World Cup turf has local roots | Business

The turf at the World Cup has roots right here in the Willamette Valley.

Seed Research of Oregon created a special blend of ryegrass and bluegrass for the tournament.

"You can see how dense it is," said Bill Dunn, the firm's executive vice president, pinching the blades with his hand. "If a world class athlete makes a cut on it, you know it's going to hold up."

Oregon's $800 million a year grass seed industry has global reach. So when it came time to seed South Africa's stadiums, Dunn says his firm already had a connection.

That distributor landed the turf contract, and shipments began from a Corvallis warehouse off Highway 99.

Eight of the World Cup stadiums feature the local blend.

Another stadium -- Peter Mokaba Stadium -- features synthetic blades woven among the natural strands, a mixture that's proved problematic. Coaches from Slovenia and Algeria blamed the artificial surface for a bad game.

Dunn says he's proud that, so far, his company's grass has held up to the competition.

He said the key to a good surface is evenness and durability.

"The thing is, it's got to look as good for the closing game as the opening game and right now, we're on track."