Danish Grass Seed Output Rises

WASHINGTON - May 9/06 - SNS -- Grass seed production in Denmark jumped from 88,000 metric tons (MT) in 2004 to 106,829 MT last year on account of increased plantings and superior red fescue yields.

Commenting on the situation, the U.S. agricultural attache for the country said average yield of the large area of perennial rye grass (42.5% of total grass seed area) was unchanged at 1,192 kg per hectare. Total grass seed area for 2006 is estimated to increase to 88,500 hectares, 2,700 hectares more than the record year of 2005.

Denmark's production area for grass seed has expanded almost 50% over the last 10 years. Grass seed area for 2005 increased by 2,200 hectares to a record of 85,711 hectares. The area for harvesting in 2006 is estimated to increase to 88,500 hectares. The area with red fescue is forecast to increase. Area sowed with perennial rye grass is forecast to increase slightly in 2006.

Areas with perennial rye grass remained unchanged 36,400 hectares and accounted in 2005 for 40% of the total seed grass production. Red fescue accounted for another 36% of production. Kentucky blue grass increased slightly to 10,300 hectares and yielded 10,500 MT, accounting for 10% of total grass seed production.

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