Klundt adds, “Just in time inventory continues to be the new norm, which can make supplies limited at times. High-quality seed production acres will continue to dwindle, due to urban growth, and lack of profitable rotations. Seed acres are going into permanent crops like houses, nuts, and berries. As business becomes more competitive, it is imperative that you know and trust your supplier, and that they are willing to partner with you for the long term.”

Several of those responding pointed to the growing recognition of the attributes of their varieties by end users and expanded use on golf courses, sports fields and less high-profile sites. Chad Adcock, Sod Production Services, reports many South Carolina landscapers who used to call sod farms asking for Tifway 419 for home lawns are now asking for specific proprietary brands by name.

Wagner adds, “Te stock market is at a record high, fuel prices are relatively low, and interest rates are predicted to edge upward. Home building and commercial construction are robust. Golf and sports fields are being built and renovated at a record pace. Te outlook for 2017 and 2018 is very strong.”

Production Lacy reports, “While acres for grass seed production continue to be very tight and competitive in the Willamette Valley, Barenbrug is anticipating good availability and quality for our premium brands. Te weather may push back harvest a few weeks.” Adcock says, “Our production is expanding to new farms in new regions and increasing on existing farms.”

Humphreys reports, “In western Oregon, we expect yields to be near average or possibly slightly below average. Quality could be an issue, but that depends on weather conditions from late May through harvest. In eastern Washington, both yields and quality should be good to above average.”

Jeffries reports, “Te Lower Columbia River Basin (WA/ OR) harvest date appears to be on a normal timeline, while Western Oregon’s timeline appears normal to slightly late for all crops.” Klundt says, “We seem to be on a more normal cycle for harvest than the last two years, when we were weeks early.” Aerni anticipates the cool and very wet winter and spring will put harvest on the late side in the Willamette Valley.

Hagen anticipates a good average yield for tall fescue, though with weather-limited weed control, annual ryegrass and poa may be issues. He says, “Creeping red fescue acres are down ten percent, but overall the fine fescues are doing well and an average yield is expected. Te Kentucky bluegrass crop looks good, though weed control is always difficult. Acres are up, so the supply should be adequate.”

TPI Turf News July urf News July/August 2017

Klundt says, “Production should be adequate, but quality will be an issue due to the weather-related disruption of weed control. Yet the seed industry has been doing this a long time, and growers will figure out ways to get fields cleaned up before seed is bagged for sale. Ask for all the tests on the lot you are buying and, if you are buying a blend/mixture, ask to see the tests of the components used to ensure you have clean seed.”

Pricing Lacy says, “Overall, fall pricing is likely to be stable.” Humphreys and Jeffries both anticipate pricing as stable for fine fescue and Kentucky bluegrass; as stable to higher for tall fescue; and as stable to lower for perennial ryegrass. Humphreys also anticipates creeping bentgrass pricing will be stable.

Hagen anticipates stable prices for creeping red fescue and chewing fescue; a little higher prices for hard fescue, bluegrass and tall fescue. He says, “Tough perennial ryegrass acres are down about 14 percent according to reports, prices will remain stable and supply is good.”

Aerni says, “With little carryover of turf type tall fescue, especially sod quality, anticipate comparable to stronger market values, especially for the cleanest seed that turf farmers should always purchase. Perennial ryegrass supplies appear sufficient, making this specie vulnerable for a weaker market. Fine fescues will remain stable, with certain varieties once again being sold out early. With reduced production acreage and little carryover of bluegrass—whether common or proprietary—this market will remain quite strong until production equals demand. Sod-quality bluegrass will once again be limited.”

Wagner reports, “Pricing is steadily increasing across most of the United States and world markets. Te extreme shortages of sod in the Southeast have created a ripple effect and impacted farms and markets in regions many states away.”

Adcock reports, “While the prices of commodity grasses fluctuate, we're seeing that proprietary grasses command a premium price.”

Klundt says, “We might now be at the norm for cool- season turfgrass pricing, which is still a bargain when compared to the scale of economy on other items such as equipment and fuel. Prices should maintain, but pressure from the farming community to cover the cost of producing high quality, clean seed may force a wider price variation between ‘Sod Quality’ and standard quality seed in the future. You get what you pay for and seed is the cheapest component on the sod farm.”

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