Another example is Memphis tall fescue. Tis product was selected for two very specific reasons: aggressive tillering (sometimes confused with rhizomes) and a lower-growing profile. Tese two traits allow the plant to spread out and fill in the holes, while lengthening the time between mowing. Another important attribute is drought tolerance, which improves the persistence on non-irrigated ground, including the fields where most of the tall fescue is grown. It also improves seed yield. In addition, the improved drought tolerance gives the end user the ability to use less water.
Fine Fescue – Same story different species; most fine fescues, Hard, Sheep, Chewing, and Creeping Red, are in very tight supply and every year it is getting harder and harder to produce clean product, without rattail fescue. Tis weed seems to be getting harder and harder to control in fine fescue production. Inventories are down, and while seed will be getting cleaned right away this fall, lack of cleaning capacity may hinder availability until winter.
Summary of Fine Fescue: prices and inventory should remain stable for fall 2019, quality will be an issue come spring 2020, but prices should remain stable.
Perennial Ryegrass – Inventories are higher than desired, but some of the higher quality products will still be in short supply this fall. Te older perennial ryegrass fields look below average at this time, but can still grow out of it, maybe. Acreage numbers have declined from last year, but it is hard to tell where this market will wind up. Te rough winter in the Midwest production area may have an impact, but inventories still may make up the difference. Consumption for this product has become more fluid as other species seem to be eroding market share and consumers seem to be more efficient in their use and needs of ryegrass. But if prices remain stable, this product is the best deal for the money and may help move inventories. Markets hopefully will be stable, but with the competition out there, I would suggest a wait and see attitude. I believe we will see a wider spread of prices due to variations in quality, as Poa annua continues to be a problem with production in the Pacific Northwest.
Summary of perennial ryegrass: production has decreased, and inventories are still higher than desired. Prices should remain stable with a chance of softening if movement isn’t strong in early fall 2019, but it will not be much.
My words of caution are worth repeating, know your supplier and ask to see the tests of the seed you are buying, even if it is in a blend. Many new varieties have hit the market, but haven’t had the testing, or the improvements over the previous generation products. Improvements like those found in Barbados perennial ryegrass: grey-leaf spot resistance, rust and pythium resistance.
Another problem that has been occurring is the proliferation 44
of Variety Not Stated or VNS. Tis is a product that may be claimed to be a tried and true variety, but there is no assurance that it is what the seller says it is. No farmer would plant something in his field without knowing it will bring him some return, so I think it is safe to say NO VNS is planted with the intention of harvesting.
In conclusion, remember until the seed is harvested and in the bag a lot can happen. Tese assumptions are made based on everything staying optimal. I encourage you to stay in touch with your supplier. Give them the quantity, quality, and time frame needed as early as you can, so they can cover your needs. Your supplier should be your partner because when you succeed, they succeed. I hope that your year will be a good one.
Jacklin Seed by Simplot Provided by David Johnson, Seed Production Manager
Jacklin Seed by Simplot introduced Navy Kentucky Bluegrass. Photo courtesy of Jacklin Seed by Simplot
In the bluegrass production areas of the irrigated Mid- Columbia Basin in Washington State, and the dryland production areas of the North Idaho growing region, we are expecting average yields at this time. Winter was late to arrive to the Inland Northwest production region, but the exceptionally cold and snowy weather of February and March provided the final push needed for vernalization Te first half of May was unseasonably warm and dry, but cooler temperatures and rain as of the time of this writing puts us where we need to be for average yields.
Te recent dry conditions provided good opportunities for treating weeds but maintaining quality in bluegrass production continues to become more challenging for farmers. New chemical restrictions combined with sustained years of no field burning have left farmers with few options for selective grassy weed control. We are adjusting to a new normal where 0/0 crop/weed becomes increasingly difficult to accomplish.
TPI Turf News July/August 2019
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