Working On Pears

Working On Pears. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

As a pear grower you know what kinds of problems you have with pests. But what about the rest of the industry here in the northwest? Katie Murray, Research Assistant with Oregon State University has spent the last several years authoring pest management strategic plans.

MURRAY: The end product is a document that can serve as sort of a roadmap for the industry, in this case the pear industry to help them figure out how to focus their time and energy and resources. The main part of the document highlights the critical needs that that the growers have stated throughout the documents for the major pests that they are dealing with.

They are holding several Pest Management Strategic Plan or PMSP meetings.

MURRAY: The meetings that we’re having are regional meetings to meet with as many growers as we can from the pear industry to learn about their pest challenges. At the meetings we’re asking two main questions or two main themes; what are their major pests that they’re dealing with. I’m sure there is overlap there between the growers in these five regions, and what are their critical needs related to each pest.

She says all the information will be compiled into a final document. Meetings have already been held in two Oregon locations. Meetings are coming up in Omak, Wenatchee and Yakima. Visit our website for contact information.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.

For more information contact: Katie Murray murramar@science.oregonstate.edu