Cutworm and thrips – common onion pests
The infamous cutworm occurs in all vegetable crops, including onions, yet still seems to catch farmers by surprise.
Are market agents relevant?
Those who believe that market agents are no longer relevant remind us that more than 50 years ago, when supermarkets started buying directly from farmers, markets and market agents did nothing about it.
Marketing options for small-scale onion growers
For the small-scale onion grower, it pays to stay in production as long as possible in order to satisfy a local rural market.
Excelling at customer services
Four years ago, the Imasa introduced an award for a market, market agency or fresh produce-related business that had excelled in customer services.
How to correctly fertilise onions
Fertilising vegetables is not like baking a cake, where we get a consistent result as long as we follow the recipe. With vegetables, we have to deal with different soils and take into account the elements already in the soil.
Quality skills at the markets
In days gone by, it was common practice for a youngster to work alongside his father or uncle in a market agency and learn the trade in that way.
Is ‘ugly produce’ a new trend?
‘Ugly produce’, it seems, is finding its way onto retail shelves around the world.
The cavity seedling option
An alternative to the traditional seedbed method for transplants is to use seedling trays. One advantage of this is that you can place the trays in a warmer environment if you farm in a very cold area.
Value vs price
To many farmers and market agents, price is all that matters. Of course price is important, but these days there’s a lot more to the equation.
Understanding plant breeders rights
I’ve met a few senior people in the fresh-produce sector who don’t know what plant breeders’ rights (PBRs) are.
Enabling good value between farmer and agent
At a recent conference, Tommie van Zyl, CEO of the ZZ2 group, talked about the agency system being a good ‘enabler’, and his remarks got me thinking.
Choose the right onion variety
Choosing the right type of onion can be difficult, as the variety has to suit both the area and the planting seasons.
Fresh produce markets and politics
Regular readers of this column will know that I am strongly opposed to political interference in markets.
Planting dates for onions
One of the challenges of growing onions is getting the planting date right. Farmers unfamiliar with this crop would expect to plant it earlier in cool areas and later in warm areas. In fact, the opposite is true.
Continuity of supply to the markets
One of the basic tenets of good marketing is to always ensure you have your product available and in front of the buyer’s eyes. Admittedly, that’s easier said than done, especially for a farmer.
Durban market introduces first ‘cash deposit device’
Congratulations to Durban market for introducing the ‘cash deposit device’. The first of its kind in a South African market, this enables buyers to deposit cash directly into their accounts at the market at any time.
Learning about onion production
Records show that people have been harvesting onions for about 7 000 years. The Egyptians were cultivating them around 3500BC, and used onions to treat many medical conditions.
Dealing with a market agent
Warren Buffet, one of the world’s richest men, is reputed to have said: “Look for three things in a person – intelligence, energy and integrity. If they don’t have the last one, don’t even bother with the first two.”
Beware those aphids in your cabbage crop
The recent announcement that aphids and not leaf hoppers are the vector for the spread of the brassica stunting disorder virus (BSD) makes sense.
Quality always wins
As noted last issue, the old control boards called the shots when it came to determining prices, because they also determined supply.
