Seed Production « Seed Production

Thomas G. Chastain

Field trials conducted in the Willamette Valley showed that crop water use from April 1st through seed harvest in perennial ryegrass seed crops was 10.5 inches on a medium textured soil (silt loam). Crop water use in tall fescue during the same period was 10.1 inches on the same soil type. A perennial ryegrass or tall fescue seed field will need a combination of water stored in the profile over winter and irrigation to meet this water use for best seed yields especially if rainfall is short of this 10.1 to 10.5 inch total.

Spring rainfall at Corvallis averages 5.8 inches, but the crop water use need exceeds 10 inches on a medium textured soil. Our results indicate that a single irrigation (over a few days) of 3.7 inches timed at early flowering (BBCH 60) resulted in a seed yield increase of 16% in perennial ryegrass. However, the highest perennial ryegrass seed yield increase of 25% was made possible with multiple irrigations (total irrigation water = 6.5 inches) timed between spike emergence (BBCH 50) and peak flowering (BBCH 65).
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Thomas G. Chastain

Growth and development of grass seed crops are progressing at a faster rate than is usual for the Willamette Valley as a result of warm winter and spring temperatures in the 2015-16 crop year (Fig. 1). The same pattern was observed in the 2014-15 crop year. These crop years were both much warmer than the average temperatures observed for the region and this is reflected in the growing degree days (base temperature = 5°C or 41°F) accumulated during the crop years.

Figure 1. Growing degree days (GDD) for the crop year through April 21 at Corvallis, Oregon.

These warm temperatures in the past two crop years are the result of strong El Niño conditions that have been prevalent. The effect of more growing degree days (GDD) accumulated earlier in the crop year drives development of the crop so that stages of crop development are reached at earlier calendar dates. In other words, the crops are progressing toward maturity at a faster rate than seed growers might otherwise expect. Certain management practices like PGR applications and others are taking place earlier in the season as a result.

One aspect of the 2015-16 crop year that is different than in 2014-15 is the high precipitation in the current crop year. While it has been warm, it has also been wet. Last year was marked by severe drought conditions. Looking ahead, scientists are projecting that the El Niño conditions have waned and that there is a possibility of cooler weather in the next crop year.

OSU is presenting two seed production field days in May where the public can visit research farms and learn more about research activities. The field days provide a convenient choice for those located in either the western or eastern parts of the state.

May 25 – Hyslop Farm Field Day – Plant growth regulators and nutrient management in grass seed crops, plant growth regulators and irrigation management in clover seed crops, weed management in grass seed crops, cereals, and more. Starts at 8:15 AM and ends with lunch provided by the OSU Crops Club.

Located at Hyslop Crop Science Field Research Laboratory just off Highway 20 between Corvallis and Albany at 3455 NE Granger Corvallis, OR 97330. Phone (541) 737-6067. Hyslop Farm location

May 26 – Grass Seed Field Day – Various topics focused on grass seed production practices and pests and more. Starts at 8:00 AM and ends at noon.

Located at OSU’s Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 2121 S. First Street, Hermiston, OR 97838. Phone (541) 567-6337.

Seed growers are reporting winter cutworm in Willamette Valley seed fields this fall and early winter. The extent and severity of this pest in fields is unknown at this time as is the potential for future seed yield loss. A new OSU Extension publication addresses the pest and problems it may cause. The publication can be found at the link below:

Winter Cutworm: A New Pest Threat in Oregon

There have been a number of questions regarding Oregon seed production statistics and in particular, trends in seed crop acreage and seed yields. To address these questions, a new feature has been added to Seed Production – tables of sortable data for Oregon’s seed crops.

The source of this data is the Oregon State University Extension Service. The tables can be found under the Production Statistics tab near the top of the main page.

Below is the first installment, the Alfalfa Seed Production Statistics Table:

Year	Acreage (Acres)	Yield (lbs/acre)
1976	11000	420
1977	13000	470
1978	14000	340
1979	13995	300
1980	12990	350
1981	9995	420
1982	6815	420
1983	8730	380
1984	8835	430
1985	10324	490
1986	9900	520
1987	10420	500
1988	10400	590
1989	10000	540
1990	10360	640
1991	11680	700
1992	11600	710
1993	9830	580
1994	9680	650
1995	10220	610
1996	8530	700
1997	6916	670
1998	9167	640
1999	11391	660
2000	8940	740
2001	7030	670
2002	4650	720
2003	4500	670
2004	5680	630
2005	4870	640
2006	3880	620
2007	3240	650
2008	2950	670
2009	2300	750
2010	2420	860
2011	1450	820
2012	2370	860
2013	3130	820

Thomas G. Chastain

Annual rainfall can be tabulated as calendar year (January –December) or crop year (September – August), but given the seasonal distribution of rainfall in the summer dry, winter wet climate of western Oregon, crop year precipitation is more relevant with regard to crop production and is considered here. The wet cycle in our Mediterranean climate begins in autumn and ends in spring so crop year precipitation better captures the seasonal nature of our region’s rainfall patterns (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Monthly precipitation and temperatures for Corvallis Oregon. (TG Chastain).

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Seed Production

Category Archives: Seed Production

Spring water use and irrigation in perennial ryegrass and tall fescue

Grass seed crop growth and development advanced again

OSU Seed Production Field Days

Winter Cutworm: Pest in Willamette Valley Seed Crops

New Feature – Seed Production Statistics

The drought and what to expect next?

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