Virginia Turfgrass Journal - September / October 2021

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

September/October 2021

Unprecedented Fall Armyworm Pressure IN THE MID-ATLANTIC IN 2021 Plus, Member Spotlight on

JACK FINDLING

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THE GRADES ARE IN and the Head of the Class is:

National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) 2013 – 2017 National Bermudagrass Test Final Report NTEP No. 18 – 14

NTEP TRIALS FINAL REPORT CARD VARIETY

FINAL GPA

FINAL GRADE

TifTuf

93%

A

Iron Cutter

80%

B

Tahoma 31

73%

C

“Based on NTEP’s latest test cycle 2013-2017 for all Bermudagrass comparative testing at 20 locations over the 5 year trial period. (Page 201, Append ix Table)”

www.THETURFGRASSGROUP.com

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | September/October 2021

20

30

12 Upcoming Event Come to the Bay 16 Recent Event Virginia Tech Turfgrass Field Day

20 C over Story

U nprecedented Fall Armyworm Pressure in the Mid-Atlantic in 2021 24 Feature Story Member Spotlight on Jack Findling 30 Guest Column What’s with Workers These Days?

DEPARTMENTS 5 Index of Advertisers 6 President’s Message from Mike Skelton

8 Director’s Corner

from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

8 Virginia Tech Turf Team 10 VTF Report

from Brandyn Baty

11 Turfgrass Calendar 15 News from Virginia Tech

Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM 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 © 2021 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 Jefferson City, MO. 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, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064-3394, (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.)

4 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Agronomic Lawn Management................ 31

www.FertilizerWithALM.com

Beam Clay................................................. 23 www.BEAMCLAY.com

Burlingham Seeds..................................... 17 www.burlinghamseeds.com

Buy Sod, Inc.................................................5 www.buysod.com

Carolina Green Corp............................... 31 www.cgcfields.com

Collins Wharf Sod Farm........................... 11 www.collinswharfsod.com

East Coast Sod & Seed............................. 31 www.eastcoastsod.com

Revels Tractor Co. Inc..................................7 www.revelstractor.com

GreenCor.................................................. 29 Greene County Fertilizer Co.................... 13 www.greenecountyfert.com

Harrell’s LLC..................... Inside Front Cover www.harrells.com

Landmark Turf & Native Seed.................. 25 landmarkturfandnativeseed.com

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAY WITH

Luck Ecosystems........................................ 23 www.luckecosystems.com

McGill Premium Compost......................... 11 www.mcgillsoilbuilder.com

Mid-Atlantic STIHL.......................................9 www.stihldealers.com

Progressive Turf Equipment Inc................. 15 www.progressiveturfequip.com

Neil Jones, Territory Manager – Virginia & Eastern NC njones@buysod.com • 910-975-0002

Rock Haven Turf Specialties..................... 27 www.Facebook.com/RockHavenTurf

Smith Turf & Irrigation............................... 32 www.smithturf.com

Come see us in Booth 3117 at The Carolinas Show in Myrtle Beach.

Sod Solutions............................................ 18 www.sodsolutions.com

The Cutting Edge of VA............................ 11 www.tce-va.com

The Turf Zone............................................ 31 theturfzone.com

The Turfgrass Group....................................3 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Weed Man................................................ 31 www.weedmanfranchise.com

To discuss advertising opportunities, contact Leading Edge Communications:

615-790-3718 888-707-7141 ( TOLL FREE ) sales@leadingedgecommunications.com www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 5

President’s Message

VTC HAS YOUR BACK! A

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

THE

Michael Skelton VTC President

question for our members: What is the VTC doing for me? To coin a term, The VTC has your back.

First: Let’s start with the issue of the delay of getting your applications processed for Pesticide Registered Technician Exam and grading them. Dr. Tom Tracy, along with VTC Board Members and VTC Members representing the turf industry, met with VDACS to find solutions to the delay and emphasize the effect it is having on the turf industry. At the time of the meting there was a backlog of 700 applications. VDACS, like the rest of us, is experiencing a shortage of labor. They have been working overtime to help catch up, but we all know that is not the best answer.

You should see some relief by this fall as new online solutions are put in place. It’s not an immediate answer, but they are aware of the effect the delay is having on the turf industry and understand that we are concerned with environmental issues by ensuring qualified pesticide applicators are in the field.

Second: We get important news out to you immediately. As soon as we were aware of the biggest invasion of fall armyworms in the history of Virginia, Dr. Tracy made sure that you received the latest information and solutions from Dr. Tom Kuhar and Dr. Mike Goatley from Virginia Tech. Timely and correct information is critical to your success in this industry.

This might be one of your greatest benefits as a VTC member, making sure you are aware of issues that could affect your day-to-day operations.

I know you may not be thinking about this because you are so busy, BUT education for you and your staff is still very important and opportunities are just a few weeks away. Last year Virginia Tech created for the first time the Virginia Tech School of Turfgrass Ecology and Management (VT-STEM) online introductory course that replaced the VT Short Course.

VT‐STEM is designed to serve as an introductory course detailing the principles in environmentally responsible turfgrass ecology and management for all segments of the turfgrass industry, whether you grow cool‐ or warm‐season turfgrasses. Inclusive dates are November 7th – February 27th. The course is broken down into weekly pre-recorded presentations with a Virginia Tech instructor hosting live 2-hour Zoom question and answer sessions on Wednesdays at 7:00pm. Students who pass all quizzes and Certified Fertilizer Applicator testing will have the opportunity to participate in the Virginia Tech Certified Turfgrass Professional program in February. Enrollment is at https://tinyurl.com/VT‐Turfgrass‐ School. Contacts for more information are Dr. Mike Goatley goatley@vt.edu, @vaturf; Dr. Dan Sandor dsandor@vt.edu, @vtturfteaching; Ms. Whitnee Askew waskew@vt.edu The 2021 Horticulture Short Course will start on Tuesday, December 7th and end on Thursday, December 9th. It will be held in Henrico County at the Belmont Recreation Center (1600 Hilliard Road, Henrico, VA 23228). The VTC understands you do more than just turf maintenance so with this course you will receive education that will help you in the non-turf areas. The course will cover from Botany 101 all the way to pruning, planting, and mulching.

Go to the VTC website, vaturf.org for more information and to sign up.

Just remember the VTC is here for you.

Mike Skelton VTC President

6 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com VTC OFFICERS President Michael Skelton (540) 718-4133 Vice President Phil Bailey, CGCS Isle of Wight County Parks & Recreation (757) 572-1981 Secretary / Treasurer Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools (804) 815-2779 Past President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms (540) 727-0020 VTC DIRECTORS Wes Bray Sam Burris Ray Funkhouser Tony Montgomery Bruce Sheppard T.J. Skirsky Craig Zeigler ­ VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdiva, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. David McCall Ph.D. Dan Sandor, Ph.D. Cynthia Smith, Ph.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004 VIRGINIA TURFGRASS FOUNDATION Brandyn Baty (757) 585-3058

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Virginia Tech Turf Team

Director’s Corner

VTC IS MEMBER

Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D. Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-5807 askew@vt.edu

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

FOCUSED

M

any of you, our members, are responsible for the entire landscape. Our services and our plans reflect that reality. From the Horticulture Short Course, to the successes of the VTC Environmental Institute (VTC-EI), to our meetings with state agencies, we work hard to serve you, our membership.

We pioneered the Horticulture Short Course two years ago. Lockdowns forced us to skip a year, but we are pleased to say plans are “full speed ahead” for us to hold three in-person days of intensive training in Richmond this December 7, 8, and 9. In addition to the always popular turfgrass basics taught by Virginia Tech professors, attendees will learn about other aspects of the landscape. Trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials will all be discussed from the industry perspective. Learn how to properly — and profitably — select and maintain these non turfgrass plants.

The VTC-EI is less than one year old. We formed it because we needed a mechanism to serve our members by (1) partnering — whenever possible — with environmental groups and (2) representing our industry before Virginia’s regulatory and legislative agencies. Service projects are one mechanism that achieves both objectives.

Planting American Beach Grass plants in Virginia Beach, our first service project, has generated tremendous goodwill for our industry among politicians (including Virginia Beach’s Mayor) and environmental groups. Regarding the latter, one environmental group that has long opposed our industry has asked to assist us with the next planting. Never forget, these groups have a voice with local voters and politicians that our industry will likely never obtain. We need every friend as Virginia’s elected representatives are increasingly influenced by anti-industry policies of our northern neighbors. Also, never forget, these service projects are ours. We control the actions and the narratives.

We are currently working with key persons in Petersburg on our second service project — partnering with various persons, organizations, and agencies to eliminate sediment flowing into the James River. Watch for details.

In his column, VTC President Mike Skelton mentions our recent interaction with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Read what he wrote. Our work with that agency is just one more example of our member focus.

We never forget that we exist because of you, the industry professional.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

8 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdiva, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 757-363-3900 adelpozo@vt.edu Jeffrey F. Derr, Ph.D. 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. Virginia Tech 420 Smyth Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-2951 goatley@vt.edu David McCall, Ph.D. Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-9598 dsmccall@vt.edu Dan Sandor, Ph.D. Virginia Tech 170 Drillfield Dr. 411 Price Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-9775 dsandor@vt.edu WITH SUPPORT FROM: 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

VTF Report

DATE

Y A W R I A F E H T RU N SAVE

THE

G SPRIN

FEST

Brandyn Baty VTF Director

The

MAY 7, 2022 1 0 K • 5 K • F A M I LY F U N R U N Run, play, eat, drink, listen to music & learn lawn care tips.

Held in Moseley, VA (just west of Richmond), this spring festival is fun for the whole family.

FOR • Face Painting K I D S! • Bounce House • Educational Activities

FOR • Craft Beer A D ULTS • Live Music !

• Vendors & Experts

A fundraiser for the Virginia Tech School of Plant & Environmental Sciences. The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. Tax ID #54-1503158.

vaturfgrass.org • 757-585-3058

Virginia Turfgrass Foundation (VTF) is pleased to announce the expansion of our Run the Fairway fundraising event to host both a Spring and Fall event in 2022! Our “Run the Fairway Spring Fest” will be located at the Magnolia Green Golf Course and scheduled for May 7, 2022. Expect a timed 5k walk-run-jog, a 10k run, and a 1 Mile (non-timed) Fun Run along the beautiful Magnolia Green fairways. The Spring Fest activities will be located at driving range site to include: exciting demonstrations from the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team, a fantastic beer festival line-up with craft beer vendors throughout the RVA area and beyond, an amazing vendor/sponsor expo, great live music, tasty food, fun kid activities and more.

The VTF is a 501c3 non-profit organization. All donations and sponsorships are 100% tax deductible and support the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team endowment (managed by the VTF), which funds turfgrass research and project needs for yesterday, today and the future of turfgrass! With the support of the industry, consumers and nonindustry corporations, we are thrilled to grow our signature “Run the Fairway” consumer focused event with both a Spring 2022 (Magnolia Green GC) and Fall 2022 (Kingsmill Resort River Course) fundraiser. If you have an idea or would like to have an event at your golf course or location, give us a call and let the VTF help!

Brandyn Baty VTF Director

10 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

Turfgrass Calendar

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND SAVE THESE DATES! DECEMBER 7 – 9, 2021

4 SEASON

HORTICULTURE SHORT COURSE

VERSATILITY

HENRICO FEBRUARY 2, 2022

LEGISLATIVE DAY RICHMOND FEBRUARY 1 – 3, 2022

Call to schedule a free demo!

MID ATLANTIC TURF EXPO

405 W 4th St. Salem, VA 24153

540.375.2841 tce-va.com

GLEN ALLEN FEBRUARY 14 – 16, 2022

COME TO THE BAY VIRGINIA BEACH JANUARY 17 – 20, 2022

STMA CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW

COLLINS WHARF SOD 410-334-6676

CWSOD.COM

Tall Fescue, HGT Kentucky Bluegrass, Innovation Zoysia, Iron Cutter Bermuda, Bentgrass, Specialty Grows

SAVANNAH, GA WWW.STMA.ORG FEBRUARY 9 – 10, 2022

GCSAA CONFERENCE SAN DIEGO, CA WWW.GCSAA.ORG

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 11

UPCOMING EVENT INDUSTRY SUCCESS IN VIRGINIA’S CUL-DE-SAC at

COME TO THE BAY Presented by Agronomic Landscape Management, Lawns and Gardens Plus, TruGreen and the VTC Environmental Institute

F E B R U A R Y 1 4 – 16, 2022 • O C E A N F R O N T S H E R A T O N • V I R G I N I A B E A C H For details, visit: vaturf.org/come-to-the-bay/ MONDAY, February 14

TUESDAY, February 15

The Service Project is expanding in three areas: PARTNERS, ACTIVITIES, and NUMBER OF PLANTS.

MODERATOR: Guy Mussey, Virginia Cooperative Extension INDUSTRY SUCCESS IN VIRGINIA’S CUL-DE-SAC

PARTNERS: We are working with the City of Virginia Beach, Tidewater Community College, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and others.

ACTIVITIES: After the planting, attendees will travel to the Brock Center for lunch and for presentations (by students).

PLANTS: We provided and planted 6,000 plants last year.

This year we are doing 15,000!

DATE: Monday, February 14 (yes, this is Valentine’s Day – we will be finished by early afternoon) SITE: Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Lesner Bridge (Shore Drive in Virginia Beach)

8:00 AM

Welcome (David Trimmer, City of Virginia Beach) and VTC-EI (Wes Bray, Lawns and Gardens Plus, Ray Funkhouser, PBI Gordon, Retired)

8:30 AM

Recognizing the Good Insects (Alejandro Del Pozo, Virginia Tech)

9:00 AM

State of the Chesapeake Bay (Chesapeake Bay Foundation)

9:30 AM

Trees and Water: The Use of Shrubs and Trees for Riparian Purposes. Keep Waterways Free of Run Off (Joel Koci, VCE)

10:15 AM

BREAK

10:30 AM

The Elizabeth River, Its Importance to Virginia, Its Current Status, and Industry Patnerships (Barbara Gavin, Elizabeth River Project)

SCHEDULE:

8:30 AM

Gather at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Program (Moderator – Wes Bray) Mayor Dyer, Michael Moore, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

8:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Plant 11:00 AM

We Are in This Together (Tom Tracy, VTC)

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Lunch and Program at the Brock Environmental Center

11:15 AM

Ticks (Holly Gaff, Old Dominion University)

End

12:00 PM

LUNCH

1:00 PM

CONTINUED

12 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

Photo Credit: Michael Moore

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TUESDAY, February 15 |

CONTINUED

2:15 PM

BREAK

1:00 PM

Riparian buffer maintenance needs and business Opportunities for the turfgrass and landscape industries (Sherren Hughes, CBLP and Wetlands Watch)

2:30 PM

Professional & Personal Branding for the Industry (Julie Holt, Leading Edge Communications)

1:30 PM

Identify Snakes You Encounter in Eastern VA (Meredith King, Virginia Aquarium)

3:15 PM

Legislative Issues (Tom Tracy, VTC)

3:45 PM

SOCIAL

WEDNESDAY, February 16 |

WEDNESDAY IS FREE FOR VTC MEMBERS: TWO OPTIONS

OPTION ONE

OPTION TWO

PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM)*

INDUSTRY SUCCESS IN VIRGINIA’S CUL-DE-SAC MODERATOR: Wes Bray, Lawns and Gardens Plus

ALEJANDRO DEL POZO Virginia Tech Protecting Pollinators

JEFF DERR Virginia Tech Aquatic Weeds

JEFF DERR Virginia Tech Weed Control

FRANK WALKER Master Beekeeper Honeybees

MIKE GOATLEY Virginia Tech Turfgrass Pests

BARBARA GAVIN Elizabeth River Project Pesticides out of Water

* SOME CATEGORIES STAY LONGER

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

CORE TRAINING TESTING

(Local VCE Agents) VDACS

(Rodney Knight) FERTILIZER RECERTIFICATION (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) KAREN CARTER, VCE – Retired

8:00 AM

Welcome

8:05 AM

The VTC Enviromental Institute: A Game Changer (Wes Bray, Lawns and Gardens Plus, Ray Funkhouser, PBI Gordon, Retired)

8:15 AM

We Are in This Together (Tom Tracy, VTC)

8:30 AM

National Issues that Affect Us All

9:15 AM

Good Housekeeping (Tara Copeland, City of Virginia Beach)

9:45 AM

Stormwater Systems (Tara Copeland, City of Virginia Beach)

10:15 AM

BREAK

10:30 AM

Special Needs – Grass Selection / Fertilizers / Mowing (Mike Goatley, Virginia Tech)

11:15 AM

Elizabeth River Project: Its History, Accomplishments, and Future (Joe Rieger, Elizabeth River Project)

11:45 AM

Incorporating Wetlands into Your BMP Systems (Shereen Hughes, CBLP and Wetlands Watch)

12:15 PM

LUNCH

1:15 PM

Turfgrass Diseases in the Cul-de-Sac (David McCall, Virginia Tech)

2:00 PM

Fertilizing Non-Turfgrass Areas (Laurie Fox, Virginia Tech)

2:30 PM

Turfgrass and Water (Adam Nichols, Virginia Tech)

3:15 PM

Are You a Beekeeper?

(Frank Walker, Master Beekeeper)

4:00 PM

END

FERTILIZER CERTIFICATION (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM) KAREN CARTER, VCE – Retired

OCEANFRONT SHERATON Virginia Beach

REGISTRATION ONLINE AT

VATURF.ORG/EVENTS 14 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

2nd Annual Virtual Virginia Tech School of News from VT Turfgrass Ecology and Management (VT-STEM)

The

VT Turfgrass Team is pleased to offer its 2nd annual virtual Virginia Tech School of Turfgrass Ecology and Management (VT-STEM) beginning the week of November 7, 2021 and running through mid-February 2022. The school features 13 weeks of training in the principles of turfgrass ecology and management through both synchronous and asynchronous learning that works around the student’s schedule.

Each week’s training topic(s) will be covered in a weekly download of appropriate VT-STEM book chapters for the subject, and then expanded upon in pre-recorded presentations by the VT Turf Team member(s) for that subject. The opportunity for ‘live’ Q/A on the topic between students and VT instructors takes place by Zoom on Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. EST (all Zoom meetings are recorded and posted for later viewing for anyone unavailable at that time).

A pre-training quiz is offered prior to the weekly instruction to gauge a student’s current knowledge of a subject, and a posttraining quiz is available after the weekly Zoom meeting.

All students that successfully pass all of the post-training quizzes

are eligible to sit for the Virginia Tech Certified Turfgrass Professional exams that are offered in a virtual format upon completion of VT-STEM. If you and/or your employees are looking for a comprehensive turfgrass training program that works around busy work and family schedules, here’s a great opportunity to improve your knowledge and skills in turfgrass management, get to know the members of the VT Turfgrass Team, and demonstrate your expertise to your peers and the public by the opportunity to become a Certified Turfgrass Professional. The program serves all segments of the turfgrass industry and we cover both warm-season and cool-season turfgrass systems. The cost is $515 per person.

REGISTER AT TINYURL.COM/VT-TURFGRASS-SCHOOL QUESTIONS? CONTACT MIKE GOATLEY AT GOATLEY@VT.EDU

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 15

Recent Event

VIRGINIA TECH

TURFGRASS

FIELD DAY

Program manager Whitnee Askew, and Dr. Goatley highlight the many entries in their 2019 Bermudagrass NTEP research trial.

50

green industry professionals joined the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team at the Turfgrass Research Center on August 31. The field day program consisted of discussions and demonstrations of 18 unique turfgrass and green industry research trials, and of particular interest in 2021 was a lot of Q&A regarding the management and expectations for this year’s record fall armyworm outbreak.

Special thanks to our sponsors Bulldog Field Equipment, Chesapeake Valley Seed, Landscape Supply, Smith Turf and Irrigation, Williams Brothers Tree and Lawn Service, the Virginia Turfgrass Council, and the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation.

Field Day is underway! The morning began with Dr. Mike Goatley and Dr. Xunzhong Zhang sharing their research on Lawn Fertility with Biosolids.

PhD candidate Wendell Hutchens shares his latest research findings on Spring Dead Spot suppression.

Professor Tom Kuhar highlighting the 2021 turfgrass conundrum: Fall Armyworms.

An eye-popping research trial with Drs. Clebson Goncalves and Shawn Askew talking about alternative weed-control methods.

Dr. Goatley and Whitnee Askew presenting a TGWCA Kentucky Bluegrass research trial under the rainout shelter. Many of the varieties have recovered nicely as watering has resumed following an extensive induced-drought period.

CONTINUED

16 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021

For test results check www.ntep.org

www.burlinghamseeds.com

Dr. Askew demonstrating his innovative pollinator sod research.

PhD student Daewon Koo and Dr. Askew demonstrate an agricultural spray drone that will be retrofitted and utilized in future weed-control research trials.

Dr. Kuhar now talking about ant control in turf… and Fall Armyworms again.

PhD student John Peppers sharing some very practical research investigating the use of PGRs and low-dose herbicide applications to reduce mowing requirements.

Research technician Kevin Hensler and Dr. David McCall sharing multiple Blue grama variety trials.

Virginia Tech Entomology Master’s student Micki Palmersheim talking about her research on pollinator plant preferences for the lawn and landscape.

Dr. Jeff Derr from the Hampton Roads AREC made the long trip to Blacksburg to provide attendees with the latest updates on ornamental weed control.

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 19

Cover Story

UNPRECEDENTED

FALL ARMYWORM PRESSURE i n t h e M i d - A tlan tic in 2 02 1

By Mike Goatley, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist — Tom Kuhar, Ph.D., Professor and Entomologist Alejandro Del Pozo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Entomologist — Virginia Tech

F

all armyworms have been a statewide/regional problem on turfgrass systems across the Mid-Atlantic and upper South in 2021. Although it is of little consolation, if your turf has been attacked, we can assure you that you are not alone this year.

Dr. Tom Kuhar, Professor of Entomology at Virginia Tech, details that in his 20+ year career at VT that he has never seen as much pressure from fall armyworms as he has this year. Here are some key points to share with your team and with your clientele for why the problem is so extreme in 2021.

We never quite know what each year has in store for us and our best guess this year is that fall armyworm pressure has been particularly high because of tropical weather systems/hurricane activity. The moths migrate northward every year, typically reaching the mid-Atlantic in early to mid-September (hence their common name of fall armyworm). This year, the moths arrived as early as we might see them. This is also of importance since it likely increases the number of generations of Fall armyworms we will likely have this year… normally 2–3, but maybe more than 3 this year? The reason they arrived early is likely linked to the number of named storms that have in some form or fashion either directly or indirectly influenced the mid-Atlantic region weather patterns in 2021. The moths are pushed along in the air streams of these major weather makers; in 2021 Danny, Elsa, and Fred have all had impacts in the mid-Atlantic. It might even be that Henri was a contributor to pushing moths further north and in greater populations than normal. Then there was Ida that tracked through the upper mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Ida almost assuredly brought moths along for the ride. This suggests we are NOT done with fall armyworm pressure for 2021 and that the problem with these pests will likely persist and possibly expand (although likely not as large in numbers as the first waves of the pest).

What else is in play with their numbers this year? The populations grow not from just moths arriving from the south, but those that are here are mating and laying eggs after they have arrived. A single moth can lay between 100–200 eggs at a time (usually on the underside of leaves) and lay up to 1500 eggs in

their lifetime. During the summer, the life cycle can be completed in as little as 30 days. So, consider the pure scope of numbers of worms that are possible in this situation, and these numbers for a pest that essentially will feed on almost any type of aboveground plant material, while knowing that lawns, corn, and forage crops are usually favored targets. We have recently added an extension publication about managing fall armyworms in lawns to the VCE educational resources website (www.resources.ext.vt.edu).

Are the fall armyworms only attacking turfgrasses? A quick survey of fall armyworm feeding activity that was conducted by both the Virginia Turfgrass Council and agents with the Virginia Cooperative Extension indicates that fall armyworms have caused significant damage to tall fescue and bermudagrass in turf settings, but also to agricultural plants such as alfalfa, orchardgrass, and millet. In general fall armyworms have avoided crabgrass, sedges, and other broadleaf plants (things like dandelions, plantain etc.) in the lawns. There have been no reports of damage to corn, cotton, ornamental plants or vegetables.

What can be done as treatment? This greatly depends on your situation and the clientele you are serving. Lawn care providers have simply been overwhelmed by the sheer number of problems they encountered this year and there was no way to quickly service all of their clients. Insecticides recommended for control include most pyrethroids (such as bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, Mustang Max, Baythroid XL, etc..). Virginia Tech field trials on turfgrasses indicate very good control of larvae with the pyrethroids, which are also one the cheaper insecticide options available. Please note that control of large larvae is sometimes difficult with any insecticide. In surveying Virginia turfgrass managers, almost all that used the product reported that as a rapid, inexpensive, and highly effective knock-down fall armyworm treatment, granular formulations of bifenthrin have done an excellent job. However, these products are very short-lived in duration, and while the bifenthrin addresses the immediate control of the caterpillars, it does very little for long-term (i.e. residual) control if further generations of the insect emerge.

20 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

FIGURE 1. Fall armyworms can be identified by the inverted “Y” on their head (photo from Tom Kuhar).

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 21

Cover Story continued

FIGURE 2. In just a few days fall armyworms have essentially defoliated this area of a tall fescue lawn (photo from Tyler Green).

22 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

The carbamate, Lannate LV, and many of the more selective (lepidopterantargeting) insecticides such as the diamides (Prevathon, Coragen, Acelepryn, Besiege), or indoxacarb products like Steward, Avaunt eVo, Provaunt, spinosad (trade names of Blackhawk, Tracer, Matchpoint), Radiant, Intrepid Edge, as well as others have strong activity on fall armyworms. Our surveys suggest that many Virginia turf managers that had applied clorantraniloprole (ai in Acelepryn) earlier in the year received very good residual control of fall armyworms. Chlorantraniloprole is a more costly product than any of the pyrethroids, but is an exceptional caterpillarcontrol product, offers an extended control period, and also serves as a very effective grubicide. Do note that chlorantraniliprole may take 2–3 days to actually kill larvae, but provides immediate feeding cessation, and thus stops damage right away even though the larvae are not dead. And remember that one of our most commonly applied insecticides for late summer grub control in lawns, imidacloprid, is essentially useless as a fall armyworm control product.

Consult the relevant Virginia Cooperative Extension Pest Management Guide for specific recommendations (https://resources.ext.vt.edu). Remember THE LABEL IS THE LAW and labels vary for products, pests, and the plants being treated.

Will the grass recover? Possibly. If the worms have not damaged the crowns (i.e. the growing points) the turfgrass will likely recover, especially with appropriate seasonal nitrogen fertility. The turfgrass recovery should be fairly evident as cooler temperatures and fall rains arrive. If the damage is extreme, regrassing (either by seeding or sodding) will be necessary. At this time, there are no varieties of tall fescue that are proven to be ‘resistant’ to fall armyworm pressure.

However, it is always desirable to use the most improved genetics available and those cultivars can be found on the Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendation List (www.resources.ext.vt.edu).

You can also find publications specifically devoted to lawn establishment and renovation on the website.

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 23

JACK FINDLING M E MB E R SPOT LIGH T

DISTRIBUTION SALES • NEWSOM SEED

J

ack Findling has a dynamic, 40+ year history in the industry and currently serves on the development committee at the VTC. We sat down with Jack to get his perspective on everything from labor challenges to consumer education and more.

VTC would like to thank Jack for his dedication to our organization and his many years of advocating for a well-trained and knowledgeable work force.

Jack Findling with Allen Bohrer, owner of Newsom Seed

What was your career path that brought you to your current position?

When I was young, I enjoyed outside, I enjoyed the yard work. I got into application support with local companies, and residential companies were just starting up back in the 80s. I went in with ChemLawn when it was family-owned and I worked there for about 13 years. Then they were making a business change and it was time to move on. I got into distribution sales in the mid-90s and enjoyed that ever since and felt that was more my calling. I’ve worked for several companies doing that. All in the same midAtlantic area. I always just enjoyed that distribution sales line.

In being in that same segment of the industry for that many years, what are the biggest changes you’ve seen?

I’ve watched people grow their business, I’ve watched chemistry change over the years. Certainly the EPA has a lot to do with that, either omitting something from the market or enhancing something new in the market that arguably could be a safer application not only to the environment, but for personnel as well. What might be the biggest change is the evolution of the chemistries, how they’re stored, how they’re applied, how you go about the certification knowledge to have a license, to be a company. It’s an evolution going on even now, but I think that the biggest is watching the chemistry change over the years, for the better.

24 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

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JACK FINDLING M EM B E R S P OT LI G H T

Does that present a challenge for you in educating professionals in the field and companies on how they’re using those products?

I could easily write a yearly program and factor in some products and teach those products and be sure they’re done with proper equipment calibration. The product rates per 1000 square feet per acre are done by label. You teach the EPA label as the word.

So most distribution sales are involved with the teaching of new products as they come online.

From lawn care to golf to sports turf, a lot of turfgrass managers who are public-facing are having to do some education on that end. Is that something you’re able to help prepare your clients for?

The answer is more full than that, it’s beyond chemistry. It’s seed and fertilizer and soil maintenance. You intertwine all of that over the course of the year. In doing so, you may minimize application products or the components of products, where they’re more safe, and minimized, and you’re doing more seeding or soil maintenance work and you’re keeping the lawn thin in that regard, and it does help you minimize chemical application. I’ve been involved with teaching that, and it is a part of the market now. Certainly there are geographies that don’t allow chemistry in home lawn use, so you’re almost forced to develop a plan of action on behalf of these homeowners. And you have to do that along with the government agencies that restricted you as well as the lawn care business owner that’s doing the home lawn use, so it’s all intertwined together, and everybody works together. It quite amazing how that does evolve. And so far, so good. There’s a challenge, but yet it’s seamless. It’s quite interesting.

I know we hear the word “misinformation” a lot, and that certainly applies in the more technical elements of what you’re doing. Can you get ahead of that or are you constantly correcting?

Well, you can get ahead of it by building the relationship with the lawn care operator and then you usually don’t go back to that. That’s a process that happens once or twice and you might rework the formulation of pounds per thousand square feet, but usually if you’re correcting a thought process you certainly do it in a gentlemanly way and then you just have a meeting of the minds and you’re both helping each other out when you do that. But it’s constant, you do get these – because the evolution of new companies is all the time.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part is I have found something that I like to do that doesn’t appear to be work. And if you can do that in your lifetime, you’ve got it made. I’ve been doing it over 40 years and it’s amazing to me. I see a lot of sports fields, I watch lawn care companies grow, you’re a problem solver, that’s rewarding, you get to do events like Tom Tracy and I have done to open the social aspects.

Open back up again where people can get out and socialize and you’re all industry brothers and to see everybody get out there again, it’s rewarding. I think the mesh of me and this industry is solid for a long time, and that’s what I enjoy.

You serve on the development committee for the VTC – what does that include?

Probably more than I know, but I can just tell you what I’ve done.

There’s a solid group involved in that committee and I’m thankful to be a part of that. I don’t know what actually I bring to the table in all of that, but I’ve enjoyed sharing the knowledge of how to grow our VTC and things that are being done currently that might be different from 5, 10 years ago. We started different funding to assist new people in the industry or townships, promoting knowledge where people would know who we are. Seed packets for bee pollination we did, specifically I was involved with an event that we did recently. We had an in-person meeting – it was the first time in like 16 months, and we got people out in my Northern Virginia geography and people showed up. We had an estimated capacity and we met that. People just showed up, so that was enjoyable for me to do that.

Can you talk about the relationships you have with others in the industry and your history and how that has helped you in your work with VTC?

Even when I was in my application life with home lawn use and some commercial property applications, it takes a while to learn the industry and it takes a while to, in my case if you’re selling a product, to figure out the procedure that you want to use that’s welcoming to people. And maybe it comes easier to some, but I bet it took me ten years to learn that process. I became very comfortable from a customer service standpoint to offer my abilities to the industry and my distribution sales have been successful because of that. The relationships are classic. When you can talk with somebody who you’ve known 20 years and you don’t even talk about the product that brought you there that day, you talk about each other’s lives and glad to see you and a handshake or a hug and then, oh yeah, you need some fertilizer? We are a warm industry, we’re a small industry and we know each other. Yes, there’s competition involved, but that’s with everything, but even then, it’s a very gentlemanly industry. The camaraderie is something to behold and I welcome that every time.

26 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

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Member Spotlight continued

What would you say is the biggest challenge facing the turfgrass industry right now?

I think labor is something that is a challenge with a lot of companies.

I know my lawncare customers are struggling. There are guys that have been around the block as long as I have and they’re having to go back out when their primary job is office personnel. That’s kind of where they are as business owners, but because of the labor structure of our country, they’re having to get out there and do a lot of work that they haven’t done in 20 years, so that is a visible sight. I don’t know if it’s getting much better, but I think we’re close to where it might get better, but that’s a problem. It’s a challenge every day.

In my case, labor isn’t a challenge for me, it’s for my customers.

For me, in distribution sales, the biggest challenge would be starting new business. You go out there and build new business, whether it be a startup, someone that’s been around for 20 years, there’s so much business out there, and often I don’t even know who they are, so that’s always a constant challenge. I don’t think that will go away, and in sales, you always have to push yourself in that regard to keep in business.

Jack out for dinner with Mrs. Findling

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I actually like working in my own yard, and of course that’s what got me into this business 40 years ago, so I continue that. I like to cook, I do different recipes, whether it’s in the kitchen or the campsite. My family and I go camping frequently, and in doing that I do water activity – whether it’s canoeing or kayaking, fishing, and we’ll do excursion trips as a family. So I do like the outdoor lifestyle. Traveling, I like to travel, but I’ve really enjoyed the safety of staying home of late. I enjoy being home right now. We’ll get back out for vacations later, I’m not rushing it. I enjoy my neighbors.

We visit frequently, and we have social events out in the front street – social distance and it’s pretty funny to see everybody like that. Primarily outdoor activity, camping, fishing, kayaking, that kind of stuff.

What is your signature dish?

Seafood chowder. My seafood chowder can have five components of fish or seafood. Veggies, potatoes, it’s just classic but it’s more of a broth base, which might be a Rhode Island style versus New England cream based. And that’s where I started on that, and then as I evolved, I felt the broth base was a little healthier and it’s just good and I enjoy it.

Jack kayaking

Listen to the full interview with Jack on TheTurfZone.com.

You can also subscribe at Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

28 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

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Guest Column

WHAT’S WITH

WORKERS THESE DAYS?

By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM

M

ore and more managers are questioning why it seems the labor force is so different than it used to be. While some want to blame generational shifts in thinking, the reality is far more a product of our current economy. Here’s why workers today are more demanding and what they really want in a job.

To start, workers can afford to be much more selective in where they choose to work. As of August 2021, there are 10.1 million open jobs and only 8.7 million people on unemployment in the United States. With more jobs than people, there is very little risk with choosing to look elsewhere for a job if workers don’t feel valued or don’t see a future with an organization. Quite simply, the days of workers gratefully working for a paycheck to meet their needs are long gone when competition for employees is so dire.

Workers also are seeking more money because it has become increasingly expensive to live. Since 2015, there has been a cumulative price increase of over 15% in consumer goods, and it’s on the rise. And a livable wage, that is the wage required to cover all basic necessities like housing, food, healthcare, and other essentials, is often two to three times the minimum wage in a given county, depending on the number of dependents supported. If employees are supposed to be grateful for a paycheck, then that paycheck needs to be enough to provide for them to live comfortably.

But paying enough money for employees to afford to live is not a competitive advantage. Whereas previous generations found meaning in their communities and families, today’s workforce is seeking purpose in their jobs. They want to feel like they are contributing positively and making a difference through the work they do every day. And yet, only 34% of employees have even heard a story about how their company impacted a customer to improve their business or life.

When I used to hire hundreds of seasonal workers to shovel snow in New England, I found success not by offering more pay or benefits than competitors but by inspiring my people with

Neal Glatt

purpose. We shoveled snow at utility providers to ensure that our entire community had heat and electricity despite the worst winters on record. We cleared supermarkets and pharmacies so that the people in our communities could get the groceries and medication they needed to survive. We knew that successfully doing our job meant saving lives and enabling society to function no matter what Mother Nature had in store.

In addition, we focused on growth and development opportunities because it’s currently the number one factor when choosing a job for employees today. The best recruiters are those who had risen through the ranks of the organization themselves. Their story became an inspiration for employees who wanted to achieve their own dreams. Whatever their purpose – buying a home, having a family they could provide for, finding respect of their colleagues, or achieving mastery of their craft – they could achieve through the opportunities provided.

Yet the most critical desire of workers today is a manager who makes them feel valued. More than just a seat on the bus, employees want to have their ideas heard and considered. The best organizations provide opportunities for employees to voice opinions and then honestly consider, refine, and utilize them. It should be no surprise that at least 70% of a worker’s engagement is directly based on their manager.

If you’re trying to hire and retain staff, it’s time to consider having more conversations with your employees about why your organization exists, how they can play a role in success, what their future could look like, and how it can be achieved as a team. I prefer to have weekly coaching conversations with the people I manage and set formal goals with them quarterly. It’s a collaborative, and time-consuming, process, but it’s also the top reason people want to continue to work for me. In fact, my employees often tell me that our coaching conversations are their favorite part of the job. And I know you can do it too.

is the Managing Partner of GrowTheBench, an online training platform for the

green industry. You can learn more about him and his solutions at

www.NealGlatt.com .

30 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL September/October 2021 www.vaturf.org

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