| | Canada, with an agricultural land base of 90,000,000 acres of cropped land, had a forage seed base of just under 800,000 acres (2001 census). Significant? Yes. This puts Canada as the world’s second largest producer of forage seed.
However, the world recognizes the State of Oregon as the world’s best and largest producer of forage seed. Of Oregon’s 5.2 million acres of cropland, over 10% is dedicated to the production of forage seed. 2001 saw over 580,000 acres of forage seed harvested in the State, with over 1500 farmers in Oregon growing turf, forage or legume seed.
Almost all of Oregon’s forage seed production is cool season turf and forage seed crops. 3 main species dominate the landscape, tall fescue, annual ryegrass and perennial ryegrass. The other 3 main grass species grown in the state are orchardgrass, bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. Red clover is the dominant legume grown for seed. The vast majority of this seed is grown in the Willamette Valley, a valley stretching between the Coastal Mountains and the Cascade Mountain Range to the East, and south from Portland to south of the City of Eugene.
Map of Oregon
The Willamette Valley stretches from north of Salem to south of Eugene Oregon
Turf-type tall fescue, annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and the fine fescues are all grown for the turf grass industry. Bentgrass is grown mainly for the golf course industry, while forage type tall fescue, orchardgrass and red clover are grown for the forage market. Other forage seed species grown for seed include alfalfa, hairy vetch, common vetch, white clover, all wheatgrasses, and native grass/plant species.
It is not just the acreage in Oregon that is impressive; it is also the ability of the Oregon grower to grow quality seed, and in large amounts. The climate of the Willamette Valley is very conducive to growing forage seed crops. (average rainfall of 42 inches, most falling from Oct to June. Cool winter, warm summer). While Canadian growers average 350 lbs/ac on their creeping red fescue crops, Oregon’s producers consistently produce 800-1000 lbs/ac fine fescue crops. Likewise, tall fescue yields 1350 to 1430 lbs/ac, annual ryegrass at 1700 to 1900 lbs/ac and perennial ryegrass at 1450 to 1500. Needless to say, production is plentiful!
Perennial ryegrass field in Marion County,
Williamette Valley, Oregon. June 2003
The northern Counties (Linn, Marion, Polk, Yamhill, and Benton) in the Willamette Valley produce the huge tall fescue and perennial ryegrass crops, while annual ryegrass acres dominate the southern end of the Willamette (Lane County). The Silverton Hills to the east is where the fine fescues (creeping red, hard, chewings) will be found. Over half of the Willamette Valley’s cropland is sown to forage seed.
Due to the abundance of forage seed in the region, the Willamette Valley is home to over 35 forage seed companies, most known worldwide. Growers can contract their production to these companies or sell on the open market. A vast majority of growers own their own cleaning equipment and sell clean seed to these companies. A rigid seed inspection system is in place to maintain the high standards needed for seed certification.
Fine fescue fields in the Silverton Hills area, Willamette Valley, June 2003
Oregon regions outside of the Willamette Valley which also grow forage seed crops include: Hermiston, La Grande, Madras, Klamath Falls and Medford. Total Oregon forage seed production in 2001 was close to 780 million lbs. of seed!
With production well established, a well developed infrastructure, growers familiar with the technology and finer points of growing forage seed crops, and a climate perfectly suited to the production of forage seed, Oregon will continue to be the major player in world forage seed markets. |
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