2013 OSU Turf Field Day Review

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Beaver Turf News —

Thank you to those who were able to attend the 2013 OSU Turf Field Day at the Lewis-Brown Horticulture Farm in Corvallis, OR.

The event was a great success; we had over 100 visitors registered and raised more than $8,500 for the OSU Turfgrass Research and Extension Program.

We hosted 18 Field Stops, 7 Industry Booths, and 4 Equipment Exhibitors. New this year, the Industry Booths and Equipment Exhibitors will hopefully continue into the future with more added. Contact information for the 2013 Industry Booth and Equipment Exhibitors is available at the conclusion of this update.

Alec Kowalewski, Turfgrass Specialist leads a tour of field day attendees at the 2013 OSU Turf Field Day. Industry Booth and Equipment Exhibitors set up for the 2013 OSU Turf Field Day.

Alec Kowalewski, Turfgrass Specialist leads a tour of field day attendees at the 2013 OSU Turf Field Day. (left) Industry Booth and Equipment Exhibitors set up for the 2013 OSU Turf Field Day. (right)

We began the day with a quick OSU Turf Program History and Update presentation, followed by the Field Day, which was presented in an open house or open discussion format.  Presenters included Alec Kowalewski, Turfgrass Specialist,Brian McDonald, Research Assistant, Clint Mattox, Graduate Assistant, and Doug Voderberg, Graduate Student.

Field stop topics included, but were not limited to, fungicide rotations for Anthracnose management, moss control on putting greens, annual bluegrass control in creeping bentgrass and perennial ryegrass, and alternative grounds cover (eco-lawn) evaluations.  If you are interested in seeing the complete list of field stops presented at this event checkout the 2013 OSU Turf Field Proceedings.

OSU Turf Alumni and industry professionals discuss the latest trends and developments in Oregon’s turf and landscape industry. OSU Turf Alumni and industry professionals discuss the latest trends and developments in Oregon’s turf and landscape industry.

OSU Turf Alumni and industry professionals discuss the latest trends and developments in Oregon’s turf and landscape industry.

After the field day, lunch was served at the Lewis-Brown Farm, and then 13 foursomes traveled to Trysting Tree Golf Club to participate in a hard fought shamble in the afternoon.  The winning foursome included Roger Henderson, Doug Hubert, Joe Chavarria and Lyle Gibbs.  Golf Tee Sponsors (a $250 contribution) included NuFarm, Barenbrug USA, andColumbia Seeds.

Turf Day SponsorsTurf Day Sponsors

Turf Day Sponsors

I would also like to note that Brian McDonald, Research Assistant, OSU Turf, and Ryan Wyckoff, Superintendent, OGA Golf Course, both received the 2103 “OSU Turf Program Alumni and Friends Appreciation Award” for their efforts and contributions to the OSU Turf Program.

To see more pictures of the field day and golf outing click on 2013 OSU Turf Field, photos courtesy of Mr. David Phipps,GCSAA Field Staff – Northwest Regional Representative.

Finally, I would like to thank the following for their contributions to the 2013 OSU Turf Field Day…

Industry Booth Exhibitors ($250 contribution)

Company Contact
NuFarm Justin Horlacher
Target Specialty Products Robert DeAngelo
Bridgewell Resources Darren MacFarlane
Barenbrug USA John Rector
Dow AgroScience Vanelle Peterson
Wilbur Ellis Company John Westerdahl
Rainbird Mark Willcut

Equipment Exhibitors ($500 contribution)

Company Contact
Western Equipment Dist. Dick Bergeron
Rocky Mountain Turf Lud Kaftan
Baroness Richard Lavine

Field Day Donations

Company Contact
Target Specialty Products Robert DeAngelo
Bayer ES Chris Olsen
Lewis Seed Co Brad Dozler

Click here to read the original article from Beaver Turf News.

ASTA Publishes 2011-2012 Annual Report

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The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) recently released its 2011-2012 annual report.

Click here to read the full report from ASTA.

OSU Seed Lab Update, End of September, 2013

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Read below for the September update from the Oregon State University Seed Lab — 

As the full swing of the summer season slows down, I’d like to report on the lab performance through the summer and look ahead to fall and next year.

Looking back at July, August and September:

  • We were able to provide timely services to all customers.
  • Purity turn around has been around 3-4 days (excluding weekends).
  • The new no-factoring rule streamlined the orchardgrass purity testing.
  • All tests were reported on the same day of completing the test.
  • Seeds were planted for germination tests the same day or next morning.
  • Early ending of germinations on ryegrasses streamlined the whole germination process.
  • Around 50% of perennial ryegrasses ended on first count in July, which progressed to over 70% by the end of September.
  • TZs were reported within 24-48 hours and ploidy within 7-9 days.

Looking ahead to the fall

  • Our goal is to maintain the turn-around time we achieved this summer.
  • We will continue pre-chilling all 2013 harvested grasses through December .
  • New data shows it is feasible to use the ISTA approach on multiple florets of tall fescue.  We will start showing data to industry groups and start a national referee.
  • Some species (i.e. Kentucky bluegrass, bermudagrass, and paspalum) show very slow and incomplete germination with current AOSA methods. We plan to start researching for more effective options.

Looking ahead to winter and spring

  • We will be organizing workshops to reach seed growers, cleaners, and dealers. Workshops will be held in February, March, and April. Please let us know if you have suggestions or specific needs.
  • We will be organizing seed schools on purity, germination, and TZ testing.
  • Breaking multiple florets in perennial ryegrass causes problems. We will start researching for alternatives. Options that can be explored are blowing procedure or ISTA approach. Please let us know of any suggestions.
  • As we enter spring of 2014, our focus will shift to preparations for the summer harvest of 2014.

We are here to help you succeed. Thank you for using the OSU Seed Lab. If there is any other way we can help you, please contact us immediately at: seedlab@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-4464.

Click here to read the original report from the OSU Seed Lab.