David J. Elliot expecting quality product, good range of pear sizes
David J. Elliot expecting quality product, good range of pear sizes
Customers of David J. Elliot & Sons Co. can expect to see high-quality pear volume and a full range of sizes this season. “Quality is very clean, and sizing is spread fairly evenly so we will have great size distribution for all markets,” said Sales Manager David Thiessen.
Although water supplies have been extremely tight in California because of the ongoing drought, David J. Elliot & Sons Co. has been able to deal with water restrictions due to its location along the Sacramento River and 150-year-old riparian water rights.
The company is located in Courtland, CA and has been growing and marketing pears for six generations. In addition to domestic sales, David J. Elliot exports pears to Canada, Mexico and Central America.
Conditions during the growing season have been favorable. “Chilling hours this winter were less than we would like but better than last year,” Thiessen told The Produce News. “Weather during the bloom was good, and since the bloom has been near-perfect.”
With California’s ongoing drought making daily headlines, Thiessen was asked how the company has dealt with irrigation issues. “Water is clearly a battle in California,” he replied. “However, with our location on the banks of the Sacramento River and 150-year-old riparian water rights, we are still in good shape. Added to which, we employ the latest and most efficient irrigation methods.”
The company grows and markets a pear manifest that includes conventional and organic Bartletts, red pears, Golden Bosc, Comice, French Butter, Seckels and Forelle. “Like most West Coast crops, we are early,” he went on to say. “We started red pears on June 29 with Bartletts following on July 6. We usually have it wrapped up by the end of October or early November.”
Thiessen expects Bartlett volume will come very close to tonnage last season. “Golden Bosc will be up approximately 8 to 10 percent. Other varietals will be about the same as 2014,” he said.
David J. Elliot markets pears under the “Daily,” “Delta” and “Have One” labels. Thiessen said this year a new “Stillwater” label will be added for selected packs.
