TurPh.Dudes Podcast

In episode #60, The TurPh.Dudes discuss thatch and organic matter management with Dr. Phil Dwyer from ZymeCo and Mr. Rob Cooper from Living Turf in Australia. The episode’s discussion is centered on a novel enzyme-based approach to managing thatch and the science behind ThatchZyme. We explore practical application strategies, research trial results, and field observations, and how this technology can integrate into broader soil health programs for turfgrass managers.

In Episode #59, the TurPh.Dudes are joined by Dr. Lisa Beirn, Technical Services Representative for Syngenta, to discuss the ongoing launches of Atexzo insecticide and Trefinti nematicide/fungicide, as well as Dr. Beirn’s involvement in renaming the dollar spot pathogen.

In Episode #58 the TurPh.Dudes are on their own for a conversation about wetting agents. What they are, how they’re used, and how Harrell’s is innovating to rethink what a wetting agent can be.

In this episode, the guys discuss the technological advancements of sprayer technology and herbicide resistance.

In this episode the TurPh.Dudes are joined by Dr. Zac Reicher, the leader of Envu’s Green Solutions Team. In this episode we discuss Dr. Reicher’s career, Envu’s transition to a stand-alone company, the acquisition of FMC Specialty Products, and what drives innovation.

In Episode #55, the TurPh.Dudes are joined by the Sam Moynihan, Superintendent of Detroit Golf Club. Sam and the Detroit Golf Club host the Rocket Mortgage Classic annually in Detroit, Michigan, this paired with planning for an upcoming major renovation, present unique challenges for Sam and his team. Sam joins us on the podcast to talk about what it takes to host an annual tournament, attempting to work with mother nature, and how the upcoming Detroit Golf Club renovation will improve playability and course conditioning.

In this episode, we talk about what it takes to become an entrepreneur, scale a business, and how POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer has helped to improve the GrassRoots customer experience.

In Episode #53 the TurPh.Dudes are joined by Dr. Scott McElroy. Dr. McElroy is on the cutting edge of the implementation of robotic mowing and joins us on this episode to discuss the state of robotic mowers today, where innovation is heading, and how they can be a solution for those looking to supplement traditional labor.

In Episode #52 The TurPhDudes are joined by Cort Hall and Nick Wilson. Cort and Nick serve lawn care customers in the southeastern United States and are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the intersection of agronomics and the business of growing an LCO business. If you are interested in growing your LCO business, thinking about getting into the LCO business, or just curious about what goes into running a successful LCO business, today’s episode is for you.

In Episode #51 the TurPh.Dudes are joined by Dr. Patrick McCullough, University of Georgia. In the near future, the turfgrass industry expects the use of an important active ingredient, oxadiazon, to be significantly limited by an EPA decision following the oxadiazon reregistration review process. Dr. McCullough’s years of experience in herbicide research and agronomic consulting provides for great insights into alternative options and management strategies that are available to fill the gap left by oxadiazon.

In episode #50, the TurPh.Dudes are joined by Dr. Rebecca Williams-Wagner and Dr. Phil Dwyer to discuss biologicals in the turfgrass industry, and an exciting new microbial product called Azo Root. We discuss the history of biological products in the turfgrass industry, pitfalls and shortcomings that have led to poor performance as well as new advancements in packaging technology from 3bar Biologics that help to optimize the performance of these living organisms. The discussion dives further into the mode of action of Azospirillum and the research that has shown how it helps in growing healthier roots in both cool and warm season turfgrass.

In Episode #49 The TurPhDudes are joined by Dr. Jim Kerns. Dr. Kerns focuses on etiology, epidemiology and the management of diseases of both warm- and cool-season grasses. His research program focuses on understanding the biology of ultradwarf bermudagrass diseases, large patch of zoysiagrass, plant parasitic nematodes in turf, and diseases of creeping bentgrass. The mission of the program is to provide efficacious and cost-effective management strategies to turfgrass managers in NC and beyond.

In Episode #48 the TurPh.Dudes are joined by Dr. Ming-Yi Chou, Rutgers University. Dr. Chou focuses on evaluating and developing efficient cool season turfgrass disease management measures, including cultural practices, disease prediction models, synthetic fungicides, and biorational agents targeting diseases important to the Northeast. A few of which are dollar spot, brown patch, anthracnose, and summer patch. His research efforts are centered on plant-soil-microbiome interactions in turfgrass, with an emphasis on how these interactions and coevolution collectively contribute to disease suppression.

In Episode #47 The TurPh.Dudes are joined by Brian Laurent, the founder and CEO of Propel Solutions, LLC and the Superintendent Network. Brian’s work is focused on supporting golf course superintendents as an association executive director, marketing director, communication specialist, and more. In this episode we hit on Brian’s experience documenting events at some of golf’s biggest stages and tips for superintendents to enhance communication between the agronomy team, the paying customer, and other facility personnel.

In Episode #44 the TurPhDudes are joined by Steve McDonald, Chief Plot Sprayer of Turfgrass Disease Solutions, a private turfgrass research and consulting firm based outside of Philadelphia, PA. In this episode, the guys discuss ongoing annual bluegrass weevil management trends.

In Episode #44 The TurPhDudes are joined by Stephen Ohlson, Vice President of GreenSight. In this episode the guys discuss a new digital tool for turfgrass management, GreenSight's TurfCloud. TurfCloud empowers the Golf Course Superintendent with next-generation tools to proactively monitor and manager their turf and their teams through the integration of robotics, A.I. drive automated data analysis, and cloud based planning tools.

In Episode #44 The TurPhDudes are joined by Dr. Mike Fidanza, Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at Penn State. In this episode the guys discuss fairy ring management, Dr. Fidanza’s ancestral roots as a mushroom farmer, and “The Raymond,” a renowned breakfast dish in Lakeland, FL.

In Episode #43 The TurPhDudes are joined by Dr. Aaron Palmateer as a new member of the Harrell’s Agronomy Team. Dr. Palmateer is a respected agronomist in the ornamental production industry and brings a depth of ornamental knowledge and experience that is unique to the team. In this episode the guys are also joined by a special guest, Jack Harrell III.

In Episode #42 The TurPhDudes are joined by Dr. Jim Brosnan, Professor, University of Tennessee and Josh Cook, Superintendent of Pensacola Country Club. In this episode the guys discuss the current state of Poa annua herbicide resistance, effective management techniques, and communication strategies for club members and other stakeholders.

In Episode #41 The TurPhDudes are joined by Dr. Florence Sessoms, Turfgrass Researcher at University of Minnesota. In this interview Dr. Sessoms discusses her research into interactions of turfgrass with soil microbial communities and mycorrhizal associations.

In Episode #40 The TurPhDudes are joined by Dr. Lee Miller, Assistant Professor & Extension Turfgrass Pathologist at Purdue University. In this interview Dr. Miller discusses his recent move to Purdue, turf disease diagnostics, fairy ring management, nitrogen source effect on disease, and the influence of Pythium spp. populations in irrigation water on Pythium turf epidemics.

In Episode #39 Dr. Jeff Atkinson is joined by Brian Haga, Owner of Scientific Plant Service of Baltimore, Maryland. In this interview Mr. Haga discusses Scientific Plant Service’s unique business model, the variety of services they provide, and how an efficient agronomic program contributes to their success during a tight labor market.

In Episode #38 the TurPhDudes are joined by Jim Moon, Harrell’s Director of Procurement and Compliance, and a recipient of Harrell’s 2021 Sales Support Professional of the Year award. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss the fertilizer supply chain, particularly how Harrell’s is working to navigate uncharted supply chain waters. We also take a break mid-show for Jim to extinguish a house fire.

In Episode #37 the TurPhDudes are joined by the Dr. Billy Crow, University of Florida Professor of Nematology. In this episode we discuss lance nematode management, why nematode assay numbers may be misleading, and how disease, environmental stress, and nematodes can all be related.

In Episode #36 the TurPhDudes are joined by the AgDude, Dr. Tom Reed, Harrell’s Specialty Agriculture Director of Agronomy. In this episode we introduce Dr. Tom Reed and discuss how fertilizer technology is changing the way we grow crops.

In Episode #34 the TurPhDudes are joined by Dr. Paul Koch, Professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Plant Pathology and all-around expert on all things snow mold. In this episode we discuss fungicide selection, application timing, and a bonus, do fungicides impact soil microbial communities?

In Episode #35 the TurPh.Dudes are joined by Crystal Rose-Fricker, President of Pure Seed. In this episode we discuss the dynamics influencing the unprecedented seed market, seed variety development, and the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance.

In Episode #33 we have the privilege to introduce the newest member of the TurPh.Dudes team, Paul Giordano. As a trained plant pathologist, Paul is a valuable asset to the team. In this episode we discuss Paul’s background, his research into bacterial etiolation and decline, and his experience so far working with the Harrell’s team.

In Episode #32 the TurPh.Dudes are joined by Mountain View Seeds Division Manager Aaron Kuenzi and Director of Agronomy Dr. Gregg Munshaw for a wide-ranging discussion on bentgrass seed variety research and development, quality control, and current seed market dynamics.

Episode #31 is the second of a two-part series on zoysiagrass management. In this episode we sit down with Golf Course Superintendent Don Garrett of The Walker Course at Clemson University. During Don’s tenure the Walker Course has transformed from a bentgrass course in the south to one of the handful of courses utilizing zoysiagrass as a putting surface. When considering a switch from bentgrass, ultradwarf bermudagrass was not an option because of limited sunlight on many of the Walker Course’s putting surfaces and limitations on tree removal. In this episode we ask Don about his experience making the switch from bentgrass to zoysiagrass and tips for managing a high-quality zoysiagrass putting surface.

Episode #30 is the first of a two-part, listener requested series about zoysiagrass management. In this episode we sit down with Director of Agronomy Lukus Harvey and Golf Course Superintendent Trent Inman of Atlanta Athletic Club. Atlanta Athletic Club has played host to a U.S. Amateur, two U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, and is currently in preparation for the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship. In addition to their history, Atlanta Athletic Club is known for pristine zoysiagrass fairways. In this episode we ask Lukus and Trent about their experience making the switch from bermudagrass to zoysiagrass and their tips for managing a high-quality zoysiagrass playing surface.

In episode #29 we discuss goosegrass with Dr. Matt Elmore of Rutgers University. Long thought of as a weed of southern turf, goosegrass is becoming increasingly problematic in northern regions of the US. Dr. Elmore is leading research to better understand management strategies in cool season turf. In this episode we discuss pre- and postemergence control options, herbicide safening, and as a bonus, we even touch on Poa annua control (yes, control) with annual bluegrass weevil.

Today's episode we discuss with Dr. Ben McGraw at Penn State University a problematic pest which is expanding in range, but doesn't yet have the geographic distribution of other more commonly known insects: the European Crane Fly.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Atkinson, Jason Frank and Dr. Raymond Snyder are joined by Dr. JC Chong of Clemson University to discuss identification, biology, and management strategies for a certain problematic pest—the bermudagrass mite. Have a listen! Juang Horng “JC” Chong is a Professor and Extension Specialist of turf and ornamentals entomology at Clemson University. JC joined Clemson University in 2007 after completing graduate school on ornamentals entomology at the University of Georgia and post-doctoral training on invasive species biological control at the University of Florida. He began working on bermudagrass mite in 2009 and current has an active research program in trying to understand the impact of cultural practices on mite damage and management. Dr. Chong’s contact information: Website: https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/faculty_staff/profiles/juanghc Email: [email protected] Referenced Papers: https://www.gcmonline.com/course/environment/news/bermudagrass-mite

In this episode of TurPh.Dudes, Drs. Jeff Atkinson and Raymond Snyder interview Dr. Bruce Clarke of Rutgers University. Dr. Clarke is the Director of the Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science and an Extension Specialist in Turfgrass Pathology. Today we are discussing how fertility influences disease.

In this episode of TurPh.Dudes, Dr. Jeff Atkinson interviews Dr. Bill Kreuser, Extension Turfgrass Specialist at University of Nebraska. Dr. Kreuser's research focuses on soil, water, and nutrient management. His extension program aims to increase a precision of turfgrass management using new technologies and environmental models.

In today's episode, Dr. Raymond Snyder and Dr. Jeff Atkinson of Harrell's are joined by Dr. Shawn Askew,Turfgrass Weed Scientist from Virginia Tech. They are discussing weed management practices for winter and spring proxy programs.

In today's episode, Dr. Raymond Snyder, Dr. Jeff Atkinson and Jason Frank of Harrell's are joined by Dr. Billy Crow, Nematologist at the University of Florida. They are discussing management plans, tools and techniques to deal with plant-parasitic nematodes.

On today's episode, we interview Dr. Jim Kerns, turfgrass pathologist at NC State University. I'm also joined by Dr. Raymond Snyder and Greg Nicoll of Harrell's. Dr. Kerns' research focuses on the etiology, epidemiology and management of warm and cool season grass diseases. Fungicides make up the largest segment of pesticide applications to fine turf today. Dr. Kerns and his team are helping lead the way in developing best management practices to maximize the efficacy and consistency of applied fungicides against today's most troublesome pathogens. Enjoy the show.

In today's episode, Dr. Jeff Atkinson and Keith Krause of Harrell's are joined by Dr. Bobby Kerr and Ron Townsend of Chicago District Golf Association. They are discussing Current Trends and Challenges.

Dr. Raymond Snyder learns about Turfgrass Trends in the State of Florida with Dr. J. Bryan Unruh, Professor and Associate Center Director from the University of Florida IFAS

In today's episode, Jason Frank and Dr. Raymond Snyder of Harrell's discuss plant health strategies and trends for turf managers with Dr. Philip Harmon from the University of Florida’s Plant Pathology department.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of TurPh.Dudes, brought to you by Harrell’s. This is your host, Jack Harrell III. Our TurPh.Dudes are reaching out to industry leaders and game changers to discuss what they’re seeing out there. Today’s episode is brought to you by Dr. Jeff Atkinson and Dr. Raymond Snyder, as they discuss the science of turfgrass weeds with Dr. Jim Brosnan from the University of Tennessee. If you have a topic suggestion or know of a TurPh.Dude with innovative work in the field we should feature, please let us know at [email protected]

Today's episode is brought to you by Dr. Raymond Snyder, as he discusses performance factors of various fertilizers with Dr. Beth Guertal of Auburn University.

In today's episode recorded earlier this year recorded at the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show, Harrell's TurPh.Dude Jeff Atkinson sits down with Peter Rappoccio, CGCS Concord Country Club in Concord, MA and Greg Nicoll, Harrell's VP of Turf North. They're discussing labor and staffing challenges facing the golf industry and technology's role in the employment market.

In this episode Harrell's TurPh.Dudes visited with Patrick Daly, CGCS at Framingham Country Club. Pat discusses his experience with Harrell's new bio-stimulant product, Amino Pro V.

Today's episode is brought to you by Dr. Raymond Snyder from Matt Schrader's Harrell's Seminar recorded February 20, 2019 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Dr. Billy Crow presents How Turfgrass Nematicides Work.

In today's episode, recorded at the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show, Dr. Jeff Atkinson and Dr. Ben McGraw Associate Professor at Penn State University talk about current trends and future management strategies for Annual Bluegrass Weevil.

Today's episode is brought to you by Dr. Raymond Snyder from Matt Schrader's Harrell's Seminar recorded February 20, 2019 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Dr. Bruce Martin presents information about Disease Control Options For Bermuda & Paspalum Greens.

In this episode Dr. Jeff Atkinson covers the ins and outs of Algae and its impact on Turf with Dr. West Bishop, Algae Scientist and Water Quality Research Manager from SePRO.