2008 Top Apple/Pear Growers
November 1, 2008 It takes both commitment and dedication to become a leader in your industry. You’ll find some examples of this hard work in the 2008 Top Apple/Pear Growers list. The list is ranked according to 2007 acreage for apples and pears owned or leased by one company that is responsible for maintaining it.
Aside from the acreage list on the opposite page, keep reading for more information on how one of the top growers is taking a proactive approach to sustainability.
Bowman Fruit Sales, LLC
When it comes to incorporating sustainable practices into their Timberville, VA, apple growing operation, Bowman Fruit Sales, LLC has all of their bases covered.
Instead of applying extra nitrogen for soil management, the folks at Bowman Fruit Sales plant grasses and other cover crops to increase soil nutrition. They have gotten away from using gas fumigants. This practice has allowed them to minimize their herbicide use, as well.
To cut down on their chemical use, Bowman Fruit Sales implements mating disruption measures. To prevent pests from becoming resistant to pesticides, they have established an anti-resistance program that allows them to rotate specific chemistries throughout the growing season.
The staff at Bowman Fruit Sales pays close attention to the impact their water use in the orchard has on the environment. The groundwater is tested several times throughout the year for bacteria. In addition, tests are conducted to determine the times when the irrigation system is most efficient. Running the system when it is at its most efficient helps eliminate wasted water.
“We use these practices to protect the environment, but the side benefit is that we also decrease our input costs by doing so,” says Jaime Williams, general manager for Bowman Fruit Sales.
Recognizing that they can add to their already rigorous schedule of sustainable practices, Bowman Fruit Sales has its eye on the future. All of their new plantings are reviewed to determine their future impact on the environment.
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Top Apple/Pear Growers |
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| Rank | Company | Year Founded |
Apple/Pear Acreage |
Crops Grown | Total Acreage |
2007 Rank (Acreage Change) |
| 1 | Evans Fruit Farm, WA | 1959 | 7,283 | Apples | 7,283 | 1 (n/c) |
| 2 | Stemilt Growes, WA | 1985 | 6,064* | Apples, Cherries | 7,364 | 2 (n/c) |
| 3 | Gorbers Farms/Brewster Heights Packing & Orchards, WA | 1973 | 5,830* | Apples, Pears, Cherries | 6,449 | 3 (n/c) |
| 4 | Broetje Orchards, WA | 1979 | 5,500 | Apples, Cherries | 5,700 | 4 (n/c) |
| 5 | Borton & Sons, Inc., WA | 1910 | 5,250 | Apples, Pears, Cherries | 5,550 | 6 (+434) |
| 6 | Zirkle Fruit/Rainer Fruit, WA | 1888 | 5,000* | Apples, Pears, Cherries | 5,500 | 5 (n/c) |
| 7 | Bowman Fruit Sales LLC, WA | 1994 | 3,900 | Apples | 3,900 | 7 (+58) |
| 8 | Dovex Fruit Company, WA | 1983 | 3,850 | Apples, Pears, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Cherries, Pluots | 4,225 |
8 (+290) |
| 9 | Naumes, Inc., OR | 1946 | 3,520* | Pears | 3,520 | 9 (n/c) |
| 10 | Fruit Hill Orchard, VA | 1929 | 3,344 | Apples, Peaches | 3,378 | 11 (+239) |
| 11 | Farmland Management Services, CA | 1986 | 3,279 | Apples, Pears, Prunes, Cherries, Winegrapes, Almonds, Walnuts, Pistachios | 27,071 | 10 (+82) |
| 12 | Fowler Brothers, NY | 1858 | 2,465 | Apples, Pears | 2,465 | 12 (+100) |
| 13 | Hanson Fruit, WA | 1948 | 2,189* | Apples, Pears | 2,189 | 13 (n/c) |
| 14 | Gilbert Orchards Inc., OR | 1897 | 2,050 | Apples, Pears | 2,050 | – – |
| 15 | Bear Creek Orchards Inc, OR | 1934 | 2,000* | Pears | 2,000 | 14 (n/c) |
| 16 | McDougall and Sons Inc., WA | 1977 | 1,895 | Apples, Pears, Cherries | 2,205 | 15 (+88) |
| 17 | Associated Fruit, OR | 1942 | 1,670 | Pears | 1,670 | 16 (-131) |
| 18 | Valley Fruit, WA | 1982 | 1,600* | Apples | 1,600 | 18 (n/c) |
| 19 | Symms Fruit Ranch, ID | 1914 | 1,427 |
Apples, Pears, Cherries, Plums, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Winegrapes |
4,359 | 17 (-273) |
| 20 | Premiere Partners, CA | 1986 | 1,377 | Apples, Cherries, Winegrapes, Almonds, Pistachios | 12,689 | 20 (-12) |
| 21 | Auvil Fruit Co., WA | 1928 | 1,370* | Apples, Cherries | 1,470 | 21 (n/c) |
| 22 | Niagra Orchards, NY | 1971 | 1,330 | Apples | 1,330 | 22 (+1) |
| 23 | Forrence Orchards, NY | 1833 | 1,100 | Apples | 1,100 | 23 (n/c) |
| 24 | Strand Apples, WA | n/a | 1,075* | Apples | 1,075 | 24 (n/c) |
| 25 | Highland Partnership, WA | 1995 | 1,000* | Apples | 1,000 | 25 (n/c) |
| * = estimated acreage: n/c = no change | ||||||
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