| | Note: prices provided are grower prices, quoted by processors to growers after cleaning and dockage.
As more grass and legume seed harvest gets completed, not only in Western Canada but throughout the world, the more this years production will affect prices, and that’s’ what’s starting to show in local grass and legume seed price quotes.
In the turf seed sector, creeping red fescue prices have held steady around the 65 to 68 ¢/lb range. Yields from this year’s crop still vary from zero to over double the average, but overall, the trade is expecting average yields, which is pretty good considering this year’s drought in the Peace country. Certified creeper is being quoted 10 to 15 ¢/lb higher.
In the forage grass seed sector, most prices have started to move, with both upward and downward pressure being shown, depending on the crop. The big mover has been smooth bromegrass, which has been pressured down by good carryover inventories and a good smooth bromegrass crop in the USA. Common smooth brome grass seed quotes have fallen to the 55 to 65 ¢/lb range, with certified Carlton now in the 65 – 70 ¢/lb range.
On the other hand, Common meadow brome grass seed quotes remain strong, in the $1.60-$1.70/lb range, with certified Fleet meadow brome anywhere from $1.70 to $1.90. Inventories of meadow are very low, with few new fields. Common timothy quotes are also creeping upwards, moving into the 50 - 55 ¢/lb mark. Certified Climax timothy is quoted at a 15 to 20 ¢/lb premium.
On the legume side of thing, quotes are starting to move, but major movements will still depend on this year’s harvest. Sweet clover quotes have started to move up to the 35 to 50 ¢/lb range, but demand is limited. Alsike clover quotes are now in the 45 - 50 ¢/lb range, while Red clover quotes are have moved up to between 90¢ and $1.10/lb. Common alfalfa seed prices are quoted anywhere from 1.00 to $1.25/lb, depending upon quality. However, there’s still a ways to go until the alfalfa seed crops in Manitoba and Saskatchewan come off. |
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