Seed growing in cost Find me a job
High cereal prices will force price levels of grass seed upwards
THE autumn consumption has created a lot of optimism within the grass seed industry. Significant increases are seen, not only in essential markets like Germany and the UK, but also in markets like France, Poland and Russia, where sales have been much better in autumn 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The first half-year of the present season is somewhat better than last year in terms of sales, and it looks as if the demand for grass seed for the coming months will be strong. Furthermore the herbage seed production in both 2010 and 2011 will be less than consumption, resulting in declining stocks of most species. This is likely to create a good market balance for most species.
CCO of DLF-TRIFOLIUM, Søren Halbye, estimates that the forage and private turf market really have regained their balance, whereas the professional market (construction industry and golf courses etc.) have taken their time to get out of the crisis, and sales within this segment are not yet back on track. However, we see a positive trend.
Even though grain and grass seeds are sold in different and separate markets, the increasing cereal prices will, no doubt, influence the grass seed prices, both in the short and long term. Production prices for
herbage seed have to increase to be competitive against other production alternatives, e.g. wheat, barley and oil seed rape.
“As a consequence, we are now facing price increases on grass and clover seeds,” explains Søren Halbye.
Henning Otte Hansen of the Institute of Food and Resource Economics, Copenhagen University, has made a review based on marked statistics of market prices, consumption, production and stocks of grass seed. He reaches a similar conclusion.
- It is a fact, that international cereal prices have increased by 75% since July 2010. History shows that cereal prices have an impact on grass seed prices, even in the short term
- Higher cereal prices will lead to larger acreages and relatively smaller acreages of grass seed. As a result supplies will decrease and prices will go up in the longer term
- Stocks are low for some of the major grass seed species. History shows that decreasing stocks or small stocks will result in higher prices
- The financial crisis, as well as the economic crisis, is about to cease. Demand will thus be stimulated again, which will encourage higher prices.
New pitchcare initiative to help our out-of-work colleagues
AS government cuts and the effects of inflation affect every industry, public and private sector employers have seemingly little option than to reduce the size of their workforces, leaving turfcare professionals across the country out of work.
For those without employment, the burden of providing for their families and meeting their financial obligations can be overwhelming. As an industry, it is in our interest to ensure that the turfcare professionals’ skills aren’t lost by people being left with no other option than to seek employment in other sectors.
Pitchcare was conceived to help Groundsmen and Greenkeepers, and we believe there has never been a greater need than right now.
As the most popular website in the industry, visited by tens of thousands of people from more than 28 countries, we want to use our profile to give unemployed turfcare professionals the opportunity to showcase themselves to the many employers, institutions and industry personnel who use it.
From mid-April, the Pitchcare website has featured an individual who is currently looking for work. We appeal to employers, grounds and course managers, supervisors, HR staff, anyone who thinks they can help that individual to get in touch with them, or us, to give them the chance to regain employment in the turfcare industry as quickly as possible.
To take part, please email Ellie Tait at
ellie@pitchcare.com, letting her know about your current situation. Don’t forget to include your location, including if you’d be willing to commute or relocate within the UK or abroad, a short summary of your experience and qualifications, and information about the sort of work you’re looking for. There’s no charge for taking part and we won’t ask you to disclose personal or salary information. You will have the opportunity to check the information we’re going to publish before it goes on the site.
Let’s see if we can make a tangible difference to our colleagues and their families.
Grounds Maintenance Equipment for Professionals
+44 (0)1332 824777
www.dennisuk.com PROUDLY BRITISH 5
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