SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/162108
FieldScience For 2013 we again should see tight supplies and firm prices, as the general consensus is we do not have enough production of seed. As of today the seed harvest is less than average and our crop will be short. We expect to see firm pricing for fall of 2013 and into spring of 2014. In our opinion perennial ryegrass, fine fescues and Kentucky bluegrass will be affected the most. So this year be prepared to order early especially if you need a specific variety and/or quality of seed. RPR, Regenerating Perennial Ryegrass, named a 2011 Innovative Product by the STMA, has shown increased use each year since its first release. Now christened with a new botanical name, Lolium perenne subs stoloniferum, RPR's reputation for durability and traffic recovery has grown significantly in the sports turf industry. Now representing three varieties, RPR continues to perform well in the traditional ryegrass climates and in unlikely areas such as the turf transition zone. Developed from 'Virginia' traffic survivors, RPR's durability in difficult summer conditions is both remarkable and unusual for perennial ryegrass. Supply for RPR looks very good. The newest member of our 'Sports Turf ' family is our Turf Blue HGT Kentucky bluegrass blend. To date, the performance of this blend of bluegrasses has been nothing short of amazing. On one particular Maryland Soccer complex, newly seeded Turf Blue HGT was successfully played on 35 days after seeding and the field is still playing like a champ this summer. '35 days and play' is unheard of for any species, let alone a bluegrass. Its key component, Barvette HGT, performed exceptionally well in the recently completed NTEP KB trial (2005 thru 2010). In the brutal transition zone, Barvette HGT finished in the top statistical grouping or #1 for 16 different evaluated turfgrass traits. At this time new crop supply looks very good and we're optimistic for excellent quality. Barenbrug also provides the world's only true rhizomatous tall fescues, Turf Saver RTF. With establishment, RTF develops a strong system of true rhizomes and a deep, extensive root system. Turf Saver RTF supplies also look very good. Bermudagrass supplies also look good with prices leveling off. Our Barbados Brand, featuring SWI-1044, is an outstanding product for those fields needing an elite feel to JOHN RECTOR, turf products manager Barenbrug USA New Crop 20013 seed supplies are looking good for sports turf grasses from Barenbrug USA. Though competition for seed production acres remains strong, we anticipate a good supply of seed for our distribution partners that service the sports turf industry. Yukon bermudagrass has excellent high quality seed.-Leah A. Brilman, PhD, director of research and technical services, Seed Research of Oregon State of Seed Supply REPORT Editor's note: We asked principals from seed companies across the country to answer two questions: What is the state of the supply of your grass seed crop used for sports fields heading into the overseeding and heavy-use football seasons? And, what is the state of supply for sports turf looking like for Spring 2014 growing season? Here are the responses we received: AARON KUENZI, VP-Marketing Manager Mountain View Seeds As we analyze the "State of the Seed Supply" for 2013 and spring 2014 we can be assured of one thing, change. One change will be pricing due to limited supplies. Supplies of most species of cool-season grass will be tight due to less inventory, lower seed production acres and solid demand. Our seed inventory carryover from the previous year is near a record low. Seed production acres are low as well. Our growers are making economic and agronomic choices to grow other crops. Economically these other crops produce either a higher net return or a quicker return. Growers are also choosing to rotate between crops such as clover, wheat and grass for the agronomic benefits. Looking forward we don't see a lot of change from the production side. 24 SportsTurf | September 2013 www.sportsturfonline.com