TPI-ITOGRASS BRAZIL DIARY Compiled by Suz Trusty
Adam Russell, vice president of MVP Genetics and board member of Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), served as TPI’s Ambassador during an “amazing” 10-day trip to Brazil for TPI member Itograss’ Grand Inauguraçao (Opening) of their research center (Ito’s Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento). Others invited to this prestigious event included Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, turfgrass researcher with the University of Florida, and Roberto Gurgel and Christian Broucqsault of Sod Solutions. Te group was hosted by the owners of Itograss, the Leal family (José Milton, Roberto, Ricardo, and Tomaz Leal) and Gian Sordi, and Ito’s great team of Rodrigo Santos, Carlos Augusto Bedani, Jose Suazo Mejia, Fernanda Brandao, and Sherima Frederico.
As well as the grand opening and a tour of Itograss headquarters, Adam was invited to shadow Don Roberts of the International Turfgrass Genetic Assurance Program (ITGAP) on his travels to multiple Itograss farms for certification inspections on Celebration, Latitude 36, Tifway 419, and TifEagle fields in diverse landscapes across Brazil.
Adam extended a huge thank you to his hosts, “this wonderful group of incredibly smart professionals who are pushing turfgrass higher.” He also thanked TPI for the opportunity, stating, “I hope we can foster future goodwill and education with turfgrass masters like Itograss. Viva o Brasil e a grama Itograss!”
To share the experience with TPI, Adam wrote a journal entry every day of the trip and took “lots of pictures and videos.” Tis article shares excerpts from that journal.
Tis map in Itograss Headquarters shows the locations of the company’s 38 farms.
Brazil—The Adventure Begins We started by touring Itograss headquarters in Riberão Preto, four hours from São Paulo. We met their large team and got a presentation on their total operations. Te newly renovated building was impressive. I believe Itograss would be the biggest sod producer in the world by number of farms—38 farms in 15 different Brazilian states. Te efficiency of Itograss systems was evident in every part of their operation, which was first class down to the smallest detail.
A field at the Itograss Járdinopolis farm. 74
Itograss Headquarters Facility in Riberão Preto, Brazil. TPI Turf News July/August 2024
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
