Due to rising costs of supplies for production, delays in receiving equipment, workforce shortage and environmental challenges, growers are experiencing more challenges in producing clean, quality seed.
2022 fall planted crop rows came in smaller than normal and are showing more bare ground creating an ideal space for weed pressure. Already established crops are showing bare patches from 2021 due to drought, slug, vole and weed encroachment, leading farmers to take out the field and plant a new crop this spring.
The summer of 2022 had heavy rains and cooler temperatures which delayed harvest by about 2 weeks but created good yields putting pressure on cleaners and seed labs to clean and test seed quickly to turn around for fall shipments.
Due to the wet 2023 spring, farmers have considered or have already taken out fields to leave fallow until fall, which has never happened. Harvest will be late again this fall as the weather has been late to warm up in the Willamette Valley.
Percentages reported April 2023
In the Willamette Valley:
Perennial Ryegrass Fields
25% of the crop seems to be in excellent condition.
25% of the crop is in average condition.
50% of the crop looks to be in very poor condition.
15% reduction in acres.
*The Perennial crop could potentially reduce by another 15 plus percent due to very poor stands.
Tall Fescue Fields
30% of the crop seems to be in excellent condition.
30% of the crop is in average condition.
40% of the crop looks to be in very poor condition.
18% reduction in acres.
Annual Ryegrass Fields
60% of the crop is in average condition.
40% of the crop looks to be in very poor condition.
Ground between combine trails is bare ground on damaged fields.
Acres are being removed to alternative crops.
Crimson and Red clover are currently uncertain.
Acres are being removed as the weather permits.
White Clover Domestic crops not doing well
Fine Fescue Fields
Acres in the ground are similar to last year.
Many fields have yet to recover from burns last year.
Expect fewer pounds of Chewings & Creeper to be available.
A better assessment can be made in about another month.
In the Great Washington Basin:
Tall Fescue Fields
Several second-year fields have been lost.
New plantings look slightly below average.
Acres are down 25% from last year
Perennial Ryegrass
Acres are 35% down from last year.
Photos take in March and April 2023
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