Arkansas Turfgrass - Winter 2019

T H E A R KA N S A S T U R F G RA S S A S S O C I AT I O N M AG AZ I N E • W I N T E R 2019

Join us in Hot Springs for the

32nd ANNUAL ATA CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW JANUARY 9–10, 2020

ALL FOR ONE:

Fostering Cooperation Across the Turf Industry

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T H E A R KA N S A S T U R F G RA S S A S S O C I AT I O N M AG AZ I N E CO N T E N T S • W I N T E R 2019

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FEATURES

6 Cover Story –

Join us in Hot Springs for the 32nd Annual ATA Conference & Trade Show January 9–10, 2020

DEPARTMENTS

9 Recent Event –

Inaugural Turf Talk Event

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Feature Story –

All for One: Fostering Cooperation Across the Turf Industry

4 President’s Message 15 Index of Advertisers 15 University of Arkansas Turf Team

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P R E S I D E N T ’S M E S S AG E

Arkansas Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 185 Bryant, AR 72089 Tel: 501-860-0187

Education: A Key Factor in Our Success

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Kyle Sanders, ATA President

inally, it’s fall, my favorite time of the year encompassing all of my favorite seasons that we will experience over the next few months: football season, hunting season, and the holiday season. These are all at the top of my list and things that I look forward to each and every year. With the start of this season we have finally started to experience the crisp cool mornings, pleasant daytime temperatures, and less humidity each day that has already put me in a better mood than the day-to-day grind of hot temperatures, high humidity, and no rain that we endured over the past few months.

With the end of the growing season upon us, we now turn our attention to fall pre-emergent herbicide applications for our winter annual weeds including annual bluegrass (poa annua). This winter weed is one of the most problematic weeds that turfgrass managers across our state have to deal with year in and year out.

With that in mind, we have invited Dr. Beck Grubbs from Texas A&M to speak at our annual ATA Conference and Trade Show in January. His presentation will provide a broad overview of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) management programs and the risk of herbicide resistance. Dr. Grubbs will also introduce attendees to the USDA-SCRI Poa research project, a multi-state research initiative being led

by Texas A&M with 15 participating research institutions.

Education is a key factor in all our success, and as an ATA Board Member and while serving as President, my goal for anything the ATA does is to provide you with pertinent & timely information that you can immediately put to use the next day in your job. Something that will either make you more money, save you money, answer/solve a problem that you are experiencing or share an idea that might make you more efficient. If you missed out on any of our events this past year, (Conference & Trade Show, Field Day, Turf Talk) please make plans to attend in 2020. You will find more information about our Annual Conference & Trade Show in this issue.

You can also stay connected to our social media platforms on Facebook & Twitter for more announcements in the coming months. We will always provide relevant content in our Arkansas Turfgrass Magazine for scheduled and upcoming events.

I can’t encourage you enough to take a minute and apply for the statewide ATA awards. We have several categories that you can submit a nomination for. This is a way to get yourself and/or your company recognized for all the hard work you have done throughout the year. The deadline is approaching soon, and I would like to award you one of our state’s highest distinctions as being one of the ATA award recipients!!!

Lastly, if you are like me and this season of the year is your favorite as well, I wish your football team much success, I hope you kill a big enough one to mount on your wall or you get your limit each morning you go out, but most of all I want to wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year and look forward to visiting with you at the ATA Conference and Trade Show in Hot Springs in January 2020.

Kyle Sanders ATA President

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Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: 615-790-3718 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com ATA OFFICERS Kyle Sanders, President Sanders Ground Essentials 501-315-9395 kylesanders@sandersground.com Richard Covert, Vice President Baptist Health Systems Richard.covert@baptist-health.org Jeff Haskins, Treasurer Paragould Country Club 870-780-5883 Ja1116@earthlink.net Mary Beth Rogers, Executive Secretary 501-860-0187 arkturfgrassassn@att.net Doug Karcher, Ph.D., Education Chair University of Arkansas • 479-575-5723 karcher@uark.edu Pat Berger, Director Emeritus University of Arkansas • 479-575-6887 pberger@uark.edu Charlie Bowen, Director Emeritus Arkansas Hydroseed • 501-315-7333 charliebowen@yahoo.com Mark Mowrey, Director Emeritus Oaklawn • 501-538-1600 bntgrns@yahoo.com Mark Brown UALR • 501-749-7459 rmbrown2@ualr.edu Rodney Fisher Life Member, Founding Member Agra Turf, Inc. • 501-268-7036 agrarod@yahoo.com Ron Fisher Agra Turf, Inc. • 501-268-7036 agraron@yahoo.com Steve Ibbotson Conway Parks & Rec. • 501-328-4173 Steve.ibbotson@cityofconway.org Michael Rush Rush Lawn Care • 501-279-8980 mrush@rushlawn.com Andrew Simpson Arkansas State Plant Board 501-225-1598 Andrew.simpson@ agriculture.arkansas.gov Bill Tippit 501-258-8676 Bill.tippit@sbcglobal.net

COV E R S TO RY

Downtown Hot Springs

Join us in Hot Springs FOR THE 32nd ANNUAL ATA CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW

Hot Springs Convention Center

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Hot Springs Thermal Pool

The Arkansas Turfgrass Conference & Trade show will be held January 9–10, 2020

at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with other turfgrass managers from across the state and celebrate those who demonstrate high skill level in their work.

2020 ATA EDUCATION PROGRAM ATA BUSINESS MEETING Thursday, January 9th

Our annual business meeting will be held at the beginning of the Recertification Session on Thursday, January 9th at the Hot Springs Convention Center. President Kyle Sanders has fulfilled his term and VP Richard Covert will be elected to the position of President. We will open the floor for nominations, so please think about serving your industry by supporting ATA with your service. We cover all aspects of turf management including sod production, lawncare, landscape, irrigation, sports turf, commercial maintenance, golf and industry suppliers. We need all facets of the industry represented, so please consider serving your association.

ATA AWARDS LUNCH 12:00 Thursday, January 9th

The lunch is free to ATA members and a great time to relax, network and recognize ATA Award winners.

PESTICIDE RE - CERTIFICATION Thursday, January 9th

Pesticide Recertification through the Arkansas State Plant Board will be offered on THURSDAY only. We understand that there has been some confusion with turf members trying to attend the AGIA session on Friday. These sessions are not interchangeable. Your registration for ATA is not accepted for AGIA classes. If you need pesticide recertification please be sure to attend on Thursday.

CEU OPPORTUNITIES The ATA will make an application to the GCSA of America for external education points. GCSA of Arkansas members may receive PDI points for each session and workshop they attend. Members will be provided with instructions on how to post their points at the end of each session.

Several workshops will be offered. New this year — attendees can participate in more than one. Workshops include: • Disease Identification and Control • Weed Control • Using Gadgets and Technology in Your Turf Maintenance Program • Mowers and Irrigation Systems Need Maintenance Too

SPEAKER LINE - UP Beck Grubbs, Ph.D. (Texas A&M) • What are we going to do about Poa? • In the absence of glyphosate • Best Management Practices for Turfgrass Systems Maria Tomasso-Peterson (Mississippi State) • I dentification and Control of the Major Turf Disease in the mid-South •2 019 Year in Review from the Mississippi Turf Disease Diagnostic Lab Eric Reasor (Mississippi State/ PBI Gordon) • Top 10 Weeds and Their Control • Herbicide Resistance Management • Weed Control During Turf Establishment Bud White (former USGA/ Bud White Golf Solutions) • Cultural Management Programs for Bentgrass or Ultradwarf Putting Greens in Arkansas Pat Berger (Director of Sports Turf Operations, UofA Athletics) • Converting Razorback Stadium to Tahoma 31 bermudagrass

EDUCATION TRACKS

Troy Fink (Director of Agronomy, Blessings Golf Club)

Pesticide Recertification / Golf / Sports Turf / Lawncare plus a variety of workshops.

• Facility preparation for the 2019 back-to-back NCAA Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships

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COV E R S TO RY • continued HELP SUPPORT ATA

BY BECOMING A SPONSOR Our sponsors help us produce this conference and keep our prices low. We will accept sponsorship until Dec. 15th.

Vendors please see your Exhibitor package for details on available sponsorships.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO SUBMIT ATA AWARD APPLICATIONS!

Visit our website at

www.arkansasturf.org/ awards/submit-awards/ for more information on award submissions.

All submissions are due by December 1st, 2019.

ATA Awards are presented in three divisions: Lawn, Golf and Sports. The following awards will be presented ATA Field of the Year (Football/Soccer or Baseball/Softball) ATA Golf Course of the Year (Private/Resort or Public/Municipal) ATA Turf Site of the Year (Commercial or Residential Site)

8 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Winter 2019

For more information about the 32nd Annual ATA Conference & Tradeshow, visit our website

www.arkansasturf.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

We hope to see you there!

RECENT EVENT

TURF TALK W

ednesday, October 2nd marked the inaugural Turf Talk event for the Arkansas Turfgrass Association.

The event was sponsored by Jerry Pate Company, SiteOne and Scott DeMott Insurance. Lunch was sponsored

by Big Red Convenience Stores.

Scott DeMott gave attendees some great advice about the types of insurance that small business owners in the industry should consider, including an umbrella policy to raise your limits, employment practice liability and pollution coverage.

The biggest exposure in the lawn care industry is auto and equipment rollover. DeMott noted that you should always have your best drivers when towing equipment and to check their driving records frequently. DeMott also noted that 22% of auto crashes occur while turning left. You can reduce your risk by reviewing your routes and reducing the number of left-hand turns.

Jerry Pate Company’s Matt Roe covered basic equipment maintenance. Attendees learned the importance of cleaning spray equipment and what can void equipment warranties.

Roe also gave important hints about how to extend the life of hydraulic hoses, pumps, and seals. He also emphasized the importance of daily checks before and after the equipment is used and good record keeping.

Tim Johnson, Key Account Manager with SiteOne, covered both irrigation troubleshooting and the basics of landscape lighting. The pros and cons of two-wire irrigation systems were discussed along with common design mistakes. Tim tackled two big topics for us, and we hope to have him present again soon.

We owe a big THANK YOU to everyone who attended and to our speakers and sponsors. •

Scott DeMott

Matt Roe Tim Johnson

SPONSORS

Winter 2019

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All for one: F E AT U R E S TO RY

FOSTERING COOPERATION ACROSS THE TURF INDUSTRY A superintendent discusses collaborating with professionals in other sectors of turf management and offers steps fellow supers can take to promote a united front.

By Logan Freeman, Mountain Branch Golf Club The following story was originally published in the June 2019 issue of GCM and is reprinted with permission.

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hile there is no debating that the turf industry has come under increased attacks from activist groups and one-sided legislation in the past few years, I believe there is a potentially dangerous gap in our defense.

Though not often talked about, a lack of cohesion among the different professions within turfgrass management has left us isolated and separated.

In the specific world of golf course management, we often discuss the importance of communication between the superintendent and golf shop staff, golfers, boards and committees. We also recognize the benefit of camaraderie and shared knowledge among golf course superintendents.

Although the collaboration and community in golf is critical to the success of our work, the lack of communication and support across the various sectors of turfgrass management — golf, sports turf, home lawn care, university professionals, distributors, sales representatives — is rarely addressed.

(Photo 1) The origin of this divide is difficult to pinpoint. Perhaps we superintendents felt that cultivating this long-term supportive relationship would have taken too much time and

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effort away from our immediate day-to-day operations. Or maybe we just saw no value in immersing ourselves in its complexities. Whatever the history, this disconnect now seriously undermines the future of our industry as a whole.

An eye-opening gathering Like so many in our profession, I used to think that sports turf and lawn care just did their thing, and we as golf course turfgrass managers did ours. That’s the way it had always been and likely would remain. Then I went to a meeting for the formation of a local chapter of the Sports Turf Managers Association. This organic creation of the Mid- Atlantic STMA (https://mastma.org) opened my eyes to an entirely different approach to my profession.

Of the hundred or so in attendance, I was the only golf course superintendent in the room. Yet instead of feeling alone and territorial, I felt a sense of connection and an appreciation for my presence. I also felt the support of what the people attending the meeting were trying to achieve.

I discovered a side of turfgrass management I had never before experienced, and I formed bonds with local sports turf managers I likely never would have met had I not attended as a sign of support for the new organization. (Photo 2) Immediately following that meeting, I couldn’t stop wondering why the golf and sports sides of the industry were not more jointly associated. After all, we have far more commonalities than differences. We all manage turfgrass for its playability, in addition to juggling the management of people, budgets and the environment.

Sales representatives are among those who bridge the gap between the different sectors of turfgrass management. Here, author Logan Freeman, superintendent at Mountain Branch Golf Club in Joppa, Md., (right) and his assistant superintendent, Erik Dittmar (left), visit with Scott Orndorff, a sales representative from Landscape Supply Inc. Photos courtesy of Logan Freeman

Forging relationships with fellow professionals in the various fields of turfgrass management — as Freeman (left) has with Nicole Sherry, head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles — is a powerful piece of any effort to advance turfgrass managers’ collective interests.

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I also began to question why lawn care and other sectors were not a part of this supportive mix. If we are looking to move the turfgrass industry forward and address all the adversity facing us, we must come together in support and appreciation.

No matter our titles — golf course superintendent, head groundskeeper, lawn care provider, researcher, distributor — we all have a passion for this industry as well as a part to play in the narrative of its future.

The future of the turf industry Our industry is increasingly challenged.

Part of this growing tension is positive, as ever-restrictive pesticide- and nutrient-management laws lead to innovation, ingenuity and leadership.

The downside, however, is equally present, as lawmakers who view the turfgrass industry as an easy target issue uninformed, blanket statements with little regard for repercussions. Their caustic words and changing tactics frequently appear as attacks aimed at our methods and the products we use rather than as honest attempts at finding common ground and viable solutions.

All too often, legislative bills are introduced at the last second to catch the turfgrass industry off guard. New legislation rarely comes directly on the national level; instead, legislation is brought forth at the county or township level.

And while these restrictions are directed primarily toward a specific local aspect of turfgrass management — lawn care, sports turf, golf — the law is often expanded to other issues and geographical areas in subsequent years.

This is where a united industry front becomes critical, because legislation that comes uninformed and with destructive intent stands a greater chance of gaining a foothold and becoming commonplace if we remain an isolated and separated body. Now is the time for us to become unified and vigilant.

How golf course superintendents can be part of the solution Each one of us must make the effort to reach out locally, regionally and statewide. Here are some next steps.

Locally Find out who manages the sports fields in your area.

Communicate with them and form a bond by helping each other. This also goes for lawn care providers, sod farmers and others who work with turfgrass in your community, as we are all potential partners.

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F E AT U R E S TO RY • continued

A field of milkweed — which is monarch butterfly-friendly — at Mountain Branch Golf Club in Maryland.

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Consider becoming involved in local outreach efforts such as the First Green (https://www.thefirstgreen.org) program, which effectively shows our commitment to area youth and extends past golf into sports turf and lawn care. Engaging young people about the turfgrass industry can help educate away fears or misconceptions they and/or their families might have.

Proactively share with golfers, patrons, homeowners, legislators, educators and the general public the environmental benefits of golf course green space. Utilize programs such as Operation Pollinator (http://www.greencastonline. com/operationpollinator) and Monarchs in the Rough (https://monarchsintherough.org) to help you get started in providing habitat to benefit even the smallest of creatures.

Simply reducing or eliminating inputs between fairways and in out-of-play areas provides habitat for a whole range of ecology. (Photo 3) Sports field managers and lawn care providers can recommend pollinator-friendly flowers and reduced-input options. Planters outside a stadium and single landscape beds at a home are small actions, but they often lead to educational opportunities and serve as conversation starters.

Often, it seems people see our industries as a “silent spring,” adversely affecting the environment by constantly applying dangerous chemicals. The responsibility now falls on us to showcase our benefits and diversity of wildlife, and to educate those concerned.

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Regionally At the formation meeting of the Mid-Atlantic STMA, I noticed the one common thread among all turfgrass groups: sales representatives/distributors. To me, therefore, it seems obvious that regional sales reps and distributors serve as the primary conduit through which industry information is initiated and exchanged throughout all sectors. University and private researchers are additional common threads that can help the profession coalesce.

Chapter leaders should actively encourage joint functions among all the branches, whether the events are social or educational. Communication between different sectors and the leaders within them is crucial in the process. And if open lines of communication do not currently exist between the industry professionals in one’s area, an emphasis must be placed on improving and streamlining the exchange of information and mutual support.

Statewide When legislation impacting our industry is misinformed or unnecessarily restricting, it is important that we take the time to educate our legislators regarding our products and their usage.

An established method of any proactive body is the development of best management practices (BMPs). The creation/implementation of BMP documents is already proving to be a powerful tool in the defense of our industry.

continued

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F E AT U R E S TO RY • continued

When our practices are called into question, a BMP manual can provide evidence that we take our profession and its effects on the environment seriously. (Photo 4) We are proud that Maryland was the first state to complete its BMP turfgrass manual (http://www.marylandgolfbmp.org), and we’re beginning to discover its benefit during legislative sessions. The BMP document is a positive first step in unifying the turfgrass industry here in Maryland, and we applaud GCSAA for its effort to encourage all states to follow our lead.

Current and future challenges facing the turfgrass industry will require a multifaceted effort. Documentation like the BMPs, community outreach programs like First Green, and proactive communication with legislative officials, the public and all facets of the industry will serve vital roles in shaping the community’s understanding of our industry.

A unified front Rather than standing silent, segmented and unengaged, we must work as a fully functioning alliance of turfgrass professionals in order to address today’s challenges effectively. We must personally reach out to the different sectors within our own turfgrass communities, for we will engage more willingly if we have a friend or close colleague being affected by new legislation. Chapters, associations and councils from around the industry must reach out to each other and work as a unified group.

For those of us in Maryland, the Maryland Turfgrass Council will serve as a catalyst for solidifying relationships among different turfgrass groups within the state, especially via events like joint turfgrass profession trade shows. National organizations such as GCSAA and STMA can help consolidate industry support through timely messaging via social and print media.

Proactive and courageous leadership will be paramount.

The true strength of an industry comes down to the passion, engagement and vision of the individuals who underwrite it. It has been my experience that turfgrass management is full of hardworking, dedicated and driven people. I believe that, with the right balance of camaraderie and shared knowledge, our industry will adapt and thrive despite the challenges that lie ahead. •

Logan Freeman is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Mountain Branch Golf Club in Joppa, Md., and a 10-year association member.

Simply reducing inputs in out-of-play areas helps provide habitat for creatures big and small. By working together, diverse branches of the turfgrass industry can facilitate the adoption of such environmentally conscious initiatives throughout the profession as a whole.

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U N I V E R S I TY O F A R KA N S A S T U R F T E A M

Doug Karcher Professor 479-575-5723 karcher@uark.edu Mike Richardson Professor 479-575-2860 mricha@uark.edu

John Boyd Visiting Assistant Professor Cooperative Extension Service Little Rock 479-575-2354 Jwb019@uark.edu

Matthew Bertucci Research Scientist 479-575-3979 bertucci@uark.edu

Daniel P. O’Brien Program Technician/M.S. Student 479-575-2603 dpo001@uark.edu

John H. McCalla Jr. Program Technician III 479-575-5033 jmccall@uark.edu

Tyler Carr M.S. Student Eric DeBoer Ph.D. Student

A DV E RT I S E R I N D E X Agra Turf, Inc.............................................. 15 www.agrainc.com CoverSports USA........................................ 13 www.coversports.com Leading Edge Communications................ 13 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com PBI Gordon Corporation...............................5 www.pbigordon.com Progressive Turf Equipment Inc..................8 www.progressiveturfequip.com R.W. Distributors..........................Back Cover www.Exmark.com RD Murphy, LLC.......................................... 15 www.rdmurphy.com Smith Seed Services.................................. 15 www.smithseed.com

Specialty Distribution

The Turfgrass Group....... Inside Front Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com To discuss advertising opportunities, contact Leading Edge Communications:

615-790-3718 or 888-707-7141 sales@leadingedgecommunications.com www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Arkansas Turfgrass Association, its staff, or its board of directors, Arkansas Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Arkansas 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 © 2019 by the Arkansas Turfgrass Association. Arkansas Turfgrass is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Arkansas Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.

Rodney Fisher PO Box 9168 Searcy, AR 72145 www.agrainc.com

Cell: 501 230-7303 Business: 501 268-7036 Ext: 107 Fax: 501 268-0606

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Winter 2019

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