David J. Elliot & Sons Co. has moved into organic pear production this season. The company is located in Courtland, CA, and has been growing and marketing pears for six generations. Sales Manager David Thiessen said, “[Organic] volume will be relatively light this year.”

The company continues to grow Bartlett, Golden Bosc, Comice, Forelle, French Butter, Seckel and red varieties. “The weather has been very good for growing pears — warm days with very little extreme heat or wind,” he said. “Weather conditions have been excellent, so fruit finish — particularly considering organic — will be good.”

The David J. Elliot & Sons Co. grows fresh pears in Courtland, CA in the rich soils of the Sacramento River Delta. (Photo courtesy of David J. Elliot & Son Co.)Pear production was set to start around July 2. Thiessen said Bartletts were expected to start coming off trees July 7 and Golden Bosc toward the end of July. “All other varietal pears [will come off] by early to mid-August,” he added.

“Quality will be the best in recent years, and sizing will be up at least one size from last year,” Thiessen went on to say. “Our volume has the potential to be up considerably this year despite the statewide crop being down from last year.”

This season, David J. Elliot will introduce its newest label, “Stillwater.” Existing labels are “Daily,” “Delta” and “Have One.”

Retail customers take up 70 percent of the company’s pear volume, with wholesale and foodservice accounting for the balance.

The company also exports pears to Canada, Mexico and Central America. “Our intention is to maintain our commitment to our export customers,” Thiessen said. “However, with increased processing demand and the total statewide reduction in volume, some of the more price-sensitive markets may see reduced volume.”

A second packingline was added this season, enabling the company to increase its production “significantly without sacrificing the quality our customers expect. We are also exploring solar energy to supplement our existing energy supply,” Thiessen added.

Although water problems continue to plague California’s agriculture sector, Thiessen said David J. Thiessen has been able to meet the challenges. “Our location on the banks of the Sacramento River and riparian water rights dating back to the 1860s have helped to mitigate the water shortage the state is experiencing,” Thiessen explained. “Despite our access to water, we have been extremely mindful of our responsibility to conserve water with virtually all orchards set up on irrigation systems designed to maximize the water where you need it without wasting the resource.”