The value of all grass seed species increased 5.4 percent during the 2003-2004 crop year with an increase of 22,291 acres (4.9 percent) in 2004-2005. All but two grass seed species increased in acreage in 2004-2005; rough bluegrass (-6.6 percent) and orchardgrass (-4.1 percent) both declined in acres grown.

In spite of the increased grass seed acreage, the big story of the 2004-2005 crop year was low seed yields. Only three species had a higher seed yield compared to the previous (near average) crop year: Chewings fescue (15.2 percent), creeping red fescue (11.6 percent) and Colonial bentgrass (8.5 percent). Crops with reduced seed yields were: annual ryegrass (-21.8 percent), orchardgrass (-22.6 percent), creeping bentgrass (-18.6 percent), hard fescue (-18.2 percent), tall fescue (-4.3 percent), perennial ryegrass (-4.2 percent), rough bluegrass (-3.9 percent) and Kentucky bluegrass (-1.5 percent).

Source: William C. Young III, “Grass and Legume Seed Estimates for 2005,” Oregon State University Extension Service; OSU Extension Economic Information Office.


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