Somewhat torrential rainfall and abrupt severe storms have had a lot to do with keeping hay balers out of the field recently across the four-state area.

Even though this may be bad for hay production it may have a positive impact on the fescue seed harvest this year.

According to Steve Ahring, agronomist with DeLange Seed in Girard, Kansas, no one can cut hay so there is more fescue being harvested for seed.

“I think we have the potential for a good crop this year,” he explains.

A good crop, according to him, is harvesting around 300 lbs. to the acre.

“Anything over that amount is great,” Ahring said.

As far as price is concerned, Ahring feels producers can expect bids to be in the mid $.40 cent range.

“The thing to remember is that we are only one storm away from a nickel increase in price,” he said.

The latest storms have not impacted the seed crop but as the seed matures more weather will impact it more.

“Wind will affect the crop as well as a hard, driving rain or hail,” Ahring explained.

DeLange Seed has fescue seed buying stations in Girard and Edna, Kan.

“Most of the seed we purchase is from southeast Kansas but we do get some from southwest Missouri and northeast Oklahoma,” he said.

Most of the seed harvested from these areas is used for turf and road-side seedings.

“Fescue is the predominate grass species in the United States,” he said. “There is a large swath of it grown from here all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.”

According to him, the fescue that has been harvested recently has been in the 18-30 percent moisture range.