TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEWS
ScottsMiracle-Gro a production advantage with qualified cultivars already in hand. ScottsMiracle-Gro membership ushers in Western State Government Affairs Manager, Michael Diamond, to the TWCA Board of Directors. A seasoned government affairs operator, Mike is a welcome voice in the chorus of board discussion. Diamond states, “Water conservation is the single most important challenge facing the lawn and landscape sector today.” Before continuing, “Scotts believes a combination of good genetics and appropriate maintenance enables consumers and communities to conserve water while keeping beneficial living landscapes.” In early 2021, ScottsMiracle-Gro acquired the turfgrass division of then-TWCA member, Columbia Seeds LLC (Columbia). Part of a broader trend toward consolidation across the Willamette Valley, it produced unanticipated effects. Most immediately, Columbia, without a turfgrass division, ceded its TWCA membership. Another, less immediate effect, was the acquisition of TWCA Qualified cultivars. Tunderstruck, a tall fescue from the Columbia Seeds program qualified in the 2020 TWCA tall fescue trial, 20WCFA. ScottsMiracle-Gro brings TWCA near the infrastructural limit of cool-season trialing capacity at 83 percent. “Te trialing infrastructure can accommodate six members at full capacity,” notes TWCA Executive Director, Jack Karlin. “After that capacity is reached, we will have to temporarily cap cool-season producer members.” TWCA capacity limits are based on the physical limitations of trialing infrastructure and the entries per member. TWCA is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to water conservation and committed to preserving the environmental benefits of turfgrass in the managed environment. Internationally recognized as the definitive mark of drought-tolerant turfgrass, TWCA qualification anchors new construction requirements, conservation programs, and professional certifications.
TWCA Supports Tree Research Projects Te Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) supports turfgrass research across the industry. Tis year TWCA submitted letters of support for three (3) research projects beyond their program. Tese projects, submitted by Dr. Carr, Dr. Chandra, and Dr. Xiang, include new technologies, new cultivars, and new ways of valuing turfgrass playing fields in our communities. Each project offers exceptional value and incredible insights into the future of turfgrass.
MSU Researcher Receives Grant to Develop Efficient Irrigation Technology Using Solar Power In a press release issued October 14, 2024, Michigan State University (MSU) AgBioResearch announced an MSU researcher has received a $394,600 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop a solar power-based irrigation technology that improves energy- and water-use efficiency. Younsuk Dong, an assistant professor in the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, leads the three-year project. (
dongyoun@msu.edu) Agriculture is responsible for more than 80 percent of all water consumption in the U.S., according to USDA’s Economic
TPI Turf News January/February 2025
Research Service. A report from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that irrigation alone accounts for roughly 42 percent of water use. Dong said that while irrigation is an essential tool, it must be deployed efficiently. Over-irrigation, in particular, can cause a multitude of unintended consequences, such as unneeded expenses on energy and water, as well as increasing disease activity. According to the Michigan Farm Energy Audit Program, irrigation operations consume 95 percent of the electricity used on an irrigated Michigan farm. USDA’s 2019 Census of Agriculture showed that energy expenses for irrigation pumps exceeded $2.4 billion. To make farming more sustainable for growers and the environment, an increased emphasis has been placed on research generating technologies that save on input costs and resource use. Dong said, “About 85 percent of Michigan farms are on single- phase electrical networks, which limit the size of motors you can have connected to the network. Irrigation requires large motors, so if we can make these motors more efficient and reduce stress on the grid, we can increase sustainability of the operations.” To read the full article go to the News section of the MSU AbBioResearch website. About: Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading- edge research on a variety of topics, from health and climate to agriculture and natural resources. MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit
agbioresearch.msu.edu.
Supplemental H-2B visas released by DHS Te following was published in Irrigation & Lighting Today November 25, 2024 – Edited by Luke Reynolds Te Department of Homeland Security has announced nearly 65,000 additional H-2B visas for FY 2025, supplementing the 66,000 visas already available each year. Te Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Department of Labor, announced the release of an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for Fiscal Year 2025. Tese visas are supplemental to the 66,000 visas already mandated by Congress; matching allocations made in previous years. Te H-2B visa program supports American industries with seasonal labor shortages, including landscaping, hospitality, and seafood processing. Te additional visas aim to provide businesses with the workforce needed to meet seasonal demands while maintaining strong protections for both U.S. and foreign workers. Te additional visas include allocations specifically designed to address labor needs and support regional partnerships. Of the supplemental visas, 20,000 are designated for workers from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, or Costa Rica. Te remaining 44,716 visas will be available for returning workers who held H-2B status in the last three fiscal years. To safeguard U.S. workers, employers utilizing the H-2B program must demonstrate that no qualified American workers are available for the roles and that hiring foreign labor will not adversely affect wages or working conditions, according to DHS.
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