| | The old saying, “no news is good news” definitely does NOT refer to the grass and legume seed industry, as “No news” is simply that, ……no news”. Although the trade is reporting fair to good retail sales this spring, the wholesale seed market remains virtually dead. Processors are now not quoting prices for old crop, as their warehouses are full, and many are running minimal shifts in their plants. The only good news is that much needed rains have arrived to a good portion of the Province, although it’s won’t be known until harvest begins in a few weeks, if these rains arrived in time. Up here in fescue country, good rainfall amounts have been received on the BC side and south of the Saddle and Birch Hills, but other Peace regions are only reporting rainfall amounts of ½ an inch or less.
With wholesale sales and new quotes lacking, most quotes will be what processors feel the seed is worth at present. Until new orders come in, new quotes won’t be available.
In the turf seed end of things, the US housing market has picked up, but probably won’t be reflected in turf grass seed movement for a while. And as long as the world economic jitters continue, the end users of turf seeds just won’t see hordes of buyers coming through the door. Creeping red fescue quotes are in the 40 to 45 ¢/lb range for fall. Like last report, with fewer acres this year, lower production is expected. And with good stocks in warehouses, and the economy still on it’s way to recovery; don’t expect any upward price movement anytime soon.
With the majority of hay and pasture seeding wrapping up, forage grass and legume seed quotes will remain stagnant until new orders come in. Most prices have been pressured due to a lack of demand. Last quotes for smooth brome grass quotes were in the 40 to 50 ¢/lb range for common seed, with Certified Carlton 5 to 10 ¢/lb higher. Meadow brome grass seed quotes remained in the $1.40-$1.60/lb range. Common timothy seed quotes were in the 40-45 ¢/lb range. Certified Climax timothy is quoted at a 10 to 15 ¢/lb premium. Except for meadow brome grass supplies, other grass species are plentiful.
On the legume side of thing, common alfalfa seed prices were in the $1.00 to $1.20/lb range. Variety not stated alfalfa seed can be 20 to 30 ¢/lb higher, depending on the variety initially grown. Alsike clover quotes were in the 35-40 ¢/lb range, while Red clover quotes were anywhere’s from 80 ¢ to $1.00 /lb. Sweet clover were similar to alsike quotes, at 35 to 40 ¢/lb.
With very few new orders, the markets are very quiet. These market signals are telling growers to be prepared to store. In fact, until the processors start moving inventory again, growers may have no other choice, unless they want to sell at bargain basement prices.
| Grass and Legume Seed Quotes |
 | Creeping Red Fescue | Boreal
C R
Fescue | Smooth Brome Grass | Carlton Smooth Brome Grass | Meadow Brome Grass | Fleet Meadow Brome Grass | Timothy | Climax Timothy | Alfalfa | Red Clover | Alsike Clover | Sweet Clover |
| Common #1 - Min 97% Pure, 85% Germ | Cert #1 | Common #1 | Cert #1 | Common #1 | Cert #1 | Common #1 | Cert #1 | Common #1 | Common #1 | Common #1 | Common #1 |
Feb 5-08 | 50 | 60 | 130-140 | 140-150 | 160-170 | 190 | 35+ | 55-60 | 120-130 | 85-100 | 35 | 25-30 |
Mar 11 | 52-55 | 60 | 130-140 | 140-150 | 160-170 | 190 | 35-40 | 55-60 | 120-130 | 85-100 | 35-37 | 25-30 |
Apr 1 | 55 | 60-70 | 130-140 | 140-150 | 160-170 | 190 | 35-40 | 55-60 | 120-130 | 85-100 | 35-37 | 25-30 |
May 6 | 60 | 65-75 | 120-135 | 140-150 | 160-170 | 170-190 | 45-50 | 55-65 | 115-130 | 85-100 | 23-40 | 25-30 |
June 3 | 62-65 | 70-75 | 120-130 | 130-145 | 160-170 | 170-190 | 50 | 60-65 | 100-120 | 85-100 | 35-45 | 30 |
July 8 | 62-65 | 65-70 | 100-120 | 110-120 | 150-160 | 170-190 | 50 | 60-65 | 100-125 | 85-100 | 35-45 | 30 |
Aug 5 | 65-68 | 80-90 | 85-110 | 110-120 | 150-160 | 170-190 | 50 | 65-70 | 100-125 | 85-100 | 35-45 | 30 |
Sept 2 | 65-68 | 80-85 | 55-65 | 65-70 | 150-170 | 170 -190 | 50-55 | 65-75 | 100-125 | 90-110 | 45-50 | 45-55 |
Sept 29 | 65 | 80 | 55-60 | 65-70 | 165-170 | 170-190 | 50 | 65-70 | 120-140 | 100-110 | 50-60 | 40-50 |
Nov 4 | 62-65 | 75-80 | 55-60 | 65-70 | 165-170 | 170-190 | 45-50 | 65-70 | 120-130 | 100-115 | 45-50 | 40-50 |
Dec 2 | 60-62 | 70-75 | 55-60 | 65-70 | 160-170 | 170-190 | 45-50 | 55-70 | 120-140 | 100-115 | 45-50 | 40-50 |
Jan 5-09 | 60-62 | 65-75 | 45-60 | 60-70 | 160-170 | 170-190 | 40-50 | 50-65 | 120-150 | 110-125 | 40-50 | 35-50 |
Feb 3 | 55-60 | 65-75 | 45-60 | 60-70 | 160-165 | 170-190 | 40-45 | 50-65 | 120-150 | 115-125 | 40-50 | 35-50 |
Mar 3 | 50-60 | 60-70 | 45-55 | 55-65 | 155-165 | 170-180 | 40-50 | 55-60 | 120-140 | 105-115 | 40-50 | 35-50 |
Mar 31 | 45-50 | 50-60 | 45-50 | 55-65 | 155-165 | 170-180 | 40-45 | 45-55 | 120-130 | 80-110 | 35-40 | 35-40 |
May 4 | 40-45 | 50-55 | 45-50 | 55-60 | 150-160 | 160-170 | 40 | 45-55 | 100-125 | 80-100 | 35-40 | 35-40 |
June 2 | 40-45 | 50-55 | 40-50 | 50-60 | 150-160 | 160-170 | 40 | 45-55 | 100-125 | 80-100 | 35-40 | 35-40 |
July 7 | 40-45 | 50-55 | 40-50 | 50-60 | 150-160 | 160-170 | 40 | 45-55 | 100-125 | 80-100 | 35-40 | 35-40 |
| Prices are quotes only, until actual orders come in, that's when firm pricing is established |
| - prices in ¢/lb |
Last updated July 7, 2009
Prepared by David Wong, Market Specialist, Ag-Info Centre, Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development |
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