| | Note: prices provided are grower prices, quoted by processors to growers after cleaning and dockage.
With spring quickly approaching, the uncertainty in the grass and legume seed markets remains. Movement remains relatively quiet, and the trade is anticipating lower production this upcoming year. Prices though, are firming, with most specie quotes expected to stay at current levels, or move higher.
In the turf seed end of things, Canadian creeping red fescue acres will be down this year. Prices have firmed up to the 52-55 cent/lb range, with fall prices at 60 ¢/lb. Certified Boreal creeping red fescue is finding some European interest, and prices are commanding a 5-10 ¢/lb premium.
In the forage grass seed sector, species quotes have started to move up. Common meadow brome grass seed prices have moved up to the $1.60-$1.70/lb range, with Certified Fleet meadow brome at $1.90. Inventories of meadow are low. Common smooth brome grass seed prices are now in the $1.20 to $1.30/lb range. Certified Carlton is commanding a 15 to 20 ¢/lb premium. Common timothy is now quoted in the 35 – 40 ¢/lb range, with certified Climax timothy at 50 to 60 cents/lb.
On the legume side of thing, sweet clover quotes remain at 25-30 ¢/lb, but quotes for alsike are now around 35 - 37¢/lb. However, both alfalfa and red clover prices have been moving up. Good quality red clover quotes have now moved up to between 85¢/lb and $1.00/lb. Common alfalfa seed prices are quoted in the $1.20 to $1.25/lb range.
In summary, the industry is slow for this time of year, and is still awaiting the fallout from the very strong prices in the grains and oilseed sector. |
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