Expert strategies and grower insights on IPM in pear orchards

APAL’s 2021 Pear Masterclass will kick off with a session on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in pear orchards, led by Angelica Cameron, Entomologist and IPM specialist from Bugs for Bugs.

Jason Shields (Orchard Manager, Plunkett) and Brent Reeve (General Orchard Manager, Jeftomson) will then head the Q&A discussion with grower perspectives on successful IPM strategies. Both have seen very positive results in implementing targeted IPM plans in their orchards.

For Jason, the value in the Pear Masterclass is in showing growers the options out there, and what an effective IPM looks like.

Jason Shields, Orchard Manager, Plunkett Orchards

“A lot of growers are interested in IPM and want to do the right thing,” Jason said. “The thing with IPM is that you have to be all-in. Five years ago, we went full soft approach with spraying as a last resort rather than a first resort. Since then, so many of our problems have gone.”

Jason sought out professional expertise implementing a targeted IPM plan that suited the orchard.

“What we had been doing prior to IPM was really just making more work for ourselves,” Jason said. “Seven or eight years ago we were doing more spraying, spending more money on different chemicals, trying harder and getting worse results.

“We thought we had an IPM plan in place, but in reality we didn’t really understand what we were doing, and how the beneficials were being affected by the different chemicals.

“Now, with predators doing most of the work in the orchard, we can use the chemicals in a more targeted way. Just a couple of the right sprays, a far better result, and a smaller insecticide bill.”

Brent also made the move towards IPM when spraying alone wasn’t getting the best results in the orchard.

Brent Reeve, Jeftomson General Orchard Manager

“Things weren’t working as well with pesticides and miticides, so three years ago we approached Angelica and kicked off our IPM seriously,” Brent said.

“We saw some results in the first year, and even better results in the second.”

For Brent, an IPM plan ensures he can make the best choices about which chemicals to use in the orchard, and where and when to use them.

“Instead of blanket spraying, we do a lot of monitoring and just spray targeted blocks,” Brent said. “You’ve got to do a lot of monitoring in an IPM to make sure that what you’re doing is correct, whether you have the pests to warrant spraying, and whether you need to change the chemistry you’re using.

“It’s really valuable to have an expert like Angelica come in, run their eye over the chemicals you’re using, and see whether it’s predator friendly. When it comes to chemicals, there’s always another option out there. It’s just a matter of finding the right ones.”

Register now and join us online for Session 1 of the APAL Pear Masterclass.