Vermont orchardist says limited paraquat use aids high‑density plantings, warns of drought losses
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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 that for every 10 acres of new orchard the investment is about $50,000 and that the herbicide strip comprises roughly one‑third of that acreage during establishment. "That basically means 9 acres is my request to be able to continue to use the product," he said, explaining a typical rotation of three years of treatment on successive plantings.
Committee members pressed for technical details. Representative Richard Nelson, who identified himself as a licensed applicator and grower, asked about label rates and frequency. Shurer said applicators on his farm are licensed, mixing devices limit exposure and application is highly targeted: "These two nozzles ... are directed directly down to the target. They may spread about 12 inches in width," he said, adding that the carrier is primarily water and that he believed applications might amount to about a pint per acre.
Other members noted international precedent. Representative Bartholomew and Representative Bosland asked about bans in the European Union and other nations and what nurseries there use as alternatives; Shurer said he had not catalogued specific international replacements and described mechanical and layout constraints that make some nonchemical options difficult for high‑density nurseries.
Several witnesses emphasized tradeoffs. Shurer and district agronomists said the short‑term use of paraquat on non‑bearing trees can enable a shift to high‑density systems that subsequently halve fungicide and insecticide applications on mature trees. Michael Fernandez of Bennington County’s conservation district, speaking later about regional integrated pest‑management approaches, described grazing, interplanting and other agroecological techniques but said some producers view paraquat as a last‑resort tool during establishment.
No formal action or vote on paraquat occurred during the hearing. Committee staff said they may take separate testimony on rodenticides or other pesticide issues in the coming weeks.
Shurer concluded by urging the committee to weigh farm viability and worker safety together: "I am very thoughtful about the fruit we grow, and I'm thoughtful about how we care for our staff," he said.
