before to forecast demand patterns. Industry associations, as well as software technologies, help farms to track trends and make projections better than ever before.
Turfgrass suppliers always consider performance for the end user. Photo by Steve Trusty
technology improves farm efficiency, reduces stress and errors, develops high tech/high touch communication with customers, and increases profitability.
Increased efficiency and communication provided by software solutions opens the door for growers to sell directly to consumers in an online platform through e-commerce. Te trend towards online sales has already impacted many other industries and points to a new opportunity for turf producers. Growers recognize that the average volume of the individual sod sale is decreasing because home lawns and commercial landscapes are getting smaller. Online sales platforms provide an opportunity for growers to sell directly to consumers, keeping more of the margin because they control the sale. Te complexities of small order fulfillment, real-time pricing, and dynamic delivery are managed by software solutions to allow the turf industry to benefit from online sales platforms just as the travel and ride-share industries have benefitted. Te trend for 2018 and beyond is an increase in online and direct sales from farms to the end user.
Te Future starts today and now is the time to prepare for it. Te current economic boom is exciting! Growers must accurately assess the need for more production while recognizing the threat of increased competition as more farmers are getting into turf. Row crop pricing is down, and reports are growing of part-time businesses and hobby farmers getting into grass production.
Memories of the crash of 2007 are on many growers’ minds as expansion plans are conceived. Te good news is that production is being more responsibly increased than before the last downturn. Turf producers have wised up and are not overplanting on pure speculation and irrational projections. Te risk for downward price pressure from uncontrolled expansion of common turf varieties is greater than from expansion of proprietary turf brands, where the developer manages production expansion and monitors average pricing. Information is essential when making decisions, and growers have more tools now than ever
TPI Turf News July/August 2018 37
Overall, the turf industry is strong in the context of a growing economy and expansion is happening across the US and around the world in practically every business sector. How long will it last? Sod Solutions is bullish on the turf industry and is focused on increasing the profitability of farms by the development of superior turf varieties and associated software sales technology. Successful farms of the future will grow more efficiently, sell smarter, organize better, and provide value-added products. Where is your business today and where will you be in the future?
Turf Merchants, Inc. (TMI) Provided by Nancy Aerni
TMI is constantly reviewing turfgrass advancements. We look for attribute differentiation over what is currently on the market and wait until there are true benefits inherit in a new varietal release for our clients. Currently, we have several species and varieties under review, but will not place them into production until we are certain they will have proven benefits for the end user. I believe everyone can be in agreement that there are enough varieties in the marketplace without producing another “me too” variety.
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