Crookham Co. is hosting its 2021 Summer Onion Show on Tuesday, Aug. 24, in Wilder, ID, with two hybrids being spotlighted.
The event starts at 9 a.m., and in its industry invitation, the company said it is introducing the two new hybrids and also touting a new harvester.
“The new harvester will assist us in the efficiency of harvest and help keep costs in check, as our goal is to keep pricing in check for our customers,” the release said. “As we are the only U.S.-based and all-U.S. produced seed supplier in the industry, we are proud of our innovation and the company’s dedication to efficiency. The harvester has enabled us to stay timely and ensure a quality crop that will have an impact for the growers that depend upon our locally grown intermediate and long day Crookham varieties.”
It continued, “After years of Crookham’s rigorous research and development metrics, and then several years of grower testing, we have a consensus to move Epic (115-118) and Defender (118-120) into our commercial line up.”
The Epic is a 115-118 day yellow onion “for all irrigation methods but especially overhead.” It was described as “very highly single centered” with a strong root system “that is resistant to both Pink Root and Fusarium.” The Epic has a trim neck with upright foliage, and the finished bulb “has a rich bronze-colored scale that is appealing for retail use,” the release said. The Epic can store long-term, six to eight months, and will be available exclusively through Gowan Seed Co.
The Defender is a 118-120 day yellow and described as a “versatile onion for use into any end market. It is vigorous and very highly single-centered. It has a great disease package with high resistance to Pink Root and Fusarium. Large size jumbo to colossal bulbs that have a rich dark color.” The Defender also has very long-term storage capability for six to eight months.
Trident, Caldwell, and Caliber varieties were introduced a few years ago, “and these hybrids have expanded rapidly in the market and will also be on display at the trial,” the release continued.
“Trident has wide adaptability in the West and in the Midwest and Eastern growing regions of the US. It’s known for its trim neck, strong roots and sizing potential. After the wind events in March and April in Easter Idaho and Western Oregon, Trident was used as a successful replant.”
The Caldwell “is a vigorous and sturdy variety that is easy to grow and it stalwart in many growing conditions. It is an efficient bulb that can be used in any market. Storage is good into late March and ringing efficiency is very high.” And the Caliber “is a Celebrate brand and our late-season variety. Its glossy foliage and strong vigor in both the root and the top give this variety a real advantage over the competitors. Its long-term storage also lends well to the versatility growers need in their programs.”
A long-term storage report is available in the grower handout from the February Idaho and Malheur County grower association virtual meeting.
Crookham Company extended its thanks to the growers who rely upon our Crookham products, both onions and sweet corn.
It also publicly thanked its dealer partners, Gowan, Seedway and TS&L, for “their continued dedication to our products,” and it extended thanks to its seed growers in “the Treasure Valley and beyond.” For more information, visit https://www.crookham.com/blog/onion-show-2021-news.
