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(970)565-8722 <br /> FAX(970)565-2576 <br /> A January, 2000 <br /> Dear Seed User, <br /> By now just about everyone involved in revegetation is aware of the impact that the <br /> Conservation Reserve Program has had on seed availability and native seed in particular. <br /> When you combine this with the millions of burned acres planted this year by the BLM <br /> we can safely conclude that supply has not caught up with demand at this point. Native <br /> seed can be found but at prices averaging two to four times higher than the normal price. <br /> How long will this imbalance between supply and demand last? We sure would like to <br /> know the answer but prot)ably the easing of supply vs. demand, and therefor prices, will <br /> begin around mid surnmer 2000. The New Year could see some shortages in native <br /> shrubs as government contracts have called for huge amounts of four-wing, sage, <br /> bitterbrush, shadscale and rabbitbrush. The long and open fall in 1999 allowed collectors <br /> the time to find good supplies of these shrub crops and now we wait to see if prices will <br /> drop back to normal levels Our best guess is that by late summer 2000 when supply <br /> nears demand most prices should come down fast. Drought and another active fire <br /> season could delay this process. <br /> Some of the seed production projects talked about in past newsletters are now a <br /> reality. We have Colorado ccotypes ofBottlebrush squirrltail, Nodding brome, <br /> Muttongrass, Junegrass and Canada wildrye. Arizona cottontop and Plains Lovegrass did <br /> not agree with our winter in 1999 and will oe replanted. Spike dropseed is available in <br /> limited supply. In the works are Pine dropseed, Salina wildrye, Thurber fescue and <br /> Mountain muhley, which hopefially will be available in the new millennium. <br /> Prices and availability create a frustrating situation since we also have to purchase <br /> seed. Still, our frustration is minor compared to yours. Never the less we look forward to <br /> working with many of you in 2000. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Walt Henes <br /> n <br /> 132h0•�1�2 y� RES•Ct)L.Q�ftl�1D0.81323 <br />