Pear Grower Survey: The experiences and perspecitves of OR and WA pear growers

Pear with Convergent Ladybird Beetle Eggs

Biological control is a complex, knowledge‐intensive practice that requires growers and pest management consultants to learn natural enemy and pest life cycles, toxicity and effectiveness of insecticides at different life cycle stages, strategies for managing insecticide resistance, and maintenance of long‐term ecological balance while controlling pests and maximizing production. As part of a large USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) project, researchers at Washington State University, University of California‐Berkeley, and Oregon State University are seeking to better understand apple, pear, and walnut growers’ experiences and perspectives related to pest management, in general, and biological control, in particular. This report presents results from a 2011 survey of Oregon and Washington pear growers. Survey results will inform future educational and outreach efforts.

To read the full results of this survey visit: http://enhancedbiocontrol.org