4 Ways Growers Can Improve Their Pear Packout

Blue Bird Orchards’ Eric Zavala recently identified and prioritized four strategic factors within growers’ control to mitigate risks and improve pear packout: pear psylla, codling moth larvae, punctures, and fruit size.

Blue Bird Orchards has operated as a grower-owned cooperative for more than a century, representing farmers in Washington State’s Wenatchee River Valley, cultivating a diverse range of organic and conventional pears, apples, and cherries.

Zavala says it is crucial to consider packout alongside grade and that a high packout does not automatically translate to the best outcome. For example, an 80% packout with superior fruit quality can yield greater returns than a 95% packout of lower-quality fruit. Therefore, prioritizing his outlined factors will help growers produce high-quality fruit, characterized by good size and finish, even with a slightly lower packout percentage.

PEAR PSYLLA

Pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola) is a small, sap-sucking insect pest that can stunt, defoliate, and even kill trees. It produces a sticky substance — often called honeydew — that causes fruit russeting. It remains a persistent issue with pear growers, Zavala says, because pickers avoid harvesting sticky fruit, and the brownish discoloration makes the fruit unappealing and unmarketable, leading to economic losses.

In addition, consecutive years of psylla infestations lead to issues with sooty mold fungi (genus Capnodium), which thrives on the honeydew and causes unsightly blackening over the fruit surface. “It can lead to the quality of the buds not being there, damage on the buds, and even bud kills,” Zavala says. “So, you can have buds that are dead not producing fruit, or a decline in the amount of fruit.”

Mitigation starts with scouting, Zavala says, specifically looking for flying adults, the presence of eggs, and whether those eggs are ready to hatch. Spraying, while messy, is another effective means of control. However, Zavala warns that adequate coverage is vital for success. “We see this all of the time driving on the road where you have two rows white, but the other [rows] are not,” he says. “That basically tells you you’re delivering the gallons per acre [of spray], but the coverage is not there.” To ensure consistent and effective spray applications, he strongly recommends investing extra time in educating spray crews on proper techniques.

CODLING MOTH

While often a threat to apple cultivation, codling moth larvae (Cydia pomonella) pose a significant danger to organic and conventional pear production, Zavala says.

Traps are the most effective way to mitigate infestations. “Place the traps, follow them, and don’t fall behind them,” he says. “They also help determine where the pressure is coming from.” As a result, identifying hot spots throughout an orchard will guide growers toward more precise and economical spraying.

Pheromone emitters are gaining popularity as a means of control, and Zavala advises growers to follow directions and avoid cutting corners when using them. Likewise, the successful utilization of “puffers” hinges on two critical factors: precise placement within the orchard and a thorough understanding of prevailing wind patterns across the property.

Finally, Zavala says cardboard tree bands have demonstrated significant effectiveness in preventing larvae from pupating, offering a valuable non-spray control option. This method involves wrapping corrugated cardboard bands around the lower tree trunks where the larvae get trapped within the folds. “It’s pretty efficient,” he says. “It’s very satisfactory, too, once you throw [the cardboard] on the fire, and you can see [the codling moth larvae] get destroyed.”

PUNCTURES

Zavala emphasizes that the ongoing labor crisis in agriculture exacerbates fruit damage issues. The constant turnover of workers makes it difficult to effectively train them on proper handling techniques, leading to higher levels of fruit damage. “It’s a lack of communication,” he says. “Talk to the pickers. Get them in a little huddle and explain what that puncture does and how it leads to a bunch of rot in the bin.”

Zavala suggests focusing on short, impactful educational sessions that emphasize gentle handling during harvesting. The Spanish phrase “Baja la mano” (lower your hand) succinctly conveys this message. Likewise, encourage pickers to avoid excessive force, as rapid picking doesn’t always translate to quality. In addition, proper bag emptying is crucial, especially on sloping orchards. Zavala recommends instructing pickers to start emptying bags from the lower side of the harvesting bin to prevent rolling. Additionally, discourage them from jerking the bag, which causes bruising.

“It seems like common sense, but you would be surprised how many people don’t realize they’re puncturing your fruit,” he says. “So, take a little bit of teaching or coaching, and those five minutes will pay off big time in the long run.”

FRUIT SIZE

The 2024 season presented challenges with frost ring damage and less-than-ideal fruit size and appearance. Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Zavala says the prevailing thought is to prepare for a potentially large pear crop. Extensive orchard surveys indicate high bloom levels, prompting growers to prioritize thinning strategies. While unpredictable weather remains a concern — particularly the lack of snow cover this winter — growers should plan for a full crop load.

Therefore, loppers are a grower’s best friend when it comes to ensuring better-looking and better-sized fruit in 2025, Zavala says. “It’s a scary deal [for growers],” he says. “But prune hard and evaluate the blocks. How many buds are there? Check the health of the buds and prune.”

The same philosophy applies to thinning — thin and thin early. “Fruit grows really, really quick,” he says. “Labor sometimes is hard to get, but if you can get a crew in there to thin at the right time … the better you’re going to be at packout.”