Cornell Turfgrass Turf Show Podcast

The turf guys discuss what "duty of care" means on athletic fields, simplifying it down to 5 core practices that meet this standard - mow, feed, seed, relieve, rest.  Cornell Safe Sports Fields website: https://safesportsfields.cals.cornell.edu/

The turf guys chat about the odd weather patterns of this spring making it difficult to identify an optimal weed control strategy. Seed? PRE-emergent? POST? Some data suggests an integrated approach, that combines several control strategies, works the best. False green kyllinga control strategies: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/green-section-record/64/issue-07/a-research-based-look-at-postemergence-control-of-false-green-ky.html

The turf guys discussion the rapid integration of autonomous mowers that is permeating through the turfgrass industry. They work through the benefits (many) and challenges (few) of these technologies, and the feedback they've gotten from managers so far.

Dr. Kyle Wickings, Cornell, joins the show to discuss a variety of insect related topics. They discuss control strategies for annual bluegrass weevil  at adult vs. larval life stages, grub control as the Birds and Bees act approaches, the practice of spot treatment to reduce pesticide use, and a word on worms at the very end.

Dr. Ming-Yi Chou, Rutgers, joins the turf guys to discuss considerations for evaluating your root pathogen program including timing, rooting depth, thatch presence, and post-application irrigation. We also discuss how superintendents can communicate with curious members during Masters week: 'I'm glad you asked!'.   Links:  Maggie Reiter Web Soil Survey Tool: https://maggiereiter.com/blog/golf-course-soil-profile/ Chemical control of Turfgrass Diseases: https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/files/PPA1.pdf

Dr. Jason Henderson, UCONN, joins the turf guys to discuss the variety of research he's done on sports fields from autonomous mowers to non-chemical weed control and overseeing. We get his unique view as a division 1 football player thinking back to his experience practicing and playing on sports fields, and how that informs the best ways he communicates the importance of quality field surfaces.   Links: Weed control without herbicides: https://today.uconn.edu/2019/07/controlling-weeds-playing-fields-parks-lawns-without-herbicides/ Optimizing cultural practices on sports fields: https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/optimizing_cultural_practices_to_improve_athletic_field_performance_(e0018).pdf

Description: As the spring season approaches, Dr. Evan Mascitti (UMass) lays out some spring infield skin maintenance BMPs, including when to keep traffic off, addressing low spots, and lip maintenance. We also touch on the new NFL-NFLPA standards for field traction testing. Attacking a wet infield: https://groundskeeperu.com/lesson/ways-attack-wet-infield/ Field Grading: https://ballfields.com/baseball-field-dimensions/finish-surface-grade/ Checking Lips and High Spots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=two8ZlQMDVc Spreading topdressing/conditioner to level low spots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upja3r56YWE

Dan Schied, Director of Grounds at Cornell, joins the show to discuss a range of topics, from salt and traffic damage of sidewalk turf panels to benchmarks for maintenance and grounds quality. Dan explains his use of data to communicate with administrators and highlight the work his team does.

We hear about turfgrass across Japan from Frank's recent travels. The turf guys then discuss early season sports and minimum standards for turfgrass soils.

Maggie Reiter, Scientist at Sunday, joins the show. She discusses Sunday's unique approach to providing custom lawn care programs to homeowners by blending data-driven agronomics with the reality of the human condition (limited time and attention). We also get a field report from the Oregon State University winter field day with updates on pink snow mold trials, traffic on frost, and nematodes. Maggie Reiter blog: https://maggiereiter.com/blog/ Sunday Lawn Care: https://www.getsunday.com/