By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
September 17, 2007

Pear harvest has entered its busiest time as orchardists at both ends of the Hood River Valley are now bringing in their winter variety crops.

So far, yields overall are looking better in the upper versus the lower valley. Despite some less-than-expected yields, the overall county harvest should increase over last year.

“Our anticipation is: As a whole, it will be at least as good as last year, if not larger,” said Bruce Kiyokawa, a field man for Diamond Fruit. “Dee, Willow Flat and Parkdale all had really good sets this year.”

A set is when the fruit forms a bud from blossom following pollination during the spring. Kiyokawa said the larger yields in the upper valley directly relate to the excellent weather during bloom time.

The Hood River Valley should make a strong showing in relation to the overall forecast for Oregon’s pear harvest. Besides Hood River, Medford is the other major pear growing region in the state.

The Aug. 27 Oregon Agri-Facts release summarized that all pears in Oregon are estimated at a harvest of 202,000 tons, down 6 percent from 2006. Nationally, all pear production is estimated to be up 4 percent.

Pine Grove orchardist Chuck Thomsen, whose operation is in the lower valley, said a poor set is the reason why his harvest has come in at half of last year’s crop.

“The cold spell in April; we just had poor pollination during bloom,” he said. “My Bartletts came in at normal levels but my winter pears were 50 to 60 percent down from last year.”

Kiyokawa and Craig Mallon travel among numerous orchards in their field man responsibilities for Diamond Fruit. Each handles 20 to 30 growers, some of whom have multiple orchards. Mallon said from what he has seen on his rounds, the lower valley has definitely had the lighter crop this year.

Harvesting for lower valley farmers began more than five days ago and with some in the upper valley just beginning, pear picking will last until at least the first week of October.

Winter varieties include primarily Green Anjou but also Red Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Seckel and Forelle.

Mallon reported that the first of Parkdale pears were being harvested Thursday while Thomsen said some Dee growers were already picking pears on Sept. 9.

Thomsen reported he had more than enough labor for his crop, which he said was possible because he provides housing for his workers.

“It was also easier for us because we had a short crop this year,” Thomsen said.

The harvests being so close together at the two ends of the county may create a tight labor market for the next 10 days of harvest.

“It should be tight starting this weekend,” Kiyokawa said. “But with temperatures cooling down, pickers should be able to produce more as well.”

Weather earlier this week climbed into the mid-80s range, which resulted in growers having pickers work shorter days. Mallon said while heat can damage summer varieties, it should not affect this fruit.

“Winter pears are more resilient to weather change,” Mallon said.