this as a former golf course superintendent), where projects were put on a shelf or not funded, suddenly a lot of clubs are doing projects. Big golf projects are pulling a large number of acres from sod farms.
Anticipated Pricing Increased demand and low inventory lead to higher prices, and warm-season inventory is tight, so prices are going up. Across the board, we are seeing approximately a 20 percent price increase on all warm-season turfgrass crops.
SOD SOLUTIONS
costs and profitability on turfgrass production is essential in this inflationary period for the sustainability of their respective businesses. It’s not complicated—the cost of turfgrass production continues to increase, and pricing must reflect these increases. Growers that utilize technology have an operational advantage to react and respond to market conditions in a timely manner as the economic climate continues to change.
Inflation has reset expectations for purchasers of grass to pay more. Customers that plan and schedule in advance and are willing to pay deposits on future purchases are effectively combatting shortages in some markets. Trucking/transportation remains very challenging and the growers experiencing the most success have tools to address the trucking problem. Over 100 users have turned to Turf Logistics for order and harvest management and for routing and driver truck management. Te software platform can be a game-changer for business operations, and we continue to see growth on
TurfLogistics.com.
Research focused on developing improved turfgrass cultivars is intense. Sod Solutions notes that Sola St. Augustine, the promising release from North Carolina State University, shows improved shade, disease, and insect resistance.
Provided by Tobey Wagner, President
Turfgrass Demand Continues to Outpace Supply Buckle up! Economic changes are here, and markets are becoming more unpredictable. Te good news is that demand for natural turfgrass remains strong in many areas of the country despite rising interest rates and higher prices, particularly in the Sunbelt.
Over the last several years, the population has dramatically shifted to the southern regions of the United States. Data shows this is occurring in many other countries as well. Covid-era work-from-home opportunities fueled a population shift and technology tools provided the opportunity for people to effectively work remotely. Tis has stoked the fire of this shifting population trend. Demand remains strong for turfgrass with new home construction, renovation projects, commercial use, golf, and sports in regions where the population is growing. Higher pricing for natural turf is the result of the general inflation tendencies in today’s economic environment and continued price increases are expected.
Growers understand that an accurate analysis of production TPI Turf News July/August 2023
2023 trends show continued strong growth in new home construction, particularly in the Sunbelt region, with slight slowdowns from 2022, likely due to higher interest rates. More homeowners are staying put in their existing homes and are adding living space and are including landscape renovation. A homeowner with a three percent mortgage loan wants to avoid selling and trading for a new home that may require a six- or seven-percent mortgage. If interest rates remain high or go higher, a trend towards more renovation is a certainty.
Plant Stock Report Standard Varieties – Palmetto® Celebration®
Bermuda, Innovation® St. Augustine, EMPIRE® Bermuda, Latitude 36® Zoysia, CitraBlue® Zoysia,
Bermuda, Northbridge® St. Augustine.
Te legacy brands referenced above are known across the
Sod Solutions also reports that Cobalt St. Augustine, developed and released by Texas A&M, exhibits drought tolerance, cold tolerance, shade tolerance, disease resistance, and, as the turfgrass breeder states, “… data shows that Cobalt is one of the most drought-resistant St. Augustine grasses ever developed.”
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