Dr. Fred Whitford

Clinical Engagement Professor, Botany and Plant Pathology and Director of Purdue Pesticide Programs

Frederick “Fred” Whitford, Clinical Engagement Professor, Botany and Plant Pathology and Director of Purdue Pesticide Programs. Fred received his bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from Louisiana Tech. He received his master’s and doctorate degrees in entomology from lowa State University. He has served as the Coordinator of the Purdue Pesticide Program since 1991. He has authored more than 300 publications and become a popular speaker with more than 5,000 presentations given throughout Indiana and the United States.

Presentations:

Truck Hitches and Spray Equipment: Understanding the System What We Can Learn From Truck Accidents

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Speaker Spotlight:

Pam Sherratt
Turfgrass specialist and lecturer in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University

Pam Sherratt is a turfgrass specialist and lecturer in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University. Pam received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Lancashire in England and her master’s degree from The Ohio State University. Pam devises and implements the Buckeye Sports Turf Program and disseminates sports turf research to the industry. She is currently writing an online class for groundskeepers & athletic field managers and manages a website with 2800 subscribers. Pam makes 25-30 in-state visits to athletic fields each year, manages the annual sports turf short course, produces an annual sports turf calendar, speaks at several instate workshops and seminars, serves on several industry boards (in and out of state), and writes Extension/Outreach grants. Her research focuses on athletic field stability and reinforcement, sand selection for athletic fields, cool season grass traits; wear tolerance, establishment speed, overseeding options, rhizomatous tall fescues & other newer grass varieties.

Presentations:
Athletic Field Diagnostics Playing Surface Management Tips and Tricks

Conference Registration

Publications from the Michigan State University Turf and Landscape Extension, the USGA Green Section, and the Michigan State University Turf Team have been recently released.  The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is proud to share recent news and support these exceptional turf related programs at Michigan State University and turf related organizations throughout our industry. 

Find out more about the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation by visiting our website or connecting with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation

MTF Announces New Venue for 2022 Turfgrass Conference The conference will be held at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort January 4-6, 2022. The MTF and MSU are planning on delivering a very informative and rewarding education package offering CEU's from MDARD as well as the GCSAA. There will be three days of education and our goal is to increase awareness, education, and interest in the Turfgrass Industry while at the same time supporting our world renown MSU Turfgrass Program and its Professors who play such an integral role in informing, improving, and sustaining the Turfgrass Professional's knowledge, skills and career. Follow the link for more information on the Conference, the Vendor Halftime Show, Conference Sponsorship Opportunities and the Dr. Paul Rieke Graduate Assistantship Silent Auction.

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MSU Turf Team

MSU Turf School - December 13 - 16, 2021 The MSU Turf School is 4-day short course designed to teach the basics of turfgrass science as well as the practical techniques of managing turfgrass. The school will be "team taught" by MSU turfgrass faculty and staff. The curriculum is designed to deliver a wide range of turfgrass management topics including basic soils and soil management, turfgrass species identification, selection and physiology, turf establishment and renovation, fertilization, proper pesticide use, and environmental stewardship. This year's school will be held Dec. 13-16, 2021 at the Graduate Hotel in downtown East Lansing.

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MSU Turf & Landscape Digest

Fall armyworm damage on putting greens David Smitley, Michigan State University, Department of Entomology, and Kevin Frank, Michigan State University, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences - October 21, 2021 While rating plots at the Michigan State University Hancock Turfgrass Research Center in East Lansing, Michigan, on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, I (Kevin Frank) happened to notice a large amount of what appeared to be ball mark type damage on a putting green.

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Michigan pesticide applicator review sessions, recertifications credits and testing options for fall 2021 Jeremy Jubenville, Michigan State University Extension - October 20, 2021 In Michigan, autumn is a time when the commercial agricultural community starts to think about pesticide applicator certifications. For some, it may be because the new production season is approaching and they would like to make sure everything is in place before it begins. For others, it's because applicator certification credentials expire on Dec. 31 every third year.

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USGA Green Section Record

Discussing 2021 Course Care Issues With USGA Agronomists USGA Agronomists Zach Nicoludis (pictured), Jordan Booth, John Daniels and Paul Jacobs discussed course care issues they've seen out in the field this year.

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To Treat or Not to Treat? By John Daniels, agronomist, Northeast Region White grub damage has been showing up over the past several weeks in many areas of the Northeast. I wouldn’t be surprised to find grub activity in areas that were treated earlier in the year with a preventative insecticide because above-average precipitation like we experienced this summer can favor beetle activity and lessen insecticide performance.

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Don't Spend Money Without a Plan With many facilities seeing an increase in revenue due to more rounds being played, USGA agronomists are hearing an uptick in discussions about where investments can be made to improve golf courses. While this is good news, a desire to invest in golf course improvements also requires some caution to make sure that money is spent wisely. To get the most benefit from course improvement projects, it’s important to have an overall master plan to prioritize and guide investments.

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Support from our Industry Partners is the key to the MTF's continued success in its mission to fund Turfgrass research and programs at Michigan State University. With your help, we can continue our combined efforts to advance study in the Turfgrass industry. Sponsorship Opportunities Michigan Turfgrass Conference - January 4-6, 2022 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. Pleasant MI 48858 With the announcement of a new location, the anticipation is high for this year's Conference.  We are expecting a large attendance and are happy to offer the following sponsorship opportunities: Coffee (4 available) – $750.00 Coffee Cup (1 available) – $1,500.00 Founders Society Reception (4 available)  – $500.00 Lanyard (1 available) – $1,250.00 Lunch (4 available) – $500.00 Meritorious Award Dinner (1 available) – $250.00 Speakers Dinner (1 available) – $250.00 Vendor Halftime Show Food (2 available) – $750.00

SPONSORSHIP REGISTRATION

Dr. Paul Rieke Graduate Assistantship Silent Auction
Michigan Turfgrass Conference - January 4-6, 2022
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. Pleasant MI 48858
Exhibit Function: January 5, 2022 / 4:00 - 6:30pm

The Silent Auction is always one of the highlights of the Michigan Turfgrass Conference.  Held during the Halftime Show, the Silent Auction helps raise funds for the Graduate Assistantship for ongoing graduate student positions at MSU.  These students provide critical turfgrass research, and participate in extension and teaching programs, which garner additional grant funding through research publications and further examination of turfgrass subjects.

Your support can reflect your business, product line, or simply be a "good will" gesture of any non-related item. Past items have included push spreaders, hand held equipment, sports memorabilia, sporting tickets, weekend getaways, and clothing.  Auction tables will display your company name and logo along with contributed items.

For more information please contact Curt Boak at cmb@lawntechofmi.com or by phone at 517-490-5191.

Donation Form:  https://forms.gle/9K85uhzWDcdWo9ob6

2022 Michigan Turfgrass Conference Page

Around The Industry

Publications from the Michigan State University Turf and Landscape Extension, the USGA Green Section, and the Michigan State University Pest Management Digest have been recently released. The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is proud to share recent news and support these exceptional turf related programs at Michigan State University and turf related organizations throughout our industry.

MSU Pest Management Digest

Featured Events: 

• Pesticide Applicator Training (Online - On Demand)
• Integrated Pest Management Academy (Online - On Demand)
• MDARD In-Person Core Testing and Core Review (10/22 MSU)

Fall armyworm egg masses hatching now could bring new turf damage soon

David Smitley, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Entomology - September 24, 2021

New fall armyworm egg masses are appearing this week on golf courses, in yards and many other places in southern Michigan. The egg masses were deposited by moths that recently flew into the area. Fall armyworm moths may fly 100 miles or more before laying eggs, so they could be coming from outbreaks reported this summer in other midwestern states.

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MSU Turf & Landscape Digest

Maintaining a grasses and sedges garden David Lowenstein, Michigan State University Extension - September 13, 2021 The aesthetic and environmental value of ornamental grass and sedge gardens was described in the Michigan State University Extension article, “Starting a grasses and sedges garden.” This article will cover several strategies to keep your garden productive during the dormant season and ready for the following season. Under most conditions, ornamental grasses and sedges are tolerant of your USDA plant hardiness zone in Michigan. Many are especially accommodating to problem areas of the landscape that remain moist through the season or that become very dry. Well established plants should return and flourish in the following season after planting (Photo 1).

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USGA Green Section Record

Welcome to the Trunk Show

When tree removal is not an option, pruning lower limbs may be the next best thing.

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Too Much of a Good Thing

Rounds are still up, but when does too much of a good thing become a bad thing?Reador

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It's Been a Pesty Year

As if the weather doesn’t already make balancing turf health and playability enough of a challenge, ants and armyworms decided they would like to join the party this year too.

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Around The Industry

Publications from the Michigan State University Turf and Landscape Extension, the USGA Green Section, the Michigan State University Turf and Landscape Digest, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have been recently released. The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is proud to share recent news and support these exceptional turf related programs at Michigan State University and turf related organizations throughout our industry.

USGA Green Section

Is Methiozolin the Holy Grail of Poa annua Control?

A newly registered Poa annua control herbicide is now being put through its paces on golf courses. Will it be the holy grail that many superintendents have been hoping for?

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Make Every Herbicide Application Count

Don’t let herbicide antagonism get the best of your weed control efforts in fine fescue naturalized areas.

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Happy Accidents

Sometimes mistakes on the golf course can prove to be valuable learning experiences if we are open to their lessons.

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Getting a Handle on Thatchy Fairways

Excess thatch can be a concern on fairways, particularly during periods of wet weather like we have been experiencing lately.

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Windshield Notepad

Trying to remember everything that needs to be completed during a busy day on the golf course can be difficult. If only a to-do list could be right in front of you throughout the day...

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Preparing for Renovations

Many courses have renovation projects on the horizon. Start planning early so that you have everything in place to complete the project and protect the investment over the long-term.

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Developing a Drought-Emergency Plan

Golf courses everywhere face the risk of drought and water restrictions. Whether your course experiences drought frequently or almost never, it’s important to have a drought emergency plan in place.

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Around The Industry

Publications from the Michigan State University Turf and Landscape Extension, the USGA Green Section, the Michigan State University Turf and Landscape Digest, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have been recently released. The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is proud to share recent news and support these exceptional turf related programs at Michigan State University and turf related organizations throughout our industry.

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation

Welcome Back to News Notes!

News Notes was a regular publication, years back, for the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) with information on past events, current news and events, and Turf Team reports. We plan on bringing back that same information and more! This will be the first of two issues you will receive this year, with the second being published in the Fall.

We really hope you enjoy the magazine!

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Turfgrass Field Day Recap - August 11, 2021

For the MSU Turf Team and the more than 400 participants who came out to learn, network and participate in the study of turfgrass, it turned out to be a great day.  One day later, and it would have been a completely different story, as MSU along with many other Michigan areas, received 4 inches of rain overnight.  

Highlights from the day included Dr. Vargas's turf dust - IRS comparison, Dr. Frank's barefoot test and learning that Poa Annua ranks only behind cockroaches on the toughness scale.  Follow the link for a recap of the day.

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Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

Consumer Advisory: Beware of Scams around Mosquito Treatment, Applications

Find licensed companies online at Michigan.gov/MosquitoControlBusiness

LANSING, MI - After explosion of mosquito populations across the state, many Michiganders are turning to pesticides to combat these annoying pests. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising the public to avoid falling victim to scams and illegitimate businesses, and to only hire licensed mosquito control companies. A list of companies licensed to control mosquitoes in Michigan can be found at Michigan.gov/MosquitoControlBusiness.

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MSU Turf & Landscape Digest

What growers and landscapers need to know about box tree moth

July 19 | Heidi Lindberg, Jeremy Jubenville, David Lowenstein and David Smitley

On May 28, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it had confirmed the presence of box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis, in the continental United States and is working to contain and eradicate the invasive pest. Growers and landscapers can learn more about the situation on Aug. 5 when Michigan State University Extension will be partnering with Clemson University to offer a free webinar, “What Growers and Landscapers Need to Know About Box Tree Moth,” from 12:30-2 p.m. During the webinar, we will cover signs of the box tree moth and actions to take to treat the moths.

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Help needed from Michigan residents: Protect America’s boxwood from invasive caterpillar

July 19 | Heidi Lindberg, Jeremy Jubenville, David Lowenstein and David Smitley

On May 28, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that they confirmed the presence of box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis, in the continental United States and are working to contain and eradicate the invasive pest. The infested boxwood has been removed and surrounding host-material has been treated. Caterpillars of the invasive moth, native to east Asia, first consume the leaves and then the bark of the plant, thereby killing the shrubs. The box tree moth was first accidentally introduced in 2007 in Germany and since then has destroyed an estimated 75% of boxwood shrubs in Europe.

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Publications from the Michigan State University Turf and Landscape Extension, the USGA Green Section, the Michigan State University Extension/ Water Quality Digest, MSU Pest Management Digest, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have been recently released. The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is proud to share recent news and support these exceptional turf related programs at Michigan State University and turf related organizations throughout our industry. MSU Water Quality Digest

Quentin Tyler named director of MSU Extension Beth Stuever, Michigan State University Extension - June 9, 2021 After serving for one month as interim director of Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, Quentin Tyler, Ph.D., was named director on June 1, 2021. His professional background and forward-thinking vision impressed MSU Provost Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Ron Hendrick, Ph.D.

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Maximize profit with the new Drain Spacing Tool June 29, 2021 | Ehsan Ghane  Michigan State University Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering has developed a new online app called the Drain Spacing Tool to maximize your profit.

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MSU Pest Management Digest

MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics provides testing for hop viruses and viroids Laura Miles and Jan Byrne, MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics; Carolyn Malmstrom, Kota Nakasato and Ellen Cole, MSU Department of Plant Biology; Rob Sirrine and Erin Lizotte, Michigan State University Extension - June 29, 2021 Hops are known to host several viruses and viroids that potentially impact profitability by reducing yield, quality and/or plant longevity. Several of these pathogens are widespread in Michigan and mixed infections of multiple viruses and viroids in a single plant are frequently found. The perennial nature of hop and common methods of propagation contribute to the the accumulation of these pathogens over time.

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Viruses detected in Michigan wheat June 21 | Jan Byrne and Martin Chilvers The Michigan State University Plant & Pest Diagnostics lab receives samples from Michigan wheat growers. Samples that are symptomatic are tested for several viruses; this work is supported by funding from the Michigan Wheat Program. Viral symptoms in wheat can include yellowing or purpling, flecking on the foliage, and stunting. Two different wheat viruses, wheat streak mosaic and wheat spindle streak, were confirmed in samples received this growing season. While the names are similar, there are significant differences in the biology of these two wheat viruses.

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Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development

MDARD Celebrates 100 Years of Service LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) marked a milestone today: the 100th anniversary of the department’s creation. Then known as the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the department was created by Act 13, Public Acts 1921, to promote the agricultural interests of the State of Michigan, effectively transferring powers from existing boards, departments, and commissions on July 1, 1921.

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Around The Industry

Publications from the Michigan State University Turf and Landscape Extension, the USGA Green Section, the Michigan State University Extension/ Water Quality Digest, MSU Pest Management Digest, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have been recently released. The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is proud to share recent news and support these exceptional turf related programs at Michigan State University and turf related organizations throughout our industry.

MSU Turf & Landscape Digest

Will my turf recover from recent flooding? Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences - July 1, 2021 Recent rainfall events caused flooding on golf courses, lawns and other turf areas. Depending on how long the turf was submerged and whether soil deposition occurred will determine whether turf survives. Heavy rain across many portions of Michigan in the last week dropped over 5 inches locally. Turf near streams and rivers and low-lying areas was under feet of water at least temporarily. Unlike flooding during the spring, damage to turf during the summer can be significant. Factors that determine turf survival under water include turfgrass species, submergence duration, submergence depth, water temperature and light intensity.

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Drive-by botany: Poison hemlock and perennial pea Jeremy Jubenville and Isabel Branstrom, Michigan State University Extension - July 6, 2021 Has a patch of flowers ever caught your eye as you travelled down the road? It certainly happens to us all the time! As gardeners and naturalists, we're always interested increasing functional diversity in our gardens and landscapes, so we thought it would be fun to consider some of the roadside plants that we see every day. Each article in this series will feature two plant species that are currently blooming and frequently observed from the road. Our goal is to answer two simple questions: What are they? Would they make good garden plants?

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Master Gardener College: Registration Open to All June 23 | Betsy Braid To expand the reach of the 2021 Master Gardener College, registration is open to gardening enthusiasts, beyond those who are recertified MSU Extension Master Gardeners® or Trainees. We invite anyone with a horticultural passion and love for plants and gardening to join us for this annual event as we focus on Fresh Gardening Visions! Please visit the 2021 Master Gardener College website for all the details regarding this three-day event and to sign up!

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USGA Green Section

Five Proven Methods to Improve Moisture Uniformity July 02, 2021 Brian Whitlark, senior consulting agronomist, West Region

Distribution uniformity is the standard measure for irrigation system efficiency, but focusing on soil moisture uniformity is more impactful for superintendents that want firm conditions, healthy turf and efficient water use. Optimizing moisture uniformity requires a combination of irrigation techniques and cultural practices that help water penetrate the soil. The strategies detailed in this article are working well in extremely challenging irrigation settings, so they can almost certainly help improve moisture uniformity at your course.

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Why Courses Topdress Greens Regular topdressing is a key part of maintaining high-quality putting greens. While the sand may temporarily impact playability, the benefits are well worth some short-term disruption.

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Fairways for the Future Upgrading the fairways at Corning Country Club to an improved bentgrass variety has not always been an easy process...

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Why The Rough Isn't Perfect There are many reasons why golfers shouldn’t expect lush, uniform rough across the entire golf course – with cost, irrigation coverage and trees being a few of the key factors.

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The Perfect Edge for Less There are many devices used to protect the grass around the hole from errant white paint. Some work better than others and some are very expensive for the one purpose they serve.

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