Pear growers in the Pacific Northwest will pay less money to the Pear Bureau Northwest for ­winter pear promotions in the coming season. The Pear Bureau’s board of directors has reduced its assessment rate for winter pear promotions from 44 to 41 cents per box, reflecting the trend for producers and marketers to conduct their own private promotions with customers. The promotional assessment on Bartlett and other early maturing varieties remains 30 cents per box. The lower assessment rate will mean a drop in income for the Pear Bureau of $450,000 for the year and a 7 percent reduction in […]