Behind The Turf

This episode is part 1 of the poa forum we did in Melbourne back in October 2022 where over 70 turf manages from Australia attended. Don't let the timing from 2022 fool you as this podcast gives you the latest research in managing poa in turf.  Dr Jim Brosnan is a good friend of ours and goes through in depth on the poa plant as well as control strategies.  The series is spilt into 4 parts due to the length of the forum.  We would like to thank K&B Adams and Greenway Turf Solutions in helping to sponsor this forum.    Our website: ⁠⁠Colin Campbell Chemicals⁠ Links mentioned PoaCure Poa Forum ASTMA Conference Podcast Page to browse New Turf Member Matt Holmes Combined Country Seminar Campbell YouTube Channel Contact us    Don't forget to apply for CPD points for your CSTM status.  To apply for the CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   This episode is produced by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with Colin Campbell Chemicals.

This fun episode of Behind the Turf was recorded LIVE at the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) Turf Conference trade show in Sydney where I was co-host with Steve Smith from The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast. I organised a couple of special guests to join on the podcast and we also nabbed a couple of passers by to grab a microphone, strap on the headphones and join in for a chat. Join us for a bit of fun and great insight live from the Colin Campbell Chemicals trade show stand!   Our website: ⁠⁠Colin Campbell Chemicals⁠ Don't forget about our products: Chino our new pythium Fungicide Proplant Fungcide Emerald Fungicide ⁠ Links Mentioned: ⁠Rugby League State of Origin - WWOS Top 10 Moments of All Time ⁠⁠The ASTMA⁠ ⁠Dr Chase Straw - Penn State University⁠ ⁠Sports Turf Association NSW⁠ ⁠PGG Wrightson Turf⁠ ⁠EP.130 Keeper of the Greens - Adam Lamb (Commonwealth Golf Club)⁠ ⁠Dr Jim Kearns - NC State University The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast - Spotify   To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the beginning of the episode   This episode is produced by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with Colin Campbell Chemicals.

This episode is two episodes in one. We recently recorded a chat with Rob Golembiewski from Atticus LLC from the USA.  Atticus may not be known to our listeners but Rob certainly would be known as he used to work for Bayer Environmental for a number of years. Rob made trips to Australia and spoke at the ASTMA conference back in 2019. I have kept in touch with Rob over the years and meet up with Rob regularly at GCSAA Conference. He is now a product specialist with a US chemical company. We chat about the active ingredient in Chino "cyazofamid" and discuss how US turf managers are using it against pythium. The second part of this chat is an excerpt from previous episode 35 of Behind The Turf podcast with Brandon Horvath from University Tennessee. I spoke in depth with Brandon about the different types of pythium.  Please enjoy. Links mentioned: Chino our new pythium Fungicide Proplant Fungcide Emerald Fungicide Brandon Horvath episode 35 University Tennessee All starts featuring Brandon from episode 42 ASTMA Trade Show Free Trade Show rego NSW STA Apprentice Day ASTMA Conference 2025⁠ The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast    Our website: www.campbellchemicals.com.au   To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   This episode is produced by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with Colin Campbell Chemicals.

This episode was recorded with Dr Richard Hurley from Rutgers University. Dr Hurley was brought out to Australia by DLF & Advanced Seed and were able to give me access with Richard after his seminar at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. Richard has been responsible for stalwarts of the seed industry since the 70's bringing varieties such as L-93, 007, 007XL, 777, and Pure Distinction. We go through his history of seed development with a special mention working with Augusta National and the advancements in bentgrass breeding.  Thank you to Advanced Seed & DLF Seeds   Links mentioned Our 80 Year History Article The golfing Greenkeeper podcast Chino our new pythium Fungicide Our Broadleaf herbicides Methar Tri Kombi and Sportsground are back available again. Our website www.campbellchemicals.com.au   To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   This episode is produced and edited by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with Colin Campbell Chemcials.

This is another episode in the Campbell's Corner collection, recorded as part of our partnership with The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast. In this episode Steve sits down with Nadeem and discusses the rich history of 80 years of Colin Campbell Chemicals and the contribution to the turf industry.   Mentions from the episode: Our 80 Year History Article The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast - Spotify Chino our new pythium Fungicide Our broadleaf herbicides Methar Tri Kombi and Sportsground are back available again Our website www.campbellchemicals.com.au   To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   This episode is produced by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with The Golfing Greenkeeper podcast.

This is the third time I've had the privilege to have pat on the podcast pat has been an amazing friend ever since I've met him back when social media was just starting to take off.  It is always a pleasure to have pat on the podcast this time we talk just on what is happening in the turf industry the changes that he's seen at the moment.  Pat's independent and he's working on his own doing some consulting and doing some marketing for different companies that he's built up relationships overtime. He doesn't run a magazine anymore we really do talk about the future of turf management and talk about the autonomous side and the technology coming through I hope you enjoyed this episode. @patjonestweets on X Pat Jones Website You Tube channel where our VLOG will be for the US turf conference Turf Disease Chart Mite ID Chart   To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   This episode is produced by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with Colin Campbell Chemicals. 

This episode begins with a brief talk about my upcoming US trip before the main part of the podcast where I interview Delphene Tseng who is founder of a company called Landseer communications. I first met Delphene through a Superintendent in Victoria, Andrew Anderson, before I did this interview. I was really interested in hearing what she's doing to help golf courses talk about themselves, promote themselves from an environmental and sustainability POV, and work with the first green programme that we have adopted here in Australia as well as Audubon international. As Delphene puts on her website "Every course has its own signature hole; every course has its own story. ​Tell your neighbours about the salamanders that live by the healthy water on your course.  Show the world the native flowers you planted to create a pollinator habitat.  Let everyone hear the birdsong that floats between the morning fog. ​Big or small, we can help you tell the story that touches the heart of your community." Landseer Website You Tube channel where our VLOG will be for the US turf conference Campbell Chemicals X Account Campbell Chemicals Facebook       To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   This episode is produced by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with The Golfing Greenkeeper podcast.

This is the second time I have had the pleasure of hosting Cale and Jada on the podcast. Since we last met up Jada has now become Dr Jada Powlen as she achieved her PHD and Dr Bigelow led Purdue University to another turf bowl win. Purdue University is in Indiana. The focus of the university is large horticulture crops and what is referred to as row crops. The broad range of the university allows for a range of ideas to adapt turfgrass and really looking at sustainability practices in turf managers. We talk about soil biology, the rhizosphere, and micro biome studies currently taking place.  We also talk about different cool season cultivars and the effort going into making these work better in terms of disease and drought and climate stress.    Check out our updated website www.campbellchemicals.com.au Our Broadleaf herbicides Methar Tri Kombi and Sportsground are back available gain Fairy Ring BMP Apollo Emerald Fungicide Video presentation  Emerald website resources   Links mentioned The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast Fungicide Resistance article Updated version through VGCSA  Purdue Turfgrass website You Tube channel where our VLOG will be for the US turf conference     To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   This podcast episode is produced and edited by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with Colin Campbell Chemicals.

In this episode we sit down and speak to Dr Jim Baird from UC Riverside. Not many listeners would know Jim but he has a vast arrange of experience within the turf industry we talk about his time as a USGA Agronomist, as well as his research career. We discuss different turf varieties as Jim is an expert in developing different grasses as well as improving the use of them. He also has done a lot of work dealing with drought conditions and the issues that come with it. At the time of recording PoaCure had not been registered in California however Dr Baird was instrumental in the first trials for PoaCure in the US and developing PoaCure from an experimental product to a new standard in Poa control. In fact we have based a lot of our understanding for Australia on Dr Baird's work on PoaCure. Check out UC Riverside Turfgrass Science - https://turfgrass.ucr.edu   Check out our updated website www.campbellchemicals.com.au Our Broadleaf herbicides Methar Tri Kombi and Sportsground are back available gain Fairy Ring BMP Apollo     To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode  

This is another episode in the Campbell's Corner collection as recorded as part of our partnership with The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast. The episode gives an understanding how we work with turf managers from around Australia. We talk about what drives us as well as our passion for education for the turf industry. Nadeem talks about utilising his resources he has to help best serve turf managers.  The 2nd part of the episode gives an update going into the spring/summer of 2024. Check out our updated website www.campbellchemicals.com.au Our Broadleaf herbicides Methar Tri Kombi and Sportsground are back available gain Fairy Ring BMP Apollo   To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   This episode is produced by The Social Media Birdie in conjunction with The Golfing Greenkeeper podcast.

This episode is slightly more random than usual as I am not interviewing anyone. This is from the golf course superintendence conference in Phoenix earlier on this year where I do Vlog at the end of each day which is beneficial from two points view one is that people get to see a few for what is going on in the US when I travel for the conference and also the other side gives me a good way to let people know what I've met that day from a seminars I've been to.   Check out our updated website www.campbellchemicals.com.au Our Broadleaf herbicides Methar Tri Kombi and Sportsground are back available gain.   To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode

This episode features Dr Wendell Hutchens from University of Arkansas. Wendell's expertise is disease, especially soil bourne diseases. He works on cultural and chemical controls of diseases and disorders in both warm season and cool season grasses. Wendell was bestowed the Musser award of excellence. The award is given to outstanding Ph.D. candidates who, in the final phase of their graduate studies, demonstrated overall excellence throughout their doctoral program in turfgrass research.  For such as young professor I found him very informative and practical. His Twitter (X) handle is https://twitter.com/hutchenswendell   Check out our updated website www.campbellchemicals.com.au Our Broadleaf herbicides Methar Tri Kombi and Sportsground are back available again    To apply for the ASTMA CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode

EPISODE 43 Campbells Corner Poa Forum This episode comes from the permission of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast where we partnered with Steve and presented a series of episodes. This is a short summary of the day we held at Woodlands Golf Club back in 2022. Guests who were in attendance contributed to this podcast and we thank them for it. A more complete recording will be available down the track.  Contact Nadeem [email protected] See our website www.campbellchemicals.com.au   Spotify download The Golfing Greenkeeper Apple Podcast Download The Golfing Greenkeeper The Golfing Greenkeeper instagram   To apply for the CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode

This is a podcast recorded after the GCSAA conference where I was a guest of the university and presented to the turf faculty. I also sat down with Dr Brandon Horvath and Dr John Sorochan to discuss all things Turf. UT is leading the research for the 2026 World Cup in North America, and are collaborating with Michigan State University to conduct the research for FIFA Dr Horvath is an expert in all thing diseases warm and cool season grasses and has developed a great understanding of the behaviour of disease and cultural controls. Contact Nadeem [email protected] See our website www.campbellchemicals.com.au  UT Turfgrass Turf Tuesday podcast & youtube channel   To apply for the CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode

This episode comes from the permission of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast where we partnered with Steve and presented a series of episodes. This episode focuses on the resources turf managers can use on a day to day basis.  Contact Nadeem [email protected] See our website www.campbellchemicals.com.au ASTMA Conference trade show registration (free) Spotify download The Golfing Greenkeeper Apple Podcast Download The Golfing Greenkeeper The Golfing Greenkeeper instagram   To apply for the CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode

This episode has been in the making for quite sometime. I speak to Peter McMaugh AM who is a stalwart of the Australian turf industry and expert in the field. He has the innovator of many practices that we use in turf locally an internationally. We speak about his career with regards to the Australian Turf Industry and you can't talk turf in Australia without mentioning Peter.  I am also joined by David Worrad of Living Turf as co-host as he has been involved for many years with Peter and has seen the advancements in turf over the past 40+ years he has been involved in. Peter was bestowed The Order of Australia at the level of Member of the Order (AM) in 2019 for significant service to horticulture through the development of Australian turf varieties. Contact Nadeem [email protected] See our website www.campbellchemicals.com.au ASTMA Conference trade show registration (free)   To apply for the CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code  • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode   All views expressed are not necessarily the view of the hosts or their respective workplaces.

This episode has been in the making for quite sometime. I speak to Peter McMaugh AM who is a stalwart of the Australian turf industry and expert in the field. He has the innovator of many practices that we use in turf locally an internationally. We speak about his career with regards to the Australian Turf Industry and you can't talk turf in Australia without mentioning Peter.  I am also joined by David Worrad of Living Turf as co-host as he has been involved for many years with Peter and has seen the advancements in turf over the past 40+ years he has been involved in. Peter was bestowed The Order of Australia at the level of Member of the Order (AM) in 2019 for significant service to horticulture through the development of Australian turf varieties. Contact Nadeem [email protected] See our website www.campbellchemicals.com.au ASTMA Conference trade show registration (free)   To apply for the CPD points: • Log into the ASTMA website members section • Choose 'manage your CPD' under the membership tab • Go to submit activity  • Choose POD as activity code • Under activity name enter the unique code for this podcast as heard at the end of the episode

In this episode I speak to Steve Smith an ex superintendent I've known for 15 years running his own premium maintenance turf business. However, I am talking to him about his podcast, "The Golfing Greenkeeper." The podcast has 2 themes to it. The first is Steve gives updates on the Australian golfing world and works happening on golf courses. As well as reporting on new projects being developed in Australia. The other theme is he speaks to current superintendents on their career and life as a greenkeeper. I have been an avid listener and wanted our friends to know more about the podcast and Steve. We speak about his time as a super and what got him into doing the podcast. Please have a listen to this episode.In this episode I speak to Steve Smith an ex superintendent I've known for 15 years running his own premium maintenance turf business. However, I am talking to him about his podcast, "The Golfing Greenkeeper." The podcast has 2 themes to it. The first is Steve gives updates on the Australian golfing world and works happening on golf courses. As well as reporting on new projects being developed in Australia. The other theme is he speaks to current superintendents on their career and life as a greenkeeper. I have been an avid listener and wanted our friends to know more about the podcast and Steve. We speak about his time as a super and what got him into doing the podcast. Please have a listen to this episode.

I had the pleasure of a chat with 3 very smart people today. This episode introduced a graduate student of Dr Jim Brosnans, Devon Carroll who is working on a her PHD. We firstly speak about her research about women in turf and the findings she has found on why and why not women work in the turf industry. We then dive into her latest research on poa overseen by Jim Brosnan on poa lifecycle. UT is at the forefront of poa research in turf. John Neylan joined me again and contributed nicely to the discussion as poa is his speciality and I appreciate him taking his time to be a part of it.

In todays episode I have 2 guests who I have been wanting to get onto the show. John Neylan is very well known in Australia and worldwide with his research and agronomy services. John has been lead the AGCSA (now ASTMA) for a number of years and also worked independently. He is now with SportEng in developing and designing sportsturf facilities. He also continues to conduct research in turf and lately has been doing work got the VGCSA (Victorian Golf Course Superintendents). My other guest is Shane Greenhill who is the superintendent of Sorrento golf club located on the southern part of the Mornington Peninsula. Shane is also the VGCSA president. We speak on a  number of topics including the history of the industry and where both Shane and John came from as well. We continue on a topic John discussed with Dr Frank Rossi on the turfnet podcast and the expectations of golfers and how turf managers deal with this expectation. We also speak about our favourite weed poa and the research the VGCSA has undertaken.

This episode features Dr Brandon Horvath from University Tennessee. Brandon is a turf pathologist with the university and a teacher and conducts turf research. We catch on COVID and how he has adapted with teaching and life. This discussion really gives some great information as we dive deep into the topics of diseases and fungicides. We speak about nematicides and diseases and the work that is being taken place there. We also speak about getting the best out of your products and what you need to do to achieve those results. I speak specifically to him on Pythium and the 3 main types they see in the US and what the differences are. We also look at application methods and what works and what doesn't work as well as discuss newer chemistries on the market.

In today's episode I speak to De Ben McGraw a entomologist from Penn State University. Ben has been on the podcast before on episodes. We catch on COVID and how he has adapted. Again I speak to him about weevils as this insect is the most troublesome insect on cool season grasses in the US as it is here in Australia particularly in NSW. Even though in Australia we have the Argentine stem Weevil the characteristics and behaviour is very similar to the Annual Bluegrass Weevil in the US.

This episode we welcome back Dr Scott McElroy from Auburn university. Scott appeared in episodes 1 and 22. We have an entertaining chat with a lot of humour and sarcasm just to lighten the mood. Scott was aware of our situation and wanted to bring some joy to the listeners. We talk about what he has been up to and the work he has done with the resist poa working group. We also dive into poa control with resistance and speak on crowsfoot (goose grass) and paspalum control.

In this episode I finally get to sit down and have a chat with john. John is a good friend and was one of the first people I met through the use of social media back 10 years ago. He was instrumental in leading the way social media could be utilised for turf. Dr. Kaminski now serves as the Director of the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program (2-Year Program) at Penn State. John continues his research which focuses on optimization of chemical and cultural management strategies for turfgrass diseases and weeds.

Today we have one of my favourite and most popular guest ls back Ben Gibson from The Toolbox Team. However this episode is a little different as Ben has just finished his first book which is being printed as we were recording this episode. The name of the book is called "People First." We speak about the idea behind it and how it came about. Ben also shares the support he received from his family but also many in the turf industry.

Welcome to the first podcast of Behind The Turf for 2021. This episode is slightly different as it is a webinar that was recorded in September 2021 on crowsfoot grass control (known also as goose grass). The webinar was run in partnership with Greenway Turf Solutions our national distributors. It was part of their online learning series they launched last year which can be viewed here. Greenway Turf solutions website The webinar featured Dr Jim Brosnan from university Tennessee who is an expert in weed science. Jim goes through everything you need to know about crows foot grass as well as control optiona dn getting the best out of those option. Many listeners would know Jim from our previous podcasts with him in episodes See here

Did you want a quick lesson on phosphites on what they are and how they work and how they are different? This episode is for you. I speak to Dr John Dempsey of Ireland who is a former superintendent Royal Curragh Golf Club and is now an independent turf researcher. John has recently published his work "Suppression of microdochium nivale by phosphite in cool-season amenity turfgrasses." I hope you enjoy our chat.

We take a break from the agronomy side of turf to bring you Ben Gibson. After the feedback we received from Ben's previous episode last year we thought it would be good to get him back and dive deeper this time. We speak this time on a couple of topics starting with conflict within the workplace and how to best manage it. The other topic is encouraging and attracting staff to your teams and the tools you can use to facilitate this with culture within the team. Ben again gives great precise examples and instructions what you need to do in different situations. The information Ben provides can be any organisation not just related to turf management. On a personal note its great to see Ben's business grow throughout the industry for the right reasons. The services he delivers have been helping a large number of turf facilities around Australia.

After GIS in Orlando this year I headed up towards Gainesville Florida to the turf research station in Citra Florida (there are 3 in the state). Besides the tour of the facility I sit down with Dr Harmon and talk diseases warm season grasses and turf in Florida. For those not aware Florida is one of the biggest turf markets in the world with over 1200. Many are high end private clubs as well so research as you can imagine into issues is paramount to keep memberships happy.

Ben McGraw Penn State leading Turf entomologist. He knows insects. I sat down with ben again this year at GIS and spoke to him about insects issues we have here as well as new frontiers in managing pests with "microbiome". This is a term that you will see more and more of but what is it and how does it relate to turf?

Cale is an all-round smart man with everything and anything to do with turf. I speak to Cale on the university and what Purdue is all about. We get into some of the work he does and the challenges he faces. Cale was kind enough to give me some time with such a busy schedule at GIS and I was able to sit down with him just before the closing ceremony where they announce the Turf Bowl winners. Purdue took 2nd place. A great achievement in itself. Purdue in fact is one of the strongest turf schools and is consistently in the top in of Turf Bowl.

A double act here to get two of the top weed scientists on a podcast together. Dr Yelverton is no stranger to Australia as he has visited our shores a few times as a keynote speaker for the Australasian Turfgrass Conference.

Stan is familiar with Australian audiences and has been in the surfactant game for over 25 years. Stan has invented and help develop some of the worlds most used surfactants over that time. I talk to Stan on his most recent work on surfactants (also known as wetting agents) at Penn State with Dr Mike Fidanza. We work through different definitions being spoken around and put things straight. This episode delivers a quick surfactant education discussion.

Today's episode was again at GIS 2020 where I had a chat with Dr Scott McElroy. Many Australians would know Scott from when he was out in Australia for the walk and talks we did as well as the Turf Conference in New Zealand. We speak on herbicides and herbicide resistance and what hold in the future for controlling weeds. Scott does research on the work he is doing with genetics of poa and the Resist Poa working group. We speak not just on poa but other problematic weeds such as crowsfoot grass.

In this episode I have mashed together the 4 days at GIS. These recordings were posted on our YouTube channel and now can be listened to in on episode. Please enjoy. 

In the first episode for 2020 I discuss the extreme weather in Australia with the bushfires. At the time of recording good rain was forecast and its implications for turf managers.  I also talk about the GIS the golf industry show and my plans for the week with podcast guests.

This episode is quite a bit different to previous charts I've had as its not agronomic based. Ben Gibson is the head of The Toolbox Team providing not just products and services but partnerships to turf teams across the country with safety, WHS Leadership auditing and compliance just to name a few. In this chat we have open discussions around volunteering, leadership, culture moving up the turf ladder and taking the next step.

Again very excited to have Pat Jones on our podcast for the second year in a row. Pat at the time of the interview was still running GCI Magazine however he has since moved on to Harrell's to look after marketing digital side. He is till involved heavily in turf and is a great asset to the industry. Also joining us is Dr Paul Koch from University Wisconsin. Paul is an expert in all thing's diseases from the cold snow mould and fusarium to destructive summer diseases. We talk about research in the US and the changes it has undergone. Pat gives us an insight into the future of turf with automation and the advantages for the industry.

Fairy ring is one of the most difficult diseases to control. There hasn't been as much research on this disease as others. I sit down today at GIS to talk to Dr Mike Fidanza from Penn State and discuss this troublesome disease and he gives some insights in the best way to control this disease. Mike is the fairy ring gurus he has spent a lot of his career working on the disease and developing best techniques to help control it and recover from it.

I was lucky enough to sit down with Jim again this year and get an update on turf research into weeds. We especially spoke about Poa and the research group setup to deal with this troublesome weed. He gives good insights into resistance management and where we are as this is still the biggest issue facing turf as and agriculture markets. There has been more awareness of weed resistance and can only be a good thing with more tools being used as well as mixing between chemistries. We also talk about trying to control couch grass in bentgrass greens.

In today's episode I talk with Dr Ben McGraw from Penn State University. Ben is an entomologist and has unbelievable knowledge of insects. He has done a plenty of research into the bluegrass weevil which is similar to our Argentine Stem Weevil so there is a lot to learn here. Ben is really entertaining as well and I think could have been a stand up comic in another life.

I was lucky enough to catch Peter at the recent Australasian turfgrass Conference in Brisbane after his session on the work he has done in resistance testing in turf. Peter works at the University of Adelaide as well as managing Plant Science Consulting where turf managers can send samples of their turf for herbicide resistance testing. Peter was very open about the challenges the industry faces with herbicide resistance. I hope you enjoy this short chat with Peter. I will also endeavour to head to Adelaide to visit Peter in his home state.

Disease testing- everyone knows it but not everyone utilises it as much as they should. I give some thoughts on why its important and what benefits there are in confuting disease testing.

This is just my thoughts on social media and the use in the turf industry. Many of you now I am very active on social media and have presented a number of talks at various conferences in Australia. These are just some of the reasons why I love it so much.

In this podcast these are my thoughts on best use of fungicides in turf. There is some confusion in what to use and when abnd how each product works. I hope this short episode helps with understanding fungicides.

From time to time I will be putting my thoughts out there on certain topics and hoping to give some help in dealing with agronomic aspects of turf management. In this episode I am talking about ERI management and some things to think about in helping to control this disease.

Bruce Williams is known in a lot of turf circles worldwide and has been a regular visit to Australia with his work with Grigg Brothers through Globe Australia. Bruce has been on the GCSAA board and president of 4 GCSAA chapters. However one of his specialities that I wanted to talk to him about was his consultancy he does. He is involved in not just the agronomic side but the human side as well teaching turf managers to be better in all aspects in including, project management, budget and equipment analysis. I hope you enjoy this quick chat. 

This is a discussion I was apart of with some superintendents in Sydney from a while back. We were lucky enough to have Micah on the line. He talks about summer stress and experience in the Asian region as well as how to best manage turf in the summer. We also talk about new verities coming onto the market. I apologise if the audio is a bit week as we were in a board room. 

Conferences- there are plenty to choose from and a lot of turf managers attend them however there are many that don't I am a big believer in them small or large. These are my thoughts and I hope it gives you some guidance in looking to attend a few in the coming months.