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| Harvesting a field of sod. |
In 2007, 24 sod farms were reported to cultivate 4,079 acres of fine turfgrasses. Sod acreage was reported stable from 2006. Louisiana sod farms were not located in storm-flooded areas because sod fields must drain well and have lighter soils. Gross farm sales were $20.4 million this year.
Fields were slightly oversold in 2005, and then selling everything they could cut at elevated prices to meet the rebuilding demands. This left little acreage in the field that was near harvest. Production generally takes more than 12 months.
About 60 percent of the turf sod acreage in Louisiana is centipede grass and about 1/3 St. Augustine grass. The remaining acreage is divided among Bermudas and zoysias.
With new construction and rebuilding as a result of the hurricanes, Louisiana sod markets continue to hold high prices. Markets are currently expected to remain strong as construction continues from hurricane recovery, but subprime housing issues at the end of 2007 will soften the winter and spring 2008 upcoming markets. Shipping costs are now especially expensive with record oil prices, so local sod is more competitive. Marketing is not currently a major limiting factor, but sod supply can be in South Louisiana.