3/8/2021

Heading into Spring 2021, it’s time to start planting again and if this season is anything like Spring 2020, it’s an exciting time for the golf industry regarding seed. Last March the world was put on hold with the COVID Pandemic. Because of the pandemic many homeowners across the country were performing home and landscape improvements. The consumer/retail market for seed expanded exponentially in 2020 and heading into 2021 that trend looks to continue.

Typically, conversations around Ryegrass for the overseed market do not come to fruition until late Spring or early Summer. The Ryegrass conversation for 2021 began back in January of this year when the Scott’s company purchased Columbia Seeds. The acquisition of Columbia Seeds switched the balance of power in the seed marketplace, in the United States, from the solely professional side into more of the commercial retail area. In addition, the acquisition has prevented several million pounds of seed, typically slated for the overseed market in the West, from making its trip.

The Ryegrass seed market was not prepared for the sale of Columbia Seeds or the increased demand for seed from the retail marketplace. There was not an increase in total acreage planted of Ryegrass seeds to accommodate the increased demand, and the quality of the acres planted is less than ideal because of a couple of different factors. Those factors include:

• The wildfires that spread through the Pacific Northwest last summer, resulting in less field burning than usual.
•  The increase in row crop prices
• The removal of Ryegrass acres to plant a higher profit margin crop.  

So where does that leave the seed market here in 2021?

Due to the significant changes to market from 2020, it’s hard to fully predict how things will look at this point. However, things are looking hopeful. Harrell’s has established a strong position in the seed market, and with the assistance of its seed vendors is very well prepared for the upcoming season. We look forward to servicing the needs of our customers when it comes time to decide for their golf courses.

What’s the solution?

If the demand for seed is greater than the market has for inventory, Harrell’s is prepared with two options instead of not seeding altogether. The Harrell’s proprietary lines of PAR^® SG pigment, and Dormant Green® Plus  offer great alternatives to not overseeding.

• PAR^® SG SG  is a pigment that has been designed to provide a natural enhancement to the turf.
• Dormant Green^® Plus is a paint product that provides a natural green color to the turf for all types of grass. The Dormant Green^® Plus provides color to growing, semi dormant, and dormant turf.
• Harrell’s also features a wide variety of POLYON^® controlled-release fertilizer products that can enhance the turf color and vigor coinciding with a late summer/early fall application.

Please contact your Harrell’s Sales Representative for more information.