Alabama Turf Times - Summer 2015

Summer 2015

Sports Field Management on a Budget

ATA Member Spotlight on Scott LaForce, Alma Bryant High School Plus,

Upcoming Events Mole Cricket Classic and the Deep South Turf Expo

Summer 2015

Top Features 10

Upcoming Events — 10 Mole Cricket Classic and

the Deep South Turf Expo

ATA Member Spotlight — 14 Scott LaForce,

Alma Bryant High School

Cover Story — 16 Sports Field Management on a Budget

Recent Events — 20 AU Turfgrass Research

Field Day and Poa annua Classic Golf Tournament

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On the cover: The football field at Alma Bryant High School.

Photo courtesy of Scott Laforce.

Departments

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From the President’s Pen ATA Annual Sponsors Welcome, New ATA Members!

News from ATA Call for Award Applications Request for Auction Donations

Calendar of Events Advertiser Index

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

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www.AlTurfgrass.org 4

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 ©2015 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 >>>

Rewards of the Season

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Jeremy Sutton

2015 ATA Annual Sponsors Gold • • • • • •

ayer Environmental Science B Beard Equipment Company Greenville Turf & Tractor Harrell’s, Inc. Jacobsen Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Silver • • • •

Ewing John Deere Landscapes Residex Syngenta

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

Bronze • • • • • • • • •

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AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax Aquatrols BASF Dow AgroSciences Humphries Turf Supply PBI-Gordon Southern States Turf Sur-Line Turf

ummer has arrived! For the majority of us, that means it’s the time of the year we have planned for, waited for and even longed for. Especially for those of us whose businesses rely on it, summer can be a make or break season. Despite the long hours, days and weeks of the growing season, we all take pride in the beautiful landscapes and playing fields we manage.

We find joy in this gratification, and despite all the struggles and worries it takes to groom our turf just right, it definitely has its rewards.

In September when our daily hassles begin to wind down, I hope you will take the opportunity to treat yourself (and your crew, if you are able) to the Mole Cricket Classic Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament. This has become one of my favorite ATA events. It’s a fundraiser for turfgrass research, so your participation will not just benefit you… it will benefit every turf manager! You are doing something great for your industry, and you are giving yourself some much-needed rest and relaxation. ATA has secured discounted room rates at the Island House Hotel in Orange Beach, AL. Come down to the Gulf on Sunday evening, September 13 in time for a casual dinner at Fisher’s Restaurant with the other fishermen (and women). The next morning, we will fish from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anything that is legal in the Gulf of Mexico! The event will wrap up with a weigh-in at Orange Beach Marina. Every year, this event gets bigger and bigger. Come join in the fun this year… you deserve it! Treat yourself, and support your industry while doing so.

The following month, October 13–15, will be our inaugural Deep South Turf Expo. Everyone is getting excited about this event in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Exhibitors are filling up the tradeshow floor, getting ready to visit with you. The promotional brochures will hit more than 10,000 mailboxes in July with an incentive to register ASAP. For every full registration, we are offering a free conference registration from the same company, but only for a limited time. Take advantage of this great opportunity to bring an employee for free! This offer will be available until August 10, so register today at www.DeepSouthTurfExpo.org.

We are holding another first this December with a Dove Hunt in south Montgomery County. Whether you are a beginner hunter or a seasoned pro, come out and enjoy the fun on Monday, December 7. Look for more details soon!

Thank you for your membership and commitment to the turfgrass industry.

We value the work you do, caring for our little piece of world. Take pride in your work, and you will find enjoyment in it, too! I wish you the best this summer. If there is anything we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact the ATA office.

Until next time, keep it green!

Jeremy Sutton 2015 ATA President Montgomery Country Club

Ala bama T urf Tim es >>> S ummer 2015

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Welcome, New ATA Members! >>>

Welcome,

New ATA Members!

Greg Andrews SpringHill College Mobile, AL

Jonathan Holland Precision Turf, LLC Buford, GA

Mindy Bowen Sodexo – Auburn University Montgomery, AL

Mark Hutcherson Auburn University Auburn, AL

Phil Busman Harco Fittings Lynchburg, VA Dora Easterwood Sodexo – Auburn University Montgomery, AL Matt Eggers Auburn University Auburn, AL Greg Freyermuth Agriguard Company Debary, FL Barry Gladstone Steven’s Wack-N-Sack Maylene, AL Jonathan Gruber Sunbelt Golf – RTJ Trail Hampton Grove G.C. Owens Cross Roads, AL Edward Hamner Lawns Plus Vestavia, AL

Judd Lisenby Biotic Environmental Solutions Miramar Beach, FL Eric Ludgate Ensec Foley, AL Sonny MacCurrach Auburn University Auburn, AL Erik Nadeau Auburn University Auburn, AL Jeffery Rollo Auburn University Auburn, AL Michael Sanford University of Alabama in Birmingham Birmingham, AL Chad Scott Country Club of Brewton Brewton, AL

Brett Shinick Emerald Green Landscapes, LLC Columbiana, AL Morton Shlossman Ameri-Scapes, Inc. Norcross, GA Doris Slater Dogwood Hills G.C. Flat Rock, AL Michael Swicord Sodexo – Auburn University Montgomery, AL James Davis Watts Auburn University Greenville, AL Buddy Williams BWI Auburn, AL

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.alturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Jeremy Sutton Montgomery Country Club

Vice President Jason Cooper

Richter Landscape Co.

Treasurer Paul Patterson

Univ. of Alabama Huntsville

Past President John Carter

Carter Sod Farm

BOARD OF DIRECTORS At–Large Kim Byram University of Alabama

David Isbell

Twelve Oaks Landscaping

Mickey Pitts

Beard Equipment Co.

Golf Mark Langner

FarmLinks Golf Club

Industry Chad Lambert Sur-Line Turf

Institution Joshua Slaven Troy University

Lawn Care Tom Luchner

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

Turf Tenders, LLC

Parks & Recreation Deven Peek City of Prattville

Sod Tres’ Wilkinson South Dallas Turf

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

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D.

Alabama Coop. Extension System 8

<<< News from ATA

Call for Award Applications:

2015 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, to be presented at the Deep South Turf Expo, are given to the member who manages exceptional turf, shows professionalism in job performance and ability, promotes the turfgrass industry and is dedicated to the profession and ATA. We encourage

every member to submit an application for this year’s award before the August 15 deadline.

Winners of this award will receive:

1. A plaque presented at the Deep South Turf Expo during ATA’s Annual Meeting.

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

3. Free registration to the 2015 Deep South Turf Expo, October 13–15.

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 August 15. Good luck! v

Auction Donations Needed!

One

unique an item is, the better. Ideas to 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.)

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 turfgrass research. 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 Deep South Turf Expo. 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! v

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Ala bama T urf Tim es >>> S ummer 2015

of the biggest highlights of ATA’s annual Conference & Tradeshow, now known as the Deep South Turf Expo, is our auction scheduled this year for Wednesday, October 14. Proceeds from this year’s auction will support the research efforts of all participating organizations (ATA, AGCSA, MTA, GCGCSA and LMGCSA). This popular event was a staple at ATA’s former Annual Conference and Tradeshow, and to keep this tradition alive, we need for your company to donate an item to this great cause.

Every donation is appreciated, and anything goes! Matter of fact, the more

Turf Events >>>

August 25

Mississippi State Turfgrass Research Field Day Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Center Starkville, MS

September 13–14

Mole Cricket Classic Orange Beach, AL

October 22–24

GIE+Expo — Green Industry Equipment Expo and School of Grounds Management Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

September 15–17

September 10

University of Tennessee Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day Knoxville, TN

September 12

ATA Auburn vs.

Mississippi State Tailgate Auburn, AL

NRPA Congress and Expo (Nat. Rec. and Park Assn.)

Las Vegas, NV

December 7

ATA Dove Hunt Montgomery, AL

October 13–15, 2015 Deep South Turf Expo

Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center Biloxi, MS

January 19–22, 2016 STMA Conference and Exhibition San Diego, CA

February 6–11, 2016 October 21–23

PLANET Green Industry Conference Louisville, KY

Golf Industry Show San Diego Convention Ctr. San Diego, CA

Upcoming Events >>>

Calling All Fishermen to the

Mole Cricket Classic, September 13–14

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

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oin us in Orange Beach, September 13–14, for the Mole Cricket Classic Fishing Tournament. We’ll start the event with a networking dinner at Fisher’s Restaurant on Sunday evening, September 13. This dinner will serve as the captains’ meeting and registration check-in for the tournament.

The following morning (Monday, September 14), we will take to the Gulf of Mexico for an nine-hour fishing tournament! The pre-tournament dinner, posttournament fish weigh-in and prize awards will all be held at the Big Game Fishing Club located at the Orange Beach Marina, thanks to the generosity of the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club.

If you have access to a boat, you are welcome to use it; just pay the

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tournament fee. If you need a boat, we will be glad to arrange one for your use, and your registration will include the charter, plus tournament fees. You can register individually or as a team; we will accommodate all (even if you need a larger boat for your party)!

Registrations will open in July; make your plans to come fish with us! We are looking forward to another great event that supports the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. A big thank you to our Mole Cricket Classic sponsors: Agri-AFC, Beard Equipment Company, Harrell’s, Inc., Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation and Syngenta. See you in Orange Beach in September! v

Upcoming Event >>>

October 13–15, 2015

Deep South

Turf Expo Justified!

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

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ike many of our members, you have heard about the Deep South Turf Expo. Are you wondering, however, if you should attend? Will it be worth your time and investment? Will you benefit from attending? Well, the answer is most definitely YES! Here’s why.

This entire concept of having a regional event was developed specifically for YOU! All the organizing associations had every member in mind when they voted to move forward with the Deep South Turf Expo. This event will give YOU the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and professionals from all over the country and provide additional classes that you could not receive on a local or state level. The event will give YOU the opportunity to visit with a larger number of exhibitors who are selling products and services YOU need.

The event will give YOU the opportunity to network with other industry turf managers across the Southeast. And this event will provide YOU with CEU and pesticide re-certification points that are required for your licenses. The return on your investment (ROI) for attending the Deep South Turf Expo is justified below and can be used to justify your attendance at this year’s event on October 13–15.

The Deep South Turf Expo (DSTE) board has assembled a great lineup of speakers and educational offerings for our inaugural event this October. Top turfgrass professionals, researchers and speakers from Auburn University, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, Virginia Tech and the University of Florida will share their expertise with YOU. A condensed schedule of events, including the educational sessions, is listed on the next page. The tips, techniques and information that you will learn from these speakers are enough to justify your attendance, but knowing you will be able to use this knowledge in your daily turf-management practices is well worth your investment.

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The expo portion of the DSTE will be a huge benefit to YOU. We have secured a location that can house a grand tradeshow, allowing an unlimited number of industry suppliers to showcase their product and services. At press time, we have secured more than 100 booths for companies that want to talk to you and show you what they can do to help YOU. It may be a new product, a new service, a discount, a new business relationship or a new label that will spark your interest, but either way, it will be worth your time to attend to find out!

The greatest benefit an association can offer its members is networking opportunities. We learn from our peers, and having a friend or two in the industry to call on for advice is invaluable. The DSTE had that concept in mind from the start and has planned activities to make sure YOU network with someone while at the show. First, we have a fun day of activities planned, including a golf tournament, a sporting clay tournament and a schooner boat cruise; hopefully, one of those activities will spark your interest. We also have a reception and dinner to allow networking opportunities centered around eating… you can’t go wrong with food! And we designed the educational sessions with additional networking in mind: on the first day, the sessions are centered around the subject matter, and on the second day, they are centered around the different industry segments. It is our hope that college friends will reunite, turf managers will connect with others in their industry segment and competitors will meet other friends in the industry a state or two away from home to eliminate the competitive barriers.

Everyone in this industry has a license or certification that requires continuing education points. The Deep South Turf Expo is the place to earn those points! Attendees will be able to earn pesticide re-certification points from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. (If other states are needed, please contact the DSTE office and we’ll make those arrangements.) Other organizations offering CEUs through the Deep South Turf Expo include the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Irrigation Association (IA), Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Certified Crop Advisors (CCA) and the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). Take advantage of this opportunity to earn all YOUR continuing education points for the year!

The Deep South Turf Expo is the place to be this October, and we definitely want YOU there! The full registration package is $250, which will include all the educational sessions, conference materials, a reception, two continental breakfasts, a lunch, a dinner and the tradeshow. And if you register and pay before August 10, you can receive a FREE conference registration for an employee.* Our host hotel, the Beau Rivage (which is a four-diamond development by MGM Resorts International), is offering room rates for our attendees for only $99 per night. Plus, travel to Biloxi, Mississippi, is minimum from all states within the Deep South, whether you’re driving or flying.

Take advantage of this great opportunity designed for YOU! We look forward to seeing YOU at the Deep South Turf Expo!

Schedule at a Glance Tuesday, October 13

Thursday, October 15

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.......................Heavy Equipment Move-in 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.......................Exhibitor Move-in 11 a.m...........................................Golf Tournament at The Preserve 11 a.m...........................................Sporting Clay Tournament 11 a.m...........................................Schooner Cruise 11 a.m...........................................Sports Field Tour 6 p.m............................................Expo Grand Opening Reception

7 a.m............................................ Past President’s Breakfast (invitation only) 7 a.m............................................Continental Breakfast 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.......................Educational Breakout Sessions

Wednesday, October 14

The Diverse World of Plant Growth Regulator Usage Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University

8 a.m............................................Continental Breakfast 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.........................Tradeshow Open 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.......................Educational Breakout Sessions Professional Development

Pesticide Usage & Safety Pesticide Regulations, Storage and Protection Kim Pope, Louisiana State University

First and Foremost – Be an Agronomist Mike Goatley, Ph.D., Virginia Tech

9:20 a.m.

Raps about Apps: Using New Technologies for Turf Management Barry Stewart, Ph.D., Mississippi State University

Developing Diversified WeedManagement Strategies Jay McCurdy, Ph.D., Mississippi State University

Weed Control in Ponds and Waterways Stephen Enloe, Ph.D., University of Florida

10:40 a.m.

You Are the Commodity: Marketing & Developing Yourself Bill Brown, Turf Republic

Controlling Annual Grasses in Golf Putting Greens Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University

Navigating the Regulatory Waterways: The ABCs of BMPs Bryan Unruh, Ph.D., University of Florida

12 p.m.......................................... Luncheon & Keynote Presentation Habits and Virtues of the Successful, Mike Goatley, Ph.D., Virginia Tech 2:00 p.m.

ATA Annual Meeting

Sports Turf

Lawn & Landscape

8:00 a.m.

Soil & Water Management

8:00 a.m.

Taking Your Career to the Next Level Cory Blair, CGCS, Stoval

Golf Turf

The Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of Bermudagrass Cultivars Beth Guertal, Ph.D., Auburn University

Reducing Costs & Maximizing Inputs with Sound Agronomy for the Landscape Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

9:00 a.m.

Management of Spring Dead Spot, Mini-Ring and Other Patch Diseases Maria TomasoPeterson, Ph.D., Mississippi State University

Managing Skinned Areas and Turf-Skin Interfaces Ray Sayre, Pensacola Wahoos

Novel OrganicMatter Management Strategies Christian Baldwin, Ph.D., Mississippi State University

Developing Efficient Strategies for Managing High-Use Sports Fields Ken Edwards, City of Gulfport

Life Lessons from the Golf Course Ken Magnum, CGCS, Retired

Weed Control on Turfgrass Establishment, Grow-In and Recovery Jay McCurdy, Ph.D., Mississippi State University

Developing WeedManagement Strategies for the Landscape Jay McCurdy, Ph.D., Mississippi State, and Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University

10:00 a.m.

Watch Out for the Tawny Crazy Ants Fudd Graham, Ph.D., Auburn University

11:00 a.m.

Weed Management for Centipede, St. Augustine and Seashore Paspalum Ron Strahan, Ph.D., Louisiana State University

8 a.m. – 12 p.m.......................Exhibitor Break-Down 12 noon........................................ Conference Adjournment & CEU sign-ups

MTA Annual Meeting 2:30 p.m.

ATRF Annual Meeting

LMGCSA Annual Meeting

AGCSA Annual Meeting

GCGCSA Annual Meeting

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.........................Tradeshow Talks 5 p.m............................................ Silent Auction Closes, ATRF Grand Prize Drawing 6 p.m............................................ Surf n’ Turf Dinner – Beau Rivage Pool Side

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Ala bama T urf Tim es >>> S ummer 2015

3:00 p.m.

Registration and additional details on the Deep South Turf Expo can be found online at www.DeepSouth TurfExpo.org Early-bird special includes a free conference registration (no dinner) for an employee only if a full conference registration is received and paid by August 10. Dinner tickets are available for purchase. To reserve your hotel room at the Beau Rivage, call 1-888-567-6667 and ask for the Deep South Turf Expo rate. v

ATA Member Spotlight >>>

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ATA Member Spotlight on...

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

Scott Laforce Alma Bryant High School

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

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cott LaForce is the sports field manager for Alma Bryant High School in Mobile, AL, where he manages the football, baseball and softball fields along with the 70-acre campus. Scott has been at Alma Bryant High School, which is part of the Mobile County Public School system, since 1999. At that time, he was the assistant sports field manager under his friend and mentor, Tommy Akridge.

In 2008, Tommy retired and left the job in Scott’s hands. Working under Tommy for almost a decade, Scott was fully capable of managing this campus and its sport fields. He contributes his success to Tommy since he taught him everything he knows about the sports field industry. Scott even admits to calling him from time to time for advice; everyone needs a mentor and someone they can turn to for advice.

We are glad that Scott and Tommy have this great relationship.

Scott is originally from Irvington, Alabama, in southwestern Mobile County, just north of Bayou LaBatre. He has been married to his wife, Kimberly, for 27 years, and they have four children: Brent (age 25), Ricky (23), Kassidy (19) and Holly (17). The icing on the cake is that their children have each played sports on the fields that Scott manage. Brent and Ricky played football and baseball, Kassidy was a cheerleader, and Holly is a currently a softball player at Alma Bryant High School. What a great feeling it is to care for fields that not only hundreds of children can enjoy, but your very own can enjoy as well. We know Scott takes great pride in this fact!

Scott is definitely a family man. When not grooming the fields and grounds at Alma Bryant, he is fishing, traveling around the country with his daughter’s traveling softball team, attending church at St. Margaret Catholic Church and participating in the Metro Mobile Football Officials and Bryant Softball Booster Clubs. Plus, he is a seven-year veteran of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. He is extremely involved in supporting his children and their athletic accomplishments and continuing to achieve the highest level of professionalism.

We are proud to have Scott involved with the Alabama Turfgrass Association — he represents our industry well. Thank you for taking such great ownership in your job, the industry and especially Alma Bryant High School. We are proud of your efforts and talents, Scott!

We wish you continued success throughout your career. v

Cover Story >>>

Sports Field Management on a Budget

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

Article and photos by Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

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M

aintaining an athletic field on a limited budget can be very difficult; by their very nature, sports fields are there to be used, and the very act of using them slowly destroys them. By thinking ahead and being proactive, however, it’s possible to identify and treat small problems with a field before they grow to be large, expensive ones.

Preventive maintenance

An irrigation system being installed on the field of a small high school. Improper water applications can significantly increase field-maintenance expenses.

this time by continuing to fertilize and mow. Follow the one-third rule — mow often enough that you aren’t cutting off more than one third of the leaf at any one time. For a field cut at 1", this means mowing before the grass gets above 1-1/2" tall. It is acceptable to raise the mowing height if a field is not in use, but do not mow bermudagrass too high, as it begins to shade itself out. With dense varieties like Tifway, TifSport or Champion, 2" is about the highest cut that will preserve good quality.

Don’t forget to monitor your soil consistently. Soil tests should be taken every year on a field in active use to make sure that the pH and nutrient status of the field are right. Don’t just blindly apply lime, gypsum or nutrients — take a soil test, and make sure you are giving the field what it needs!

Often, a soil test is more valuable for telling you what you don’t need. If you have sufficient levels of a nutrient,

you may be able to save some money.

But don’t skimp on nitrogen. Bermudagrass needs adequate N, especially when it has traffic on it. Between 4 and 6 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 ft2 — that’s 200 to 300 pounds of actual N per acre — is what it takes to keep bermudagrass growing fast and recovering from traffic.

Find and deal with pests before they get out of hand

Don’t forget to scout the field regularly all season long to nip potential problems in the bud. Most weeds, diseases and insects are much easier and cheaper to control when they are young than when they are mature.

Remember to spend time scouting in order to prevent major expenses and headaches later. Walking each field daily is the ideal, but do it as often as possible.

A good example is the fall armyworm. They can show up as early as

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Ala bama T urf Tim es >>> S ummer 2015

These practices could be included under the category of “Pay me now or pay me later.” It can be tempting to skip or skimp on maintenance practices like aerification and topdressing or to cut back on mowing during slack times, but don’t!

Aerification is especially important.

Compaction is one of the biggest problems that athletic fields face, both from safety and management standpoints. Compacted fields with restricted root growth are less drought tolerant, less competitive against weeds and more susceptible to disease and winter damage than fields growing in uncompacted soil. Many dollars are spent on controlling weeds and diseases or replacing turf that could have been spent on aerification to help the grass avoid problems in the first place.

Pulling cores with hollow tines is the best way to relieve compaction.

Previous work at Auburn has shown that the effects of a single aerification on a heavily trafficked field last three to four weeks (See the Winter 2012 issue of Alabama Turf Times for a summary of compaction-relief research). If you can’t afford aerification equipment, it might be possible to borrow equipment from nearby golf courses or to share the costs — for example, a group of nearby schools might be able to all chip in to rent an aerifier.

Keeping up with mowing, even during periods when the field is not in use, is also important in helping the field recover from damage, strengthen its canopy and root system, and be prepared for upcoming seasons. The mower can also be a very effective weed-control tool. Summer, especially the months of June and July, is the prime growing season for bermudagrass in Alabama. Take advantage of

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

Cover Story >>> Continued

June in some years, and they will do a lot less damage if you spray as soon as you notice egg masses or small caterpillars than if you wait until the field crawls with large ones. Also, if you can get them under control early, the field will be able to recover from any damage it suffers before the growing season ends (and football season starts).

It’s very frustrating to visit a football field that has been defoliated by armyworms in the middle of August, a week before the first game. Such a field will not recover in time.

Using preemergence herbicides can be a great way to get more bang for your buck when controlling weeds. Many of the weeds that present the biggest problems on athletic fields are annuals and can be controlled well with fall (August to September) and spring (January to February) preemergence applications. This is often cheaper per acre than treating with postemergence herbicides. Remember, however, that even though preemergence herbicides can be very cost effective, they do not control all problem weeds. Scouting for perennial weeds so they can be sprayed while young and vulnerable is still necessary. Preemergence herbicides also should not be used in the fall if a field is to be overseeded with ryegrass, since they will prevent the ryegrass from emerging, too.

Finally, make sure that your chemical-application equipment is in good working condition and properly calibrated. Don’t put out more of any product than the label rate. Pesticides do not operate under the principle of “if some is good, more is better.” In the majority of cases, more is worse. It’s not just more expensive to exceed label rates, but also it often results in less control, or damage to the turfgrass, or both. Make sure you know how much chemical you are applying, and don’t overdo it.

Don’t overspend on water

When trying to maintain a field on a budget, it’s important to look for any hidden costs that are bleeding money without your knowledge. One primary source of hidden costs can be the irrigation system. The most basic way an

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irrigation system can waste money is through leaks and faulty or broken equipment. Be sure to inspect the system frequently, and watch it while it is running to be sure that all the heads are turning properly, coverage is good and nothing is leaking.

Another cause of high water bills is simply using too much irrigation.

Remember that irrigation is always a supplement for natural rainfall, and an ideal irrigation program is not run rigidly according to the clock and calendar, but instead takes the weather into consideration. The often-repeated rule of thumb for a bermudagrass athletic field is that it will use between 1" to 1-1/2" of water per week when it is actively growing in the summer. This is accurate, but keep in mind that in most weeks, the irrigation system is not the only source of water for the field. If there is a total of 3/4" of rain in a week, then the irrigation system

needs to supply only 1/4" to 1/2" of water to give the grass what it needs to keep growing. Any more is, at best, wasted — and, at worst, can actually cause disease and weed problems to flourish. Don’t spend money overwatering only to create a pest problem that will then cost even more to solve.

Many modern irrigation-system controllers can calculate exactly how often and how long to run based on weather data. If you are on a budget and can’t afford to buy the fanciest irrigation system, you can still adjust your irrigation practices manually based on the weather. It is absolutely OK to shut the system off during rainy periods. It is also OK to skip irrigation events as the weather allows you to. In order to do this with confidence, it’s important to know how much water, in inches, that your irrigation system applies when it runs. Get some rain

This field was not properly maintained over the summer. A lip has built up around the skinned area, and the infield no longer drains properly.

gauges or other containers, and place them around the field. A good guideline is to place one within a few feet of each head, then space them about one third to one half of the distance between heads. Make sure the containers are uniform in shape and size.

Then run your irrigation system for a typical cycle, and measure how much water you catch. This will tell you how many inches the system is applying to the field in a given amount of time.

While you are checking your irrigation, also make sure that when you run the system that the water is actually soaking into the soil and not running off. If runoff occurs, you will need to use shorter cycles with time in between to let the water infiltrate into the soil. Remember, only water that actually soaks into the ground and picked up by roots benefits the turf!

Similarly, do not irrigate in the heat of the day if you can avoid it. Water losses to evaporation can amount to 20% or more on a hot, sunny day â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water you pay for but the turf never sees because it evaporates before it can soak into the soil.

Try to limit damage as much as possible

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Ala bama T urf Tim es >>> S ummer 2015

This may be very difficult to achieve, but try to limit or spread out traffic as much as possible. If you can move workouts, practices, etc., to another location, or even to different parts of the field, then it is well worth doing so.

This is especially true in wet weather, since the soil compacts much more quickly when it is saturated. Tarps and covers on sidelines and other heavily trafficked out-of-play areas can help to protect the turf, but they can be expensive and require labor to place and remove.

Finally, remember that paint, although it looks good, is yet another stress on turf. Areas that stay painted (logos, end zones, etc.) tend to die out and require extra maintenance and care. Although almost everybody likes beautiful logos, remember that you are buying extra problems if you decide on extensive painting. Consider the balance between looks and turf health. v

Recent Events >>>

It Was No Joke...

Auburn Was the Place to be on April Fool’s Day!

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

A

pril Fool’s Day started out without pranks, jokes or even one-liners… just a great Turfgrass Field Day event on the campus of Auburn University with more than 150 of the finest turfgrass professionals in the state. Turfgrass managers from far and near gathered on the Plains at the Turfgrass Research Unit to view first-hand the research that the talented scientists and professors at Auburn University have been conducting for the last couple of years.

Attendees were greeted with beautiful weather, warm welcomes from the Auburn family and friendly conversation among friends in the industry during registration. Attendees were then divided into several small groups to view the research plots, hear the details of the studies, ask questions and, most importantly, understand how this research will affect their daily management practices in their jobs and businesses. The tours took the majority of the morning, traveling from plot to plot. Once everyone had an opportunity to view all the research plots, lunch was served under the big-top tent.

Attendees dined on a barbeque lunch while the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation announced its Draw Down for Cash… a fundraiser that kicked off at the Field Day and will conclude at the Deep South Turf Expo. A draw down ticket will be given to every donor for a $50 donation (taxdeductible, of course). Throughout the tradeshow at the Deep South Turf Expo, tickets will be drawn, and every 50th ticket pulled will win cash. To support this fundraiser, please mail your tax-deductible donation to ATRF, P.O. Box 2887, Auburn, AL 36831. The more tickets you have, the higher your chances of winning!

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Recent Events >>> Continued

Once the announcements were made, all the food was consumed and everyone signed out for their pesticide points, a large group of the attendees drove over to the Auburn University Club to play golf at the Poa annua Classic Golf Tournament. Golfers enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at the course that was complemented with comfortable weather and a great staff at the Auburn University Club. After the four-man team scramble, golfers enjoyed a reception sponsored by Greenville Turf & Tractor and Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation under the new outdoor pavilion just behind the clubhouse. Many thanks to our wonderful tee sign sponsors for making this tournament possible! We ask that you please support these companies that support our association and industry. They are listed below.

April Fool’s Day was a great achievement for the turfgrass industry, Auburn University and the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. Thanks to everyone who participated in the events of the day and who support turfgrass research.

Helping you become a better, more efficient turfgrass manager through applied science is what we aim to do every day… and that’s no joke! v

2015 Poa annua Classic Sponsors AGRI-AFC Bayer Environmental Science Beard Equipment Company BWI Companies Ewing Gowan USA Greenville Turf &Tractor Harrell’s, Inc. Humphries Turf Supply

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Su mmer 2015

Jacobsen Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation John Deere Landscapes Residex Syngenta Southern States 22

Index of Advertisers >>>

Agri-AFC,LLC...........................................3 www.agri-afc.com Bayer....................................................... 11 www.bayerprocentral.com Coosa Valley Turf Farm...................... 23 www.coosavalleyturffarms.com Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc............21 www.greenvilleturf.com

Riebeling Farms, Inc............................ 19 Smith Seed Services............................ 23 www.smithseed.com Southern Specialty Equipment.......... 19 www.ssequip.net Southern States Cooperative..............15 www.southernstates.com

Gulf Coast Organic Inc.........................5

Sur-Line Turf, Inc................................... 7 www.surlineturf.com

Humphries Turf Supply...................... 23 www.humphriesturf.com

Syngenta Professional Products.......... 7 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com

Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation.............Inside Front Cover www.jerrypate.com

The Turfgrass Group...........................24 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

TriEst Ag Group, Inc............................ 19 www.hendrixanddail.com

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Digital Marketplace

RD Murphy, LLC.....................................8 www.rdmurphy.com