The Vidalia sweet onion, declared the official state vegetable in 1990, is perhaps the greatest agricultural success story in Georgia's history. By the 2000's about 12,000 acres were planted annually, with an average annual farmgate value of $150 million. UGA Extension continues to provide growers a variety of information to help have the best output with the least amount of labor possible.
Our Programs and Services
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Lab Testing and Analysis Services Testing for soil, plant tissue, water quality, animal waste, feeds and forages, pesticides, and much more!
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On-Site and Telephone Consultation Available in many county offices for ag producers.
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Pesticide Safety Education Program Topics include pest identification, storage and disposal, pesticide drift and runoff prevention, water quality protection, and food safety.
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Production Meetings Updates on local issues for growers and producers.
Recent Publications
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2022 Vidalia Onion Extension and Research Report (AP 114-3) This is an annual report highlighting research conducted during 2021 and 2022 for Vidalia onions. Research topics include: variety trials, irrigation and fertilizer strategies, sulfur content in soils…
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Fall Vegetable Gardening (C 1258) This publication covers fall vegetable production including planting dates, spacing, general culture of cool-season vegetables planted in Georgia in the fall. Many people consider the end of summer to…
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2020 Vidalia Onion Extension and Research Report (AP 114-2) This annual publication includes a report of 2019-20 onion research variety trials and Extension activity at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The report co…
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Bacterial Diseases of Onions in Georgia (B 1534) Bacterial diseases are among the major production and economic challenges that onion growers face in Georgia. There are six bacterial diseases that commonly affect onion foliage and bulbs in the state…
Websites
UGA-affiliated sites
Vidalia Onions at UGA Crop history, events calendar, newsletter, researcher contacts and links to websites and publications.
Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center Describes center featuring research plots primarily for onions but also for other fruits and vegetables.
Sustainable Agriculture at UGA Brings together information on sustainable agriculture including organic agriculture, pollinators, and other resources.
Impact Statements: Onions Descriptions of Extension efforts to improve knowledge and practices related to onions.
UGA Department of Horticulture Learn more about the horticulture department at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
UGA Department of Plant Pathology Learn more about the plant pathology department at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Commodity Teams at CAES Teams made up of research scientists and extension specialists work together to provide the latest technology and information for efficient, profitable production of some of Georgia's most valuable commodities.
External sites
Vidalia Onion Committee Brief facts on onion production and industry. Recipes, nutritional information, links and sections targeted to growers and kids.
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Improving Organic Onions A team of researchers from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is partnering with colleagues from Texas A&M University to find more effective production practices for organic onion growers in the South.
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New Bacteria Species Similar to a known pathogen, the new species causes disease in onion seedlings.
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Freezing Onions UGA Extension food safety pro gives tips on how to store onions.
| Top Onion Producers | |
|---|---|
| County Name | Value |
| Tattnall | $66,257,514 |
| Toombs | 55,296,000 |
| Evans | 21,186,000 |
| Candler | 8,870,400 |
| Bulloch | 8,472,600 |
| Wayne | 6,585,600 |
| Montgomery | 4,040,400 |
| Emanuel | 2,916,000 |
| Telfair | 189,000 |
| Union | 48,600 |
| State Total: | $173,945,307 |
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Displaying farm gate values for 2022. Values are tallied in October for the previous year. |
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