NG TURF: PREMIUM SOD FROM THE “CUTTING EDGE� OF TURFGRASS RESEARCH
NG Turf ’s multiple farms throughout the state are much more than green fields of premium zoysia, bermuda, and fescue grasses. Take a closer look, and you’ll see a living, breathing laboratory for cutting edge turfgrass research.
“There is always exciting research happening in the turfgrass industry,� explains Mark McWhorter, production manager at NG Turf. “Our goal is to grow the healthiest, most consistent-looking sod available on the market today. Employing the latest research and techniques helps us do that every day.�
Nicky Stacey Scheduling Manager & Marketing Qualifications Joined the NG Turf team in 2011. While
being the Senior Sales Representative she is also the Scheduling Manager and oversees
marketing for NG Turf. She became a Certified Turfgrass Professional in 2012.
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NG TURF BRINGS YOU THE BEST OF THE BEST OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE
Partnerships with Research Institutions NG Turf has close ties with the UGA turfgrass research team, the Texas A&M turfgrass breeding program, and scientists at Bladerunner Farms. UGA turf scientists (creators of TifGrand, TifSport, and TifTuf bermudagrasses) use land on one of the NG Turf farms to conduct trials related to pathology and disease management, entomology and pest control, and to run evaluation programs for new varieties. McWhorter adds, “We are also working closely with researchers from Texas A&M who are field testing a new variety of Texas bluegrass – a new variety that will remain green all year in Georgia and has better disease tolerance and summer hardiness than the green-allyear fescue varieties currently on the market.�
Bladerunner Farms, the creator of Zeon Zoysia, has thousands of varieties of zoysia in their breeding and testing programs. Several varieties have been selected for field testing in Georgia using land on each of NG Turf ’s farms. Who knows‌ the next world-famous
zoysia variety may be growing on an NG Turf farm right now!
Investing in “Smart� Equipment This time of year, you look out across a field on one of NG Turf ’s farms and you see a lovely, consistent green. And that level of consistency takes a great deal of work and planning. Just one field can have close to a dozen different soil types and moisture profiles – each requiring a different set of nutrient amendments and different amounts of water to create the consistent sod we love. How do they do it? It starts with GPS assisted soil mapping to calibrate the fertilization requirements. The fields are also equipped with soil moisture sensors that communicate wirelessly with a “smart� irrigation rig that provides exactly the right amount of water to each part of the field. “Not only does this technology make our job easier and our grass healthier,� explains McWhorter, “It also helps us be more environmentally responsible.�
When it’s harvest time, their Firefly Proslab automated harvester is GPS guided to cut laser straight rows of perfectly trimmed sod slabs. “Not only is it the fastest slab harvester on the market,� McWhorter adds, “it also leaves zero waste in the field. We get a better harvest yield and our customers get the freshest sod possible.�
Whether you need one single pallet of sod for your project – or a whole truckload – NG Turf will deliver premium, farm-fresh sod right to your door. Call them today for a custom quote at (770) 431-1348 or visit them online at ngturf.com.
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July-August 2018 West Georgia Living 69