Virginia Turfgrass Journal - September / October 2018

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

Save the Date for

M-A-T-E January 28-31

At Fredericksburg Expo Center

Plus, An Update on Fall Armyworm Control

September/October 2018

Use

Enjoy

less

MorE

Saving you water, saving you money, saving the environment.

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(866) 829-2696

(252) 437-1501

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JIM WILSON

S Central VA & WV jwilson@harrells.com (540) 494-9381

ED WALKER

Northern VA and Maryland ewalker@harrells.com (443) 367-1099

MARK MCCAUGHAN

Southeast VA and Outer Banks mmccaughan@harrells.com (757) 751-1951

WALDO TERRELL

Sports Turf wterrell@harrells.com (706) 424-9270

www.harrells.com | 800.282.8007

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | September/October 2018

16 20 22 16 Upcoming Event:

2019 Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo 20 Eye on Business: Businesses for the Bay Helps the Turfgrass Industry Shine 22 Feature Story: Fall Armyworm Outbreak in Virginia Turfgrass and a Quick Evaluation of Insecticide Efficacy for Control

Departments 6 President’s Message

from Scott Woodward

8 Director’s Corner

from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

9 Virginia Tech Turf Team 10 Editor’s Perspective

from Mark Vaughn, CGCS

12 VTF Report

from Betty B. Parker

14 News from VTC 15 Membership Application 25 Index of Advertisers 26 Calendar of Events

4 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

President’s Message

Hurricanes & Turfgrass –

The Aftermath

I

rma, Florence, and Matthew — the most recent hurricanes to cause havoc in the Mid-Atlantic.

Beyond the wind damage and debris, hurricanes can impact the recovery and management of our industry as a whole. Besides the effect of the damage on our day-to-day operations and the abrupt halt to serving our customers, research on the unseen damage has led me to the summary of findings below.

Weed Issues Probably the biggest long-term agronomic effect from flooding/tidal surge is the lack of weed control. This is from the inundation of many areas that will leach/dilute most previously applied pre-herbicide. Some PRE herbicides degrade more rapidly in anaerobic conditions. This is why you often experience more weed escapes during wet conditions. How can you fix this? If you have not overseeded, it is recommended to skip it this year to minimize competition of the weakened bermudagrass. This also greatly simplifies and decreases the cost of Poa control.

Irrigation Water Quality Tidal storm surges can result in saltwater intrusion into irrigation ponds, lawns and golf courses. If the irrigation pond is also fed by storm water

run-off, then any tidal storm surge from elsewhere may enter the pond too. The good news is that the rainfall will also end up in the pond, diluting the saltwater.

Diseases An additional issue that can occur is unusual or greater than normal disease outbreaks. The heavy rains can leach fungicides, enhance their degradation by hydrolysis and stimulate pathogens. We saw this last fall, winter and spring with very high disease pressure and outbreaks which were likely the result of prolonged cloudy, wet weather and flooding from the now legendary October rains which drenched the eastern regions of South Carolina and portions of eastern North Carolina. The Carolinas once again bore the brunt of Hurricane Matthew, and effects of that storm are still being keenly felt.

Soil Fertility Root systems will be the most susceptible to damage, with the level of damage depending on how long the turfgrass was under water. Our hope is that most areas were not under water for more than 48 hours. An additional aeration and topdressing will assist both cool season and warm season turfgrass roots to recover.

6 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

Scott Woodward 2018 President

Submerged Turfgrass More severe turf damage is typically from the storm surge pounding turf with salty water. In many cases once the water subsides and the ground begins to dry, the turf may die from salt injury. If not near the coast, salt damage is less of an issue. But the high rainfall rate and the fact that the ground was already saturated from previous storms means widespread flooding in many coastal and inland areas. Observations have indicated that turfgrass can withstand submersion for up to 60 days when water temperatures are below 50°F. On the other hand, turf can be killed in one day when water temperatures are in the high 80s F or above. Once the water has subsided and the rootzone begins to dry, initiate a normal grow-in fertilization and irrigation program appropriate for your grass and soil conditions. Consider the need to alter your herbicide program.

Note that the moving floodwaters may have replenished your weed seed bank.

Remember to reach out to your members for support in any damage the hurricanes may have caused you.

We need to continue to work together to be stronger together. Also, do not forget to register for M.A.T.E. if you have not done so already.

Have a GREAT fall.

Scott H. Woodward President

Director’s Corner

Don’t Miss Our

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

Short

Courses!

S

hift your focus the next time you are watching football, soccer, golf, baseball or another sport. Look at the green. I am talking about the turfgrass, not the vast quantities of hundred dollar bills that flow among the movers and shakers.

The preferred field of play is natural grass and each field has untold blades above ground and a vast network of interlocking roots beneath the surface.

The former provide a consistent, safe playing surface and also manufacture food while releasing oxygen. Roots have an incredibly complex function but a very important one for sports is the ability to hold everything in place while athletes play their game.

Professional turfgrass managers stay up late and rise before the rooster on big event days because they want to

ensure fields are healthy, safe and provide a great playing surface.

The upcoming Turfgrass Short Courses are great places for these dedicated professionals to hone their skills, reconnect with colleagues, develop new friendships and establish contacts with nationally known experts. I used the plural “Courses” because this year Virginia Tech is offering two concurrent courses: Advanced and Basic. Both start on Monday, December 11 and end on Thursday, December 13. Both will held at Belmont Recreation Center which is located in Henrico County.

Dr. Beth Guertal of Auburn University will be the featured speaker at the Advanced Short Course. This class is for persons who have either completed the Basic Short Course or have equivalent training.

8 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

Make plans to attend! Regardless of your expertise level, we have you covered! Details and registration are online at www.vaturf.org. Remember, the registration fee includes catered lunches and food at the breaks. c

Dr. Beth Guertal Auburn University

Virginia Tech Turf Team Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Office: (757) 464-1004 Fax: (757) 282-2693 vaturf@verizon.net Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editor Mark Vaughn, CGCS VTC OFFICERS President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms (540) 727-0020 Vice President Michael Skelton Culpeper County (540) 727-3412 Treasurer Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools (804) 815-2779 Secretary Phil Bailey, CGCS Cypress Creek Golfer’s Club (757) 357-7995 Past President Rick Owens, CGCS Laurel Hill Golf Club (703) 674-6934 VTC DIRECTORS Wes Bray Scott Caskie Tony Montgomery Jesse Pritchard, CSFM David Smith T.J. Skirsky Craig Zeigler ­ VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. David McCall Ph.D. Executive Director/ Director of PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004

Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D.

David McCall, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-5807 askew@vt.edu

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-9598 dsmccall@vt.edu

Jeffrey F. Derr, Ph.D.

With Support from:

Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-3912 jderr@vt.edu Mike Goatley Jr., Ph.D.

Thomas P. Kuhar, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech Dept. of Entomology 216 Price Hall 170 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-6129 tkuhar@vt.edu

Virginia Tech 420 Smyth Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-2951 goatley@vt.edu

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Virginia Turfgrass Foundation Betty Parker (757) 574-9061

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

|9

Editor’s Perspective

Then and Now

I’ve

had quite the week.

Monday, I attended the funeral of a 97year-old. Wednesday, I visited Duke Hospital to see a golfing buddy whose days on this earth in all likelihood are winding down. Thursday, I joined twenty or so “old-timers” for a round of golf at an outstanding facility managed by one of our good friends that is closing down due to economic reasons.

And Saturday my wife and I attended the joyous wedding of a friend’s daughter we have known since she was a baby. Talk about the circle of life.

So what kind of lead in is that to an article in a magazine devoted to turf? Glad you asked. I realize most of you guys/gals in other facets of our industry are rolling right along with the prosperous times. Golf — not so much. Last issue I proposed that not all great ideas come from ONE direction — the future. Continuing that train of thought, maybe, just maybe the answers to some of golf’s woes can come from circling back and examining where we came from. You know, back in the day before NGF’s “open a course a day” mantra.

I thought about the day, a dozen or so years ago, when Marty McFly, Doc Brown and I jumped in the DeLorean and went back to interview a few of those that went before us. The ones that worked long hours out of buildings not much better than lean-to’s, used rudimentary equipment, were treated like second class citizens, all the while earning a crappy salary. You know, back to the 1970’s. No, actually we went wayyyyyy back to some pretty smart guys. As I recall, the conversation I recounted in the VTC Journal went something like this: MV: Old Tom, Chivas Regal, Sean McClenahan, Fisher McDougal… thanks for giving us a little of your time today. I’d like to ask you about

some of the issues facing our profession. First of all, let’s talk about bunkers. How do you achieve consistency from bunker to bunker, and do you feel too much time is spent on bunker maintenance?

A puzzled look takes over the room.

Finally, McDougal speaks up.

FM: Laddie, we dun’t understand this consistency thin’ you speak of. Are ya sayin they should all be the same?

OT: Aye, they’re hazards for Gud’s sake.

SM: Maybe not, I hear Chivas put a rake near one ah his.

CR: Thoot’s a lie McClenahan!

MV: What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever heard a golfer say?

Mark Vaughn, CGCS Virginia Turfgrass Journal Editor SM: I would say the nu reel mowers. But me sheep ur not tu happy about that.

FM: Never mind the bull Old Tom, I hear anoder Yank is playin around with a nu material to replace hickory.

CR: Dang Yanks wool ruin the game!

FM: Gud one Chivas, you crack me up. For me, it would be “everythin’ breaks towards the Firth of Forth.”

MV: One final question gentlemen.

How do you deal with the layers of management at your club, i.e. Board of Directors, General Manager, Men’s Golf Committee, Greens Committee, Beautification Committee, Finance Committee, and Historical Preservation Committee?

SM: “I got meself a bad lie in the ROOF!!”

Again, a puzzled look takes over the room. After a long silence………

SM: Stop it lads, you’re killin me.

How aboot this one: “I thin we should be able to move the ball ifin it’s not on grass in the furway.” Wwwhhhaaaa!!

Old Tom: Laddie, you ben hittin the Chivas?

CR: “Chivas, the greens are slower oophill than down.”

(McClenahan falls out of his chair in side-splitting laughter.)

MV: What do you think of the new technology, and how is it affecting the way you maintain your course?

OT: The gutta percha bull has made the game too easy. Now I hear some Yank is makin a rueber ball thut will travel 205 meters!

10 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

Sean McClenahan: Sumdays I’d like to hit Chivas.

Chivas Regal: Don’t yu touch me McClenahan!

Fisher McDougal: Dang Yanks wool ruin this business.

Before smashing the DeLorean into a million pieces, I sent this column back. Please tell my wife and daughters I love them. c

Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Virginia Turfgrass Journal, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or VTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright Š2018 by the Virginia Turfgrass Council. Virginia Turfgrass Journal is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of VTC. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to VTC, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Virginia Turfgrass Journal allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to VTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37068-0142, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524. Deadlines are the first of the month prior to the following month’s publication. (Example: August 1 for the September issue.)

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 11

VTF Report

Two New Faces

on the VTF Board The

VTF met at Virginia Tech on the lofty 4th floor of Price Hall on a Wednesday in October. It was a time to breathe in the cool, nearly fall air that descended on us through the open windows. It never seems like work when I go to Virginia Tech for a meeting or a field day, just a visit back to my beloved alma mater. The turf team, as well as Dr. Evans, the director of the newly formed School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, joined us later in our meeting to collaborate between the two entities. We don’t exist without them, nor do they without us. It is a mutual cooperation toward elevating the Turfgrass industry to which we both cater. What a great group of minds and personalities this group showcases.

On this particular Wednesday the VTF board, under their newly revised bylaws, voted in two new members.

The board, by design, represents a diverse membership from every major sector of the Turfgrass industry. We look forward to working with our two new members, Allison Moyer and CD Prillaman, and the mix of ideas they will offer toward meeting our goals.

Thank you to all who step forward and give of your time and talents to make the industry better for all of us.

Allison Moyer grew up on a family farm on the eastern shore of Virginia.

I had the pleasure of meeting Allison

12 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal

Betty B. Parker VTF Manager

through my daughter as she, her twin sister Ursula, and my daughter Marylee attended Virginia Tech together in the very male-oriented discipline of CSES (Crop and Soil Environmental Science). Allison graduated with a double major in both CSES (emphasis: Turf Management) and Horticulture.

Allison worked for Landscape Supply after graduating, and in 2007 became Grounds Supervisor at Collegiate School, a K-12 private school with extensive grounds and athletic facilities, in Richmond, Virginia. She worked her magic on their grounds and athletic fields and was recognized for her outstanding work on their sports fields. Allison left Collegiate after 10 years to become the Horticulturalist/ Landscape Manager at the University of Richmond. There she cares for the 378 acres that make up the University of Richmond campus. This includes 170 acres of turf, 21 acres of parking lots, 2.5 acres of walkways, 16 formal flowerbeds and Westhampton Lake.

In addition to her responsibilities at University of Richmond, Allison has also served on the Virginia Sports Turf Manager’s Board of Directors for 13 years. We are thrilled to have Allison on board with us and look forward to her smiling face and willingness to serve this industry so faithfully.

Allison Moyer

CD Prillaman

CD Prillaman comes to us as owner of Prillaman Landscape Dimensions, Inc. which has served Henry County for over 25 years. His presence on the board is a culmination of his willingness to serve and contribute to our industry. As a landscape business owner he offers expertise in a sector of the industry so vital, yet often not represented. His face is familiar to most of you that attend M-A-T-E, VT Field Days, Come to the Valley and any number of events around the state that help elevate Turfgrass and the research that benefits our industry. We look forward to having him on board and the unique contributions he can offer. c

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 13

VTC Membership

Join the

Today!

Membership Benefits For ALL members include: ree pesticide recertification training at the one-day F regional seminars.

Free Certified Fertilizer Applicator training at the MidAtlantic Turfgrass Expo in January (M-A-T-E) and the Come to the Bay (February) and Come to the Valley (October) regional conferences.

Free entry to the research tour of turfgrass studies in June at the Hampton Roads AREC. Free subscription to our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal, offering research and industry updates.

Valuable assistance on state and local legislative and bureaucratic issues. Do you know that every member of Virginia’s General Assembly receives our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal? Several Delegates and Senators have said how much they appreciate being on our mailing list.

Monthly email of job postings.

Discounts to every one of our activities.

Join as a Group or as an Individual Individual Membership One Year — $85 Individual Membership Two Years — $150 Platinum Group Membership Membership fee of $1,500 includes: 11 to 20 members.

Send up to 100 of your employees to one of our Regional Pesticide Training Classes — AT NO COST. Year-round membership listing and link from VTC website.

Fertilizer Certification Training and Recertification Training (3A, 3B 60) at your site.

Gold Group Membership Membership fee of $800 includes: 6 to 10 members Silver Group Membership Membership fee of $400 includes: 1 to 5 members

News from VTC

Corn Hole Tournament Tuesday, January 29 • 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

$500

in Prizes (VISA Gift Cards) Provided by Landmark Seed

Entry Fees $500 – W e provide two boards and bags which you keep.

Includes team of two.

$250 – Y ou provide two boards and bags.

Includes team of two.

$20 –

Team of two

Details at www.turfconference.org

14 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

Membership Application Complete this application form and —

OR Join/Renew online at

www.vaturf.org

• Mail it to the address at the bottom of this page.

• Or fax it to 757-282-2693

Member Information First Name____________________________________________ Last Name___________________________________________ Company or Organization____________________________________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City__________________________________________________ State__________ Zip____________________________________ Phone________________________________________________ Fax__________________________________________________ E-Mail_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Payment Select One Platinum Group Membership (11 or more members + Year-round listing and link from VTC website)...................$1,500 Gold Group Membership (6 – 10 members)...................................................................................................................$800 Silver Group Membership (1 – 5 members)....................................................................................................................$400 Individual for Two Years...................................................................................................................................................$150 Individual for One Year....................................................................................................................................................$85

Pay by Check or by Credit Card Please check appropriate box:

Check

AMEX

VISA

MasterCard

Card #:_______________________________________________ Print Cardholder Name:_______________________________ Security Code:_________________________________________ Expiration Date:_ _____________________________________ Dues may be deductible as a business expense but not as a charitable contribution. Based on 2013 activity, one percent (1%) of dues are not deductible in accordance with IRS Section 6033.

Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 • Phone: 757-464-1004 • Fax: 757-282-2693 Email: vaturf@verizon.net • Web: www.vaturf.org Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 15

Upcoming Event

M-A-T-E

Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo January 28 – 31, 2019 Fredericksburg Expo Center Fredericksburg, Virginia Highlights of the Upcoming 2019 MATE Educational Program Our keynote speaker is “The Turf Guy”, Dr. Frank Rossi from Cornell University. Many of you know Frank from his weekly growing season ‘Turf Talk podcast’, his TurfNet “Frankly Speaking” blog, or perhaps you recognize his name as the recipient of the 2018 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Frank will serve as our keynote speaker in 2019 discussing “Good, Better and Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection”.

Dr. Jay McCurdy is an Assistant Professor/Extension Turfgrass Specialist at Mississippi State University with extensive training in turfgrass weed science. Jay grew up on a sod farm, so his perspective on sod is unique from most turfgrass researchers.

Dr. Jim Kerns is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist of

Turfgrass Pathology at NC State University. He will address the latest in his research program findings for M-A-T-E’s golf and lawn care industry segments.

Ryan Bjorn, Director of Grounds & Environmental Turf Management at Maryland Soccerplex and Discovery Center, will detail for you the ways to get the most out of your natural grass sports fields through the turfgrass selection and renovation/rejuvenation strategies they employ at the Soccerplex.

Our USGA Agronomists Darin Bevard and Elliot Dowling return for their annual “Year in Review” presentation, and what a year it has been! You name it and the mid-Atlantic has experienced it over the past 12 months.

Sam Camuso, Syngenta Crop Protection Territory Manager, will detail the management of one of the most rapidly expanding turfgrass pests on golf courses in the mid-Atlantic, the Annual Bluegrass Weevil.

Dr. Erik Ervin returns “home” for two reasons — to receive well-deserved recognition in person as VTC’s 2018 RD Cake Award winner and to present

16 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

some of his latest research findings to the group.

University of Maryland turfgrass pathologist Dr. Joe Roberts will give us an update on his disease management program at College Park.

University of Maryland instructor Geoff Rinehart will offer advice from his experience with the Grass Roots exhibits at the National Arboretum and Maryland Soccerplex regarding the importance of turfgrass managers being successful communicators to the general public.

One of our most popular events at M-A-T-E returns with the 3rd annual W.S. Connelly and Sons/LSI Innovative Research Graduate Student Competition, featuring the graduate students of Virginia Tech, Maryland and Delaware.

And of course the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team of Dr. Shawn Askew, Jordan Booth, Dr. Jeff Derr, Dr. Mike Goatley, Dr. David McCall, and Adam Nichols will be presenting their research findings as well as meeting and greeting all of Virginia’s Turfgrass Industry professionals throughout the conference.

Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo Program Monday, January 28 Golf Session Everything But the Kitchen Sink Certified Turfgrass Professional (Day 1 of 3)

Tuesday, January 29

12:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Lunch and Trade Show

Trade Show

4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Lunch

Corn Hole Tournament/ Reception

11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 31

Wednesday, January 30

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Categories 3A, 3B, and 60 (3A or 3B) are finished by 2:00 p.m.

Other Categories are finished by 5:00 p.m.

Pesticide Recertification

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Fellowship Breakfast

General Session

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Student Contest

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sponsored by Landscape Supply/ WS Connelly & Sons

Review for General Pesticide Certification

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Mechanics Seminar (Day 2 of 3)

Mechanics Seminar (Day 3 of 3)

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Mechanics Seminar (Day 1 of 3) 9:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Breakout Sessions olf; Sports Turf; G Lawn/Landscape; Sod I rrigation Workshop (continues from 2:00 – 3:00) 9:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Certified Turfgrass Professional (Day 2 of 3)

Certified Turfgrass Professional (Day 3 of 3)

Fertilizer Certification and Recertification

(recertification ends 12:30 p.m.)

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Limited Pesticide Recertification

VA Pesticide Certification Exams

(3A, 3B, 60)

(must have letter from VDACS)

M-A-T-E Mechanic’s Seminar 2019 Tuesday, January 29

Wednesday, January 30

Thursday, January 31

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Sprayers

(Pump Repair and Calibration)

Reel Preparation Before Grinding

Injection System Do’s and Don’ts

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch and Trade Show

Lunch on your own

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Roller Tamer

Tier 4 Engines

Lunch and Trade Show 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Club Car Maintenance

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

STIHL Products Updates

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 17

Registration Form

Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E) January 28 – 31, 2019 • Fredericksburg Expo Center • Fredericksburg, Virginia Check the appropriate box or boxes. – Your may also register and pay online at www.turfconference.org VTC Membership – Join or Renew (January 01 – December 31).............................................................Regular: $85 Corn Hole Tournament – Team of Two (January 29).....................................................................................$20 Registration: VTC Member

Registration: Non VTC Member

Thursday Only.........................................................Free

Thursday Only............................................................ $85

One Day Only (Not Thursday)............................. $115

One Day Only (Not Thursday)............................. $150

Any Two Days............................................................. $195

Any Two Days............................................................. $230

Any Three Days.......................................................... $275

Any Three Days.......................................................... $310

Mechanics Seminar Only.......................................... $95

Mechanics Seminar Only........................................ $120

Certified Turfgrass Professional Only.................... $355

Certified Turfgrass Professional Only.................... $395

Trade Show and Lunch Only............................$20/Day

Trade Show and Lunch Only............................$20/Day

When are you attending? Circle the day(s).

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

or

Mechanic’s Seminar

or

Certified Turfgrass Professional

Amount Enclosed:_________________ Make checks payable to: Virginia Turfgrass Council, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Or charge to credit card:

AMEX

VISA

MasterCard

Card #:_______________________________________________ Cardholder Name:_ ___________________________________ Verification Code:______________________________________ Expiration Date:_ _____________________________________ Please type or print clearly: Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Company:__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________________________ State:______________ Zip Code:_ ________________________ Telephone:(______)_________________________________________________________________________________________ Email:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Information: Virginia Turfgrass Council, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471 (757) 464-1004 • virginiaturf@gmail.com

18 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

Hotel Information Hilton Garden Inn (easy walk to Expo Center)

Homewood Suites (shares a parking lot with Expo Center)

Hampton Inn (easy walk to Expo Center)

1060 Hospitality Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-548-8822

1040 Hospitality Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-786-9700

1080 Hospitality Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-786-5530

Sponsors 2019 Diamond Sponsors

Pennington Pro-Turf Grass seed has become our expertise‌ and we remain dedicated to providing the finest grass seed in the industry.

2019 Platinum Sponsors

Chesapeake Valley Seed We provide information, service and solutions to ensure your seeding success.

Virginia Sand & Stone Contact us for all your sand and stone needs.

Sod Solutions Since the early 1990s we have been developing and marketing superior sod varieties. Our main goal and focus is to bring innovative turf selections to the horticultural industry, for the benefit of the individuals who plant, cultivate, sell, install, maintain and enjoy them.

Nedia Enterprises We offer a complete line of erosion control, sediment control and bioengineering products made primarily from natural fibers.

2019 Gold Sponsor

Harrell’s Growing a Better World

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 19

Eye on Business

Businesses for the Bay Helps the Turfgrass Industry Shine By: Corinne Stephens, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Business Partnerships Manager

The

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (Alliance) created the new Businesses for the Bay Membership Association (B4B) to foster collaboration and encourage businesses to take voluntary, innovative and measurable actions that improve water quality and the health of the environment, as well as raise public understanding of the valuable role its members play in environmental restoration.

B4B is an opportunity for businesses to network, share ideas, make their voices heard and work together for a cleaner and healthier Chesapeake watershed. The program can be tailored to meet the goals of each business by helping to promote environmental efforts that are important to them, their associates, their customers and their communities. Working together benefits everyone, and B4B is based on the idea that diverse voices at the table lead to diverse ideas and solutions.

Engaging and helping to inform the business community is at the heart B4B, which is made up of approximately 50 business members of all sizes and from various sectors. B4B

also promotes important partnerships and discussions; we have formed a strong network of over 50 diverse governmental and nonprofit networking partners that participate in the group’s events, network with businesses and share information.

One of our most robust partners is the Virginia Turfgrass Council, which joined B4B in 2016. This partnership allows us to enrich the dialogue about watershed-wide topics and initiatives within the turfgrass industry. We regularly discuss the importance of properly maintained lawns, and appropriately selecting and applying pesticides and fertilizers so that none of them enter sensitive ecosystems. We encourage homeowners to hire landscape companies that are properly certified pesticide and fertilizer applicators.

I have participated in many VTC conferences; each has brought new and exciting “green” enterprises into B4B. “The Chesapeake Bay’s rich history and its economic and environmental importance are not lost on persons who care for lawns and landscapes,” said VTC Executive Director Tom Tracy. “Encouraging industries to join B4B enables the VTC

20 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

Using best management practices.

Removing trash from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay Planting native trees

to give professionals throughout the region a great opportunity to get involved with like-minded companies, to network and to get recognition for the great work they do.”

Lawns and Gardens Plus, a member in Virginia Beach, evaluates landscape needs and uses best management practices to achieve impressive results for both clients and the environment. “We at Lawns and Gardens Plus are proud to be members of B4B and a part of the solution in protecting the Chesapeake Bay,” said H. Wes Bray, its president. “We understand that we all have a role, big and small. We are enthusiastic in our daily tasks and efforts to work with our clients and industry partners to achieve those goals.”

Founding member MowCow Lawn & Landscape in Fairfax Station, VA, offers “Save the Bay” options to their customers because they are concerned about the Chesapeake Bay, especially nutrients and sediment that may run off their clients’ lawns.

Cypress Creek Golfers’ Club in Smithfield, VA, is the first golf course to join B4B. It has committed to installing, maintaining and monitoring wildlife habitat structures as

well as picking up trash before it ends up in the local creek.

In 2017, I was given the opportunity to raise awareness about local environmental issues when Virginia Beach member Agronomic Lawn Management, Inc., which coordinates employee volunteer days to remove trash from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, invited me to talk on the “Ask the Expert” Radio Show on 790AM. “While there will almost always be varying opinions about the value/concern of turfgrass and the environment, it is very exciting to see the positive, collaborative relationship that has developed between VTC and the Alliance,” wrote Mike Goatley, extension turfgrass specialist at Virginia Tech, in “Become one of the Businesses for the Bay!”, an article published in the Virginia Turfgrass Journal May-June 2017 issue.

Are you interested in learning more about how to engage your employees and be recognized for your business’ environmental efforts? Contact me at B4B@allianceforthebay. org, visit businesses.allianceforthebay.org, or join the B4B LinkedIn group. c Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 21

Fall Armyworm

Feature Story

Outbreak

in Virginia Turfgrass and a Quick Evaluation of Insecticide Efficacy for Control Virginia Tech Researchers • Tom Kuhar, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Entomology David McCall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science Adam Formella, Graduate student, Department of Entomology • Adam Alford, Ph.D., Postdoc, Department of Entomology Andrew Dechaine, Graduate student, Department of Entomology

F

all armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) outbreaks have occurred this fall (2018) in Virginia in turfgrass and winter cover crops.

Newer plantings of sod, warm-season turfgrass, and annual rye cover crops on agricultural fields were particularly damaged with fall armyworm densities exceeding 10 per square foot in some areas (Fig. 1). FAW outbreaks occur sporadically in Virginia, and often follow storm fronts from the South moving through in late summer, like we had this year. FAW is a tropical moth native to warm climate areas of the western hemisphere. While the FAW cannot successfully overwinter in Virginia, (Fig. 2) it is a strong flier with much of the eastern United States receiving migrating populations in late summer and fall months. This can occasionally result in very high populations such as those recently reported

22 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal

Figure 1: Fall armyworm on creeping bentgrass in Blacksburg, VA. Photo – T. Kuhar.

Figure 2: Fall armyworm moth. Image by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 23

Feature Story continued

in southwest Virginia. Phil Blevins (Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent in Washington Co.) was monitoring a fall armyworm pheromone trap (bucket trap) in Abingdon, VA this summer as part of a sweet corn scouting program.

In mid-September, he detected a huge jump in moth catch; this was a harbinger of things to come. Substantial armyworm populations can build up from only a few egg laying moths in a field as female FAW moths can lay up to 10 egg masses (each with 100 – 200 eggs).

Control

Most FAW that establish in Virginia will succumb naturally to diseases, parasitoids, and predation. Virtually none will make it through the winter. Nonetheless, masses of larvae can cause significant feeding damage to turf in just a day or two, and thus quick mitigation

is sometimes needed to stop their attack. This invariably involves insecticide applications.

Neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid (found in the product Merit) are not effective on FAW or any lepidopteran pest for that matter. A wide range of products are registered for control of FAW, but resistance to certain insecticides, like pyrethroids, has been reported in some populations, and reliable control of larger larvae can prove to be difficult with any insecticide. Thus, in order to determine the best control options for this pest in Virginia, efficacy tests should be conducted when possible.

Insecticide Efficacy Test

After observing fall armyworms on a 2year old research plot of ‘L-93’ creeping bentgrass at the Glade Road

Research Center in Blacksburg, VA on October 2, 2018, we conducted an insecticide efficacy test. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications, and individual plot sizes were 6 × 6 ft. We evaluated five insecticides (Table 1) plus an untreated control.

While vegetable crop-registered insecticide products were used in this test, their turfgrass agrichemical counterpart are included in parentheses.

The decision to use crop-registered insecticides was made given the urgency of the test, and the limited number of turfgrass specific products on hand. All products were applied at labeled rates for armyworms using a CO2 pressurized backpack sprayer equipped with a 4-nozzle boom that delivered 50 gal per acre.

Immediately after spraying, we placed 10-inch diameter PVC rings over the turf in each plot and placed 8 medium-size fall armyworm larvae in the ring. The larvae were collected from Abingdon, VA a couple days prior, and supplemented what occurred naturally in the plots in order to assess efficacy of the insecticides. Two days after application the turf plots were sampled for live fall armyworms using three soap flush drenches ~2 ft2 and counting all moving larvae up to 30 seconds after the drench. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher’s Protected LSD to separate means.

Results

All insecticide treatments resulted in significantly fewer live fall armyworms than the untreated control plots at two days after treatment (Fig. 3). Of note, the pyrethroid bifenthrin resulted in >93% control. However, diamide and spinosyn insecticides typically take longer to actually kill the target insect compared to fast-acting pyrethroids such as bifenthrin. Thus, some of the live larvae observed at two days after treatment in these insecticide plots were likely poisoned and no longer feeding, but hadn’t yet died. Subsequent counts were not done because larvae were beginning to pupate or were dying from natural parasitism. c

24 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

Advertisers Index

Table 1: Insecticide Treatments Evaluated for Control of Fall Armyworm.

Product tested (similar turf product)

Active ingredient

Rate applied (per acre)

Bifenture SC (Talstar)

25% bifenthrin

6.4 fl oz

Coragen SC (Acelepryn)

SpinTor SC (Conserve, Matchpoint)

Agronomic Lawn Management....... 26 www.FertilizerWithALM.com Alliance Material Handling, Inc...... 24 www.alliancemat.com Buy Sod, Inc................ Inside Back Cover www.buysod.com Carolina Green Corp........................ 26 www.cgcfields.com Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc................................ 11 www.centralsodmd.com

18.4% chlorantraniliprole

22.8% spinosad

2 fl oz

6 fl oz

Collins Wharf Sod Farm................... 11 www.collinswharfsod.com Daniel Sod Farms.............................. 26 www.danielsodfarm.com Harrell’s LLC...................................... 3 www.harrells.com

Harvanta 50SL (N/A)

Avaunt 30WDG (Provaunt)

4.55% cyclaniliprole

20.5 fl oz

Chesapeake Valley Seed................... 11 www.chesapeakevalleyseed.com Luck Ecosystems................................. 5 www.luckstone.com

30% indoxacarb

3.5 oz

Figure 3: Numbers of live fall armyworm larvae in creeping bentgrass research plots in Blacksburg, VA at two days post insecticide applications.

McGill Premium Compost............... 26 www.mcgillsoilbuilder.com Mid-Atlantic STIHL..............Back Cover www.stihldealers.com Progressive Turf Equipment Inc...... 13 www.progressiveturfequip.com Revels Tractor Co. Inc........................ 7 www.revelstractor.com The Cutting Edge of VA..................... 9 www.tce-va.com The Turfgrass Group... Inside Front Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com Virginia Sand & Stone...................... 13 www.virginiasand.com Weed Man......................................... 26 www.weedmanfranchise.com

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

| 25

Calendar of Events December 10–13 Virginia Turfgrass 2018 Short Course

(Advanced and Regular) Belmont Recreation Center Henrico, VA

January 22–25, 2019

January 28–31, 2019 Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo Fredericksburg Expo Center Fredericksburg, VA

February 2–7, 2019 Golf Industry Show

San Diego Convention Center San Diego, CA

February 18–21, 2019

STMA Conference and Exhibition

TPI International Education Conference & Field Day

Phoenix, AZ

(Turfgrass Producers Intl.)

The Westin Charlotte Charlotte, NC

Agronomic LAwn mAnAgement

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

(757) 563-8588

www.FertilizewithALm.com we Are Accepting new empLoyment AppLicAtions.

404 network stAtion • chesApeAke, VA 23320

Daniel Sod Farm Divison of Daniel Enterprises, Inc. Tall Fescue – Blue Grass Blend Riviera Bermuda Grass

Andy Rushing

Wholesale, Retail and Commercial Sales Trucking and Installation Available

arushing@cgcfields.com Phone: (704) 634-9799 Toll Free – Office: (866) 753-1707

Office: (434) 753-1165 Ken Cell: (434) 548-6303 Kenny Cell: (434) 222-7378

www.cgcfields.com

danielsodfarm@gmail.com • www.danielsodfarm.com

McGill Sports Turf Premium Compost improves turf aesthetics by adding beneficial microbes to soils, improving nutrient update, increasing porosity in heavy soils while improving water holding capacity in light sandy soils. Create a healthier soil environment and safer playing surface by applying 1/4” – 1/2” of STA Certified Premium Compost. McGill collects organic residuals to manufacture a branded line of premium compost soil amendments, serving the Carolina and Virginia markets since 1991.

For more information go to www.mcgillsoilbuilder.com or call 919-362-1161 634 Christian Chapel Church Rd. • New Hill, NC 27562.

For franchise information go to www.weedmanfranchise.com or call (888) 321-9333

26 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2018 www.vaturf.org

Give water a break tiftuf bermudagrass is the new drought-tolerance superstar.

The newest edition in the “Tif” (Tifton) series of bermudagrasses to originate from the renowned University of Georgia turfgrass breeding program, TifTuf promises to be a true game-changer in stellar yet environmentally friendly performance. Providing unbeatable drought tolerance, it uses 38% less water than Tifway 419, and it is significantly more drought resistant than all other bermudagrasses.

In addition to its incredible drought tolerance, TifTuf is more aggressive than Tifway and provides superior wear and traffic tolerance (even better than Celebration), excellent cold tolerance (equal to Latitude 36 at Kansas State University), fast spring green-up and excellent fall color retention. In the 2015 NTEP trials, TifTuf was the highest-ranked cultivar in North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi, and across all 17 locations overall, it was the highest-ranked, commercially available cultivar.

TifTuf will not only pay for itself in water savings, but more importantly, it will create more-sustainable athletic fields for the future.

In fact, it will soon become the ultimate must-have grass for sports turf managers who want to take a break from water use.

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Buy Sod VarietieS: Golf Putting Greens: Bentgrass and Champion Dwarf bermudagrass

Bermudagrass: TifTuf, TifGrand, Celebration, Patriot, TifSport, Tifway and T10 St. Augustine: Raleigh • Zoysiagrass: Zeon and El Toro • Paspalum: SeaStar Centipedegrass: TifBlair and Common • Bluegrass: Tournament • Fescue/Bluegrass Mixtures

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