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Oregon grass-seed industry warns of market strain as department moves on slow-pay enforcement
Summary
At a Sept. 30 committee hearing, growers, industry groups and the Oregon Department of Agriculture described years of price pressure, rising labor costs and growing use of slow-pay/no-pay and supervised-price authorities while the department pursues contested complaints against large dealers.
At an informational hearing on Sept. 30, 2025, the House committee heard industry leaders and growers describe severe financial stress in Oregon's grass-seed and grass-straw sectors and urged lawmakers to help address market, regulatory and enforcement gaps.
Industry representatives told the committee that grass seed remains a major Oregon commodity but that markets have tightened since the pandemic. "We advocate for seed farmers, seed marketers, brokers, researchers, and others involved in our industry," said Dave Goracki, president of the Oregon Seed Council, noting 2023 production value at $639,000,000 and that the state remains a global leader for cool-season grass seed. Goracki urged legislators to treat the council as a resource and to help "get our markets moving again."
The industry panel described multiple pressures: high inventories, evolving consumer preferences, international competition, and rising labor…
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