Top: Crops: Onion: Cull Onion Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF AG REMINDS THE ONION INDUSTRY OF THE CULL ONION DISPOSAL FOR ONION MAGGOT CONTROL

BOISE, Idaho --- We are expecting it to be a big year for cull onions. The market was depressed to the point that many fields were never harvested are there are a lot of onions still in farm and commercial storage. March 15th is the deadline for disposal of cull onion piles in Ada, Canyon, Gem, Payette, Owyhee and Washington Counties, according to rules of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).  Mike Cooper, Chief, Bureau of Feeds and Plant Services, Division of Plant Industries, ISDA said  the potential for damage to Idaho's onion crop is the basis for the regulations." The larval stage of the onion maggot attacks and destroys portions of the onion bulb providing an avenue for fungi and bacteria to cause bulbs to rot during storage.  With consecutive years of wet springs, the insect has been known to destroy 80% to 90% of the crop.  We frequently find the onion maggot in cull onion piles."

According to state rules, cull onions – those not useable for human consumption or deemed waste - must be disposed of by March 15th of each year or within one week of sorting after March 15th. Trucks transporting onions should be covered to prevent spillage along roadsides.  Such spilled onions create good breeding sites for the onion maggot.

A civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation has been in effect since 2000.  There are also new disposal methods such as dumping, feeding, composting, spreading, chopping and shredding.  The University of Idaho “Best Management Practices” for the dumping or pit disposal of culls is referenced in the rules and is available through the University of Idaho Extension Service.

The onion maggot adult flies emerge in April and May and are attracted to the volatile odors given off by sprouting onions and new seedlings.  The onion maggot can destroy up t two dozen seedlings during its two week life span, so damage to a field can be substantial.  If not properly disposed of, culls serve as breeding and egg-laying sites for the adult flies.

A copy of the cull onion disposal rules, as well as other ISDA rules, can be obtained from the State of Idaho Homepage at:

http://www.state.id.us/adm/adminrules/rules/idapa02/02index.htm. 

Double click on the cull onion disposal rules numerical designation of 02.06.17 and download it to your computer.  You will need a copy of Acrobat 3.0 or better to read it.  See the instructions at the top of that Web page to obtain a free copy of Acrobat.

Cooper said the regulations have been in effect for several years and the program is working well.  "We have received excellent cooperation from the onion industry.  Let us continue to work together to protect Idaho’s onion industry.