AGSA Annual Awards

Dr. Tom Hsiang

Topic: 

Turf Disease Management in the era of reduced fungicide use.

Description: 

The increasing restrictions on the use of conventional
synthetic fungicides show a need for effective alternatives. Some of
these alternatives include cultural controls, low-risk products,
biological control agents, and activated resistance against diseases.
Attend this seminar to learn about viable strategies for turf disease
management with reduced use of conventional fungicides, and to assess if
you would suffer withdrawal symptoms. This presentation will also
provide application rates and safety information of some of the
alternatives.

Paul MacCormack

Topic:

Wholistic Greenkeeping

Description:

This seminar will delve into the complex relationship between having a successful career as a golf course Superintendent and a personal life filled with meaning and presence. We will discuss the following:

- The various pitfalls and traps that foster poor decision making and lead to burnout 

- Ways to build resilience and promote well being

- How these factors influence one's leadership style

- How these factors in turn work to build a workplace culture that thrives. 

This will be an interactive afternoon where the attendees will be encouraged to reflect on their own journeys, discuss themes in a group setting,  and share if they feel comfortable doing so. 

Ryan Beauchamp

Topic:

The Bayer Necessities of Application 2.0

Description:

Efficacy Foundations 2.0.  The curriculum will focus on how Superintendents can extract the most value out of the chemical component of their Integrated Pest Management programs. The content of the seminar is very comprehensive while being delivered at a grass roots level that is grounded in science. Participants will be introduced to Fungicide Phyto mobility, correct product placement with emphasis on understanding different formulation technologies and Buffer zone management. Tips and tricks will be shared with the goal to maximize efficacy of plant protection products in an environmentally responsible manner.

Jeff Mingay

Topic:

What is golf architecture relative to improving your course

Description:

With two decades of experience working to improve aged courses, golf architect Jeff Mingay talks about how he sees/analyzes existing layouts relative to making recommendations for improvement. Jeff also explains how golf course superintendents can employ the same lense and criteria to determine what's required to genuinely make their own golf courses better. Jeff will discuss opportunities at the teeing areas and why short grass always trumps rough, while also explaining that sand bunkers are overrated and only trees in the right places are necessary.

Callum Haughn

Topic:

Sharing for Strength: What’s Working Around the Maritimes?

Description:

The best part of this industry is superintendents willingness to share information. As a sales representative, I get a unique opportunity to see successes, and sometimes failures, during my travels. This session will aim to share some of those stories with the hopes of helping attendees leave with some new ideas that they can put to use at their own facilities.

NS:  

• February 14, 2023 Best Management Practices for Maintaining Natural Sports Field is worth 2.0 point in Pest Management Course T2262
• February 14, 2023 Developing a holistic insect management plan for turf pests of the Maritimes is worth 3.0 point in Pest Management Course T2263
• February 15, 2023 New (and new-ish) chemical and biological insecticides for turf insect pests of the Maritimes is worth 1.0 point in General Information Course T2264

NL:  

• February 14, 2023 Best Management Practices for Maintaining Natural Sports Field is worth 2.0 point in Pest Management 
• February 14, 2023 Developing a holistic insect management plan for turf pests of the Maritimes is worth 3.0 point in Pest Management 
• February 15, 2023 New (and new-ish) chemical and biological insecticides for turf insect pests of the Maritimes is worth 1.0 point in General 

NB:  

• February 14, 2023: Soil organic matter measurement and management is worth 4.0 points
• February 14, 2023: Developing a holistic insect management plan for turf pests of the Maritimes is worth 4.0 points
• February 15, 2023: Optimized fertilization for golf turf is worth 1.0 points
• February 15, 2023: New (and new-ish) chemical and biological insecticides for turf insect pests of the Maritimes is worth 1.0 point
• February 15, 2023: What is new at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute is worth 1.0 point
• February 16, 2023: New Trends in Cultivation is worth 1.0 point

Gordon Kauffman

Topic:

Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) fertilization strategies and considerations
                    

Description:

Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) fertilization strategies and considerations.  Attendees will learn about the N cycle, fate of soil K, understanding different formulation chemistries and when to apply, including correct doses based on time of year.  The seminar will focus on fall nutrient application strategies that offer increased turf vigor the following spring with less winter damage.  In addition, pest interactions with these nutrients will be covered. 

Alan Dolick

Topic:

Managing for soil biology in golf: Lessons learned over the years.

Description:

The biological approach to managing fine turf has been gaining momentum over the last few years. Taking theoretical concepts and applying them practically can sometimes be a challenge, with success not always being always a straight line. Alan will share the successes and setbacks he has seen out in the field, why he believes these things are happening, and what you can expect to see if you begin to implement some of these practices at your facility.

Leah Brilman

Topic:

Seed Supply Issues: Causes and where do we go?

Description:

Cam Stephens, PhD

Topic:

Back to the Basics: How to Optimize Your Fungicide Program

Description:

This talk will cover the primary aspects of developing a successful fungicide program by getting back to the basics. Fungicide programs can quickly become very complex with numerous products on the market and various disease management strategies to consider. Getting back to the basics of disease management with foundational principles like fungal biology and how fungicides work can simplify this process and help you optimize your fungicide applications and management strategies. This talk will also include other important components of building fungicide programs such as fungicide selection, target pathogen(s), application timing, pre- and post-application strategies, integrated pest management, and more.

Dr. Clint Mattox

Topic:

Alternative Approaches of Suppressing Microdochium patch

Description:

This presentation will cover the research performed by the Oregon State University team over the past decade to suppress Microdochium patch in the absence of traditional fungicides.

Wayne Roper

Topic:

Wetting agent chemistry for turfgrass management

Description:

Wetting agents (soil surfactants) have been a component of turfgrass management for several decades. After it was discovered that wetting agents improve water distribution though soil, wetting agent chemistries have been used to reduce hydrophobicity on golf greens, reduce water use in irrigation, distribute nutrients and pesticides, and reduce dew formation. During this presentation we discuss the chemistry behind wetting agents and how you should be using them for turfgrass management.

Matt Giese

Topic:

Turfgrass Insects- Preparing for this year and beyond.

Description:

“The 2021 season revealed that insect management in turfgrass is changing rapidly.  This presentation will briefly discuss factors driving this change and keys to identifying insect damage in turfgrass, specifically around white grubs, European cranefly, and annual bluegrass weevil, and their respective life cycles.  Additional emphasis will focus on preventing damage through scouting and properly timed insecticide applications.”

Presentation Outline:

1. Introduction
2. Common insect species lifecycles and identification
   1. White grubs
   2. European cranefly

• Annual bluegrass weevil

• Insect damage to turfgrass

1. Targeted management
   1. Scouting
   2. Application timing
2. Summary

Corrie Almack

Topic:

Organic matter monitoring in golf greens

Description:

Dr. Ben McGraw

Topic:

Developing a holistic insect management plan for turf pests of the Maritimes

Description:

Atlantic Canada’s turf insect pest landscape has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. During this period, turfgrass managers have seen the arrival of annual bluegrass weevils and European chafers, as well as the resurgence of pests like leatherjackets (European crane flies), ants, and chinch bugs. Within the same period, the insecticide landscape has changed greatly as key active ingredients have been deregistered and the new ones discovered and developed. In this presentation, Dr Ben McGraw of Pennsylvania State University will provide a comprehensive overview of the most devastating turfgrass insect pests affecting golf courses in Atlantic Canada and their management. This presentation will emphasize the importance of understanding pest biology and ecology to identify weaknesses in pest lifecycles and develop strategies that will increase the turfgrass manager’s probability of successful control. An update on Penn State’s biological, biological, and chemical efficacy trials will be provided for each pest species or complex. Finally, we will examine what a year-long pest management strategy would look like from a budgetary standpoint, then look to see where multiple pests may be controlled simultaneously or where inputs may be reduced.  

Objectives:

• Provide an overview of the biology and lifecycle of the major turfgrass insect pests (white grubs, leatherjackets, ants, chinch bugs, annual bluegrass weevil) in Atlantic Canada
• Provide an overview of pest biology as it relates to reducing chemical inputs, and improving current controls
• Provide an overview of the turfgrass insect chemical and cultural efficacy trials conducted at Penn State University
• Discuss common insecticides failures 
• Provide an overview of alternative control strategies
• Discuss how monitoring and timing controls affect program success
• Discuss the opportunities for combining controls to control multiple pests  
• Help to develop an insect calendar
• Identify where cultural controls can be integrated to help reduce costs without sacrificing the appearance of healthy turf

Dr. Ben McGraw

Topic:

New (and new-ish) chemical and biological insecticides for turf insect pests of the Maritimes

Description:

In this presentation, Ben McGraw, Ph.D., of Penn State University, will present an overview of some of the more recent chemical, biological, and biorational insecticide products that have become available in Canada. Several new reduced risk insecticides have been registered in the last few years, but still confusion remains surrounding their optimal use and target pests. The talk will focus on the use of these products for control of Atlantic Canada’s major pest complexes. The impact of these products on control programs as well as the latest research that is being conducted at Penn State University and other universities on these products will be discussed.   

Specific objectives:

• Characterize how modes of action impact insecticide delivery and efficacy
• Discuss the findings of recent chemical, biorational biological control trials conducted at Penn State
• Highlight the integration of multiple approaches to controlling key pests
• Discuss how new products may be integrated in control programs for Atlantic Canada’s biggest turfgrass insect pest issues  
• Discuss how changing environmental conditions have impact insect control through conventional means

Elliott Dowling

Topic:

Using Data to Guide Maintenance Decisions

Description:

New tools from the USGA leverage data and superintendent’s knowledge to help guide the decision-making process to help ensure timely applications for improved efficacy efficiency.

Elliott Dowling

Topic:

New Trends in Cultivation

Description:

Cultivation is an often scrutinized process on golf courses. New tools and trends in this realm have given superintendents more options to maximize the effects of the process with less impact on the playing experience.

Doug Soldat

Topic:

Optimized fertilization for golf turf

Description:

This talk will talk about the latest research on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization for golf turf. You'll walk away with a better understanding of how to use soil tests and clipping volume to make fertilizer decisions that maximize your functional goals while protecting the environment. We will also discuss the economics and performance of the many different fertilizer options available today.

Doug Soldat

Topic:

Soil organic matter measurement and management

Description:

This seminar will cover the fundamentals of measuring soil organic matter in putting green root zones, including some of the newer techniques like #OM246 and the methods that the USGA are working on. The seminar will also cover the latest research on sand topdressing and cultivation techniques that are used to manage soil organic matter in turfgrass root zones. 

Eric Lyons

Topic:

Sports Field Seminar

Description:

Sports field managers provide a place to play. Safe and useful sports fields are crucial for children and building community. In conjunction with Sports Turf Canada, this half day seminar will provide methods for planning best management practices for maintaining natural sports fields including mowing, fertility and pest control. The seminar will also provide information about understanding the current inventory of sports fields and better understanding the management needs and use patterns of the current sports field inventory including a brief synopsis of the use of synthetic sports fields and their required management. The seminar is designed to be useful to managers, lead hands and sports field technicians giving them insight into how they can be more efficient at providing a safe place to play.

Brandon Gregory Bell

Topic:

Building Links - A look into equality, diversity & inclusion

Description:

Community agreements, level setting and context, opportunities to embed ED&I. 

Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Communicate a definition of equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I)
2. Explain how ED&I can positively impact your course and the great industry
3. Identify impediments to an inclusive culture
4. Understand strategies to fortify your organizational culture (personal and organizational levels)

Eric Lyons

Topic:

What is new at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute 

Description:

In 2022 Guelph Turfgrass Institute held the grand opening of the new Frost Research Centre although research has been active at the site since 2020. The new facility and activities of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute will be highlighted. In addition, the research at the site will also be highlighted including information on new plant regulators for the Canadian market, the effects of wetting agents on new root zones, and new products and uses for existing products for weed control. The research will be delivered for best adoption of these new technologies to best management practices and integrated pest management programs.