News
OTS tackles leading edge of information

Two days of information aimed at the lawn care, sports turf, golf and nursery sod sectors of the professional turfgrass industry will be presented at the University of Guelph Feb. 20-21 at the 2019 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium.

The theme of the forum is “The Leading Edge of Information.”

Sessions offered include:

Wednesday, Feb. 20
General sessions will run from 8:45-9:45 a.m., including an update from the Guelph Turfgrass Institute by its communications and outreach coordinator, Cam Shaw.

Golf sessions

• CGSA/OTRF update
• 2018: The summer that just wouldn’t end: David Oatis, United States Golf Association
• Diagnostic clinic review 2018: Dr. Katerina Jordan, University of Guelph
• GPS turf management technology – the real benefits: Marcus Thigpen, Turf Geeks
• Adapting to the new economy – finding new ways to do more with less: David Oatis, United States Golf Association

Lawn care sessions

• PLCAO update
• Soil testing and interpretation: David Smith, DCS & Associates
• Lawn conversion – best management practices for overseeding: Dr. Eric Lyons, University of Guelph
• Nematodes – strategies for success: Dr. Katerina Jordan, University of Guelph
• Building client trust in a changing business world: Peter Barrow, Petrona Associates

Sports turf/recreation facilities sessions

• Sports Turf Canada/Ontario Recreation Facilities Association update
• Sports turf manager of the year: Sports Turf Canada
• Managing your premises – risks and liabilities: Len Bennett, Frank Cowan Company
• Turf infrastructure and lifecycle planning: Dr. Eric Lyons, University of Guelph

A lunch and learn session will be presented at 12:15, entitled “Auditing your irrigation system,” by Gary Taylor, GT Irrigation Services.

Thursday, Feb. 21
General sessions starting at 8:45 a.m. include a diploma in turfgrass management update by Steve Fleischauer, director, associate diploma in turfgrass management, University of Guelph; and a breeding research and seed cultivar update by Dr. William Meyer, director of turfgrass breeding, Rutgers University.

Golf sessions

• Plant growth regulators’ effect on survival of putting greens during thawing events in late winter: Corey Flude and Dr. Eric Lyons, University of Guelph
• Dollar spot fungus on the move – changes in name and fungicide resistance: Dr. Tom Hsiang and Moez Valliani, University of Guelph
• Using chemistry properly – a discussion of best management practices to ensure the proper use and activity of the chosen product: Rick Fletcher, NuFarm America Inc.

Lawn care sessions

• Ministry of the Environment site check: Suzanne Durst, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
• Understanding the nitrogen cycle:Dr. Eric Lyons, University of Guelph

Sports turf sessions

• Maintenance day panel: Sports Turf Canada
• Ball diamond field lip management: Sports Turf Canada
• Development of natural turf horse racing surfaces: Sean Gault, Woodbine Entertainment Group; and David C. Smith, DCS & Associates

Nursery sod sessions

• Sod soil case studies: Anne Verhallen, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Recommended cultivars for sod growers: Dr. William Meyer, Rutgers University
• Compaction – causes and considerations: Alex Barrie, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

A lunch and learn session will be presented at 12:15, entitled “Increasing the nutrient use efficiency and plant vigor by applications of biostimulants and plant growth promoting micro-organisms,” by George Lazarovits, research director, A&L Biologicals.

For more information or to register, visit https://opened.uoguelph.ca/Ontario-Turfgrass-Symposium.

Dr. Eric Lyons (left) of the University of Guelph will speak about turf infrastructure and lifecycle planning at a sports turf session.