Since grass seed is grown extensively on wet soils, specialized equipment called swampbuggies have been developed to apply fertilizers and agrichemicals during the winter and spring months when normal tractors and implements would sink in the mud. The swampbuggy as most commonly seen has three large tires in a tricycle arrangement for added floatation. This is accomplished with self-propelled windrowers, and is done while the seed is still somewhat green to prevent shattering. After the seed has dried in the windrow, the crop is combined and taken to a seed cleaning warehouse. It is critical to cut and combine in a timely and efficient manner to avoid rain damage, and fairly large and powerful equipment is used.
Seed is cleaned and bagged, and then sampled for germination and purity.
Most of the seed today is marketed by commercial seed companies, and many contract with growers to raise their proprietary varieties. OSU plays an important role in marketing through the Seed Certification Service. The certification program helps assure buyers that Oregon seed is quality seed. To meet certification standards, a growers field must pass a seedling inspection and a crop inspection prior to harvest, and cleaned seed must meet germination and purity requirements. Production Practices are Changing Although the Willamette Valley is ideal for grass seed production, disease problems limited the growth of the industry during its infancy.