02/27/06 Unique pear research review

Earlier this month, the Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission held its annual pear research review. That is when the industry determines what research projects to help fund & projects that could commercially benefit all aspects of the pear industry. But the review in Yakima, according to Jim McPherson of the Research Commission, was a historic event in one context. MCPHERSON: For the first time we have a really integrated organization. All of the pear producers in Oregon and Washington have banded together under a federal marketing order so that there is one organization that's going to be doing the consideration of funding. And although the pear industry of both states are wrapped up in research funding consideration, Pear Bureau Northwest which overseas the new pear marketing order, has delegated that authority. MCPHERSON: On the research side, they've contracted with the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission to develop the research reviews and scheduling logistics, and handle the funding. And to McPherson, the new order of things, sort of speak, should continue the trends established by the Research Commission's research review. MCPHERSON: Anjou's are now delivered pre-conditioned based on research funded by our organization. And we really see sales moving very positively. We'd like to keep building on that and that's what the research revue is all about & to build positive momentum and to provide some research solutions to grower, packing, shipping, handling problems.