Published on 08/28/24

Turfgrass Research Field Day draws hundreds to UGA-Griffin

By Ashley N Biles

A UGA researcher holding a sign reading "4" leads a large crowd to a presentation station — The 2024 Turfgrass Research Field Day, held Aug. 7 at UGA-Griffin, began with a guided research tour. Visiting eight stations, attendees received CAES expert advice to improve precision irrigation management, disease control, soil testing and fertility management for turf. (Photo by Ashley Biles)

More than 650 turf industry professionals, golf course superintendents and local homeowners gathered at the University of Georgia Griffin campus on Aug. 7 for the 2024 Turfgrass Research Field Day. Participants learned about turf-related issues from College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) researchers and UGA Cooperative Extension specialists from all three of the university's campuses.

Opening the field day, CAES Associate Dean for Research Harshavardhan Thippareddi, Griffin Mayor Doug Hollberg and CAES Professor Clint Waltz offered an overview of the UGA Turf Team's ongoing work to address the needs of the state's turf industry.

Attendees visited eight sites on the guided research tour, during which participants learned recommendations for improved precision irrigation management, disease control, soil testing and fertility management for turf. Presenters also covered an introduction to skyseed — a new weed species in Georgia lawns — breeding and evaluation of turf-type tall fescue, cutting-edge techniques to determine sports field safety, and germplasm improvement. Attendees were able to interact directly with researchers and ask follow-up questions after each presentation.

During the afternoon session, attendees viewed displays and demonstrations of the latest turfgrass industry equipment before participating in a self-guided research tour. Tour stops around campus focused on graduate student research, turfgrass problem solving, diagnosing turfgrass diseases, the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, new and upcoming cultivars of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), grasses as a pollinator food source, and information on how industry can use the irrigation training center on campus.

Clint Waltz speaks to a crowd from under a Georgia Grown tent — UGA Extension Turfgrass Specialist Clint Waltz speaks to a group about a new weed species in Georgia lawns. “It is our hope that sharing those with others will lead to improved practices and stewardship within the industry,” said Waltz. (Photo by Ashley Biles)

Continuing education units (CEUs) for pesticide recertification were available for pest control professionals attending from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Research-based field days are an ideal way for researchers to share their knowledge and expertise with industry members and the public.

“Turfgrass Field Day gives us the opportunity to highlight new research and techniques,” said Waltz, also an Extension turfgrass specialist in the CAES Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. “It is our hope that sharing those with others will lead to improved practices and stewardship within the industry.”

Waltz is already looking forward to hosting the next Turfgrass Field Day in August 2026. “I am excited to see what our turf team discovers in the two years leading up to our next field day. I don’t always get to interact with my colleagues and learn about their research as much as I would like, and through this event, I am able to learn as much as the participants do,” he said.

Learn more about the interdisciplinary research out of the UGA Turf Team at turf.caes.uga.edu. Refer to the 2024 Turfgrass Research Field Day Guide for the latest information about turfgrass research studies, products and turfgrass Extension programs.

Authors:

Ashley N Biles

Experts/Sources:

Clint Waltz

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