2023 is going down as one of our worst years in history for grass seed yields in the Grande Ronde Valley.
Kentucky Bluegrass acres were down 8% from 2022 and yields were down just over 30%.
Fine fescue acres were down 7% from 2022 and yields were down 24% overall. Breaking them out:
Hard Fescue was about normal
Chewings was off 15%
Creeping Red Fescue yields were off over 30%.
Looking ahead for 2024 we will see acres continue to decline by another 7 – 10% however, we did receive some much-needed moisture in August which has improved plant health and will set us up with a better start for 2024.