MOSES LAKE The onion varietal trial in a field near Moses Lake is nearing harvest, but even once it’s in storage it’s still a work in progress. Like all farming, raising onions is a continual process of adjustment, which was highlighted during Onion Field Day Thursday.
Co-organizer Carrie Wohleb, WSU Grant-Adams County Extension, said scientists planted 52 different varieties of onions. Brian Haddon, one of the many industry professionals in attendance, said farmers and industry experts were examining the onions for quality as they came from the field.
Crookham Company showcases onion storage varieties
The people at Crookham Company in Caldwell, Idaho, recently shared a video production featuring onion breeder Dave Whitwood and onion salesman Lyndon Johnson.
Lyndon wrote: “In late December Dave Whitwood and I were checking up on the Crookham storage of the 2020 reveal trial that was grown on the Crookham farm in Wilder, ID. The following comments and accompanying videos are some of the highlights from the day.”
On the Trident variety, the duo stated: “This variety was originally brought out as an onion for the Midwest and the Northeastern U.S. markets. With its early main season maturity and trim neck, durable scales, and ability for long term storage, it is a great fit for these two markets. Over the last couple of years, it has shown more adaptability in its use as a foodservice and processing onion in the West and Northwest with 97 percent single centers. It boasts a consistent size range, with 87 percent sizing between