CARMAN, Man. – Golf may be a popular sport in North America, but a University of Manitoba scientist said growing grass seed for greens is not likely to take more than a divot out of the overall crop picture.
Creeping bentgrass used on golf courses “will not be another Cinderella crop like canola,” Ray Smith said. He estimated perhaps 20 farmers in Manitoba could profitably produce seed.
“We don’t want it to be like everybody and their brothers should start growing it,” Smith said, adding the grass will be one of many special niche crops for farmers.
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About 15 farmers are growing about 700 acres of creeping bentgrass for seed this year.
The variety, known as 18th Green, was developed by a former University of Manitoba scientist and is handled exclusively by Johnson Seeds of Arborg, Man.
Keith Johnson said growers average from 100 to 150 pounds per acre and higher if irrigated. The price they’re paid for seed fluctuates and now sits between $2 and $2.50 per pound.
Golf courses pay about $8 or $9 per pound for the seed. Besides being cleaned and processed to exacting quality standards, the seed passes through several hands before it gets to market. Johnson has agents who sell the seed to distributors and each party takes a cut.
And the seed is sold in small quantities. One green requires only 10 to 15 pounds of seed.
Johnson said 18th Green is doing well in the market, but wouldn’t specify how much seed will be sold this year. He said it’s being used on golf courses in Western Canada, Ontario and the United States.
Courses like the grass because it has a desired dark green color, provides dense turf and tolerates close mowing and a lot of foot traffic.
The prospects for growing 18th Green may be greener on the Canadian side of the border.
While Oregon produces 95 percent of the world supply of seed, the Prairies’ land base is the envy of creeping bentgrass seed companies in the U.S.
According to Smith, last year, three million pounds were sown in the U.S. But states in the Pacific Northwest are more urban, with more restrictions on herbicide use, irrigation and burning. Land prices have skyrocketed and U.S. companies are looking north.
Keith Johnson of Johnson Seeds said his company is already working with a U.S. counterpart that wants to expand its land base.
Johnson and Smith said that if growers here can produce the 18th Green variety, they can grow other cool-season grasses.
