16 minute read
Upcoming Event
Turning the Corner: The Deep South Turf Expo Emerges in 2021
By Melanie Bonds, ATA Executive Director
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The Pandemic year of 2020 was extremely challenging for everyone, and much to our dismay we had to cancel the Expo. The Board looked at various formats to host at least a portion of the Expo, but because of the general shut-down, we were unable to plan a viable event. It was very frustrating, but as we return to a semblance of normality, we are re-committed to making this the best Expo in our sevenyear history!
To further that aim we have a wonderful line up of speakers and an unsurpassed education program! Attendees will have outstanding breakouts and our general session will inspire all those in the turf industry who want to continue to learn and grow in their profession! Our education committee (Drs. Beth Guertal, Dave Han, Jay McCurdy and Bryan Unruh) achieved a broad-spectrum approach to topics. The general session speakers are highlighted below.
Brad Jakubowski with Penn State University has been involved with the Green Industry for over 30 years, working within the residential/commercial, golf course and sport field areas. He is an Instructor of Plant Sciences and Ph.D. candidate at Penn State University. Brad currently teaches a variety of irrigation and turfgrass management courses at Penn State. In his discussion, Weather Apps and Weather Decisions, Let’s Make the Most of Both!, he shares the best in weather apps and web-based information and how to use this information to make the best management, game-time and event management decisions possible! Bring your phones!
Dr. Jim Brosnan is ready to talk weeds! “Why Do They Keep Talking About Resistance?” is Jim’s topic. A Professor in the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee (UT) and Director of the UT Weed Diagnostics Center, his research focuses on controlling unique and problematic turfgrass weeds, particularly those with resistance to herbicides. Dr. Brosnan has consulted at multiple venues on the PGA Tour (including several major championship host sites,) in addition to National Football League franchises. Dr. Brosnan received a B.S. in turfgrass science from Penn State University, an M.S. in plant, soil and insect sciences (turfgrass) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Ph.D. in agronomy (turfgrass) from Penn State University.
Dr. Chase Straw earned his B.S. degree from the University of Kentucky in Turfgrass Science. He will speak on Technologies for Turfgrass Management: Current Trends and Future Applications. As an undergraduate, he gained experience managing sports fields at the collegiate (University of Kentucky) and professional (Boston RedSox and Cincinnati Bengals) levels. He went on to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Turfgrass Science from the University of Georgia. He spent two years as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Minnesota before becoming Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Management and Physiology at Texas A&M University in February 2020. Chase’s research focuses on spatial and temporal variability within turfgrass systems to develop practical strategies for reducing management inputs and improving the overall user experience.
This year the committee added a break-out on career management. For anyone wishing to advance in their profession (and who doesn’t) don’t miss Armen Suny’s presentation, “Job Search 101.” Mr. Suny is a search and consulting executive with Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace. He provides executive searches for general managers, golf course superintendents, golf professionals, assistant general managers, and clubhouse managers. He graduated from the famed turfgrass management program at Penn State. Suny has held the positions of golf course superintendent, general manager, vice president of agronomy, PGA tournament director, golf course designer and golf development project workout manager. He has extensive, direct, hands-on experience at major championships, PGA Tour events and top 100 courses.
While beefing up our program with these amazing keynote speakers, the Deep South Turf Expo is committed to providing entertainment and social networking that can be quite as valuable as formal education programs. The Deep South Four Ball Tournament will be reprised and held on Monday at The Preserve and on Tuesday at Fallen Oak. While teams are battling it out over the Four Ball tournament at Fallen Oak on Tuesday, the Preserve Golf Club will host our Scramble Tournament.
Following the Scramble at The Preserve, whether you golf or not, everyone is invited to come out in the late afternoon to attend a Tail Gate Picnic that is being planned by our sponsors. This event was amazingly well received in 2019 — despite the heat and we are talking about both high temperatures and some of the food options that “kicked it up a notch!”
Lest we forget, in addition to the golf there will be the Skeet and Trap Tournament on Tuesday as well, and the Sports Field Tour. The tour will end as usual at Shuckers Stadium in time for everyone to take part in the Tail Gate at The Preserve.
We are really excited about our program this year! We feel there is pent up demand that will make this one of the best attended Expos ever. Registration for exhibitors and attendees is open on-line at DeepSouthTurfExpo.org. Make plans now to attend. Getting together with friends and colleagues in Biloxi in the Fall is always a special time for our industry and will be even more so by our absence last year!
YOUR ATTENDANCE IS REQUESTED
The 2021 ATA Annual Business Meeting will be held Wednesday, November 3, 2021 between the morning and afternoon education sessions from noon to 1pm at the Deep South Turf Expo. Please attend and cast your vote for the 2022 Slate of Officers and Directors. Five positions on the board are to be replaced and we are excited to welcome Hunter McBrayer (Alfa), Travis Stein (Regal Chemical), Jonathan Gruber (City of Decatur) Jennifer Morgan (City of Gulf Shores) and Drew Charcandy (University of Alabama). The Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented. ATA's financials and the year's recap will be discussed as well. See you there!
2021 SPONSORS
2021 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
MONDAY, November 1
12 pm
Four Ball Golf Tournament (2 man/4 ball) — The Preserve Golf Club Tournament sponsored by Beard Equipment Company, Greenville Turf & Tractor & Harrell’s, Inc • Drinks sponsored by PBI-Gordon
4 pm – 6 pm
Exhibitor Move-In (Large Equipment Only) — Mississippi Coast Convention Center (MCCC)
TUESDAY, November 2
8 am – 4 pm
Registration Open & Exhibitor Move-In — MCCC
10 am
Sports Field Tour — meet in bus lobby of Beau Rivage
10 am
Skeet and Trap Tournament — Coast Rifle and Pistol Club Sponsored by Corteva AgriScience
10 am
Four Ball Golf Tournament (2 man/4 ball) — Fallen Oak Golf Club Tournament sponsored by Beard Equipment Company, Greenville Turf & Tractor & Harrell’s, Inc • Drinks sponsored by PBI-Gordon
11 am
Scramble Golf Tournament — The Preserve Golf Club Sponsored by Jerry Pate Company and Ladd’s • Drinks sponsored by Capillary Concrete
5 pm
Tailgate Celebration (All attendees & exhibitors welcome) — The Preserve Golf Club Sponsored by Jerry Pate Company, Ladd’s, Beard Equipment Company, Greenville Turf & Tractor, Simplot, Harrell’s, Inc. & FIS Outdoor
WEDNESDAY, November 3
7 am – 4 pm
Registration Open — MCCC Continental Breakfast sponsored by Simplot
8 am – 11 am
General Session: Keynote Speakers — MCCC Sponsored by BASF
8 am
Weather Apps and Weather Decisions, Let’s Make the Most of Both! • Bradley Jakubowski, Ph.D., Penn State University There are an incredible number of weather apps out there these days and we usually have at least two or three on our phones at one time! Let’s discuss what to look for in weather apps and web-based information and how to use this information to make the best management, game-time, and event management decisions possible. Be prepared to have your phones ready!
9 am
Why Do They Keep Talking About Resistance? • Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee Does it seem like every weed control talk at a conference is about resistance? This presentation will shed light on why. Learn the basics of resistance, how to see if it’s affected your facility, and how to move forward once it’s become an issue.
10 am
Technologies for Turfgrass Management: Current Trends and Future Applications • Chase Straw, Ph.D., Texas A & M University The turfgrass management industry is under increasing public pressure to improve environmental impacts by reducing management inputs. The concept of precision turfgrass management (PTM) is a viable strategy to achieve reductions by making management input applications only where, when, and in the amount needed. PTM currently relies heavily on new technologies for a more datadriven management approach. This presentation will introduce the concept of PTM, and then provide an overview of current trends and future applications of technologies for its implementation.
11 am – 4 pm
Tradeshow Open — featuring Silent Auction — MCCC
12 pm – 3 pm
Annual Business Meetings — DRAWING FOR $$$ — MCCC
12 pm
Alabama Turfgrass Association & Mississippi Turfgrass Association
1 pm
Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association & Gulf Coast GCSA
2 pm
Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation & Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA
3 pm – 5 pm
Educational Breakout Sessions — MCCC
Turfgrass Management
Root-knot and Lance Nematodes on Warm-Season Turfgrasses William T. “Billy” Crow, Ph.D., University of Florida Root-knot and lance nematodes are increasing in importance on warm-season turfgrasses in the southeast. Learn about the behavior of these nematodes, improved sampling procedures for them, and how best to manage them.
Poa Annua Panel Discussion Bryan Unruh, Ph.D., University of Florida, Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University and Jay McCurdy, Ph.D., Mississippi State University Annual bluegrass is not easily controlled with synthetic pesticides alone. Scientists are using the weed’s natural biology and growth characteristics to develop non-chemical control strategies. Those strategies include clipping removal during seed production, fraze-mowing, and alternative pesticides. Our experts will share results of the USDA-NIFA Specialty Crops Research Initiative being conducted by a national team of scientists.
Landscape Management
Irrigation Troubleshooting Using Sight, Sound, and Smell: Maybe Shovel Too? Bradley Jakubowski, Ph.D., Penn State University This presentation is intended to help improve irrigation troubleshooting skills before any digging or in-depth work occurs. Being able to evaluate what is being seen, heard, or smelled can potentially reduce the amount of wasted work and disruption to the course. And as a last resort, we’ll discuss when digging is required.
Recreational Pond Management: Seven Steps to Get the Most from Your Pond David Cline, Ph.D., Auburn University Proper management of a recreational fishing pond might seem complicated, but if you understand these seven principles you can create an optimal experience. Many recreational ponds serve multiple purposes from cattle watering to irrigation to fishing. Every pond is unique and may require slightly different management to get the desired results. This presentation will cover principles of proper stocking, harvesting and weed control.
Career Management
3 pm
Job Search 101 Armen Suny, Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace Most turf managers are not spending any appreciable time on their careers and preparing for the next opportunity. In this program, we discuss common sense strategies that will help potential candidates get the interview and then get the position. Attendees will learn what our clients are looking for and how to best present themselves to potential employers. Areas covered will include working on your career, how different search committee members look for different things, the cover letter (reading between the lines), resumé presentation and learning how to prepare for and practice for an interview, including how to close your interview.
4 pm
Job Search 101 — CONTINUED Armen Suny, Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace
THURSDAY, November 4
7 am – 9 am
Registration Open and Exhibitor Move-Out – MCCC Continental Breakfast sponsored by Simplot
8 am – 12 pm
Educational Breakout Sessions – MCCC
GOLF
Water Issues: Bad Water, Too Little and Everything in Between Marco Schiavon, Ph.D., University of Florida Irrigation is the single most important maintenance practice to keep turfgrass alive, even in hot and humid climates where soil water holding capacity is limited. Moreover with water restrictions being progressively enforced, misuse of irrigation water has become a predominant issue for the turf industry. Several strategies have been proposed to conserve potable water when irrigating turf. Strategies to be covered include: use of alternative sources to potable water, deficit irrigation, choosing the right type of grass / cultivars for the environment, wetting agents and sufficient N fertilization.
Goosegrass Control Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University This seminar will discuss latest herbicides for control of goosegrass and other grass weeds. Herbicide resistance issues will also be discussed along with development of new strategies to prevent resistance development.
Best Management Practices and Water Quality Protection J. Bryan Unruh, Ph.D., University of Florida Non-Point Source pollution (NPS) occurs as rainfall moves over the surface and through the ground picking up natural and man-made pollutants and then depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground waters. In most states, NPS is the leading cause of water-quality problems that adversely affect drinking water supplies, recreation, and marine life and wildlife. Strategies for improving water quality on golf courses will be explored along with a discussion of relevant case study examples of water quality monitoring programs.
Using Communication Skills to Enhance a Strong BMP Program Tim Hiers, CGCS, White Oak Conservation Effective communications are essential to a strong BMP program. This includes communications to the members, staff and locales.
SPORTS TURF and GROUNDS
Sports Field Variability and Its Impact on Athlete- Surface Interactions Chase Straw, Ph.D., Texas A & M University Sports fields can be significantly different from field-to-field and within a single field, depending on their type, construction, usage, and management. Research involving athlete–surface interactions often fails to thoroughly account for variability by grouping these fields into a single category of “natural turfgrass” or “artificial turf.” This presentation will highlight the between – and within-field variations of sports fields and their influence on athlete–surface interactions, as well as offer several management strategies to improve field consistency and uniformity.
More Than a Beauty Pageant: Comparing Divot Recovery and Wear Tolerance of Bermudagrass Cultivars Jason Kruse, Ph.D., University of Florida Several new bermudagrasses cultivars have been introduced in recent years. Many of these grasses tout improved disease and insect resistance, and drought and shade tolerance. Attendees will learn how these new grasses are being tested for their tolerance.
Weed Control and Wear Tolerance for Sports Fields Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University Weeds contribute to turfgrass stand decline which decreases wear tolerance of turfgrass. Weeds themselves also have very low wear tolerance leading to soil exposure under sport play conditions. Herbicide and other weed control strategies will be discussed that maximize turf wear tolerance and control weeds.
New Technologies in Athletic Field Stripers Doug Schattinger, Pioneer Athletics How can GPS and other precision technologies improve quality and save you time. What different technologies are available and what changes are coming? Where do they work well and where will they frustrate you?
LAWN CARE and LANDSCAPE
Ecologically Beneficial Turf — A Changing Landscape Jay McCurdy, Ph.D., Mississippi State University and David Held, Ph.D., Auburn University Turfgrass provides important ecological services, such as carbon sequestration, noise abatement, and temperature moderation. Unfortunately, because the modern “American lawn” is often maintained as a monoculture, it lacks species richness and habitat for pollinating insects. Drs. Held and McCurdy share information regarding how to increase pollinator habitat within urban landscapes through reduced and optimized use of inputs, such as pesticides and mowing. They identify pollinator friendly turfgrass alternatives and discuss amenity for species that meet the societal and cultural demands of traditionally maintained southeastern lawns.
Common Misconceptions Clients Believe About Lawns Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University How do you deal with clients who are sure they know something about their lawn that is just not true? Whether it’s “all grasses are pretty much the same,” or that “it’s best to irrigate on a calendar schedule,” or that “certain chemicals will or won’t do certain things;” these beliefs can be very well-entrenched. We’ll share strategies to help educate property owners and other clients who may not have a background in horticulture or plant science.
Pesticide Safety; Before You Do It, Think Through It! Kim Brown, Louisiana State University AgCenter The goal of this presentation is to cover proper pesticide spill management, basic pesticide safety for exposure, personal protective equipment, proper storage, and transportation. The focus is on different scenarios that applicators have found themselves in and how to handle pesticides safely and correctly.
11 am
Strategies for Home Lawn Weed Management Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University Managing weeds in home lawns is difficult in the Deep South because of the year-round growing season for weeds, the number of different grasses we use on lawns, and the sheer number of new lawns being planted every year. Throw in the always-present problems of new weeds and herbicide resistance, and staying ahead of weed problems can be a big challenge. We will review strategies and products to help prevent falling behind the curve and keep clients satisfied.
SOD
8 am
Sod Fertility Beth Guertal, Ph.D., Auburn University This talk will cover the basics of fertilization for sod production. We will cover how much of various nutrients one should apply, and when and how to apply it. We will also discuss the nutrients one does NOT need to apply, and how limiting application of some fertilizer nutrients can save you money and help to protect your water quality.
9 am
Advancements in Sod Production Jay McCurdy, Ph.D., Mississippi State University Sod producers increasingly consider new varieties, processes, and inputs in order to turn a profit. Join Dr. McCurdy in this interactive discussion about what’s new in the industry, such as low input varieties, herbicide tolerant cultivars, and new production techniques.
10 am
U.S. Sod Checkoff Program Discussion Casey Reynolds, Ph.D., Turfgrass Producers International The U.S. Sod Industry has put forth a proposal for an industry-wide discussion and vote to establish a sod checkoff program to defend, promote, and grow the natural grass industry. Please join us for this informative discussion to learn more, ask questions, and discuss it with fellow sod producers ahead of the upcoming vote.
12 pm
CEU & Pesticide Sign-ins and Expo Adjournment — MCCC Have a safe trip home, mark next year’s event on your calendar: October 24 – 27, 2022
