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Vermont orchardist says limited paraquat use aids high‑density plantings, warns of drought losses
Summary
Bill Shurer of Champlain Orchards told the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, & Forestry panel that paraquat (Gramoxone) is a targeted tool used on non‑bearing nursery trees to prevent grass competition and pest damage during establishment; he said drought cut his harvest about 30% and urged the committee to consider growers’ operational constraints when debating a ban.
Bill Shurer, owner of Champlain Orchards in Shoreham, told the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, & Forestry panel that paraquat (commonly sold as Gramoxone) is used only on non‑bearing, juvenile trees to burn down grass, prevent dogwood borer damage and enable high‑density plantings that reduce overall pesticide inputs.
"We went from 180,000 bushels the year prior down to 125,000 last year," Shurer said, describing a roughly 30% drop in harvest after a drought that also reduced fruit size and raised storage concerns. He said the operation plants about 384 acres of tree fruit and that most fruit is distributed in‑state to food co‑ops and supermarkets.
Shurer said paraquat is a short‑term establishment tool: he estimated…
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