Baraboo’s Mary Rountree Evans Field, winner of the national Sports Turf Association Field of the Year award. Photo courtesy of Craig Schlender. VOLUME XXV, NO. 3 WINTER 2007 Introducing Jim Kerns - Your New Turfgrass Pathologist! By Paul Koch, Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab, University of Wisconsin-Madison It has been nearly one and a half years spot and gray snow mold is critical in since the Wisconsin turfgrass industry achieving effective control while limiting has had a turfgrass pathologist, but the chemical inputs. The overall goal of wait is almost over. After a several month Jim’s program is to minimize fungicide application and interview process, the inputs into intensively managed turf- Department of Plant Pathology at the grass without sacrificing turfgrass quali- University of Wisconsin offered the posi- ty. While Jim won’t officially be starting tion to Jim Kerns from North Carolina his new job in Madison until July 1st, he State University and he accepted their will be attending our Wisconsin offer. While the pool of applicants was Turfgrass EXPO in Madison on January strong considering the small number of 9th and 10th. This is an excellent oppor- turfgrass pathologists nationwide, Jim tunity to personally meet and share your Kerns was clearly the most qualified ideas with the new pathologist. applicant for this position. Jim brings a Credit for Jim’s hire needs to be given very strong research background to to the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association, Wisconsin; he is after all the man who for without their support the filling of this shed light on the mysterious Pythium position would be years away. Due to root dysfunction that has been plaguing declining state support for the university, golf courses across the country. Along degree under Dr. Don Vietor and Dr. all faculty positions that departments with his research he brings a passion for Richard White at Texas A&M University. request to be filled cannot be done turfgrass management and a natural abil- Though his work at Texas A&M was pri- immediately for financial reasons. To ity to communicate, both essential char- marily in Soil Science, a couple of class- speed up this process the WTA offered to acteristics in a position that will focus es in Plant Pathology showed Jim where fund the first year of salary and benefits more on extension than the previous his true interests lie, and Jim returned to for the new position, an incredibly gener- pathologist positions at Wisconsin. NC State upon completion of his M.S. ous offer that totals approximately Jim is no stranger to the Midwest degree to pursue a doctorate under $100,000! Couple this with the fact that being born in Wheaton, IL just outside of renowned turfgrass pathologist Dr. Lane the WTA recently funded Dr. Doug Chicago. His father is an engineer and Tredway. Under Dr. Tredway, Jim took on Soldat’s first year as a professor in Soil mother was a registered nurse, and those the unenviable task of researching a dis- Science and the WTA has certainly jobs took the family south to Texas before ease that literally no one knew anything turned heads within the university with landing in North Carolina just in time for about, Pythium root dysfunction. His their relentless support. his high school years. For college Jim research has shed light on the etiology, I’ll finish this article with a couple sen- enrolled at North Carolina State epidemiology, and management of this tences Jim wrote to me in a recent letter. University and majored in Agronomy with frustrating and troublesome disease. “On a personal note, my wife and I are the intention of becoming a golf course Jim plans to bring the same problem very excited about moving to Madison! superintendent or athletic field manager. solving skills he used to decipher We have heard nothing but good things But working with Dr. Charles Peacock Pythium root dysfunction to tackle about the city and the university. I also and Dr. Tom Rufty revealed an interest in Wisconsin’s most pressing disease look forward to working with the turf- research and teaching, and as a result he issues. Understanding more of the basic grass managers of Wisconsin!” We look decided to pursue a Master of Science biology behind diseases such as dollar forward to having you, Jim. ■ The Wisconsin Turfgrass News is the official publication of the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association, edited by Tom Schwab. O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Educational Facility. EXPO GOES GREEN By Tom Schwab, O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility, University of Wisconsin-Madison The Wisconsin Turfgrass and whether it be for lawn care and landscap- Greenscape EXPO is going green in 2008. ing, sports turf, sod production, or golf turf Our industry has always been on the fore- management. Leading researchers, busi- front of the environmental movement but ness managers, and other experts will often doesn’t get credit for it. EXPO will inform you about everything you need to explore how the turf industry performs go greener in your business. Speakers will when it comes to going green. This com- explore organic lawn care, human health mon theme will be touched on throughout effects in turf management, new environ- all the presentations, round tables, and mentally friendly landscape management panel discussions. The vendors in the techniques, and so much more. Examples trade show will likewise exhibit all the of what you will learn are listed here: tools you need to make your business • Dr. Mike Hurdzan (Hurdzan/Fry Golf more environmentally green. Course Architects) - Environmental The full program and registration form Impact of Golf Course Design may be viewed and printed from the WTA • Dr. Jennifer Grant from Cornell website - wisconsinturfgrassassociation.org. University - 1.) The Bethpage New for this year - you may use a charge Experiment; Reduced Risk Putting card to register. Contact Audra if you have Green Management 2.) Lawn Care any questions at 608-845-6536 or ajan- IPM: Doing It and Marketing It al roundtable discussions. One panel [email protected]. Successfully involves two golf course designers and EXPO is held annually at the Madison • Dr. Bruce Branham from the University two superintendents in a discussion of the Marriott West, and the Marriott has made of Illinois - 1.) Environmentally Sound environmental impacts from renovations major renovations to make your visit even Nitrogen Fertilization Programming and new construction. Another round- more enjoyable this year. The conference 2.) Why PGRs Work table looks at differing views of what will take place on January 8, 9, and 10, • Dr. Marshall Clark from the defines a healthy home lawn from the per- 2008. The first day, Tuesday, January 8th, University of Massachusetts - spective of a traditional and an organic includes two afternoon workshops. One Pesticide Exposure in Turf lawn care provider, to a no-pesticide lawn workshop is about developing an NR 151 Management activist, and a university turf researcher. Nutrient Management Plan, and the other • Andy Kurth from Weedman Lawn One other main highlight is the table-top is about troubleshooting electrical and Care - Dealing With Public trade show which has information on all hydraulic equipment problems. The main Perception the latest technologies and innovations to part of the conference starts on This is only a short description of the help you go green and make more green. Wednesday, January 9th. education available. Other highlights I hope you can attend this year’s EXPO to Over 30 educational sessions are include research reports from our UW- learn more about why our industry is scheduled on the 9th and 10th, and will be Madison turfgrass researchers and sever- rightfully called the green industry. ■ of interest to anyone who manages turf Wisconsin Turfgrass Association Directors 2007 Officers and Directors Raechal Volkening ‘09 Wayne Horman ‘09 Dena Zajdel ‘08 Milwaukee Brewers Scotts Company Waupaca Sand & Solutions One Brewers Way 6001 Hammersley Rd 13A Kingery Quarter #204 President Secretary Milwaukee WI 53214 Madison WI 53711 Willowbrook IL 60527 Rich Riggs ‘08 Dean Musbach ‘09 414-902-4462 608-274-7953 630-789-2263 Rettler Corporation Reinders Dustin Riley ‘10 Dan Biddick ‘10 3317 Business Park Dr 7428 Trailwood Dr Oconomowoc Golf Club National Seed Stevens Point WI 54481 Minocqua WI 54548 5261 Brown St PO Box 374 715-341-2633 715-892-1050 Oconomowoc WI 53066 Cambridge WI 53523 262-567-6212 208-890-4453 Honorary Members Vice-President Treasurer Dan Barrett ‘08 Mark Kienert ‘10 Terry Kurth ‘08 Monroe Miller ‘08 Tom Harrison ‘08 Midwest Lawn Care Blackhawk Country Club Maple Bluff Country Club Bergamont Golf Club Bulls Eye Country Club 2211 Eagle Dr PO Box 5129 500 Kensington Dr 2960 Triverton Pike 2800 Ridgewood Trl Middleton WI 53562 Madison WI 53705 Madison WI 53704 Madison WI 53711 Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494 608-798-1490 608-238-3023 608-249-3468 608-209-2947 715-423-2204 Year behind board member name, is the expiration of their current term. 2 WISCONSIN turfgrass news winter 2007 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Thanks to All By Rich Riggs, WTA President We have just finished another season, and those I would like to thank some people for their help over the past years seem to go by much faster as I get older. This years. First there are the WTA board members without whom will be my last president’s message as my term is none of this would have been possible. Next I’d like to thank the up in January. It has been a fun and exciting ride! turf team at the UW-Madison and O.J. Noer Facility (they do a The WTA has accomplished many goals over the great job!).