Press Release - Oregon Grass Seed Forecast - Publication

PRESS RELEASE
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
United States Department of Agriculture • Washington, DC 20250
Northwest Regional Field Office • Olympia, WA 98507
Ag Statistics Hotline: 1-800-727-9540 • www.nass.usda.gov

Regional Contacts

Posted online February 11, 2022

Phone: 1-800-435-5883
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Email: nassrfonwr@usda.gov

Washington – Christopher Mertz, NW Regional Director
Idaho – Christopher Mertz, Regional Director
Oregon – Dave Losh, State Statistician
Alaska – Sue Benz, State Statistician

Oregon Grass Seed Acres Up Slightly From 2021
Total acreage of Oregon grown Ryegrass and Tall Fescue increased to 321,000 acres for harvest in 2022, from 320,000
acres harvested in 2021. Estimates are based on data from a survey of growers conducted in January 2022. Acreage totals
for 2021 were revised from preliminary intentions based on 2022 survey data for all grass seed types. Growers indicated
that 58 percent of the 2022 ryegrass acres to be harvested are under contract, while 71 percent of the tall fescue acres are
under contract. Total irrigated acreage of ryegrass are estimated to be 24 percent of the 2022 crop. Total irrigated acreage
of tall fescue are estimated to be 35 percent of the 2022 crop. The data series for acres of seed under contract and irrigated
acres started in 2019. The upcoming 2022 grass seed crop is being reported as mostly fair, and some in good
condition. There were scattered reports of non-irrigated fields showing damage from the heat event last year. Mice and
voles continue to be reported as an issue across the grass seed area. Special thanks go to the Oregon Ryegrass Growers
Seed Commission, Oregon Tall Fescue Commission, and the Oregon Grass Seed Bargaining Association for support of
the survey.
Oregon Grass Seed 2022
Type of Seed

Acres harvested
in 2021

Acres available
for harvested
in 2022

Acres of seed under
contract
in 2022

Acres irrigated or
to be irrigated
in 2022

(acres)

(acres)

(acres)

(acres)

Ryegrass Seed
Annual .....................................
Perennial .................................

114,000
57,000

112,000
62,000

46,000
55,000

6,000
35,000

Tall Fescue Seed
Turf Type .................................
ForageType .............................
K-31 and other Type ................

116,000
18,000
15,000

113,000
19,000
15,000

96,000
8,000
1,000

45,000
3,000
3,000

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