TURF INDUSTRY NEWS


Campey Introduces New Products at TPI Field Day Campey Turf Care Systems introduced two new products to the American market at the Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) 2019 Summer Convention & Field Day. Te Fleischmann Electric Five Deck Mower has several performance and environmentally friendly features designed specifically for turf growers and sod farmers. Te mower has five 2.20 meter (86-inch) cutting decks with six spindles per deck, giving a 10-meter (32.8-foot) overall cutting width. Te mower features a braked steering rear axle, and the two-point pivoting front mount hitch provides high maneuverability, enabling cutting speeds up to 20kph (12.4 mph). Each blade on the five cutting decks is powered by a low maintenance electric motor, leaving behind traditional gearboxes and PTO shafts and eliminating the risk of oil leaks. Tere are six high tip speed blades in each deck. An efficient modern generator is used to power the mower. Te mechanics of the operation are enhanced further by the five low ground pressure castor wheels. Each deck has five wheels designed to follow contours and iron out bumps in the surface without leaving any marks. Te wheels are also used to easily set the height of cut with all other operations controlled from the in-cab control box. Te second new product launched was the Uni-Scratch. Tis machine is the ideal solution for professional and effective maintenance of natural grass and can also be used for the final organic matter removal on natural grass hybrid carpet pitches when carrying out annual renovations.


Past Turf News Editorial Advisor Takes New Position Brian Horgan, PhD, has been named chairperson for the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (PSM) in the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), effective September 2019. Since 2001, Horgan has been a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, most recently serving as a professor and extension turfgrass horticulturist. His research focuses on the transport and fate of pesticides and nutrients in turfgrass systems, as well as water conservation strategies. In his outreach role, Horgan worked closely with turfgrass managers in Minnesota and around the country, employing his expertise in golf course management. “Dr. Horgan brings great experience to our college, and he has a deep understanding of the importance of our land- grant mission,” said Ron Hendrick, dean of CANR. “He’s a renowned turfgrass researcher and outreach specialist, in addition to his teaching background. We’re fortunate to have his leadership within one of our departments, and I look forward to working with him.” In recognition of his contributions to the turfgrass industry, Horgan was presented the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association President’s Award. He is the past chair of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program advisory committee, past chair of the Turfgrass Science


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division of the Crop Science Society and Editorial Advisor for Turf News. An MSU alumnus who received his bachelor’s degree from the university, Horgan also earned a doctorate from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree from North Carolina State University. “I am thrilled to be back on Michigan State’s campus in PSM, working hand-in-hand with students, staff and faculty in the promotion of a sustainable and economically sound agriculture ecosystem,” Horgan said. “I am honored and grateful for this opportunity.” Horgan is replacing James Kells as chairperson of PSM. Kells has been with the department for 40 years, including 14 as chairperson—first with Crop and Soil Sciences beginning in 2005, and then with PSM in 2012 when Crop and Soil Sciences merged with Plant Pathology to form a single department. Kells will remain with PSM and assume new responsibilities. In an email to TPI Associate Executive Director Karen Cooper, Horgan stated. “Please know that I am not leaving the turfgrass industry. Te PSM department at MSU is home to their turf program. I plan to stay engaged in research and outreach. I will undoubtedly see you at a future conference.”


Natural Grass a Winner at Spartan Stadium In an article posted on Athletic Turf News, Michigan State University assistant athletic director/sports turf manager Amy Fouty talked about their current stadium renovation and the many pluses of natural grass. Spartan Stadium, home of MSU football, has been renovated only twice since the natural grass was put in to replace the existing artificial (or synthetic) field in 2002. Te first took place in 2011 after the U2 concert. Ten the top 2 inches of top mix were removed and replaced, and the entire surface was converted with new sod. Since the redo in 2002 the field has received two National Collegiate Field of the Year Awards. First in 2005 and then again in 2016. Fouty states, “As the nation’s first Land Grant Institution, Spartan Stadium Field represents our commitment to the agricultural tradition of our institution.” She adds, “Natural grass is still the referred surface for the best athletes in the world.” Te article goes on to state, “Recent epidemiological studies released by the National Football Players Association (NFLPA) have indicated, ‘NFL football players, between 2011-2016, were 16 percent more likely to suffer a lower extremity injury on artificial turf compared to natural grass. More confounding, non-contact ACL injuries for the NFL player, during this time, were greater than 40 percent more likely to occur on artificial turf compared to natural grass.’” Te complete Fouty article can be found here: http://athleticturf.net/msu-sports-turf-manager-discusses- spartan-stadium-renovation/


TPI Turf News September/October 2019


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