Alabama Turf Times - Summer 2012

Summer 2012

MAXIMIZE FUNGICIDE EFFECTIVENESS with Proper Application

HOW MUCH SHOULD WE PAY Our Employees?

Plus, ATA Member Spotlight on

JIM HARRIS, Superintendent, AU Turfgrass Research Unit

WATER-QUALITY

SOLUTIONS

for Turfgrass Managers

Summer 2012

TOP FEATURES 8

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Recent Events —

Golf Tournaments, AU Turfgrass Field Day and Sports Turf Field Day ATA Member Spotlight—

Jim Harris, Superintendent AU Turfgrass Research Unit Cover Story —

Water-Quality Solutions for Turfgrass Managers Turf Talk —

Maximize Fungicide Results with Proper Application Business Matters —

How Much Should We Pay Our Employees?

Turf Tips —

Timely Advice for Golf, Lawn, Sports and Sod Turf

DEPARTMENTS 6 6 28

From the President’s Pen ATA Annual Sponsors News from ATA Call for Award Applications, Request for Auction Donations, ATA Donates Tractor to AU

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> Su m mer 2012

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www.AlaTurfgrass.org 4

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Calendar of Events Advertiser Index

The Alabama Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Alabama Turf Times, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Alabama Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2012 by the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Alabama Turf Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertion please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

From the President’s Pen >>>

A Very Productive Spring

AND MORE AHEAD!

G

reetings! Summer is upon us, and everyone is working overtime to keep up with the growing season. During this busy, hot and stressful time, I want to share some encouraging words with you about your association.

This spring was exceptionally productive for the Alabama Turfgrass Association. We held two golf tournaments to raise funds for the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. We appreciate our hosts, superintendents Newt Billingsley at Magnolia Grove Golf Course and David Deweese and Mark Langner of FarmLinks Golf Course.

We successfully raised much-needed funds for turfgrass research. These funds will be presented to ATRF at the Annual Conference in October.

ATA’s board of directors also presented the Auburn University with a Kubota tractor for use at the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit. The funds for this donation, which totaled $11,800, were raised by you, our members, at our live auctions. This donation was greatly needed, and we are very appreciative to our members for helping make this donation to the research unit. We would also like to thank the Pursell family for donating a sprayer to the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit. Both items were on the “most wanted” list at the research unit, and we are pleased to be able to mark these items off their list.

Sports turf managers gathered in Huntsville in May to learn tips and techniques to help them in their daily routines. We were excited to have the Tennessee Valley

Sports Turf Managers Association join us for this event.

Attendees were educated by turfgrass professionals from Auburn University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Tennessee and industry professionals.

We want to extend a huge thank-you to all our exhibitors and sponsors of this event. Please refer to page 11 to see a list of these companies, and please consider using them when making purchasing decisions.

Plans are coming along for the Annual Conference this fall. Be sure to make your plans to attend this year’s event, October 2–4, in Auburn, AL. We are making minor changes to the schedule to enhance your experience and make the most use of your time. We hope to see all of you there!

I hope you are proud of your association and find the accomplishments of ATA to be encouraging. It is members like you that keep our association strong.

I challenge you to invite a new member into our organization. We all need to continue to recruit new members and retain members that we may have lost during the recession. It is our goal to continue supporting turfgrass research, educating our members, promoting our profession and giving scholarships for future turf managers. Thank you for your role in making this a reality!

James Bartley 2011–2012 ATA President

2012 ATA Annual Sponsors

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The companies listed here support the ATA and its members.

Please keep them in mind when making your purchasing decisions.

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

Beard Equipment Company

AAT – Direct Solutions

AGRI-AFC, LLC

DuPont Professional

Greenville Turf & Tractor

Ewing

Agromax

Products

Golf Ventures West

John Deere Landscapes

Aquatrols

Harrell’s, Inc.

Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Syngenta T&O Products

BASF

Humphries Turf Supply

Bayer Environmental Science

Southern States Turf Sur-Line Turf

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Alabama Turf Times is the official publication of the: Alabama Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 70 Auburn, Alabama 36831 Tel: (334) 821-3000 Fax: (334) 821-3800 Email: mailbox@alaturfgrass.org www.alaturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President James Bartley Harrell’s, Inc.

Vice President Glenn Hedden Town of Loxley

Treasurer John Carter Carter Sod Farm

Past President Tom Wolf Coosa Valley Turf Farms

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Golf Jeremy Sutton (1 year) Montgomery Country Club

Lawncare Jason Cooper (2 years) Richter Landscape Company

Parks & Recreation Raymond Sexton (1 year) City of Troy

Sod Tres’ Wilkinson (2 years) South Dallas Turf

Industry Steve Sanderson (2 years) AGRI-AFC, LLC

Institution Kim Byram (1 year) University of Alabama

At–Large Jeff Hill (1 year) Craig Jones (2 years) Alabama Lawns

Sidney Whitaker (2 years) S & S Lawn & Landscape

EX OFFICIO/ EDUCATION ADVISORS Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D. ACES, Birmingham 7

Al abama Tu rf Tim es >>> Su mmer 2012

Cullman Golf Course

Recent Events

Supporting Research with

ATA Golf Tournaments Congratulations to Our Tournament Winners!

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The first-place team at the Mole Cricket Classic: Gib Fox, Brian Aaron, CGCS, Simon Parkin and Tim Orton.

The first-place team at the Poa annua Classic: Jason Sentell, Rich Hamerick, Bryan Scroggins and Lon Buckler.

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By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Thank

you to everyone who participated in our two spring golf tournaments, the Mole Cricket Classic and the Poa annua Classic. These tournaments raise funds for the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation, our philanthropic organization, which in turns funds turfgrass research.

Each of these events offers educational sessions prior to the golf tournament.

This year, the Mole Cricket Classic was held at Magnolia Grove Golf Course on March 12 and featured Auburn University’s Dr. Beth Guertal, who discussed nematodes. We thank the host superintendent, Newt Billingsley, for all his help in making the tournament a success, especially when Mother Nature sent a thunderstorm in the early morning hours prior to play. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed playing on the newly renovated (yet wet) greens on The Falls Course.

Attendees of the Poa annua Classic were also in for a treat with guest speaker Chris Hartwiger, agronomist for the USGA Green Section, who shared issues facing golf courses across the Southeast. The event was held at FarmLinks Golf Club on April 9, and we are very appreciative of superintendent, David Deweese, and director of agronomy, Mark Langner, CGCS, for hosting us again at this breathtaking facility. Everyone was glad to see the maintenance shop rebuilt and functioning again (last year, the facility burned to the ground just weeks before this tournament).

Please be sure to thank our sponsors of these events, and consider them when making your purchasing decisions. They support our events, industry and association. Thank you to all our sponsors and participants; your support of turfgrass research is appreciated.

Continued <<< Recent Events

Mole Cricket Classic Sponsors AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax AAT-Direct Solutions Beard Equipment Company Collect-N-Go Color Flex Golf Yardage/ Distance Markers Dow AgroScience DuPont Professional Products Golf Ventures West Ewing Floratine SE FMC Harrell’s, Inc. Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation John Deere Landscapes On Course Supply, Inc. Red Bay Sand Regal Chemical Company Ribolla Golf Group Southern States Syngenta

Poa annua Classic Sponsors AAT-Direct Solutions AGRI-AFC, LLC Aquatrols Anderson’s Golf Products BASF Beard Equipment Company Beck’s Turf Farm A.M. Buckler Sand Sales Color Flex Golf Yardage/ Distance Markers Dow AgroScience DuPont Professional Products Golf Ventures West Greenville Turf & Tractor Ewing FMC Harrell’s, Inc. Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation John Deere Landscapes Nufarm Quali-Pro Regal Chemical Company Southern States Turf Syngenta 

AU Hosts

TURFGRASS FIELD DAY

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

On

April 3, the researchers at Auburn University hosted the industry for a tour of their research plots at the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit. The event drew a crowd of 150 turfgrass professionals to the village on the plains.

Attendees toured research plots, including “New Grass Evaluation,” “Foliar Fertilization,” “Overseeding and Non-Herbicidal Control Strategies for Annual Bluegrass,” “New Broadleaf Weed Control Materials,” “Poa annua Control – Timing,” “Sting Nematode Update,” “Mole Crickets – Feeding Behavior and Tunneling Activity,” “New Herbicide Update” and “Plant Growth Promotion for Turfgrass.” After the tour, everyone enjoyed networking during lunch under the big-top tent.

We appreciate the researchers for their work and for sharing with us, first-hand, the fruits of their labors. We are proud of the research coming out of Auburn University. Great job, Dr. Scott McElroy, Dr. Beth Guertal, Dr. Dave Han, Dr. Harold Walker, Dr. David Held and Dr. Kathy Lawrence!

Make your plans to attend next year’s event on April 2nd. 

Recent Events >>> Continued

All for the

LOVE OF THE GAME S

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Paul Patterson welcomes attendees to the sports complex at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

(Left to right) ATA President James Bartley with Kelly Rensel, Huntsville Star field manager.

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ports turf managers convened in Huntsville on May 14 at the Sports Turf Field Day. The event was extended to a two-day format and was co-hosted by the nearby Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association.

Participants were educated on agronomic, in-field and career-based topics from industry insiders and researchers from all over the Southeast. Sports turf suppliers were also on-hand to showcase their products and services to attendees.

The event began at the Joe Davis Stadium, where Dr. David Williams (from the University of Kentucky) discussed seeded bermudagrasses, and Mr. Bob Campbell enlightened us with career tips and techniques he learned over the 25 years that he was the sports turf manager for the University of Tennessee. During rain delays, Huntsville Star field manager Mr. Kelly Rensel discussed his role and duties at the stadium and exhibited his professionalism during the stress that Mother Nature threw his way that evening. Attendees were then treated to a dinner sponsored by Carolina Green Corporation and a baseball game between the Huntsville Stars and the Mississippi Braves. The two presidents of ATA and TVSTMA, James Bartley and Wayne Treadway, threw out the opening pitches, another highlight of the evening.

The next morning, Paul Patterson, grounds manager for the University of Alabama-Huntsville, hosted the group at his sports complex. The morning was spent touring the fields and learning from another great set of speakers.

Dr. John Sorochan from the University of Tennessee discussed maintaining high-traffic turf areas; Mr. James Horton of the City of Birmingham spoke on hosting a major event, reflecting on the 1996 Olympic Soccer Tournament that was held at Legion Field under his supervision; Dr. Dave Han from Auburn University spoke on overseeding sports fields and effective removal methods; Dr. Fudd Graham of Auburn University discussed methods for controlling fire ants on sports fields; Mr. Bill Marbet of Southern Athletic Fields demonstrated the proper techniques for repairing pitcher mounds and batter boxes; and Mr. John Ferguson of Profile Products spoke on soil conditioners for sports fields. Needless to say, the morning sessions were full of beneficial information for all attendees. Thanks to AGRI-AFC, LLC, for sponsoring the muchneeded refreshments that day, too.

After the morning sessions, everyone retreated to the big tent for a networking lunch sponsored by Turf Time Equipment. Paul Patterson welcomed attendees to his campus and spoke briefly on his duties and roles at the University. After the lunch, attendees had the opportunity to meet all the exhibitors and visit with them one-onone. Equipment exhibitors conducted demonstrations on the adjacent intermural field. The ATA and the TVSTMA would like to thank the exhibitors for their support of this event. Their participation allowed us to provide a highquality program for the sports turf managers. We hope our ATA members

Continued <<< Recent Events

James Horton, City of Birmingham, discusses the key considerations for hosting a major event.

Please Support Our Generous Sports Turf Field Day Exhibitors!

Carolina Green Corp.

Dickens Turf & Landscape Ewing Irrigation, Golf & Industrial g2 turftools Golf Ventures West Greenville Turf & Tractor Harrells, Inc.

Humphries Turf Supply Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation Pennington Seed, Inc. Pioneer Athletics Profile Products/Turface Southern Athletic Fields

Specialty Turf Supply Sweetwater Construction The Hogan Company Trimax Mowing Systems, Inc. Turf Time Equipment World Class Athletic Surfaces

Al abama Tu rf Tim es >> > S um mer 2 012

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In-field management was a hot topic during ATA’s Sports Turf Field Day in Huntsville.

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> S umm er 20 12

will think of these exhibitors and sponsors first when making purchasing decisions, as these are the companies that support your industry!

We would also like to thank the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association for co-hosting this event with us. The Sports Turf Field Day was

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John Ferguson outlines the pros and cons of various soil conditioners for sports fields.

resurrected after many, many years and has turned into a bi-annual event for the Alabama Turfgrass Association.

The event is held in different parts of the state, and with this year’s event being in Huntsville, it was only fitting to ask the TVSTMA to join forces with us. Through this event, we have suc-

cessfully formed great bonds with the TVSTMA, and we thank them for their participation and support. A special thank-you to Stephen Callis, TVSTMA’s treasurer, for all his help and knowledge in planning and executing the event.

We look forward to seeing you in 2014 at the next Sports Turf Field Day! 

ATA Member Spotlight

>>>

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

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All

turf managers face pressure, but how would you like to manage a facility where every application, mowing height or irrigation cycle could have a positive or negative impact on an important research project? Well, meet the man who has done this for over 15 years at the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit — James “Jim” Harris.

Jim started his career at Auburn University as a forestry student. With his love for the outdoors, he naturally

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knew he wanted to do something outside. He later transferred to the Agronomy and Soils Dept. in the crops track where he met Dr. Harold Walker, who eventually hired Jim as a student worker. Jim traveled all over the state with Dr. Walker to outlying Research Centers with soybean and corn weedcontrol studies. Jim attributes Dr. Walker for teaching him the proper research techniques of study layout, equipment calibration, pesticide application and data collection.

Upon Jim’s graduation from Auburn, Dr. Walker hired him as a research associate, and they continued to travel the state of Alabama, working on research projects. With Dr. Walker’s encouragement, Jim went to Clemson University and earned a master’s degree in weed science. On his return to Alabama, he worked on research projects at the Black Belt Research Center near Selma. Seven years later, he followed Dr. Walker into turfgrass and was hired as the superintendent of the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit in August 1997.

Reflecting on his earlier years at the Turf Research Unit, Jim remembers when the facility had only five Snapper push mowers, an Excel rotary mower and a 1975 GM3 triplex. Jim quickly learned how to back lap, grind, construct USGA greens, construct runoff plots, maintain and repair equipment, and design, install and maintain irrigation systems. “Anyone who has worked in a low-budget operation knows the challenges of doing a lot with a little. You wear many hats and do whatever needs to be done,” Jim stated. “It’s not Augusta National, but still you are proud because you know you have done your best with what you have.” The facility now has over 50 pieces of equipment, 50,000 square feet of greens and six acres of irrigated research plots. Jim relies heavily on pesticide, fertilizer and equipment donations. The industry has been very supportive of the research unit, which could not operate without such generosity.

Field days are one of Jim’s highlights of the year. It’s a time when he has a real appreciation for what he does when he sees the researchers and graduate students presenting their research to the industry, knowing that he had a part in making it happen.

Jim also enjoys talking with the high school groups that come for tours.

The students are excited about being in Auburn, and they ask a lot of great questions. Jim accredits the Co-Ag and 4-H teachers in the state for doing a fantastic job of teaching ag and turf to the next generation of turf

managers, researchers, teachers and industry leaders.

Jim and his wife Cindy have two daughters, Beth and Jenny, who are both nurses at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama. They are also proud and active grandparents of Avery, their six-year-old granddaughter. On the weekends, you can find Jim backpacking in north Georgia on the Appalachian Trail, floating down the Nantahala River in North Carolina or swimming and biking at Callaway Gardens just over the state line in Georgia.

Jim, thank you for your role in making our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s turfgrass research facility the best it can be.

The turfgrass industry appreciates you and all the work, sweat and tears you put into the facility.

We are proud of you and your accomplishments with the facility! ď ś

Al abama Tu rf Tim es >> > S um mer 2 012

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Cover Story >>>

Water-Quality

SOLUTIONS

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FOR TURFGRASS MANAGERS

What we do in a streamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watershed is directly linked to the health of that stream. (Photo by author.)

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By Eve Brantley, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

The

health of our local streams, rivers, lakes and bays is a reflection of how we manage our landscape. Polluted stormwater runoff is considered the number one reason for poor water quality in the United States. With each rainstorm, pollutants — such as oil and gas from streets and parking lots, excess fertilizer from suburban areas, sediment from active construction sites and animal waste from agricultural lands — are washed into storm drains, roadside ditches and streams. What we do in a stream’s watershed is directly linked to the health of that stream. A watershed is the area of land that drains to a single outlet.

The good news is that water quality is better today than it was in 1972 when the Clean Water Act was enacted. The better news is that plenty of opportunities still exist to inexpensively and effectively continue to improve the health of our streams, rivers, lakes and bays, which offer us safe drinking-water supplies, fishing and boating options and landscape amenities, and which are home to an amazing array of life.

needs for lawns and applying only the required amount means that chemicals (and money) aren’t wasted. Landscape professionals can help spread the word to homeowners and others about the importance of proper fertilizer application rates and timing to promote a healthy landscape and improve stormwater runoff. Simple tips — like getting a soil test, not applying chemicals before a rain event and including some native plants in a landscape

that don’t require as much maintenance — can add up to big benefits for our waterways.

Plant waterside forest.

A simple form of stream and river protection is a streamside forest that requires minimal maintenance and features native trees and shrubs.

Streamside forests act as filters, slowing stormwater and trapping pollutants before they get to our streams. Plant roots anchor the soil

Landscape professionals can help spread the word to homeowners and others about the importance of proper fertilizer application rates and timing to prevent nutrient runoff into nearby waters. (Photo by Liz Nutter, Leading Edge Communications.)

Ways you can help Slowing stormwater runoff and allowing it to soak into the soil is key to filtering out the pollutants that it may be carrying. Landscape and turfgrass professionals have a unique opportunity to integrate rainwater, plants and soil in a way that benefits their clients on multiple levels, from aesthetics to improved water quality.

Apply fertilizer properly.

Lawns and other turfgrass areas play an important role in increasing stormwater infiltration and capturing excess fertilizer before it reaches storm drains that empty into local streams. In fact, one of the best ways to protect streams also protects your wallet. Knowing the proper fertilizer

Planting forests of native vegetation along the edges of water bodies can slow storm runoff, filter pollutants and stabilize shorelines. (Photo courtesy of Erica Fritz Wadl, Watershed Representative, Tennessee Valley Authority.)

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Even a small rain garden can help capture stormwater runoff and improve water quality.

(Photo by author.)

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and help minimize erosion of property. Their leaves provide shade to cool the streams in the summer and serve as a source of food for stream critters in the winter after they fall. Not all green is good, however. Invasive exotics such as Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) create dense monocultures that limit native plant regeneration, create unsightly thickets that are difficult to penetrate and may not provide optimal wildlife habitat. To create or re-create a native streamside forest, you can choose to set aside “no-mow” zones that are managed infrequently. We recommend planting shrubs and trees such as river birch (Betula nigra), Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) and silky dogwood (Cornus amomum).

Incorporate rain gardens into the landscape.

Other landscape practices can also target infiltration, while storing water, to improve quality and help decrease the quantity of runoff. An often-used practice is a rain garden system that is designed to capture, store and drain stormwater within 48 hours of a rainfall. Rain gardens are shallow depressions that are sized to catch the first inch of rainfall runoff (where most of the pollutants are concentrated).

The size of the rain garden depends on the impervious area it is draining, but a typical rule of thumb is 10% to 20% of the watershed. Rain gardens are typically suggested for residential or small commercial applications and may be sized from 60 to 1,000 ft2. An infiltration test should be conducted

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to determine if an area is appropriate for the installation of a rain garden. If the soils drain in less than 36 hours, it is likely you’ll have success with a rain garden. Plants for a rain garden must be able to tolerate periods of drought and saturation. Species that tend to perform well include tickseed (Coreopsis spp.), coneflower (Echinacea pupurea), inkberry (Ilex glabra) and muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris).

Resources The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has several online resources that can help with selecting waterquality landscape features that are both attractive and functional. The Alabama SmartYards program offers recommendations from planning to implementation for rain gardens, native plant selection, rainwater harvesting and more (www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/ A/ANR-1359.pdf). Timely Information articles on backyard stream protection and urban stream enhancement are also available (www.aces.edu/timely info/Ag%20Soil/AgSoil.php).

Thinking about rainwater as a resource for landscaping — and incorporating practices that can slow and filter water before it reaches our local waterways — can make a huge difference in the overall health of our drinking water supplies, recreational opportunities and natural wonders of our state. For more information on Alabama’s water resources, ongoing projects and special events, visit www.aces.edu/waterquality. 

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> Su m mer 2012

Turf Talk >>>

with Proper Application to Strengthen Turfgrass Health

By Wayne Ducote, Senior Sales Specialist, BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals

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For

golf course superintendents, the battle against fungal diseases that attack and destroy turfgrass is never-ending. While today’s science has produced many fungicides designed to prevent and cure outbreaks of the most-damaging turf diseases, superintendents need to both properly choose the correct fungicide for a particular pathogen and then properly apply that fungicide.

Superintendents with the healthiest, disease-free turfgrass are those who have developed a comprehensive strategy to protect their turf, including cultural controls, proper fertility, and a fungicide application and rotation program to prevent disease resistance. Such a strategy increases the chances for successfully keeping disease outbreaks at bay and decreases the likelihood of future flare-ups.

Develop a base of knowledge.

Through building reference resources, superintendents will have a better understanding of key grasses, the pests that attack them and conditions that favor disease development. Common sources of knowledge might include fellow superintendents and university researchers, professors and Extension specialists, as well as product distributors and manufacturers, all of whom can provide a wealth of knowledge and background to help develop a successful strategy. Additionally, many university Extension offices, distributors and manufacturers have developed websites that house their many published research reports, informational articles, application guides and product labels. For instance, the Auburn University turfgrass website can be accessed at http:// www.ag.auburn.edu/agrn/turf/.

Understand the challenges

Develop a plan.

Create a written plan outlining key tasks, overall plan purpose and the seasonal timing for both chemical and cultural controls. Having a written plan can help superintendents and staff to identify priorities and concerns at distinct times, helping keep management efforts on track.

More than 20 known fungal diseases attack turf, degrading its density, color and overall health. Some of the most common — and toughest to control — turfgrass diseases in Alabama include: • dollar spot • brown patch • Pythium blight • gray leaf spot • anthracnose • take-all patch • summer patch Cultural controls and proper fungicide use are vital for helping maintain turf health and reducing plant stress. This well-rounded approach is critical for managing golf course turf, especially on greens.

Greens are the areas most closely scrutinized and most susceptible to damage, primarily due to the diseasecausing challenges placed upon the turf by regular, short mowing heights (1/8" or less), heavy traffic and the low disease resistance of grass species adapted to the environment. Given these disease-favoring conditions, golf course superintendents who take the time to understand the conditions that lead to turf ailments and disease mode of action will have a greater chance at successfully preventing disease. With knowledge in hand, superintendents can be better prepared to make superior choices when it comes to managing cultural controls, determining fungicide selection, and calculating proper application timing and techniques.

Any good turf-management plan for combating fungal diseases should include strategies that mix both chemical and cultural controls to help balance the effect on people, the environment and the turf. When developing a program, superintendents should consider their plan as a “work in progress,” using several different, varying methods to promote long-term health. Key strategies to consider include the following.

Regularly scout your turf.

During daily course drives, pay particular attention to trouble areas, and monitor the environmental conditions that can lead to disease, so that disease onset can be predicted and managed before reaching an epidemic stage. Maintaining a course map or diagram annotated with problem-prone areas can help provide a visual reminder of symptoms and areas to monitor.

Maintain a log.

Keeping a record of turf conditions, weather, course activity, disease occurrence, and actions taken along with the results of those actions can assist in building a plan and furthering success in disease prevention.

Do your own research.

Select locations on the golf course where you can make product comparisons and create your own test plots.

Evaluate cultural practices such as removing dew before spraying versus not removing dew. Test other factors that may impact product performance.

Choosing the correct products and preventing resistance Choosing a fungicide that is effective against the fungus

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Al abama Tu rf Tim es >> > S um mer 2 012

Create a turf-management plan

Rely on cultural practices.

With rising disease resistance, ecological concerns and the need to manage time and money more effectively, the benefits from cultural practices to develop healthy turf should always be considered as a key part of an overall disease program. While cultural practices are not a quick fix, the long-term benefits of proper cultural turf care can help keep devastating outbreaks at bay.

Turf Talk >>> continued

Fungicides are characterized as contacts, local penetrants or systemics in the way they move about in the turfgrass. All three types have their advantages and disadvantages, and a balance of all three is needed for a comprehensive disease control program.

Contact fungicides In order to protect turf, contact fungicides must cover the plant surfaces before fungi attack. If the target fungi attack the leaves, it is easy to apply a contact fungicide to the leaves; but as the leaves grow, new leaf tissue is exposed and unprotected. In order to maintain protection, frequent application is necessary. In the spring, this could be as often as every week. If the fungi attack the crown, rhizomes, stolons or roots, similar challenges are encountered, but they are further complicated by the fact that the soil and organic matter surrounding the plant will filter and bind many chemicals to their surfaces.

Brown patch

Local penetrant fungicides Local penetrants move into the plant, but they have limited movement once inside the plant. However, they are effective at providing protection to areas of the turf that are not sprayed.

Systemic fungicides Once applied to the turf, systemic fungicides are able to â&#x20AC;&#x153;moveâ&#x20AC;? within the plant. Because the application, delivery and incorporation of fungicides play a major part in ensuring proper coverage and protection, systemic fungicides have the added advantage of making themselves present throughout the plant.

Proper application is key

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Summer patch

causing the disease in your turf is a critical first step, as products are not equally effective against all fungi.

Knowing the benefits and effects of a diverse range of fungicide products is important because relying on a single product or type of fungicide can spur the development of areas that resist fungicides, which is an increasingly common trait among fungal diseases.

To maintain effectiveness, consider rotating fungicide products as part of an overall disease-control program.

Additionally, it is very important to maintain a log of the effectiveness of fungicides for your particular turf against prevalent turf diseases in your region.

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Many times, the efficacy of a fungicide has more to do with the timing of its application than any other factor. As a general rule, preventive applications of fungicides generally have the greatest success against turf loss. This rule is especially true for root and crown diseases such as brown patch and pythium, where disease is not easily seen until foliage is affected by damage caused at the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lower extremities.

Preventive fungicide applications in the fall and spring can help reduce the amount of pathogens before the arrival of conditions favorable to the onset of such maladies.

At the same time, seasonal applications of fungicide can help give the turf time to grow and become stronger.

Applying fungicide before infection occurs is key because once a turf area is infected, it becomes stressed, meaning that some degree of loss will almost certainly occur, regardless of how quickly superintendents react to the outbreak.

In addition to treating turf at the appropriate times, applying fungicide in correct quantities at the appropriate target location is also critical to success. Flat-fan nozzles spaced on 20" centers and placement of spray booms at 16" aboveground height have been shown to help provide excellent coverage and overlap. The most common

Continued <<< Turf Talk

problem related to poor application is caused by improper spray-nozzle selection.

Selecting the proper nozzle type — which controls spray droplet size — is an important management decision, because the size of a spray droplet can have a direct influence on the efficacy of chemicals applied. As an example, if the average diameter of a droplet is reduced to half its original size, eight times as many droplets can be produced from the same flow, so a nozzle that produces small droplets can theoretically cover a greater area with a given flow.

It is important to note, however, that extremely small droplets may not be able to deliver fungicides on target, because factors such as relative humidity and wind speed can affect the application accuracy of small droplets.

As a general rule, flat-fan nozzles are the preferred nozzles for use when treating for foliar diseases (such as dollar spot) where the active ingredient should be concentrated at the turf canopy. When treating for diseases that attack the crowns and roots (such as summer patch, anthracnose and pythium), fungicide needs to be delivered below the turf’s foliage.

While leaf wetness is less of a problem with systemic fungicides, efficacy is only possible with contact fungicides when the active ingredient comes in contact with the affected area. To help keep fungicides on target (especially contacts), applications should be made when the

turf is dry, not dew-covered, and sprayer water volumes should be appropriate for the chemistry being applied.

In areas where there is poor irrigation-water quality, the use of buffering agents may be necessary to correct extreme pH levels or water hardness to ensure that they do not hinder the active ingredient’s effectiveness.

Before considering the addition of buffering agents, read the label and consult with your local manufacturer or dealer sales representative to understand how your current water quality and how changing that water quality will affect the product that you are applying.

Know your turf and its enemies There is no “universal program” available when it comes to preventing turf diseases and maximizing the effectiveness of fungicides. Therefore, superintendents need to consider many factors, including turfgrass species, disease type and persistence, cultural controls, fungicide spectrum of control, efficacy and length of control, and environmental concerns. By understanding the challenges associated with turf diseases and how today’s modern chemistry helps support cultural control measures, superintendents will be able to best develop their individual, supporting fungicide program that considers the most effective products to use and the appropriate timing and proper application practices to ensure the greatest success in strengthening turfgrass against fungal diseases. 

Al abama Tu rf Tim es >> > S um mer 2 012

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Business Matters >>>

HOW MUCH Should We PAY

Our Employees?

By Raleigh F. (Sandy) Seay Jr., Ph.D., Seay Management Consultants, Orlando, FL

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> S umm er 20 12

A story from O’Seay’s Fables…

Matthew MacFinefellow, Supervisor Par Excellence, was sitting in his office one Wednesday afternoon, when one of his employees, Oliver Winsome, knocked on his door. “May I come in?” Oliver asked. “Sure,” said Matthew, “I was just reading this article on compensation and job satisfaction, and I’d like to talk with you about it.”

“Good,” said Oliver, “because I was just wondering if you were going to give me that raise we talked about a couple weeks ago.”

“Well, let’s talk about that,” smiled Matthew. “My boss gave me this article I’ve just been reading, which says that job satisfaction is more important than compensation to employees, so I thought maybe we’d do something to increase employee job satisfaction at work. For example, we’re going to begin having small group meetings once a month to give employees an opportunity to express their opinions to management.”

Oliver swallowed hard and took a deep but silent breath.

“Well,” he said, “that’s very important, and it sounds like something I’d like to do, but what about that raise?”

“Just think for a minute, Oliver,” said Matthew. “Wouldn’t it be good if we were to create a working environment where we always have a free flow of communication so that employees could always feel that their opinions were important to management?”

“Of course,” said Oliver, a bit plaintively. “But I was really looking forward to that raise.” Matthew harrumphed.

“You don’t understand, Oliver. Here, take this article

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home and read it, and then let’s talk about it tomorrow.

Then you’ll more fully understand how a satisfying working environment is more important than wages.”

“All right,” said Oliver, as he took the article from Matthew and started to leave. Then, reaching the office door, he turned to Matthew and said, “All right, then. If I read this article, will I get that raise we talked about?”

Satisfiers and motivators One of the hottest employment questions that management must answer is, “How much should we pay our employees?” Many years ago, an industrial psychologist named Frederick Herzberg attacked that problem by positing two relative workplace factors: satisfiers and motivators.

Satisfiers do not motivate employees, but they must be present on the job for employees to be “satisfied.”

As an employer, you must have them. If satisfiers are not present, Herzberg argued, employees tend to become dissatisfied.

Motivators, on the other hand, do not “satisfy,” but they can be used to motivate employees to superior performance. If motivators are not present on the job, employees do not tend to become dissatisfied on that account, but they will not necessary be motivated, either.

Thus, according to Herzberg, employers must first

put satisfiers in place at work, prior to moving on to motivators. In other words, employees must be satisfied before they can be motivated.

Examples of satisfiers include compensation, an employee handbook, an open-door policy, job security, fair management and good working conditions. Examples of motivators include recognition, achievement, opportunity for advancement and interesting work.

How much is enough?

If we apply Professor Herzberg’s theory to compensation, we arrive at an interesting conclusion. First, we realize that compensation (in terms of a salary or an hourly rate) is not a motivator — it is a satisfier. Thus, we cannot use compensation to motivate employees to superior performance. What we can do, on the other hand, is use compensation as a satisfier, which brings us back to the question, “How much compensation do we pay our employees?”

Experience tells us that we can never pay employees “enough.” In our management workshops, I frequently ask, “How many of you make enough money and don’t want any more raises?” I have yet to see a raised hand, including my own. (It is said that when asked how much money is enough, John D. Rockefeller responded, “Just a little bit more.”)

Al abama Tu rf Tim es >> > S um mer 2 012

25

Business Matters >>> continued

So, if we can’t pay employees “enough” compensation, how much do we pay them? The answer is, we pay them “competitive” compensation. If we can say that our employees receive compensation that is competitive, then we can say that our compensation program is “fair” and that we have gone as far as we can in satisfying our employees, with respect to compensation.

We reach this goal through a systematic compensationmanagement program, which assures that employees are paid fairly, both internally (one position compared to every other position in the company) and externally (when you compare the company’s overall compensation structure to similar structures at other employers).

There are several steps in this process.

Steps for developing a systematic compensation-management program

Al ab am a Tu rf Tim es >>> S umm er 20 12

First, for each job, develop comprehensive job descriptions that comply with ADA and EEOC, and with accepted principles of management. We do not recommend generic job descriptions, since duties for similar job titles tend to vary significantly from employer to employer.

The second step is to conduct a job-evaluation program on each job description, using 8 to 12 factors, each with degrees and assigned points. Some of the factors include education, experience, financial responsibility,

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confidential material, supervision and others. The result of this process is that you will have assigned each job a specific number of points, so that you have a job hierarchy. Those jobs with more points will be higher on the scale and will, ultimately, be in a higher salary grade.

The next step is to divide all of the jobs into salary grades, based on the number of points received. Many large employers will have some 18 to 22 salary grades, and some have a different matrix for management. Each salary grade has a minimum and a maximum (and, in some cases, a midpoint). We base the calculation of the grades on a compensation survey of similar positions in similar employers.

Thus, each employee will fall in a salary grade, and we then say that if the employee is paid within the grade, then he or she is paid fairly and competitively.

In administering the program, employees receive an annual performance appraisal, and their raise in pay is based on their performance. This is called a “Pay for Performance” program.

If you have such a program, you will meet the goal of employee satisfaction with regard to compensation.

You can reach Sandy Seay (sandy@seay.us) or any of his consultants at www.seay.us, or by phone at 407-426-9484. 

Continued <<< <<< Cover TurfStory Tips

Turf Tips

Lawn Care

Nematode populations usually peak in late summer and early fall. Most nematodes that are turfgrass parasites prefer well-drained, sandy soils — like sand-based putting greens.

In Alabama, sting and ring nematodes are the two most damaging pests of turfgrass. Sting nematodes are able to produce visible damage at very low populations; a threshold of between one and ten sting nematodes per 100 cc soil is used by most diagnostic laboratories to recommend treatment. Ring nematodes are less damaging individually but can build up to very large populations in the soil. Most laboratories use a threshold of 300–700 ring nematodes per 100 cc soil when recommending whether to treat or not.

Although Nemacur is no longer available for sale in the U.S., options are available for nematode control. Curfew is available by custom application. Some newer biological and natural nematicides include Econem (Pasteuria Bioscience, labeled for sting nematodes only), Multigard Protect (Agriguard) and Nortica (Bayer Crop Science). Syngenta’s Avid, already registered as a miticide, received an Alabama special local needs label (24c label) in February 2012 for use as a nematicide on golf courses.

After an exceptionally warm early spring, temperatures in April and May 2012 returned to close to average. This means that the usual weeds are showing up at the usual times. Many new “all in one” herbicide products contain mixtures of several herbicides in order to provide control or suppression of a wide range of common grasses, broadleaves and sedges. Most of these are quite successful and are mitigating the effect of the loss of MSMA, although dallisgrass and doveweed will still be difficult to control. Multiple applications of products containing ALS-inhibitor herbicides will be needed to see any results. Another option with dallisgrass is to try late-season applications of either ALSinhibitor herbicides or, after the lawn is dormant but while dallisgrass is still green, Roundup. Spot spray for best results, and do not soak the area; just wet the dallisgrass leaves.

Sports Turf

Sod Production

Summer should mean aerification time on all bermudagrass athletic fields. Remember that aerification is an ongoing process: one run of the aerifier usually will not show much in the way of results, but a consistent program will certainly yield benefits. On heavily trafficked fields with persistent compaction issues, deep-tine aerification is the most effective for compaction relief. Be sure to locate and flag irrigation heads (and lines, if deep-coring) to minimize damage during aerifications. Topdressing should be done lightly, with an application of 1/8" to 1/4" as the goal. The idea is to apply just enough sand to have it work its way into the thatch layer, not to bury the thatch and turf.

Do you need to apply potash now to ensure good quality sod in the winter and spring? Research definitely shows that grasses that are deficient in potassium have worse cold tolerance than grasses with sufficient levels of K. There is little evidence, however, that applying massive amounts of potassium beyond sufficiency does any additional good.

Routine potash fertilization in the fall may not be needed if a balanced approach to fertilization is taken all season long. The best way I know to tell whether K is sufficient is a soil test. Do this in the summer, when there is still time to apply potash before winter (if it’s needed). 

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Al abama Tu rf Tim es >> > S um mer 2 012

Golf

News from ATA >>>

Call for Applications:

2012 ATA PRESIDENT’S AWARDS

The

Alabama Turfgrass Association recognizes its members for their expertise, hard work and dedication to the turfgrass industry with the President’s Award of Excellence each year.

Four categories are awarded: Sports Field/Complex of the Year, Landscape/ Lawn of the Year, Sod Farm of the Year and Golf Course of the Year.

These awards, presented at the Annual Conference and Tradeshow, are given to the member who manages exceptional turf, shows professionalism in job performance and ability, promotes the turfgrass industry and dedicated to the profession and ATA.

We encourage every member to submit an application for this year’s award before the September 1 deadline.

Winners of this award will receive: 1. A plaque presented at the ATA Annual Conference during the General Assembly.

2. Featured member with article in ATA’s magazine, Turf Times.

3. Free registration to the 2012 ATA Annual Conference and Tradeshow, October 2–4.

Criteria for consideration: 1. Applicants must be an ATA member for three or more years.

2. All applications must be submitted in complete form along with a minimum of 10 digital photographs.

3. There must be at least three entries per category for a winner to be awarded for that category.

4. All sports fields, landscapes, sod farms and golf courses must be older than three years.

The awards committee, consisting of current and past ATA presidents, will judge the entries. The application is available on the ATA website at www.alaturfgrass.org. All entries must be received by September 1.

Good luck! 

AUCTION DONATIONS NEEDED!

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One

of the biggest highlights of ATA’s annual Conference & Tradeshow is our live auction held at the Membership Dinner, scheduled this year for Wednesday, October 3.

In the past, we have raised money for turfgrass research and scholarships for turf students, and we just donated a tractor to the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit with proceeds raised from this auction. This popular event has been a staple at the Annual Conference and Tradeshow, and to keep this tradition alive, we need your company to donate an item to this great cause.

Every donation is appreciated, and anything goes! Matter of fact, the more unique an item is, the better. Ideas to

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get your creative, philanthropic ideas flowing include: • Tickets to amusement parks • Tickets to sporting events (college, minor league and professional games, NASCAR) • Golf passes to golf clubs • Hotel accommodations • Signed memorabilia • Turf products (fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides, etc.)

• Turf equipment (sprayers, trimmers, edgers, etc.)

• Trips (hunting, fishing, safaris, etc.)

Last year, we raised the most money in the history of our live auction, bringing in just over $13,000 in donations. We want to surpass that goal this year, and we need every member’s help! If you can donate an item listed above,

it would be fantastic. If not, ask a local business in your area to donate something (the exposure is well worth the donation). If you are still unable to donate something, please come to the dinner, and bid on an item or two. We need donations and purchasers, as well!

We’re all working together for the common goal of promoting our industry and association. Please call the ATA office if you have questions or need assistance in securing a donation.

Donations can be mailed to the ATA office or brought to the Annual Conference. If you have a big item that needs to be picked up, please let the ATA office know, and we will make those arrangements. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year’s auction a success! 

Continued <<< News from ATA

ATA DONATES A NEW TRACTOR to AU’s Turfgrass Research Unit

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Thanks

to the help of every ATA member who donated items to our auctions, as well as members who purchased items at our auctions for the last two years, you — the members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association — donated a brand new Kubota tractor to the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit in April with the proceeds from those auctions.

The ATA board of directors had been petitioned for help, in the form of equipment for the research unit.

The facility’s current equipment has aged, and the last tractor that had been purchased for the unit was more than 20+ years ago. ATA held several meetings with the researchers, superintendent and department head, discussing the unit’s immediate equipment needs. It was apparent to the board that the facility needed our help. We

took it to our members, and together we successfully raised the money needed to help out the unit with our live auctions.

If you contributed to our auction in the form of a donation or a purchase, thank you! Your efforts have paid off, and you have helped further turfgrass research in Alabama and at Auburn University.

The wish list for the research unit didn’t end or even start with a tractor.

There are several more items on the list. The top priority was a sprayer, and our industry is blessed to have the generous Pursell family, who graciously donated a sprayer to the facility. This family has been supportive of research and Auburn University for many years, and we want to personally thank them for their donation.

The second item on the wish list was the tractor, so we are pleased to have that scratched off the list, too. If you or your company is interested in help-

ing with other equipment needs of the research unit, feel free to contact ATA or Jim Harris at the research unit (334-844-4022 or harrij5@auburn.edu).

Thank you to Mr. Don Greer of Capital Company and Kubota Tractors for generously discounting the tractor. Mr. Greer sold ATA the tractor at cost, and Kubota took off another 8%, since it was going toward research. This enabled us to add a shade cover, front weights and lettering for the tractor and still remain inside our budget. The ATA board would also like to thank John Carter for his leadership in this project. It’s great to have people and companies among us that support research.

Be sure to stop by the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit and see the new tractor that you helped donate, and take pride in the fact that you helped give back to your industry! 

Al abama Tu rf Tim es >>> Su mmer 2012

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Calender of Events >>>

July 30 – August 3

TPI Summer Convention and Field Days (Turfgrass Producers International) Asheville, NC

September 13

UT Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN

October 2–4

January 16–18, 2013

2012 ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow Auburn Univ. Hotel & Conf. Center Auburn, AL

Gulf States Horticultural Expo Mobile Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center Mobile, AL

October 24–26

January 15–19, 2013

Green Industry & Equipment Expo Kentucky Exposition Center Lousiville, KY

STMA Annual Conference & Exhibition Daytona Beach, FL

February 6–7, 2013 Golf Industry Show San Diego Convention Center San Diego, CA

Advertiser Index >>> Andersons Golf Products www.andersonsgolfproducts.com ......................15 AGRI-AFC, LLC www.agri-afc.com ............... Inside Front Cover Bayer www.bayerprocentral.com................................ 5

DIGITAL Marketplace

Direct Solutions www.attdirectsolutions.com ........................... 11 DuPont Professional Products www.proproducts.dupont.com........................ 7 Ewing Irrigation www.ewing1.com..................................................12 Greenville Turf & Tractor www.greenvilleturf.com ................................... 19

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Harrell’s Custom Fertilizer www.harrells.com ...............................................30 Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

Humphries Turf Supply www.humphriesturf.com..................................18 Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation www.jerrypate.com............................................26 Kesmac/Brouwer Inc. www.kesmac.com ...............Inside Back Cover NewLife Turf www.newlifeturf.com ...............................................13 Riebeling Farms, Inc..............................................7 Southern Specialty Equipment www.ssequip.net ........................................................30 Southern States Cooperative www.southernstates.com ................................ 23 Sur-Line Turf Inc. .................................................. 25 The Turfgrass Group .................. 3, Back Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com Tri-Est Ag Group Inc. www.hendrixanddail.com ....................................15 Weed Man www.weedmanfranchise.com ..........................30

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