Septiembre 2017

For those who haven’t been in the industry long, the drama of the 2017 harvest might seem quite frightening. Is this how it is every year?? Fortunately, not. Yet still, it seems like the past few years of minimal carryover inventory, increased competition for acres (like hazelnuts), and growing export markets are turning the summer harvest months into anything but a time of tranquility.

This year’s big twist was unexpected and surprising low yields. Even most of the old timers didn’t see this coming . While most all the crops looked good before windrowing, it was a different story by the time they went through the combine and cleaners. Hardest hit have been crops grown on wetter ground. Oregon had a wetter than average winter, which now folks are saying appears to have adversely affected these acres, while conversely benefiting the higher ground. Unfortunately, there are many acres of key crops, like annual ryegrass and tall fescue that are grown on wetter ground. Bottom line? Less than expected yields, resistance at growers to price crops, less readily available seed, and higher prices - much higher than we’ve seen recently, and higher than many have ever seen in the industry - particularly on annual ryegrass and tall fescue.

Here’s more reality: The drama is not over. We’re not close to being out of the woods yet, so hang on.