, we have a ‘sharing’ type contract, and the price of sugar has not gone up that much.” First Crop of Onions Bruce grew his first crop of onions in 1977 and was the first in the family to do so. “Paul Skeen, a good friend and long-time onion grower, helped me get started with a few acres,” Bruce remembers. “Dad (Dick Corn) grew his first onions in the early 1980s and Dan in 2005 on ground he had rented from a neighbor. Three years later, he ended up purchasing the place.” Dan is especially grateful to Dirk DeBoer, a well-know farmer in the area, who, in addition to being a good friend, helped him through the learning curve and also introduced him to growing shallots. Technically, DeBoer is retired from full-time farming but continues to be very active in other ventures, including advising with Dan on the shallots. He also has introduced him to the benefits of using drip irrigation. All 45 acres of the shallots are under drip. “Shallots are touchier to grow than onions,” Dan admits. “Disease resistance isn’t as good and there is very little room for mistakes. Learning how to grow a quality crop has been “pretty steep.” “This is my second year of working with Dirk on shallots. Both years, we’ve made a few changes in our production practices, attempting to be more productive. This year we went to using intense beds with drip irrigation. Next year, more changes are in the works.” The shallots are contracted with DeBoer Farms, Dirk’s business. Dan handles the production side, while Dirk markets the crop. Most of the shallots are shipped to California and then on to other markets. Interesting Year On the onion side of the business, it has been an interesting year, according to Bruce and Dan. After a delayed start in the spring, the summer season went well. “Overall, the year was good,” Dan says. “Our hybrids are average or a little bit above. Maturity has been a big problem. A late September rain storm came through two weeks after the crop was lifted and nearly ready for storage. Days later, more rain fell, slowing down the harvest and leaving us biting our finger nails.” In early October, the Corns were racing against the clock, worrying over whether they could finish the harvest before the first deep frost hit. Also in the back of their minds was concern over adequate curing time, important in avoiding Botrytis neck rot in storage. The Top Air Topper Loader used to harvest the crop seems to help with the drying down process, Bruce says. Since moving in that direction, storability of the crop has improved. There appears to be less damage to the onions and, hence, reduced opportunity for pathogens to penetrate the bulbs. “Our onions have good skins,” Bruce says. “We have more mediums than normal. There is not much oversize. Most of our crop are jumbos, 3 ½ inches in size.” With this year’s acreage down and the growing season slightly shorter than normal, the family is hopeful of a more profitable year. Most of their onions are contracted to various packing sheds. The Corns do business with a handful or so of different facilities, depending upon needs at the time. Cautiously Optimistic “There were a few here that were fortunate and did really well in 2006, when open market onions were in short supply,” Dan says. “However, Dad and I both feel that 2008 is shaping up to be more like 2005, when there was an average crop. We had a decent, but not fantastic, market that year, and we would like to see something similar happen again this year.” On the production side of their business, the Corns have concerns about Iris Yellow Spot Virus and the damage it can cause, but did not experience any significant damage to their onions this year. “We were fortunate to have excellent thrips control,” says Bruce, “but you can never be sure that by following the same cultural practices next year you will see the same outcome. There are new chemicals coming out that may help, but all of us have to be constantly vigilant. Once you feel you have things figured out, just wait until next year. Something new will come back to bite you.” The number one weed problem is yellow nutsedge, which is rearing its ugly presence almost everywhere.
“Whether dealing with weeds or disease control, maintaining healthy plants is extremely important,” Dan emphasizes. “Adequate rotation and drip irrigation seem to help. Generally speaking, we are using a 7-8-year rotational plan for our onions, and that is working well. Drip irrigation also is helping us grow more uniform onions even on ground that is traditionally difficult to rill irrigate.” The Corns are highly complementary of both the Idaho and Oregon’s Extension programs and the knowledgeable researchers who help them work through disease, weed and other production challenges. “Lynn Jensen, Mike Thornton and Joe Felix are just a few of those whose services are invaluable to the Treasure Valley onion industry,” Bruce points out. “We hold them all in tremendous respect.” Both Bruce and Dan take an active part in the local community. Bruce serves on the Owyhee Irrigation District and Nyssa Co-op boards while Dan serves on the Malheur County Onion Growers Association Board. Calendar of Events Nov. 19-20 Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Annual Conference and Trade Show, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash. Contact: Sheri Nolan, PNVA office, (509) 585-5460 or snolan@ agmgt.com. Dec. 3-6 National Onion Association Annual Convention, Marco Island, Fla. Contact: NOA, (970) 353-5895 or www.onionsusa. org. Dec. 9-11 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo, DeVos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, Mich. Contact: www.glexpo.com. Dec. 11-13 National Alliums Research Conference, Savannah, Ga. Contact: George . Bin Tippers . Complete Onion Lines . Dry Hoppers & Bunkers . Bin Fillers . Waste Removal . Conveying and Inspection Boyhan, University of Georgia-Athens, (912) 681-5639, gboyhan@uga.edu. 2009 Feb. 4-6 Fruit Logistica 2009, International Trade Fair for Fruit and Vegeetable Marketing, Berlin, Germany. Contact: www.fruitlogistica.com Feb. 10-12 2009 Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo and Becker Forum, Holiday Inn Liverpool and Oncenter Convention Center, Syracuse, N.Y. Contact: Jeff and Lindy Kubecka, New York State Vegetable Growers Association, (315) 687-5734 or nysvga@twcny.rr.com. Editor’s Note. To have your event listed, please send your information to: Editor, Onion World, 413-B North 20 th Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902; e-mail: dbrent@columbiapublications. com.Please submit your material 90 days in advance. . Onion Toppers . Sizing Contact the experts sales@wymaengineering.com TOLL FREE 1-888-554-6110 www.wymaengineering.com Onion World • November 2008 11
Page 1: ONION WORLD 8405 Ahtanum Road, Yaki
Page 4: Table of Contents November 2008 6 L
Page 7 and 8: not to get caught up in making excu
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Page 13 and 14: The message is clear. Early maturin
Page 15 and 16: will, he says. Acreage reductions,
Page 17 and 18: Trade Talk NOA Annual Convention to
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Page 23 and 24: ontinues xports about 6 million kil
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Page 27 and 28: Top Air Inc. 10 East Grove Avenue,
Page 29 and 30: PINCH ROLLS Lee Shuknecht & Sons 44
Page 32: 32 Onion World Summer Onion Harvest

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