The Turf Zone Podcast

Julie Holt (00:00.204)

Just to lay some groundwork as a Turfgrass Association Management Magazine Editor, see events come across my desk left and right, and we have seen so many field days and so many different opportunities for Turfgrass managers to have some social time and some education time. This one caught my attention. So I wanted to talk to you about it because you and I have been working together to promote it to Tennessee Turfgrass professionals.

So would you mind introducing that event and telling me a little bit about it? Absolutely. Yeah. So, you know, shortly after I started a little over a year ago, our team had a conversation about what an in -person event was going to look like. This will be our first real major event that we’ve had since COVID that’s open to the entire Turfgrass public. And I think…

you know, what we really wanted to try to do is have something that was unique and that hit on a few core things. Like we really wanted to get into a couple of things, which was how do we support really good networking and connection with members of our industry that want to engage at a higher level with our students that want to engage in a higher level with our research program? And similarly, how can we kind of use that to address a growing workforce and labor shortage?

issue across the industry and how can we also use that to provide a unique opportunity for our students. So really wanting to develop an event that was going to be novel.

Julie Holt (02:01.246)

That’s right. On a hallowed hill in Tennessee, like Beacon Shining Bright. And I think we all just thought that that was really neat. Kind of the idea that our UT TERF program could kind of be this beacon on the hill, bring a lot of folks from our industry together. And so we decided that we would have this be a two -day event. The first day is going to be really kind of like a career fair. That’s the easiest way to describe it. But our goal is that we want to bring together students and we want to bring together members of the industry that

have open positions or soon to be open positions, whether those are jobs or internships. And we really wanted to extend it beyond our UT turf grass program. We have a phenomenal program with great undergraduates, but there’s a lot of other really good programs in the region, including several at some smaller colleges and universities. And so we’ve extended invitations to at least seven other smaller schools to try to encourage them to bring students to this event. And so we’re really looking forward to seeing.

who we might get from some of those other programs. And the way that we’ll have it set up is that our prospective employers can purchase space in where we’ve rented out a ballroom at the Crowne Plaza and they can set up tables. And we also have have it to where they can set up kind of like a front lawn, quote unquote, where they can set up games and other interactive activities to engage those students.

And we’re really hoping that they can just have some really productive discussions. And we also intend for there to be a reception at the end of that on that first day where we play trivia and have some drinks and hors d ‘oeuvres and everybody just gets an opportunity to really get to know one another. And to go with that, we also intend to set up a digital space. So it’ll be effectively a website where we’ll showcase some of these opportunities in advance. So students will get to see before they come what some of those opportunities are going to look like that they’ll get to talk to.

Julie Holt (04:15.722)

And then we’ll have a more sports turf -centric tour. So that’s where a lot of folks will be able to hear about the World Cup research that’s ongoing here at UT, as well as several other things that Dr. Sorakhin’s program in particular is very involved in, in the sports turf world. And then we’ll kind of wrap up that day. We’ve asked our specialty crops specialist here, Dr. Mitchell Richmond, to talk a little bit about his hops research program.

And really that’s just going to be a great excuse to talk about our relationship or UT’s relationship with Yee -Haw Brewing and have a little, have a little beer maybe before the event closes out. And that weekend works out really well. We’ll have Ag Day here on the UT campus on Saturday for alumni that want to engage with the Ag school. And then there’ll be a football game that night if folks want to stay in Tailgate and do football. Wow. Okay. You’ve covered the entire gamut.

I’ve got to take it a day at a time and ask the idea of bringing employers and potential employees together. imagine that the employers are more the buyers market if we’re kind of comparative to real estate terms, but they’re the ones who are really eager to find good candidates for those positions. they involved in the idea process of this event?

I would say yes to an extent. So I think that our motivation to try to bring employers and students together came from just listening to folks at our TTA board meetings, at our annual conference, and hearing more and more about some of the difficulties that a lot of our turf grass managers are having in finding potential employees. And so in that sense, yes. And then we did have a couple of conversations with a few of our alumni that are really involved in the industry to get

Julie Holt (06:32.002)

line association websites. And I see some of those jobs listed for a long, long time. Are those, are those employers open -minded to a new format of looking for staff? Are they, are they coming? Are they involved? Are they like, yeah, we’re going to maybe add to the, the old school way we’ve, we’ve pitched these jobs.

That’s a great question. You know, I think it’s too early for us to say. I think this is our first time doing this event here. Certainly so far, the feedback that we’ve gotten is a lot of excitement. You know, I think historically in the past, this is really what a lot of field days were about. It was really about trying to facilitate that rich engagement and trying to get our students connected with those in the industry. And so we’re kind of coming back to that. think, you know, not that we’ve had a complete departure from that, but field days have in many

places have become just so big and so focused on pesticide points and education, trying to get so many things kind of crammed into that day. And so this will be a little, a little different. And I think it’ll just be a learning year for everybody to see how, that goes and how people feel about it. You know, what I can certainly say is we have a generation now that’s coming out of these programs that may look for jobs and think about jobs differently.

You know, there’s research that’s been done kind of looking at what is appealing to some of these younger prospective employees going out into the job market. And I think what they’re looking for is a little bit different. And because it’s so competitive and there’s so many opportunities, I think really trying to create opportunities for one -on -one engagement where you can really get to know a student and that student can get to know you is going to make a lot of difference in terms of what’s appealing.

Julie Holt (08:53.528)

fostering a conversation before that starts in a way that they can get to know each other and figure out if they can bridge that gap of how we have worked and how they want to work. Do you have a lot of current students that plan to attend, like are your turf grass students right now all in?

Yeah, I think we have several students here that are really excited. We have a very, we have a good sized, very tight knit program. And you know, Dr. Sorokin and Horvath, who are the primary faculty that engage with our students have really good working relationships with them. And my intention too, is that we were going to promote this pretty heavily in the college, especially once we once the fall semester kicks off and we’re back in August, because

We have lot of other departments in our college where I think we have students that maybe don’t know what’s possible in the turf world. have students in agricultural leadership and education and communication. We have students that are in agricultural economics, students that are in adjacent fields that may love a career in turf. And I think too, the other thing we’ve heard from folks is we have several companies that have other positions that aren’t just turf management positions that they’re struggling to fill.

or hoping to get good candidates to look at. And so, yes, we have turf students here that are looking forward to it, that will be there. I’m hopeful that we have a lot of other students from the college as well and that we get some good diversity there. Excellent. Okay, let’s talk after Beacon. I know that you’ve now had a full year to absorb the Go Big Orange culture.

Julie Holt (11:03.598)

and that’s very successful and is continuing to move that way. So what’s next? What’s big in the future of the turfgrass science program at UT? Well, once we live through the pioneering beacon event, of course. There’s just so many things that are going on with our program right now as a whole. I mean, I would say, of course, there’s a lot of anticipation and excitement around the FIFA World Cup research that’s ongoing here.

As we get closer to 2025, 2026, and we have club world cup and then the big show, you know, there’s a lot of anticipation building up around that. And a lot of energy from our program, Dr. Srockin’s team in particular, going into preparing for that. In addition to that, you know, our program is very fortunate that we have great, great relationships across the industry. And we’ve got some neat research. Dr. Brosnan has got a lot going on right now in the golf sector and similar with Dr. Horvath. So there’s.

There’s a lot happening. I think as a team, we’ll have a retreat here in the next couple of years where we will be able to work together and really discuss kind of what does our vision look like going forward as a group. And so I’m excited for that. And then personally, for my own research, there’s a couple of big things that I’m trying to focus on right now. So the first is looking at doing some research over the winter months this coming year.

really focused more on golf courses, looking at wedding agent program development to try to protect sensitive areas from winter injury. We’ve had a lot of that in Tennessee over the last couple of years. And then going into 2025, a big focal point of my program is going to be to develop an extension program around community turf. So recognizing that we have many turf grass facilities across the state of Tennessee that are

Julie Holt (13:23.65)

in and around the schools in my community. We often see our assistant principals mowing the middle school football field and you know we have a lot a lot of that space where volunteers want to do a good job and they want to have a nice safe playing surface or a place that the community can enjoy an outdoor movie night. I feel like most of them don’t know where to start and

I think that’s a great, great opportunity for extension. I see it out of my office window right this moment with a little community green space. So that’s amazing. I’ll look forward to seeing what comes from that. Yeah, I’m excited. And it gives us a really good opportunity to to kind of leverage our really extensive network of county extension offices. know, we UT has a county office in every one of our 95 counties. And so working with those agents and kind of

thinking about what we can do at a local level to support those community turf spaces. I’m excited about it. Have you had an opportunity to visit many of those 95 counties just yet? You know, somebody just asked me this question yesterday. I think that I’ve been to between 35 and 40 counties so far since I started here at UT. That’s impressive. And traveling the state of Tennessee is, you know, they’re not all day trips. They’re just not. I, and I really, I

When I started here, somebody, I didn’t know a whole lot about the state of Tennessee and somebody shared with me about the three regions and how distinct they are and they all have their own unique identity. And it’s been really neat as I’ve traveled to really see that play out in a very true way. And I’ve been able to form my own unique kind of relationships with each region. I’ve, I’ve got, you know.

Julie Holt (15:29.11)

Christina Curdy is known for his West Tennessee hospitality. He’s a great tour guide and host over there in Rutherford and Gibson County. Yeah, I just really enjoy that. I enjoy going out there and visiting with a lot of those folks. It is very different, than middle and East. They are each very unique for each other. for sure. Is there anything else going on kind of related to that industry building and labor?

challenges. Sure. So a couple of different things that we could add to that. The first is I actually just spent before you and I got on here today, probably about an hour and a half, I have the honor of chairing our TTA education committee. So I spent about an hour and a half today. I’m just sending some emails out to folks planning what that program is going to look like. And so we will have, I believe our SOD producers intend to have

a portion of their session dedicated to talking a little bit about labor, maybe talking specifically about H2A labor. Our intention to right now on the UT extension side is we’re looking at, so there’s a professor here, Dr. Margarita Valandia, who is in our A -Rec department, Ag Economics department. She has developed some great resources for H2A labor and trying to work with her to finalize some H2B resources, really busy time, we’re

slowly moving them forward. So, you we do have some professional landscapers, golf or superintendents or golf courses, I should say, that are utilizing that program as an additional labor source. So we’ve got that going on. And sometimes I run into when I’m researching articles, I’m looking for good economic research of, who’s working and who needs more people who having numbers on the labor challenges.

Julie Holt (17:52.078)

There was a really great and very thorough economic study that was done, I want to say about 10 years ago, that’s been published for the state of Tennessee for the golf or the turf grass industry. But since that was conducted, I don’t know, you know, those types of studies are, are, they’re, are challenging to complete and they require very focused bandwidth and willingness from, people to respond and participate. so,

You know, I don’t know that we have anything super recent to try to capture that specific to Tennessee. It would be interesting to see whether GCSAA, whether they’ve done anything along those lines. I’m not sure whether they have or not, but, you know, certainly some of the labor challenges are not unique to our state. So, so that’s a really good question, but I don’t, I don’t, we haven’t done anything here in a while that I’m aware of.

that don’t know what’s being done by some of those other entities. That’s a big puzzle to try to put together for sure. Okay, let’s close with what would be your best case scenario coming out of this first big event, the inaugural Beacon event? What would be really succeeded and this is why we do this and let’s do it again result from your Beacon event in September. I think for us,

For this event in particular, success would look like good student engagement, success in at least some of our employers that come through have promising leads, if not commitments to have students join them for internships or, you know, continue discussions about job opportunities. I think we really want to see that.

Julie Holt (20:04.312)

For our listeners, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also follow us on X at the turf zone.

The post The TurfZone Podcast: Dr. Becky Bowling on Industry Recruiting and UT’s First Beacon Event appeared first on The Turf Zone.

ATA TURF TIMES: J. Scott McElroy, PhD – Professor, Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Auburn University

As a scientist, I hesitate to make predictions such as those a fortune teller might reveal. I wince when I hear people speaking with absolute certainty that this or that will happen in the future. That some team will win, some politician will lose, or that some event will occur is often pure speculation. Absolute predictions are nonsensical, and an affront to probabilistic thinking. To think probabilistically is to think in terms of the percentage of probability that something will occur. This is the foundation of good science.

Having said that, it is highly probable that in the next 10 years autonomous technology will gain a significant portion of the professional and consumer market in the United States. I base this prediction on four pieces of evidence:

1. Robotic technology has already captured a significant portion of the technology in Europe.

2. All major brands that market traditional mowing technology or mowing equipment are developing robotic technology.

3. At one count there were over 40 additional startups and companies developing all manner of robotic technology, including mowers, painters, and sprayers.

4. The labor shortage will be sustained into the foreseeable future and could potentially increase (https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-still-has-a-worker-shortage-d0c65166).

But here I am addressing the “Contrarian’s Guide to Turfgrass Robotic Technology.” To the robotic contrarian, any positive arguments I present regarding this technology will likely fall on deaf ears. To the contrarian, only seeing is believing. Once my prediction has come true, the contrarian will adopt the technology as self-evident. Don’t get me wrong. Skepticism is a good thing. However, a complete understanding and realistic expectation of what robotic technology can do and where the technology is going is necessary to the healthy skeptic. I want to convince the contrarian that instead of waiting for the technology to be tested by fellow industry partners, they should begin testing and evaluating it themselves. With that in mind, I present this article to the contrarian on fundamentals of robotic technology today.

“The Technology is Just Not There Yet.”

This is the contrarian’s favorite phrase. In frustration I respond, “Where is There?” or even “What is There?”. If the technology has not arrived at the point where it can be adopted, what are its current limitations?

What irks me so much about this critique is the underlying assumptions about imagined technological characteristics that may not even be possible. The contrarian’s perception of automation is that the technology can be easily set up with little or no planning or understanding of the technology. That it may be deployed for use with little, or no, oversight. The phrase, “The Technology is Just Not There Yet,” is normally rooted in some technological advancement in artificial intelligence, or machine learning, that the contrarian has developed based on their perception of technological development, or maybe even a touch of science fiction.

My response is “The technology is what the technology is.” 2022 might as well have been ten years ago when it comes to robotic and autonomous technology in the United States. 2023 saw an incredible number of major advances. These include allowance for extended range connection to 4G and network RTK systems; daisy chaining of reference station signals for greater lengths; creation of virtual zones that can vary in direction, speed, and height of cut; and mobile deployment across multiple sites. The technology launched in 2023 will be the basis of robotic technology for the next five to ten years.

To the contrarian, if you were talking about 2022, I agree. The technology was not “there” for the professional user. It was largely restricted to wire boundary units, mowing randomly at a single fixed zone height. But 2023 completely changed the game.

Autonomous vs. Semi-Autonomous

Before discussing the technology that now makes robotic automation possible, let me make a rather large distinction in technology – Autonomous vs. Semi-Autonomous Technology. Now and in the future, it will be extremely difficult for any mowers with traditional mowing implements to be fully autonomous simply due to liability. As I have been told (I am not an expert on liability, nor am I a lawyer) liability has been and will continue to restrict deployment of certain technology. Such technology – semi-autonomous technology – will require an operator to be watching it while it is completing its task. It will not work at night and will likely not have a fixed position point for deployment. It will need to be taken to the location by hand for deployment. Fully autonomous technology will likely be small, lightweight equipment weighing approximately less than 300 lbs. Again, I may be wrong, but making traditional mowing equipment fully autonomous is going to be challenging to say the least.

Robot Positioning – The Leap Forward in 2023

The technology that made 2023 the year of advancement largely dealt with how the robots position themselves in space. And the one acronym you need to know is RTK.

RTK. RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic. It is a satellite navigation technique used for enhancing the precision of position data obtained from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) like GPS (Global Positioning System). RTK is commonly used in applications where high accuracy location information is required, such as surveying, agriculture, construction, and autonomous vehicles. RTK requires a base station in a fixed position that can then communicate to a rover (in our case a mower, painter, or range picker). RTK allows for real time positioning and correction for the rover. RTK signals can stretch from 200 meters to 10 miles depending on the signal type. Husqvarna and Echo Robotics use a fixed position RTK signal that extends 200–300 meters. (Actually, Echo Robotics now has 4G RTK which extends up to 10 miles.)

nRTK. nRTK stands for network real-time kinematics. nRTK is a mesh network system individual companies deploy and then offer other companies for use. For example, NexMow uses nRTK from TopCon (https://global.topcon.com/). Kress (https://www.kress.com/en-us/all-robot-lawn-mowers/) has developed its own nRTK system specifically for its mower technology. Tiny Mobile Robots also uses an nRTK system

RTK, whether a dedicated local RTK reference station, or a nRTK system, allows for positioning of technology in space, allowing for removal of wire from the field and the creation of virtual boundary systems. RTK also allows for directional or systematic work, not random work. With RTK the efficiency of the equipment increases exponentially and the ability to deploy over a wider area has increased.

If it is true that robotic technology will be a common form of turfgrass management in the next five to 10 years, one probably needs to start learning about and adapting the technology now. To be fair, there are some early adopters that have made significant investments in this technology, but the contrarian samples the product before a full commitment. The key to what to utilize first is choosing equipment that solves a problem. Depending on the operation, you already have mowing equipment, so unless you need to make a major purchase, the first goal is to seek out equipment that solves a problem. Here is my list of useful equipment that solves major issues.

Field Painters. Field Painters have been adopted in the United States faster than any other autonomous technology for one big reason – they solve a problem. Painting field lines is a tedious, repetitive task that was begging for automation. Technology from Turf Tank (https://turftank.com/us/) and Tiny Mobile Robots (https://tinymobilerobots.com/field-marking-robot/) have taken athletic field maintenance by storm with painters becoming the fasting growing segment of autonomous turfgrass management.

Range Pickers. Ranges can have a myriad of problems that robots can solve. Large pickers used frequently can compact soil. They are very abrasive to the turf reducing stand density and quality and can cause damage during high soil moisture conditions. Light weight pickers such as the Echo Robotics Range Picker (https://echorobotics.com/en-us/)can be programmed to pick ranges at all hours of the day. It uses the same positioning technology as Echo Robotics mowers – either a WiFi or 4G signal – which massively extends the range of use of the picker.

Slope Climbers. Mowing slopes is a burdensome task. It can be damaging to the turf and dangerous for the operator. Because of the difficulty, some sloped areas are mowed infrequently reducing the turfgrass stand and leading to debris buildup after mowing. The Husqvarna 535 AWD is a compact, light-weight slope mower that can be deployed to cover up to 0.8 acres. While it is random and has a wire boundary, it is efficient, and virtual zones can be created after it has mapped the wire bounded area.

Drop and Mow. Many contrarians are turned off by the idea of fixed position mowers that are bound to a specific docking station and work zone. They would prefer to be able to deploy mowers to other locations during the evaluation phase. The NexMow M1 (https://nexmow.com/) is a deployable drop and mow system that allows for mapping and deployment at hundreds of areas stored on the NexMow app. Simply choose the location that you have mapped and stored in the app, deploy one or multiple mowers, and return to pick up when the app tells you the job is complete.

Mowing Technology. Or the contrarian could just deploy other mowing technology. Mowers from Husqvarna, Kress, and Echo Robotics are all light weight, fully autonomous mowers that can be deployed to mow fairways, rough and tee areas, sports fields, common areas, or large multi-use complexes. This will allow the contrarian to evaluate the cut quality, evaluate the equipment for its functionality at their location, and determine how best to scale with autonomous technology.

Final Thoughts

When the iPhone was introduced in 2007 it was an amazing leap in mobile technology. It has changed the way we work, play, and live. The current version of the iPhone is even more amazing – camera technology; the myriad of apps that are available; and how you can do almost anything on the iPhone. I have never heard a single person who bought the original iPhone complain that they should have waited to buy the current iPhone and skipped the 16 years of previous iterations. Sure, the new iPhone is amazing, but so was the original.

I leave the contrarian with this final comparison. The technology released in the US in 2023 will be the dominant technological innovations for the next decade and beyond. There will be upgrades and innovations along the way, but the base technology will remain the same. If you wait for some mythical technological level that may never come, you will miss out on the journey this technology will take us on for years to come.

Disclosure

Dr. McElroy is a professor at Auburn University, and also owns Scotsman Turf Robotics, (http://scotsmanturfrobotics.com) which is a distributor of Husqvarna, Echo Robotics, and NexMow. Scotsman does not distribute Kress, Turf Tank, or Tiny Mobile Robots but sees these as valuable additions to a growing autonomous turfgrass technology industry. Dr. McElroy and Scotsman encourage readers to explore all aspects of autonomous and semi-autonomous equipment that will be the future of turfgrass management. Robotic equipment is currently <1% of the US turf equipment market but is slated to grow substantially over the next five years.

The post Alabama Turfgrass Association – A Contrarian’s Guide to Autonomous Turfgrass Robotic Technology appeared first on The Turf Zone.

PENNSYLVANIA TURFGRASS:

What happens when turf professionals from Penn State Cooperative Extension, the world of professional sports, and the private sector all team up to work on a community turf project? It results in a special “feel-good” synergy that gets the job done and also has great community impact. Westinghouse Academy, an inner-city high school in Pittsburgh serving Wilkinsburg, Homewood, Point Breeze, East Liberty and Highland Park, is getting a safe new football practice field and green activity space, thanks to the combined efforts of Head Coach Donta Green, Extension Educators Jeff Fowler and Michael White, and Thomas ProTurf contractor Jeremy Thomas, who was able to also enlist the help of Steelers groundskeeper Thomas Goynes. We asked where the vison for this project came from and how this turf power team had come together, and it was an inspiring story (Photo 1).

The Bulldogs and Their Coach

The Westinghouse Bulldogs have generated a lot of excitement in Pittsburgh over the last two years. In the words of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, last season, Westinghouse had “a fairy tale season that ended at the doorstep of a state championship.” The Bulldogs (14-1, 4-0) were the first City League school to reach the state finals since Perry High School 25 years ago. Under the charismatic leadership of Coach Donta Green, they were state runner-up in 2022, and Green was quoted as saying, “Our guys are just itching for another shot and another opportunity to do that” this season.

According to Jeff Fowler, “Coach has done some amazing things in his two years with the Westinghouse football program.” Donta Green is also the executive director of The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit vocational training provider dedicated to providing opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment who need additional support to begin their careers. Founded in 2013, the Trade Institute is located in the Homewood community of Pittsburgh. The football team at Westinghouse reflects this demographic — 65% of the players’ fathers are incarcerated and will have barriers to employment when they re-enter society. And the student athletes who carried the Bulldogs to success last season have not only had to work hard to achieve this excellence, but they have also had multiple barriers to overcome – not the least of which was a practice field that was, like many neglected urban landscapes, run down and treacherous underfoot.

Penn State Extension Educator Michael White is a Pittsburgh-based Program Specialist in the Connected Community initiative. He plays a vital role in developing programs that aim to provide equitable opportunities for underserved communities, empowering them to achieve success and personal growth. His goal is to leverage science-based Extension practices to respond to the diverse needs of urban communities, fostering a more vibrant and inclusive environment. “Many of the local green spaces are in distress,” he notes. “However, the Westinghouse Green Space initiative became a priority for me because of its potential to impact so many youths.”

White brought in his colleague, turf expert Jeff Fowler, to assess what it would take to renovate the field at Westinghouse Academy. Based on Fowler’s recommendations, White wrote grants to finance the purchase of seed and fertilizer and arranged to offer training for the school staff on care and maintenance of the new field. Jeff Fowler says he then got excited about the project and invited several of his KAFMO colleagues to get involved and lend a hand – and suddenly, the Westinghouse Green Space project was taking off (Photo 2)!

Jeremy Thomas of Thomas ProTurf is a graduate of Penn State’s Turf Science program and an active KAFMO member who contracts with Steelers groundskeeper Thomas Goynes. Jeremy Thomas agreed to donate his time and equipment to making the Westinghouse renovation project happen and Acrisure Stadium donated the organic waste material Thomas was grinding off the Steelers field for a resod and the Tri-King to transport it to use as fill for the bare spots and top dressing at Westinghouse – a combination of teamwork and recycling in which everybody wins. And as always, success leads to success.

The spotlight on the Westinghouse Bulldogs and their Head Coach has been drawing publicity to the field renovation project now that school is back in session and the teams are starting to practice – KDKA TV has recently approached the school about doing a story on their efforts as this article goes to press (Photo 3).

Multifaceted Impacts

When asked about what impact he anticipates the field renovation will have, Connected Community’s Michael White had a whole list of positive outcomes that reach well beyond the world of sports. “The impact of a school having a safe green space for activities is multifaceted and highly beneficial,” he said. “This dedicated outdoor area is a hub for physical and mental well-being, creating a positive environment for students and staff. With ample space for sports, games, and exercise, it encourages regular physical activity, contributing to better health and fitness,” he went on. “The presence of nature in the school’s surroundings offers stress relief and a calming effect, promoting improved mental health. Furthermore, green spaces provide opportunities for social interactions and outdoor learning, fostering community and connection to the environment. Overall, a safe green space at a school supports physical health and enhances the quality of education and well-being for the students who utilize it,” he concluded.

Field of Dreams

The Westinghouse Green Space renovation is, as of this writing, still a work in progress. In many ways, it is also a kind of Field of Dreams in the unlikely urban streetscape around Westinghouse Academy. But great things can happen when a network of enthusiastic and knowledgeable turf professionals and Extension Educators all join forces; in this case, all things are coming together perfectly to make this project happen for the Bulldog student athletes and their dynamic Coach, Donta Green. Fowler anticipates that the field will be ready for next year’s football season and that Westinghouse will put it to very good use!

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NEW ENGLAND BLADE:

Everyone wants better employees and today, that usually requires growing them internally. By starting with a high-potential worker and developing them intentionally, companies are able to build a near-ideal employee ready to tackle their specific issues. But employee development only occurs in the right environment.

Employee growth is not unlike plant growth in that the result is dependent primarily on environmental factors rather than genetic make-up. Unfortunately, managers rarely audit their environment for employee growth potential and even fewer have clear ideas about the factors that would make a strong growth environment. Here are the seven environmental factors that should be considered when cultivating a culture of development:

Advanced Expertise – Employee growth can only occur when there is guidance from an experienced mentor who is setting the pace for production and sharing knowledge. Everyone should have a committed coach or mentor.

Continually Challenged – Advancing to the next professional level never happens by accident, so an environment where everyone is challenged to reach higher levels of performance creates the tension needed to advance intentionally.

Future-Oriented – A team which is focused on past mistakes doesn’t have the right outlook to grow their team. Growth is always the result of forward thinking where a better reality is a goal and positive intent around its achievement is embraced.

Mission Driven – When team members understand what their company does to enhance the lives of their customers and how their role contributes to making a difference, they are more likely to wake up excited and be driven to be the best version of themselves. This energy is essential to growth.

Failure is Embraced – When we learn new skills and put them into practice, failing is a large part of the learning journey. In fact, learned experience is the quickest way to actually know anything. But a negative reaction to mistakes will deplete growth momentum, so wise team leaders expect failures and embrace the opportunities they provide.

Mutual Advancement – People always work best when they’re working together, so teams where every member is growing are far more likely to see positive results. The best environments for growth have individualized and continuous development happening for every person and the culture is one of learning. •

If your team needs more help growing itself to the next level, or your want help building a better growth environment, check out the industry-specific resources available at www.GrowTheBench.com. NESTMA members are invited to connect with

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MTC NEWS: Fereshteh Shahoveisi

In 2023, our team conducted several fungicide and nematicide trials at the UMD Paint Branch Research Facility to evaluate their efficacy against various turfgrass diseases and nematodes. The trials were mainly focused on:

• Brown patch and dollar spot affecting fairway and green height creeping bentgrass.

Preliminary findings from these experiments were presented at our Field Day in July. Currently, we are concluding the studies and analyzing the data. For the trials with registered fungicides, reports detailing our observations and results will be made available on our program’s website

In terms of disease progress in the season, May and early June were relatively drier and cooler than the usual averages for the season. This led to a delayed onset of diseases at the farm. However, as summer progressed, the typical weather patterns prevailed, leading to elevated disease pressure. Most diseases, including the brown patch and dollar spot, peaked during this period. By mid to late September, we observed a significant reduction in the prevalence of most diseases.

Turfgrass Variety Trial Update

By Geoffrey Rinehart

Did you know that the University of Maryland turfgrass research program conducts ongoing experiments to evaluate varieties from several different turfgrass species? Using data from these trials and in coordination with data collected by turfgrass researchers at Virginia Tech, and the professionals from the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Virginia Department of Agriculture Seed Laboratories, the “Maryland-Virginia Recommended Varieties List” is updated on annual basis to summarize the top varieties from several of the major turfgrass species used in the Mid-Atlantic provided the varieties are available as certified seed and has been tested by either or both the MD or VA Seed Labs. Typically, these trials are conducted as part of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program’s (NTEP) research efforts. Previously high-performing varieties which are not included in the most current NTEP trials are planted and evaluated in supplemental trials so that researchers can continue to evaluate these cultivars as one of the criteria for them to remain on the recommended list. NTEP conducts variety trial testing for all major cool- and warm-season turfgrass species in over 35 states throughout the country to identify top-performing varieties both on a national and regional level. The University of Maryland’s NTEP trials, as well as the Annual MD/VA Recommended Varieties List, are an important part of evaluating varieties both locally/regionally and nationally and providing you, the Maryland Turfgrass Professional, with the varieties which will grow well and produce the best turfgrass for your customers. In fact, one of the requirements sod farmers in Maryland must meet is to utilize only varieties found on the MD/VA Recommended Varieties list.

This summary of information can be found in University of Maryland Extension publication TT-77. This and other UMD Extension publications are available to all members and industry professionals on the Maryland Turfgrass Council website. Currently, the UMD turfgrass program has trials evaluating bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, tall fescue, “fine” fescue (includes Red, Chewings, and Sheep Fescues), and Kentucky bluegrass (the newest trial of which was planted in early October 2023).

For more information on the University of Maryland’s turfgrass variety trials, please contact Geoffrey Rinehart (E-mail: [email protected])

The post Maryland Turfgrass Council – Fungicide Trials Update – Turfgrass Pathology Program appeared first on The Turf Zone.

MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS: J. Scott McElroy, PhD – Professor, Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Auburn University

As a scientist, I hesitate to make predictions such as those a fortune teller might reveal. I wince when I hear people speaking with absolute certainty that this or that will happen in the future. That some team will win, some politician will lose, or that some event will occur is often pure speculation. Absolute predictions are nonsensical, and an affront to probabilistic thinking. To think probabilistically is to think in terms of the percentage of probability that something will occur. This is the foundation of good science.

Having said that, it is highly probable that in the next 10 years autonomous technology will gain a significant portion of the professional and consumer market in the United States. I base this prediction on four pieces of evidence:

1.

2.

3.

4.

But here I am addressing the “Contrarian’s Guide to Turfgrass Robotic Technology.” To the robotic contrarian, any positive arguments I present regarding this technology will likely fall on deaf ears. To the contrarian, only seeing is believing. Once my prediction has come true, the contrarian will adopt the technology as self-evident. Don’t get me wrong. Skepticism is a good thing. However, a complete understanding and realistic expectation of what robotic technology can do and where the technology is going is necessary to the healthy skeptic. I want to convince the contrarian that instead of waiting for the technology to be tested by fellow industry partners, they should begin testing and evaluating it themselves. With that in mind, I present this article to the contrarian on fundamentals of robotic technology today.

“The Technology is Just Not There Yet.”

This is the contrarian’s favorite phrase. In frustration I respond, “Where is There?” or even “What is There?”. If the technology has not arrived at the point where it can be adopted, what are its current limitations?

What irks me so much about this critique is the underlying assumptions about imagined technological characteristics that may not even be possible. The contrarian’s perception of automation is that the technology can be easily set up with little or no planning or understanding of the technology. That it may be deployed for use with little, or no, oversight. The phrase, “The Technology is Just Not There Yet,” is normally rooted in some technological advancement in artificial intelligence, or machine learning, that the contrarian has developed based on their perception of technological development, or maybe even a touch of science fiction.

My response is “The technology is what the technology is.” 2022 might as well have been ten years ago when it comes to robotic and autonomous technology in the United States. 2023 saw an incredible number of major advances. These include allowance for extended range connection to 4G and network RTK systems; daisy chaining of reference station signals for greater lengths; creation of virtual zones that can vary in direction, speed, and height of cut; and mobile deployment across multiple sites. The technology launched in 2023 will be the basis of robotic technology for the next five to ten years.

To the contrarian, if you were talking about 2022, I agree. The technology was not “there” for the professional user. It was largely restricted to wire boundary units, mowing randomly at a single fixed zone height. But 2023 completely changed the game.

Autonomous vs. Semi-Autonomous

Before discussing the technology that now makes robotic automation possible, let me make a rather large distinction in technology – Autonomous vs. Semi-Autonomous Technology. Now and in the future, it will be extremely difficult for any mowers with traditional mowing implements to be fully autonomous simply due to liability. As I have been told (I am not an expert on liability, nor am I a lawyer) liability has been and will continue to restrict deployment of certain technology. Such technology – semi-autonomous technology – will require an operator to be watching it while it is completing its task. It will not work at night and will likely not have a fixed position point for deployment. It will need to be taken to the location by hand for deployment. Fully autonomous technology will likely be small, lightweight equipment weighing approximately less than 300 lbs. Again, I may be wrong, but making traditional mowing equipment fully autonomous is going to be challenging to say the least.

Robot Positioning – The Leap Forward in 2023

The technology that made 2023 the year of advancement largely dealt with how the robots position themselves in space. And the one acronym you need to know is RTK.

RTK. RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic. It is a satellite navigation technique used for enhancing the precision of position data obtained from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) like GPS (Global Positioning System). RTK is commonly used in applications where high accuracy location information is required, such as surveying, agriculture, construction, and autonomous vehicles. RTK requires a base station in a fixed position that can then communicate to a rover (in our case a mower, painter, or range picker). RTK allows for real time positioning and correction for the rover. RTK signals can stretch from 200 meters to 10 miles depending on the signal type. Husqvarna and Echo Robotics use a fixed position RTK signal that extends 200–300 meters. (Actually, Echo Robotics now has 4G RTK which extends up to 10 miles.)

nRTK. nRTK stands for network real-time kinematics. nRTK is a mesh network system individual companies deploy and then offer other companies for use. For example, NexMow uses nRTK from TopCon (https://global.topcon.com/). Kress (https://www.kress.com/en-us/all-robot-lawn-mowers/) has developed its own nRTK system specifically for its mower technology. Tiny Mobile Robots also uses an nRTK system

RTK, whether a dedicated local RTK reference station, or a nRTK system, allows for positioning of technology in space, allowing for removal of wire from the field and the creation of virtual boundary systems. RTK also allows for directional or systematic work, not random work. With RTK the efficiency of the equipment increases exponentially and the ability to deploy over a wider area has increased.

If it is true that robotic technology will be a common form of turfgrass management in the next five to 10 years, one probably needs to start learning about and adapting the technology now. To be fair, there are some early adopters that have made significant investments in this technology, but the contrarian samples the product before a full commitment. The key to what to utilize first is choosing equipment that solves a problem. Depending on the operation, you already have mowing equipment, so unless you need to make a major purchase, the first goal is to seek out equipment that solves a problem. Here is my list of useful equipment that solves major issues.

Field Painters. Field Painters have been adopted in the United States faster than any other autonomous technology for one big reason – they solve a problem. Painting field lines is a tedious, repetitive task that was begging for automation. Technology from Turf Tank (https://turftank.com/us/) and Tiny Mobile Robots (https://tinymobilerobots.com/field-marking-robot/) have taken athletic field maintenance by storm with painters becoming the fasting growing segment of autonomous turfgrass management.

Range Pickers. Ranges can have a myriad of problems that robots can solve. Large pickers used frequently can compact soil. They are very abrasive to the turf reducing stand density and quality and can cause damage during high soil moisture conditions. Light weight pickers such as the Echo Robotics Range Picker (https://echorobotics.com/en-us/)can be programmed to pick ranges at all hours of the day. It uses the same positioning technology as Echo Robotics mowers – either a WiFi or 4G signal – which massively extends the range of use of the picker.

Slope Climbers. Mowing slopes is a burdensome task. It can be damaging to the turf and dangerous for the operator. Because of the difficulty, some sloped areas are mowed infrequently reducing the turfgrass stand and leading to debris buildup after mowing. The Husqvarna 535 AWD is a compact, light-weight slope mower that can be deployed to cover up to 0.8 acres. While it is random and has a wire boundary, it is efficient, and virtual zones can be created after it has mapped the wire bounded area.

Drop and Mow. Many contrarians are turned off by the idea of fixed position mowers that are bound to a specific docking station and work zone. They would prefer to be able to deploy mowers to other locations during the evaluation phase. The NexMow M1 (https://nexmow.com/) is a deployable drop and mow system that allows for mapping and deployment at hundreds of areas stored on the NexMow app. Simply choose the location that you have mapped and stored in the app, deploy one or multiple mowers, and return to pick up when the app tells you the job is complete.

Mowing Technology. Or the contrarian could just deploy other mowing technology. Mowers from Husqvarna, Kress, and Echo Robotics are all light weight, fully autonomous mowers that can be deployed to mow fairways, rough and tee areas, sports fields, common areas, or large multi-use complexes. This will allow the contrarian to evaluate the cut quality, evaluate the equipment for its functionality at their location, and determine how best to scale with autonomous technology.

Final Thoughts

When the iPhone was introduced in 2007 it was an amazing leap in mobile technology. It has changed the way we work, play, and live. The current version of the iPhone is even more amazing – camera technology; the myriad of apps that are available; and how you can do almost anything on the iPhone. I have never heard a single person who bought the original iPhone complain that they should have waited to buy the current iPhone and skipped the 16 years of previous iterations. Sure, the new iPhone is amazing, but so was the original.

I leave the contrarian with this final comparison. The technology released in the US in 2023 will be the dominant technological innovations for the next decade and beyond. There will be upgrades and innovations along the way, but the base technology will remain the same. If you wait for some mythical technological level that may never come, you will miss out on the journey this technology will take us on for years to come.

Disclosure

Dr. McElroy is a professor at Auburn University, and also owns Scotsman Turf Robotics, (http://scotsmanturfrobotics.com) which is a distributor of Husqvarna, Echo Robotics, and NexMow. Scotsman does not distribute Kress, Turf Tank, or Tiny Mobile Robots but sees these as valuable additions to a growing autonomous turfgrass technology industry. Dr. McElroy and Scotsman encourage readers to explore all aspects of autonomous and semi-autonomous equipment that will be the future of turfgrass management. Robotic equipment is currently <1% of the US turf equipment market but is slated to grow substantially over the next five years.

The post Mississippi Turfgrass Association – A Contrarian’s Guide to Autonomous Turfgrass Robotic Technology appeared first on The Turf Zone.

ARKANSAS TURFGRASS: J. Scott McElroy, PhD – Professor, Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Auburn University

As a scientist, I hesitate to make predictions such as those a fortune teller might reveal. I wince when I hear people speaking with absolute certainty that this or that will happen in the future. That some team will win, some politician will lose, or that some event will occur is often pure speculation. Absolute predictions are nonsensical, and an affront to probabilistic thinking. To think probabilistically is to think in terms of the percentage of probability that something will occur. This is the foundation of good science.

Having said that, it is highly probable that in the next 10 years autonomous technology will gain a significant portion of the professional and consumer market in the United States. I base this prediction on four pieces of evidence:

1. Robotic technology has already captured a significant portion of the technology in Europe.

2. All major brands that market traditional mowing technology or mowing equipment are developing robotic technology.

3. At one count there were over 40 additional startups and companies developing all manner of robotic technology, including mowers, painters, and sprayers.

4. The labor shortage will be sustained into the foreseeable future and could potentially increase (https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-still-has-a-worker-shortage-d0c65166).

But here I am addressing the “Contrarian’s Guide to Turfgrass Robotic Technology.” To the robotic contrarian, any positive arguments I present regarding this technology will likely fall on deaf ears. To the contrarian, only seeing is believing. Once my prediction has come true, the contrarian will adopt the technology as self-evident. Don’t get me wrong. Skepticism is a good thing. However, a complete understanding and realistic expectation of what robotic technology can do and where the technology is going is necessary to the healthy skeptic. I want to convince the contrarian that instead of waiting for the technology to be tested by fellow industry partners, they should begin testing and evaluating it themselves. With that in mind, I present this article to the contrarian on fundamentals of robotic technology today.

“The Technology is Just Not There Yet.”

This is the contrarian’s favorite phrase. In frustration I respond, “Where is There?” or even “What is There?”. If the technology has not arrived at the point where it can be adopted, what are its current limitations?

What irks me so much about this critique is the underlying assumptions about imagined technological characteristics that may not even be possible. The contrarian’s perception of automation is that the technology can be easily set up with little or no planning or understanding of the technology. That it may be deployed for use with little, or no, oversight. The phrase, “The Technology is Just Not There Yet,” is normally rooted in some technological advancement in artificial intelligence, or machine learning, that the contrarian has developed based on their perception of technological development, or maybe even a touch of science fiction.

My response is “The technology is what the technology is.” 2022 might as well have been ten years ago when it comes to robotic and autonomous technology in the United States. 2023 saw an incredible number of major advances. These include allowance for extended range connection to 4G and network RTK systems; daisy chaining of reference station signals for greater lengths; creation of virtual zones that can vary in direction, speed, and height of cut; and mobile deployment across multiple sites. The technology launched in 2023 will be the basis of robotic technology for the next five to ten years.

To the contrarian, if you were talking about 2022, I agree. The technology was not “there” for the professional user. It was largely restricted to wire boundary units, mowing randomly at a single fixed zone height. But 2023 completely changed the game.

Autonomous vs. Semi-Autonomous

Before discussing the technology that now makes robotic automation possible, let me make a rather large distinction in technology – Autonomous vs. Semi-Autonomous Technology. Now and in the future, it will be extremely difficult for any mowers with traditional mowing implements to be fully autonomous simply due to liability. As I have been told (I am not an expert on liability, nor am I a lawyer) liability has been and will continue to restrict deployment of certain technology. Such technology – semi-autonomous technology – will require an operator to be watching it while it is completing its task. It will not work at night and will likely not have a fixed position point for deployment. It will need to be taken to the location by hand for deployment. Fully autonomous technology will likely be small, lightweight equipment weighing approximately less than 300 lbs. Again, I may be wrong, but making traditional mowing equipment fully autonomous is going to be challenging to say the least.

Robot Positioning – The Leap Forward in 2023

The technology that made 2023 the year of advancement largely dealt with how the robots position themselves in space. And the one acronym you need to know is RTK.

RTK. RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic. It is a satellite navigation technique used for enhancing the precision of position data obtained from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) like GPS (Global Positioning System). RTK is commonly used in applications where high accuracy location information is required, such as surveying, agriculture, construction, and autonomous vehicles. RTK requires a base station in a fixed position that can then communicate to a rover (in our case a mower, painter, or range picker). RTK allows for real time positioning and correction for the rover. RTK signals can stretch from 200 meters to 10 miles depending on the signal type. Husqvarna and Echo Robotics use a fixed position RTK signal that extends 200–300 meters. (Actually, Echo Robotics now has 4G RTK which extends up to 10 miles.)

nRTK. nRTK stands for network real-time kinematics. nRTK is a mesh network system individual companies deploy and then offer other companies for use. For example, NexMow uses nRTK from TopCon (https://global.topcon.com/). Kress (https://www.kress.com/en-us/all-robot-lawn-mowers/) has developed its own nRTK system specifically for its mower technology. Tiny Mobile Robots also uses an nRTK system

RTK, whether a dedicated local RTK reference station, or a nRTK system, allows for positioning of technology in space, allowing for removal of wire from the field and the creation of virtual boundary systems. RTK also allows for directional or systematic work, not random work. With RTK the efficiency of the equipment increases exponentially and the ability to deploy over a wider area has increased.

If it is true that robotic technology will be a common form of turfgrass management in the next five to 10 years, one probably needs to start learning about and adapting the technology now. To be fair, there are some early adopters that have made significant investments in this technology, but the contrarian samples the product before a full commitment. The key to what to utilize first is choosing equipment that solves a problem. Depending on the operation, you already have mowing equipment, so unless you need to make a major purchase, the first goal is to seek out equipment that solves a problem. Here is my list of useful equipment that solves major issues.

Field Painters. Field Painters have been adopted in the United States faster than any other autonomous technology for one big reason – they solve a problem. Painting field lines is a tedious, repetitive task that was begging for automation. Technology from Turf Tank (https://turftank.com/us/) and Tiny Mobile Robots (https://tinymobilerobots.com/field-marking-robot/) have taken athletic field maintenance by storm with painters becoming the fasting growing segment of autonomous turfgrass management.

Range Pickers. Ranges can have a myriad of problems that robots can solve. Large pickers used frequently can compact soil. They are very abrasive to the turf reducing stand density and quality and can cause damage during high soil moisture conditions. Light weight pickers such as the Echo Robotics Range Picker (https://echorobotics.com/en-us/)can be programmed to pick ranges at all hours of the day. It uses the same positioning technology as Echo Robotics mowers – either a WiFi or 4G signal – which massively extends the range of use of the picker.

Slope Climbers. Mowing slopes is a burdensome task. It can be damaging to the turf and dangerous for the operator. Because of the difficulty, some sloped areas are mowed infrequently reducing the turfgrass stand and leading to debris buildup after mowing. The Husqvarna 535 AWD is a compact, light-weight slope mower that can be deployed to cover up to 0.8 acres. While it is random and has a wire boundary, it is efficient, and virtual zones can be created after it has mapped the wire bounded area.

Drop and Mow. Many contrarians are turned off by the idea of fixed position mowers that are bound to a specific docking station and work zone. They would prefer to be able to deploy mowers to other locations during the evaluation phase. The NexMow M1 (https://nexmow.com/) is a deployable drop and mow system that allows for mapping and deployment at hundreds of areas stored on the NexMow app. Simply choose the location that you have mapped and stored in the app, deploy one or multiple mowers, and return to pick up when the app tells you the job is complete.

Mowing Technology. Or the contrarian could just deploy other mowing technology. Mowers from Husqvarna, Kress, and Echo Robotics are all light weight, fully autonomous mowers that can be deployed to mow fairways, rough and tee areas, sports fields, common areas, or large multi-use complexes. This will allow the contrarian to evaluate the cut quality, evaluate the equipment for its functionality at their location, and determine how best to scale with autonomous technology.

Final Thoughts

When the iPhone was introduced in 2007 it was an amazing leap in mobile technology. It has changed the way we work, play, and live. The current version of the iPhone is even more amazing – camera technology; the myriad of apps that are available; and how you can do almost anything on the iPhone. I have never heard a single person who bought the original iPhone complain that they should have waited to buy the current iPhone and skipped the 16 years of previous iterations. Sure, the new iPhone is amazing, but so was the original.

I leave the contrarian with this final comparison. The technology released in the US in 2023 will be the dominant technological innovations for the next decade and beyond. There will be upgrades and innovations along the way, but the base technology will remain the same. If you wait for some mythical technological level that may never come, you will miss out on the journey this technology will take us on for years to come.

Disclosure

Dr. McElroy is a professor at Auburn University, and also owns Scotsman Turf Robotics, (http://scotsmanturfrobotics.com) which is a distributor of Husqvarna, Echo Robotics, and NexMow. Scotsman does not distribute Kress, Turf Tank, or Tiny Mobile Robots but sees these as valuable additions to a growing autonomous turfgrass technology industry. Dr. McElroy and Scotsman encourage readers to explore all aspects of autonomous and semi-autonomous equipment that will be the future of turfgrass management. Robotic equipment is currently <1% of the US turf equipment market but is slated to grow substantially over the next five years.

The post Arkansas Turfgrass Association – A Contrarian’s Guide to Autonomous Turfgrass Robotic Technology appeared first on The Turf Zone.

PENNSYLVANIA TURFGRASS: Brad Jakubowski, Assistant Teaching Professor, Center for Turfgrass Science, Penn State University

Keeping an eye on the weather is something professional turfgrass managers have ingrained into our systems. Can I mow today? We check our phones for the most recent forecast. Should I spray today? We monitor dewpoints, humidity and temperatures. Will I pull the tarp prior to today’s game? We study the weather radar. There is a tremendous amount of weather information out there and nearly all of us have some form of a weather app on our phones, or a link to our favorite weather website, to help us make day-to-day management decisions. Let’s take a journey, to see what is out there and what information will help us make the best weather-based decisions possible.

Which app is the best?

Honestly, there is no one best app. It is important to find an app or a number of apps that provide you the most reliable and quickly available information. Basic Information that is important to have available with the least number of clicks would be: High and Low Temperatures (including overnight lows), Dewpoint, Relative Humidity, and Short-Term Weather forecasts. Intermediate information includes: Radar (Base and Composite Reflectivity), Satellite Imagery, and Severe Weather (especially lightning). Advanced information would be: Echo Tops, Vertically Integrated Liquid, Digital Storm Accumulation and Forecast Discussion.

Basic Information

When looking for basic information, it is best to have most or all important data on the first screen, or within one or two clicks from the first screen. That is often a good way to judge how well your app will benefit you over time. As an example, The National Weather Service includes much of the basic data (Figure 1). At a glance, you can get a good idea of what is happening now and what will happen in the immediate future. High and low temperatures provide a quick mental image of how the day (and night) may influence your maintenance plans. Winds, dewpoint and relative humidity provide a quick insight on irrigation requirements, disease potential, and infield skin management requirements.

It is beneficial to see both relative humidity and dewpoint together. Viewing only either limits your view of the big picture. For example, a relative humidity of 95% with dewpoints near 70 degrees indicate that less time may be spent scouting for wilt and instead used scouting for diseases. The same relative humidity with dewpoints under 30 may indicate a majority of the day may be dedicated for scouting wilt or watering an infield skin.

The Hourly Forecast – The Turf Manager’s Secret Weapon!

The Hourly Forecast on Weather.gov (Figure 2) is the turf manager’s secret weapon. In one image, a turf manager can make plans for multiple issues and tasks. For Example, The Heat Index: potential high heat indexes aids in planning for employee safety; Temperature and Dewpoint: Matched high overnight dewpoints and temperatures means extended leaf wetness and high disease potential. They also indicate heavy dew until at least 8am, which may require a syringe cycle to limit mower clumping, or to make sure greens are whipped post-cut; Wind Speed and Direction (Surface Wind): predicted light southerly winds meaning even higher probability for disease potential and dew, as well as for good spraying conditions in the early morning, but gusts in the teens starting around 11am; Relative Humidity: indicates conditions will be wet early, but dry quickly throughout the day; Sky Cover: indicates it will be partly cloudy throughout the day providing some relief, while Precipitation Potential indicate a 50% chance of rain throughout the day.

Intermediate Information

When making game-time decisions such as tarp pulls, or field evacuations, due to severe weather, radar becomes an important tool. There are numerous good weather radar apps available. Many are free, some require an annual fee of $US 10 to 50. Many of the fee-based apps offer expanded functionality, precision and overall quality of information. Regardless of cost, radar app selection should prioritize the type of reflectivity the radar images are based upon. There are two types: Base Reflectivity and Composite Reflectivity. Each time a radar transmitter spins, it sends out a microwave ‘sweep’ at different elevations to get a complete picture of all atmosphere elevations. A Base Reflectivity image represents only a single sweep of the radar transmitter. This means that near the transmitter the radar ‘sees’ is low in the storms and as distance increases the beam rises and can overshoot the core of heavier precipitation. Many High-Resolution (Hi-Res) radar images feature only Base Reflectivity sweeps.

Composite Reflectivity stitches together all elevation scans, in order, to create an image that represents a more complete picture of an incoming storm. These are often lower-resolution images and may be more pixelated. Figures 3 and 4 are of the same storm with the former being a Base Reflectivity image and the latter a Composite Reflectivity image.

Figure 5 shows the different reflectivity options you may have within a radar app, and again illustrates not all radar imagery is the same. So, when trying to make critical game-time decisions, a radar image using Base Reflectivity may grossly underestimate the significance of an incoming storm. When selecting a radar app, be sure investigate the types of radar images it provides, and be prepared to spend a few dollars for radar that will prove worthwhile in the future.

Satellite Imagery

There are numerous Satellite Imagery options as well. They provide visible cloud cover; infrared (the most common that we see), moisture content; and all-in-one maps that include a combination of radar, infrared, and weather station models to tell a complete weather story. Satellite images can give you a broader perspective of how the weather is behaving on a wider, more continental, scale. The images and loops illustrate air flow, cloud and moisture movement and overall dynamics of frontal systems. These large-scale images and video loops can help in longer-term planning. They can aid in project preparation and used as a tool to help protect fields when communicating with administrators that may be considering additional unexpected events during non-use days. It is useful to compare these images with regular weather maps to get a good working knowledge of fronts and changing weather systems.

Severe Weather

Lightning is the most critical facet of severe weather for sport turf managers. In 2022, one in five people struck by lightning were engaged in an outdoor sporting activity. Having an app that can provide you lightning information instantly or within a click on your phone is important. The lightning information from the WeatherBug app for Figure 6 only required a short scroll down and a single click. An old AM radio is also good to have on-hand as a back up lightning detector. Significant increase in crackles and static transmitted across AM radio bands are dependable indicators of lightning activity in the area. Old School!

Advanced Information

As we work towards becoming more proficient with understanding weather and being able to make better weather-based decisions, we find more advanced tools to help us. Echo Tops or Cloud Height is another function to help us assess the intensity of an oncoming storm. An Echo Top measures the overall height of a storm, which is an indicator of the strength of storm updrafts. Stronger updrafts make convective wind gusts and large hail more likely.

When several storms are on radar, the Echo Tops tool can point out the more severe storms and the direction they are travelling (Figure 7). This can be valuable information to report to the front office when asked about making a call on a game or whether the conditions will be safe to conduct a last-minute tarp pull. Another tool to assess the strength of a storm is Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL). The VIL index measures how much water is being transported vertically throughout a storm cloud and is another indicator of a storm’s updraft strength. Taller updrafts tend to have higher values of VIL and are more likely to produce hail.

One more tool that can be used to help determine the total accumulation of a precipitation event is Digital Storm Accumulation. By allowing you to assess discrete accumulations over short periods of time, this tool may help you determine whether or not to pull a field cover for a particular rain event. Saving time and energy that could be used elsewhere and avoid unnecessary delays. This tool may also aid in determining the potential of a flash flood event in your area.

Summary

Technological advancements afford us incredibly convenient tools and information apps that support worker and clientele safety while improving our maintenance, irrigation, pest management, and playability decision-making. Take advantage of this opportunity by investigating these different apps and functions. Poll your colleagues, service providers, and blogs/forums to best experiment and discover what works best for you and your facility.

The post Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council – Weather Apps and Weather Decisions – Let’s Make the Most of Both! appeared first on The Turf Zone.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS: Kyley Dickson, Ph.D.

When it comes time to reseed or renovate an area in the fall or spring, selecting the most suitable grass variety can be a challenging task. Over the years, plant breeders and seed companies have made significant advancements in enhancing their grasses through plant breeding. These improvements include developing grasses with resistance or increased tolerance to specific diseases, better drought tolerance, and an enhanced ability to withstand extreme climatic conditions. However, verifying these claims is crucial. To address this, various research programs conduct tests on new turfgrass varieties under different conditions, comparing them with standard grasses that have been used for many years.

Research programs are essential in identifying new varieties of turfgrasses that stand out as premium performers and discovering how much they have improved. For instance, Kentucky 31 tall fescue, which was identified in Kentucky in 1931, is still available for purchase at most stores that sell grass seed today. The improvements in technology have increased efficiency and overall performance of turfgrasses, just like how cars have evolved from 1931 to today. Plant breeders make major improvements every year, with many of these new varieties being more efficient with fewer inputs and more adapted to difficult environments. Breeders look at several variables such as plant density, color, leaf thickness, disease resistance, drought tolerance, and traffic tolerance to improve turfgrasses.

The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) is a renowned turfgrass research program that has gained global recognition. It has expanded to evaluate seventeen turfgrass species across forty U.S. states and six Canadian provinces. The program collects and summarizes data on various aspects of turfgrass, including quality, color, density, resistance to diseases and insects, and tolerance to heat, cold, drought, and traffic. NTEP’s findings are used by plant breeders, researchers, extension personnel, local and state government entities, growers, and consumers worldwide. The program has become the standard for turfgrass evaluation in the United States and many other countries.

The NTEP trials are carried out over a consecutive five-year period at various research universities across the nation. The researchers monitor the quality of each variety, recording monthly results. At the end of each year, they publish an updated report on the trials. The NTEP data is a valuable resource that can help determine grass varieties that are ideal for low maintenance, traffic tolerance, and overall quality. This is due to the wide range of trials conducted by the program. The data is freely accessible to everyone on NTEP.org. Additionally, the NTEP has introduced a new search tool that allows users to identify different grasses based on species, location, or variety. You can also scan the QR code provided to visit the NTEP website directly.

It’s important to note that while the data is available online, there are no certifications or approval of varieties from the NTEP. The information solely reflects how well a particular grass variety performed in the trials. Nevertheless, this resource is highly beneficial when selecting turfgrass varieties. Next time you purchase a seed bag, take a moment to examine the tag and review how the grasses fared in the NTEP trials. Opting for a variety that performed well in your area according to NTEP results will likely yield superior results. Keep in mind that certain varieties may thrive better in specific regions of the country compared to others. Therefore, it’s advisable to consider the locations of the tests and select a variety that closely represents your area.

There are organizations that offer approved varieties or certifications. Two such organizations are the Alliance for Low Input Sustainable Turf (A-LIST) and the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA). Similar to the NTEP, both the A-LIST and TWCA conduct research trials at universities across the U.S. to evaluate grasses. Currently, these trials are limited to cool season grasses.

The Alliance for Low Input Sustainable Turf (A-LIST) is a national non-profit organization that aims to assist turfgrass managers and grass growers in achieving sustainable plant growth. The organization comprises universities and industry companies that work together to test, identify, and promote grass varieties that combine high turf quality with low-input performance. These varieties are designed to reduce water, chemical, and fertility requirements. The A-LIST provides information on certified, high-quality turf that is verified through transparent protocols and independently tested. The A-LIST focuses on varieties respond to reduced inputs such as water, fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and fertility. To become A-LIST approved, grasses must be in the top statistical grouping at multiple locations over multiple years.

The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) is a non-profit organization committed to water conservation and dedicated to preserving the ecological benefits of turfgrass in the managed environment. The organization believes that by improving the plant materials available, they can reduce the water needs of the managed environment while preserving the vital ecological services provided by green space. The TWCA provides independent transparent analysis of objective data, which anchors their peer-reviewed qualification process. The TWCA program assesses drought tolerance of grasses using rainout shelters to simulate drought conditions and measure their resilience.

The research funded from these organizations instills confidence that the grasses possess the improved traits claimed by the respective organizations. Both programs indicate their approval by displaying their logos on seed tags located on each bag. Currently, there are only approvals for seed for cool-season grasses. These programs have resulted in greater breeding efforts that has resulted in the traits each of these organizations are focused on. The work these organizations have done to improve areas of breeding that have not always been the highest priority is tremendous. Both organizations are formed from groups of seed companies that saw a need and have funded research to further breeding in each area and decided to make it happen. For a comprehensive list of approved varieties, please refer to each organization’s websites https://a-listturf.org or https://www.tgwca.org, or scan the QR codes.

Using grass varieties that require lower inputs is better for the environment. These varieties are more sustainable because they need less water, or fertilizer, or pesticides to thrive. By reducing the use of these inputs, we can minimize the environmental impact and promote a healthier ecosystem. These new varieties require fewer chemical treatments and less water, making them more environmentally friendly. Additionally, they can help conserve water resources and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.

If you think, “It’s great that they have these approvals for low inputs and water reduction, but how did they do in our area?” Well for those who live in Tennessee, table 1 is a top ten list of reduced input of tall fescue varieties and table 2 is for Kentucky bluegrass. These tables show either A-LIST or TWCA varieties that did well in Tennessee’s NTEP and all the NTEP trials overall that grass species overall. There are three varieties of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrasses that are in bold, these highlighted varieties would be the top three varieties for use in Tennessee due to their superior performance in research trials. The other top ten are great varieties perform well in Tennessee, the bolded varieties simply highlight the top performers according to the criteria used to rank the grasses overall. All the grass varieties in both lists should have superior performance in these conditions and can survive in more stressful conditions than traditional standard varieties. Not all grasses are great in all circumstances, sticking with the car analogy you would not use a small car to try and pull a semi-trailer, as with grasses some are adapted for certain uses better than others. Keep in mind that even the most adapted grasses can still die and do poorly if the conditions for growth become too harsh.

Table 1. Top Ten Tall Fescue Reduced Input Varieties for Tennessee

Variety Company ALIST Approved TWCA Approved NTEP Traffic NTEP Knoxville NTEP Overall

Table 2. Top Ten Reduced Input Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties for Tennessee

Variety Company A-LIST Approved TWCA Approved NTEP Traffic NTEP Knoxville NTEP Overall

The data from the NTEP is from Knoxville at the University of Tennessee trial site. To explain the table there is an X by each area that a grass was the top statistical category for that area. The columns show if they are A-LIST or TWCA approved. Additionally, there is a column indicating they were in the top statistical performer for the NTEP traffic trial, this indicates that the varieties had superior traffic tolerance good for high use areas. Additionally, the top statistical category for the NTEP trial in Knoxville, this helps to see how these varieties would do in an area with similar growing conditions to Knoxville.

The last column is when all the NTEP locations for that trial are taken and averaged, these grasses were in the top performers for the trial overall.

One of the limitations of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) is that many of the varieties it tests are not commercially available or may never go into commercial production for various reasons. However, this article aims to provide tables of commercially available varieties that can be purchased today. These varieties can help improve management situations where inputs are limited or where you simply want a variety with improved genetics that offers optimum performance. However, locating these improved varieties can be challenging. I have included a list of companies that currently sell these products in the tables. It is important to note that these higher-end products are typically not available at big-box stores; instead, they can be found at landscape supply stores, distributors, or sod farms.

It is important to note that grass varieties that thrive in one region may not perform well in another. Therefore, it is advisable to look at the NTEP data for your specific area. The NTEP provides valuable information about grass varieties that excel in different regions. For instance, certain varieties may flourish in Utah but struggle in Tennessee. By selecting the right variety for your area, you can optimize your turfgrass management and achieve better results.

Grass breeding efforts have significantly contributed to improving sustainability and adaptability. Universities such as Rutgers, Oklahoma State University, University of Georgia at Tifton, Texas A&M University, University of Florida, Mississippi State University, and North Carolina State University, along with seed companies, have made remarkable progress in breeding grass varieties with improved genetics. These varieties listed in the tables are more resistant to pests, diseases, and drought. They require fewer chemical treatments and less water, making them more environmentally friendly. By leveraging these advancements in grass breeding, you can enhance your turfgrass management situation and contribute to a greener and healthier environment.

In a world where resources are becoming increasingly scarce, it is crucial to choose grasses that are well-suited to their environment. This article presents an overview of some of the top cool season grasses to consider when making selections in Tennessee. In the southern part of the state, cool season grasses may struggle to thrive, making warm season grasses a more viable option. Tennessee has seen great success with many warm season grasses, including Bermudagrass and Zoysia. The tables are specifically cool season grasses that are two commonly used grasses in Tennessee. The advancements in breeding in the last two decades show some amazing improvements in a short period of time. When renovating or reseeding an area this fall, consider opting for seeds with improved genetics. Doing so will result in better turf quality and contribute to a healthier environment overall. If you are unsure whether to choose cool or warm season grasses, consult with a University of Tennessee County Extension agent for guidance.

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MTC TURF NEWS: Geoffrey Rinehart

Did you know that the University of Maryland turfgrass research program conducts ongoing experiments to evaluate varieties from several different turfgrass species? Using data from these trials and in coordination with data collected by turfgrass researchers at Virginia Tech, and the professionals from the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Virginia Department of Agriculture Seed Laboratories, the “Maryland-Virginia Recommended Varieties List” is updated on annual basis to summarize the top varieties from several of the major turfgrass species used in the Mid-Atlantic provided the varieties are available as certified seed and has been tested by either or both the MD or VA Seed Labs. Typically, these trials are conducted as part of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program’s (NTEP) research efforts. Previously high-performing varieties which are not included in the most current NTEP trials are planted and evaluated in supplemental trials so that researchers can continue to evaluate these cultivars as one of the criteria for them to remain on the recommended list. NTEP conducts variety trial testing for all major cool- and warm-season turfgrass species in over 35 states throughout the country to identify top-performing varieties both on a national and regional level. The University of Maryland’s NTEP trials, as well as the Annual MD/VA Recommended Varieties List, are an important part of evaluating varieties both locally/regionally and nationally and providing you, the Maryland Turfgrass Professional, with the varieties which will grow well and produce the best turfgrass for your customers. In fact, one of the requirements sod farmers in Maryland must meet is to utilize only varieties found on the MD/VA Recommended Varieties list.

This summary of information can be found in University of Maryland Extension publication TT-77. This and other UMD Extension publications are available to all members and industry professionals on the Maryland Turfgrass Council website. Currently, the UMD turfgrass program has trials evaluating bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, tall fescue, “fine” fescue (includes Red, Chewings, and Sheep Fescues), and Kentucky bluegrass (the newest trial of which was planted in early October 2023).

For more information on the University of Maryland’s turfgrass variety trials, please contact Geoffrey Rinehart (E-mail: [email protected]) •

By Fereshteh Shahoveisi

In 2023, our team conducted several fungicide and nematicide trials at the UMD Paint Branch Research Facility to evaluate their efficacy against various turfgrass diseases and nematodes. The trials were mainly focused on:

• Brown patch and dollar spot affecting fairway and green height creeping bentgrass.

Preliminary findings from these experiments were presented at our Field Day in July. Currently, we are concluding the studies and analyzing the data. For the trials with registered fungicides, reports detailing our observations and results will be made available on our program’s website

In terms of disease progress in the season, May and early June were relatively drier and cooler than the usual averages for the season. This led to a delayed onset of diseases at the farm. However, as summer progressed, the typical weather patterns prevailed, leading to elevated disease pressure. Most diseases, including the brown patch and dollar spot, peaked during this period. By mid to late September, we observed a significant reduction in the prevalence of most diseases. •

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