Top 5 reasons to attend the Ontario Turfgrass Symposium

OTS 2015 brochure

The Ontario Turfgrass Symposium is just around the corner. There is still time to register for this 2 day education event that promises to provide valuable technical information to all sectors of turf managers. The top 5 reasons to attend are:

1. To hear Dr. Manish Raizada, University of Guelph speak about a novel biological approach to disease and weed control using bacterial endophytes.
2. Find out about cultural practices that will help prevent winter injury from Dr. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University for next winter of course.
3. Get the answer to the question “Are my DMI fungicide treatments still contolling dollar spot after 20 yeasr of using them?” from Anne-Miet Van Den Nieuwelaar, M. Sc. student of Dr. Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph.
4. Earn your Golf Mandatory IPM CEC’s for 2015.
5. Network with turf industry sponsors to find out the latest and greatest products.

For more information on the complete program and registration visit http://www.turfsymposium.ca

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Ice – no need to panic yet!

Snow on top of an ice layer on GTI research green.

Ice layer without snow

During some casual conversations with superintendents from around the province, the ice situation is variable. Some areas have no snow and no ice. Some have ice only and some have snow and ice. To date, those with ice have had 2 weeks less of ice cover than in Winter 2013/2014. The ice last winter began on Dec. 20th, 2013 and the ice cover this year was on Jan. 3rd, 2015. We are only a couple of weeks in, so no need to panic yet. It is a bit troublesome that there was a severe drop in temperature right after the ice formed, in many cases without the insulating layer of snow. That being said, the turf is still at its most winter-hardy state early in the winter. Some superintendents took the opportunity to clear the slush off greens in the first few days as the rain/ice/snow mix was falling and temperatures were mild.

There is no need to panic yet, but there still is a lot of winter ahead. Those that lost lots of turf last year should have more creeping bentgrass and should be in good shape no matter what. Those still managing a putting surface that is comprised mainly of annual bluegrass may be sweating a little. Stay tuned.

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