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Prograss, March 2011 The Marketing Newsletter Prograss CONTeNTS POSITIve MARKeT TReNDS NeW GeNeRAL MANAGeR AT DLF SeeDS NeW ZeALAND DLF SUBSIDIARy IN RUSSIA IS WeLL OFF THe STARTING BLOCK DLF-TRIFOLIUM SIGNS eSA CODe OF CONDUCT TURFLINe WATeR LeSS – LeSS WATeR, LeSS WORK ISeeD – NeW IMPROveD SMOOTH FLOW FORMULATION MICROCLOveR PROveS ITS WORTH IN THe UK FORAGeMAx IN BIG BAGS JOHNSONS LAWN SeeD UK Positive market trends Søren Halbye sh@dlf.dk Looking at sales volumes in grass seed, the new season has kept speed at a high level. In the first six months of 2010, consumption has been markedly better than both 2009 and 2008. Remembering the damages and loss of productivity in older pastures and lawns on top of last year’s winter, we believe that more consumers are aware of the benefits of rejuvenating both for turf and forage applications. The demand in forage grasses has significantly increased, which affects the supply of especially top varieties of perennial ryegrass, but also other ryegrass varieties and species in general. Increased prices of cereal and oil seed rape, stresses the need for positive price developments in seed production of clover and grass seed to match alternative crops. When consumption continues at high levels in 2011, higher sales and higher prices than first expected will be the natural consequence. Good sales encourages substitution in mixtures In perennial ryegrass for turf we have experienced a very high demand in the 2010/11 season which makes supplies tight. In many cases substitution or an increased share of strong creeping red fescue can be an interesting solution in turf mixtures. Strong creeping red fescue has the fastest germination and establishment among red fescue and the visual merit is always among the very best. The drought tolerance and winter hardiness makes it a well suited all round specie for all of europe. Canada has cut back the production of creeping red fescue, which limits the import to europe but high seed yields in the european production of red fescue makes it very competitive. Therefore, the clear message is that all grass seed buyers should follow the market closely and be prepared, if necessary, to think in alternative solutions regarding mixture components to match individual needs. DLF-TRIFOLIUM is ready to help and assist our customers with innovative solutions. DLF SaLeS 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 Relative 2008 = 100 2008 2009 2010 DLF Sales of forage and tur f grass seed from 30th July – 31st December INFO BReeDING SALeS CASeS

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