This spring already we have been extremely busy and organic grass seed is running out quickly. Key varieties are running low or have been sold already and we are having to modify mixtures in response to seed shortages. Hear more from our grass and small seeds manager, Simon Travers…

“This spring already we have been extremely busy and organic grass seed is running out quickly.

Key varieties are running low or have been sold already and we are having to modify mixtures in response to seed shortages.

These shortages are despite the organic certification bodies reducing the minimum organic requirement for grass seed mixtures down to 50% for 2020.

I would urge farmers and growers to get the mixtures you want now and would encourage autumn seed to be ordered well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

The shortages were predicted, and the repercussions of the unprecedented drought seen in 2018 are still being felt across the industry. 

A large percentage of the grass seed in the UK is from mainland Europe and there are now very few UK breeders, and one of our major suppliers has only got 40% of its organic perennial ryegrass grass seed requirements from his main continental supplier due to the shortages.

The shortfall from the 2018 harvest has continued to affect the market, with top varieties on the NIAB Recommended List running out first. 

A large percentage of the grass seed in the UK is from mainland Europe and there are now very few UK breeders.

Please contact the team today to enquire about availability on varieties and mixtures.”