Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/291333
He doesn't like the central leader system because the trees don't have ladder ways. "There's no place to put the ladder in a central leader system, however, you can plant them closer together." Years ago, he transitioned from a clean orchard floor to a grass cover crop in the row middles and a clean tree row strip. "That has proved to be a great combination. With the grass cover, we've been outproducing the clean cultivation program and the trees are performing better," he said, adding he believes the roots are no longer being cut by the cultivator. Spring frosts are the number-one reason for crop failure in the Rogue Valley, according to Meyer. He installed orchard fans years ago to reduce his reliance on orchard heating systems. "Fans reduced my oil costs by 80 percent, one of the best things I've ever done." He also uses solid-set irrigation sprinklers for frost control on 15 acres when possible. Frost control Using irrigation water for frost control is dependent on having appro- priate water rights, the right setup, and timing. Often, spring frosts occur before irrigation water deliveries have started. "In 2010, a year in which we had a heavy frost, in the blocks where I had sprinklers under the tree and fans, I gained two degrees in warmth," he said. "In the right situations, sprinklers and fans can be very effective." "I'd love to see one of my kids carry on with the family orchards," he said. "But I don't want to give them overconfidence because I don't know where it will end." In the late 1960s through the 1980s, the pear business was prosper- ous, but since the 1990s, Meyer said it's been more a matter of hanging on, although last year was pretty good. Risk takers "Year end and year out, we make about 6 percent return on investment, and that's not enough for the risk that we take." He estimated that it takes about $1 million to grow and pack his crop. And his land is paid for, so that million dollars doesn't include a land payment. "A hailstorm can wipe you out in 15 minutes. But so far, I've been lucky and have never lost the entire crop from frost or hail, the two big dangers." Meyer said that the rural farm setting was a great place to raise his children and he still holds hope that Kurt or another child will become the fourth generation to raise pears. "With farming, you just have to accept that there's no guarantees," he said. "Unless you have a passion for it, you probably shouldn't get into it." • GOOD FRUIT GROWER APRIL 15, 2014 29 Ron Meyer's family, of Talent, Oregon, has raised pears for more than 100 years. In addition to 100 acres of pears, he also grows 15 acres of peaches, which he sells in local markets.