Snowbanks are melting and water is starting to run, a sure sign that spring has arrived in Western Canada! Most forage and turf seed fields are just starting to wake up after a long winter, and while it may take a couple more weeks to know exactly how everything has survived the winter, with good snow cover this year, were optimistic that most fields have overwintered well.
We have seen steady demand over the last few months, with strong forage demand leading to sell-outs of many forage products and solid turf demand that has exceeded our initial expectations.
Pricing has remained steady for most products. Many forage products continue to trade at or near record levels, driven by strong demand and low inventories, while turfgrass markets have remained stable over the winter months with steady demand.
Crop Conditions
It’s still too early to make many observations of the 2026 crop in Western Canada. Fields in the eastern prairies took advantage of a wet fall, going into winter in decent shape after struggling through a dry summer, however some regions like the Peace River continued to be dry into winter and have already lost yield potential. In Oregon, early indications are that forage and turf seed crops are on track with no major issues at this point.
Market Overview
Distributor purchases have been strong this spring, driven by low inventories, and more stability on global trade and tariffs. The strength of further in-season demand will depend on spring weather and consumer spending, with spending a potential concern amid rising energy prices and broader inflation.
Perennial Ryegrass
The perennial ryegrass market has been steady over the last several months, with values remaining mostly unchanged since fall. Movement of premium varieties continues to be strong with modest inventories, while lower-quality and VNS seed remains ample.
Tall Fescue
Tall fescue inventory continues to be the highest among major turf species. Our top performing varieties continue to see good movement and premium pricing compared to lower-quality and VNS seed driving demand for higher Canadian plantings.
Alfalfa Update
Alfalfa demand has remained robust in North America. However, European demand, which was very strong last year and drove demand for Algonquin and common seed, has begun to soften, as Europe is expecting larger domestic production this year. As a result, we expect to see wider spreads between common and certified production this coming spring, which supports higher certified plantings for the North American market.
Red Fescue
Significant snowfall in the Peace River region this winter will help begin recharging soil moisture after dry conditions last year; however, yield expectations for the 2026 red fescue crop are already reduced due to significant drought stress last season. While regional production is limited, the availability of alternative species is expected to keep pricing in line with other turf categories.
Timothy Update
Dry conditions hampered both timothy seed crops and new establishments in 2025, creating strong demand for new plantings this season for certified timothy. Certified timothy prices have remained steady at excellent values, supporting premiums over common timothy, as common seed supplies are still ample.
To learn more about integrating forage and turf seed production into your operation, connect with a BrettYoung Seed Production Specialist.
