Onions in the Netherlands: From very good to very bad

Every year there is bisexuality and problems with the emergence of onions. However, the situation this spring is extremely exceptional, insiders indicate. The difference per region is also quite different. Many respondents say that irrigation once again makes a difference. In water-dependent areas, the motto has now become that growing onions can only be achieved with irrigation. Otherwise the risk of the investment is too great.

The above graph of the ongoing precipitation deficit clearly shows that spring 2020 will be drier than previous years. Particularly in 2018, there was considerable rainfall during the spring months, which, together with the drought that followed, caused significant yield losses. Below we go through the different cultivation areas and how the crops are assessed by experts.

North and northeast: Blowing on light soil
With a strong and poor northeasterly wind, onion growers in the northeast have to deal with possible drift damage for the second time. This danger is especially relevant in the Peat Colonies. That is why a dusting of liquid manure or paper cellulose is applied as standard. “This has not been sufficient everywhere, especially where irrigation has taken place before emergence,” says Agrifirm cultivation advisor Fokko Prins. “Some plots should have been treated again afterwards, but due to the high additional costs, this is not done quickly.”

Prins is averagely satisfied with the onions in his working area (Groningen). On average, two-growth is not too bad and is especially a problem on clay soil in Oldambt, where most emergence problems can be observed. Prins: “Biasiness does not come at the expense of quality here, but it does make weed control more difficult.” The acreage is still growing, he estimates, with both new and existing growers.

Eastern Netherlands: No irrigation
Delphy advisor Bert Huizinga now has quite a few onions in his work area around Assen. “The area has increased again – also with second-year onion sets – but not dramatically,” he says. “On this soil, irrigation before emergence is not necessary. It is dug and sown directly in moist soil. However, irrigation has been used to ensure that the herbicides work properly. The weeds are growing very fast at the moment, especially mellow. It is better not to hoe here (with a view to dusting). Row spraying is an option, especially against potato storage.” Huizinga is on average satisfied with the stand, “although there are always plots with problems.” For example, because it has been heavily sprayed. On sand heads, drifting is the biggest problem. “Most crops now have their first real pipe.”

South Netherlands: Turnout worrying
'Worrying' is how Emile Steins describes the rise of onions in South Limburg. Steins Crop Care is active in onion cultivation for crop protection and seed throughout the province. “On the sandy soils in North Limburg and towards Belgium, the onions are doing well after a good emergence,” he knows. “The loess soil was sown at the end of March and the onions have now been in the ground for 6 weeks. Half of the plots have their second pipe, but the other half is in a terribly poor condition. Especially on high heads in the plots, where the organic matter content is lower. The difference in structure is enormous and determines the turnout. We have had up to 50 millimeters of rain here, which has caused the ground to compact in places. The onions are against the crust here, which requires rolling or watering.”

Steins does not see a further expansion of cultivation in the north happening immediately this year. In the south the area has decreased rather. “Growers are forced to irrigate, where they are normally not used to it. We irrigate with tap water and the capacity is limited.” He also mentions the disappearance of the IC seed coating and the disappearance of Chlorine IPC (in 2021) as reasons for this choice. “The risk is enormous and the reward is small. Revenues have been disappointing over the past two years. Even now the mood is very negative.”

Southwest: Pessimistic scenario on non-irrigated land
Things are not much better in the southwestern working area of ​​André Boot (seed supplier Hazera). Especially in Zeeland, in places where irrigation is not possible. “A number of growers have now returned the seed, they did not want to sow it in a gravel box,” Boot says. “With wind force 5, poor weather and 12 degrees, the onions are longing for water. This also applies to onion sets, which are in good condition on average. The duality is not too bad. Growers are happy that the onions are there and they need every plant again this year. Where irrigation could take place, it was done. The position there is also good.”

He expects the onion acreage in Zeeland to shrink again. “Growers sow grain. That yields little, but the risk is much smaller.” Boot does not want to portray a completely negative scenario, it is much too early for that. “The past 2 years we had a wet spring and dry summer. Is it the other way around this year? Nature can recover enormously. The summer months should do it. If the plants are there, they will be fine with a regular shower.”

Flevoland: From very good to very bad
There is also enormous heterogeneity in turnout in the province of Flevoland, notes Kees Claassen of Heyboer. “The Noordoostpolder undoubtedly has the best plots, on lighter soil. This year the sowing was done on time, where normally the NOP is always up to 2 weeks later than the Flevopolder. On the heavy soil in Eastern, and especially Southern Flevoland, it is simply disappointing. Irrigation before preparing the land and after sowing have done well. These plots are in good condition, despite the late sowing date. I am also satisfied with the very early plots. The 'middle part' is difficult. Ambiguity is sometimes a problem”

A lot of hail fell around Dronten a week ago, causing plots to thin out considerably. Overseeding was usually not necessary. In Flevoland there has been overseeding, for example due to drift damage. “It is difficult to apply a drift cover in this polder,” says Claassen. “Logistically it is difficult and liquid manure is not allowed here.”

Consequences for MH spraying
As national sales manager at De Groot en Slot, Jaap Jonker has more of a helicopter view. Double and even triple waxing is more common this year than usual, he knows after consultation with colleagues from the field. “We go so far as to say that this must be taken into account with MH spraying. Do you want to spray these plots? Impeachment before January 1 can be wise.” Plots with primed seed and irrigated areas, especially on light soil, often look good. The second pipe is there, Jonker knows. “On the same plot you also come across sprouting onions, or those flags. You see that everywhere, in all areas.” He also mentions the NOP as an area where onions are doing well on average.

De Groot en Slot also has growers in Zeeland who ultimately did not sow due to the circumstances. “In Zeeland Flanders, sowing was only done in mid-April and some had to wait for rain. Scattered rainfall of 25 millimeters meant that these plots are now in good condition. Hail damage occurs not only around Dronten, but also in Zeeland and South Holland, although overseeding is usually not necessary.” In North Holland, where growers have also had difficult years, noticeably more onion sets are being grown this year. These were planted later than average, but are in average good condition.