Frequently Asked Questions

When was the PRBA/OGSBA organized?

The Perennial Ryegrass Bargaining Association was organized in August 1994. After six months of discussion, preliminary organization and its short and long range objectives, a Board of Directors and Officers were elected in February 1995. In 2008 the association changed its name to the Oregon Grass Seed Bargaining Association to allow for bargaining of turf type tall fescue.

What is the background and purpose of OGSBA?

To negotiate a reasonable grower price for the members of OGSBA producing the improved varieties of turf type perennial ryegrass and tall fescue under seed production contacts with the various Oregon seed dealers.

Background: The average price paid to growers for the 1994 crop year was 41 cents per lb. on certified seed, free of coarse grasses, poa annua and bentgrass seed. The grower price had seen a price reduction from 52 cents per lb. to 41 cents per lb. in six years, 1988 through 1994, with the movement increasing in the market from 100 million lbs. in 1988 to 175 million lbs. in 1994, a 75% increase, with a grower price reduction of 21%.

This reduction in the average grower price of 11 cents per lb. resulted in the grower price being 7 cents per lb. less than the average cost of production of the seed grower. Seed growers were losing an average of $90 to $100 per acre due to market instability and the manner of marketing by the Oregon seed industry.

Consequently, in August 1994, a group of ninety (90) growers representing 28,000 acres (40,000,000 lbs.) of turf type perennial ryegrass seed being produced under various seed production contacts (agreements) formed the PRBA.

Due to the requests by tall fescue growers and their need for representation, the association changed its name to the Oregon Grass Seed Bargaining Association and began working with dealers to establish fair prices of both species.

Does the OGSBA have fulltime employees and who carries out the administrative duties at the direction of the Officers and Board of Directors?

In February 1995 the Board of Directors arranged an agreement with J. L. Carnes & Associates, Salem, Oregon to perform the administrative responsibilities of the PRBA on a yearly contract. Under this arrangement it would not be necessary for the PRBA to open an office, hire employees, invest in fixed equipment such as computers, vehicles, etc. This arrangement continued with Jim Carnes, J. L. Carnes & Associates serving as the Executive Director of PRBA until his unfortunate passing in May of 2005. Ralph Fisher an Oregon grass seed farmer was hired in Jim’s absence and served as the Executive Director until 2010. Mark Simmons is the current Executive Director, he was contracted in February 2010.

While Mark Simmons takes care of all accounting and administrative responsibilities, the President, Vice President and Secretary of OGSBA are the only ones authorized to sign checks. All checks must be signed by two OGSBA Officers.

How does the negotiation process work on the price the grower is to receive?

In the beginning, 1995 through 2000, the negotiations of price each crop year were made by contact with each individual seed dealer, with the final price agreed to and an agreement signed by the individual seed dealer and the PRBA.

In 1995 the PRBA established the price negotiations on the benchmark standard of quality “TournamenT® Quality.”

In 1998 the PRBA received a registered trade mark from the U S Department of Commerce for the TournamenT® Quality mark to be used in the marketing of turf grass seed in compliance with the U S “Intellectual Property Rights.”

Since the crop year of 2001 the price negotiations for each crop year have been in the forum of the Bargaining Council under the supervision of the Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Does a member have to receive the negotiated price for all seed produced?

The price negotiated is specific only to proprietary seed produced by a member for a seed company that owns the rights to said variety and that meets Tournament Quality standards. Members must receive the negotiated price for TQ seed regardless if a company participated in the actual negotiation or not. The price of seed that is off quality is to be negotiated between the member and the dealer.

If a member is producing seed of a public variety, VNS or the grower owns the variety, the grower is allowed to sell the seed at whatever price the market will allow. During the summer months leading up to a final negotiation, members are discouraged from selling such seed for a price that is lower than the anticipated price to be negotiated. The primary reason to discourage it is because the member would be undermining their own negotiations and it demonstrates instability of the market.

When are the Annual meetings and Board meetings held?

OBSBA has its annual meeting in February, at a place that is determined year by year. All seed growers are welcome and encouraged to attend. The meetings are very informative about the current topics in the seed industry, and speakers address concerns and needs of growers. There is no cost to attend. The annual business meeting which follows is open to members only.

The OGSBA Board of Directors meets monthly, usually at the Farm Bureau Offices located at 3415 Commercial St. SE in Salem. The meetings are open to members. There are currently 14 growers on the board. For time and date of a specific monthly meeting, please call the OGSBA office at 503-371-4948.

How are membership dues calculated?

Dues are based on contracted and non contracted acreage. Contracted acreage is billed per acre at a tiered rate: $4 for the first 500 acres, $3.50 for the next 500, $3 for the next 500, $2.50 for the next 500, $2 for the next 500, $1.50 for the next 500, and $1 for every acre above 3,000. Non contracted acreage is billed at $1.50 per acre.