| | Typically, January and February in the grass and legume seed industry brings market doldrums, and this year is no exception. Except for previous orders, which are keeping the processors cleaning lines going, new orders for seed are few and far between. Not unexpected. Depending upon projected spring demand by end users, orders won’t be ramping up anytime in the near future. With hand to mouth buying now the norm, a lot of seed buying is not occurring until seed in required. However, inventories are getting tighter, so end users may have to take this into account when contemplating new orders.
Prices for most crops have stabilized now that the fall run is over. Creeping red fescue quotes have settled into the 42 to 45 ¢/lb range, with certified boreal up to 55 ¢/lb, a good 8 to 10 ¢/lb premium. However, acres of certified creeping red fescue in 2011 fell again, the 4th consecutive year. Certified Alberta acreage, which stood at 14,500 in 2008, fell to under 6,600 acres in 2011.
The forage grass quotes have stabilized following this past fall’s run-up in prices. Smooth bromegrass quotes remain strong, in the $1.20 to $1.40/lb range, with certified Carlton showing a 10 ¢/lb premium. Meadow bromegrass seed quotes are in the 1.10 ¢/lb to $1.25/lb range. Certified Fleet meadow brome is quoted up to $1.40/lb. Timothy seed quotes have settled in around the 70 to 75 ¢/lb range, but looking long-term, this is a strong price quote. With Certified timothy seed production down last year, quotes for certified Climax timothy are showing a 10 to 20 ¢/lb premium.
With good seed movement in the fall, legume seed prices quotes have backed off with the slow movement in the New Year. Red clover seed prices have settled into the 70 to 80 ¢/lb range, while the strong demand for alsike clover seed, pushed quotes up to the $1.00 to $1.15/lb range. Sweet clover quotes were anywhere’s from 65 to 80 ¢/lb. However, with demand lacking right now, true price quotes may not be discovered until actual buying re-enters the marketplace.
With alfalfa seed acres in Canada down, prices have remained steady from the fall. Price quotes for common alfalfa seed is in the $1.50 to $1.65/lb range, with Variety not stated varieties 10 to 15 ¢/lb higher.
In conclusion, with a lack of immediate buying, the grass and legume seed marketplace is in a wait and see mode. “Wait“for the demand to pick up for spring deliveries, and “see” what quotes will get thrown around out there.
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 |
| Com #1 | Cert #1 | Com #1 | Cert #1 | Com #1 | Cert #1 | Com #1 | Cert #1 | Com #1 | Com #1 | Com #1 | Com #1 |
Jan 4-11 | 30-32 | 35 | 50-60 | 60-80 | 60-80 | 80-100 | 40 | 55-60 | 120-140 | 60-70 | 60-85 | 70-100 |
Feb 1 | 30-32 | 35 | 50-60 | 60-80 | 60-80 | 80-100 | 40 | 55-60 | 120-140 | 60-70 | 60-85 | 70-100 |
Mar 1 | 32-34 | 37 | 55-65 | 75-90 | 60-80 | 80-100 | 40-42 | 55-60 | 120-140 | 65-75 | 60-85 | 80-110 |
Mar 29 | 35 | 40-48 | 55-65 | 75-90 | 60-80 | 80-100 | 40-42 | 55-60 | 120-140 | 65-75 | 60-85 | 80-110 |
Apri 26 | 35-40 | 45-48 | 60-70 | 70-80 | 75-85 | 100-115 | 45 | 55-65 | 125-145 | 65-70 | 75-95 | 65-85 |
June 7 | 35-38 | 45-50 | 60-70 | 70-85 | 75-85 | 100-115 | 45 | 55-65 | 130-145 | 65-70 | 75-95 | 65-85 |
July 5 | 40-45 | 50-55 | 60-75 | 70-85 | 75-85 | 100-115 | 45-50 | 55-65 | 130-145 | 65-70 | 75-95 | 50-80 |
Aug 2 | 42-45 | 50-55 | 60-78 | 70-90 | 75-90 | 100-120 | 50-55 | 55-70 | 130-145 | 65-75 | 75-95 | 50-80 |
Aug 30 | 45 | 50-55 | 70-85 | 90-100 | 80-95 | 100-130 | 60-70 | 80+ | 130-145 | 70-80 | 85-100 | 60-85 |
Sept 20 | 45 | 55 | 90-125 | 120-135 | 90-110 | 120-130 | 65-75 | 80-90 | 130-145 | 75-90 | 85-110 | 60-85 |
Oct 25 | 50 | 55 | 100-130 | 135-140 | 90-120 | 130-140 | 70-75 | 80-100 | 130-145 | 80-90 | 100-110 | 60-85 |
Dec 6 | 45-48 | 55 | 110-140 | 140-150 | 90-110 | 120-130 | 70-75 | 80-100 | 150-165 | 80-90 | 100-115 | 60-85 |
Jan 3-12 | 45-48 | 55-60 | 110-130 | 140-150 | 100-130 | 120-140 | 70-75 | 80-100 | 150-165 | 75-90 | 100-115 | 60-85 |
Jan 30-12 | 46-48 | 55 | 110-125 | 140-150 | 110-125 | 120-140 | 70-75 | 85-95 | 150-165 | 65-80 | 100-115 | 70-80 |
| Prices are quotes only, until actual orders come in, that's when firm pricing is established. |
Prepared by David Wong, Market Specialist, Ag-Info Centre, Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development 310-FARM (3276)
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