Registration Open for Next Webinars Oct 13 & Nov 17 - No Charge for WCTA Members
The WCTA’s popular online webinar series will continue this fall with two additional installments confirmed! Episodes are broadcast on the Zoom platform, times are Pacific and registration is free for all WCTA members. Here’s the details:
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Episode #2: 1:00pm – 3:15pm, Thursday, October 13th, 2022
1:00pm – 2:00pm:
‘New Turfgrass Research for Professionals’, Nikolas Wall, Premier Pacific Seeds
BC: 1.0 IPM (WCTA code#17-21)
AB: application in progress
2:15pm – 3:15pm:
‘Update on WCTA Funded Turf Research’, Dr. Alec Kowalweski, Oregon State University
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR EPISODE #2
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Episode #3: 1:00pm – 3:15pm, Thursday, November 17th, 2022
1:00pm – 2:00pm:
‘Grass is Good and Update on WSU Turf Research’, Dr. Michael Neff, Washington State University
2:15pm – 3:15pm:
‘Spraying Border Plants’ and ‘Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning’, Gareth Tudor-Jones, Bartlett Tree Experts
BC: 0.5 SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (WCTA code# 28-18d)
AB: application in progress
BC: 0.5 SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (WCTA code# 26-18d)
AB: application in progress
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR EPISODE #3
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Further info
Episode #2, Session 1:
Nikolas Wall is a CFIA Accredited GD Grader and Operator and has been a Technical Sales Representative at Premier Pacific Seeds Ltd for the past 9 years. Nik works with turf managers around BC to solve turf issues and find the right grass seed varieties to suit the unique demands and environments of BC. Nikolas collaborates often with DLF’s research team including Steve Reid, Head Seed Breeder at DLF-Pickseed and Dr. Leah Brilman, Director of Product Management at DLF who are some of the industry's top experts. Nikolas regularly travels to the DLF seed research farm in Oregon to view turf trials and stay up to date on the newest varieties.
This presentation will focus on the latest turfgrass research for drought tolerance, maintenance practices, germination, and improved traits of new turfgrass varieties. The focus will be on research of new varieties of perennial ryegrass, turf type annual ryegrass, turf type tall fescue, kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, microclover and creeping bentgrass. It includes a video from Ph.D Alec Kowalevski from Oregon State University on NTEP data analysis and irrigation practices. The presentation includes information about seed breeding and the future of turfgrass variety improvements.
Episode #2, Session 2:
The WCTA is funding two important OSU projects, ‘Influence of Plant Growth Regulators on Putting Green Aerification Recovery’ and ‘Enhancing Turfgrass Carbon Sequestration to Improve Sustainability and Market Access’, Alec Kowalewksi, Oregon State University
Project Title: Influence of Plant Growth Regulators on Putting Green Aerification Recovery, Alec Kowalewksi, Oregon State University
On golf courses, core cultivation is one of the most damaging events to occur, but no research currently exists that demonstrates the effect of PGRs on recovery from core cultivation or if plant hormones such as gibberellic acid can be used to reduce recovery time. It may be possible to use post-inhibition growth enhancement to decrease recovery time. The first objective of this project is to determine the effect of trinexapac-ethyl (Primo) application timing on core cultivation recovery. The second objective is to determine if ethephon (Proxy) treatments applied in the spring for annual bluegrass seedhead control influence cultivation recovery time. The final objective is to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) on core cultivation recovery.
PROJECT LENGTH: 2 years
WCTA COMMITMENT: $15,000 USD for first year ($19,355 CDN fully paid out)
CLICK HERE for final year 1 report
Project Title: Enhancing Turfgrass Carbon Sequestration to Improve Sustainability and Market Access, Alec Kowalewksi, Oregon State University
Oregon State University will evaluate the impacts of turfgrass maintenance practices (nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, mowing height, and mowing frequency) on turfgrass carbon balance and soil carbon accumulation. This project will investigate how to enhance accumulation of soil organic carbon in order to reduce the climate footprint of turfgrass, which can provide ways of addressing regulatory burden imposed by greenhouse gas reduction programs and improve market acceptance of natural turfgrass. Results of this research will be disseminated to turfgrass seed producers, turfgrass managers (golf course superintendents, commercial turf managers, school and park employees), and other users (home owners and master gardener programs) through extension activities including field days, presentations, and written materials.
PROJECT LENGTH: 2 years
WCTA COMMITMENT: We are partnering 50/50 on this project with QTRF, total value $15,000 USD ($19,355 CDN fully paid out)
CLICK HERE for final year 1 report
Episode #3, Session 1:
More info coming soon
Episode #3, Session 2:
Two talks will take place, 30 minutes each, presented by Gareth Tudor-Jones, Division Safety & Training Coordinator at Bartlett Tree Experts.
‘Spraying Border Plants’ covers procedures for applying pesticides to plants that border two neighbouring properties. Includes communications with client and neighbours, precautions that may need to be relayed to either, required paper work, drift management and restrictions that may come into play.
‘Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning’ covers preventative steps to avoid pesticide poisoning including label information, appropriate PPE, and handling, and when poisoning is most likely to happen. Goes over the routes of entry into the body and symptoms associated with each and remedial steps to take should it occur, including label reference.
Gareth's "tree career" started in the pine and eucalyptus plantations of South Africa where he worked as a qualified Forester for over 10 years. On various plantations in the Western Cape, he managed harvesting and silvicultural operations, as wells as leading various conservation projects and fire protection activities. Gareth and his family immigrated to Canada in 2001. It was at this stage that Gareth decided to enter into the world of Arboriculture, and was immediately swept up by the challenges and excitement that the industry offered. His growth and passion for tree climbing resulted in four BC tree climbing championship titles and two Pacific North West titles - after which he went on to compete twice at the International tree climbing championships. Gareth's various work credentials include: ISA certified arborist, BC certified Tree Faller, ISA certified tree worker, ISA certified tree risk assessor, TCIA certified tree safety professional. Gareth is currently the Safety and Training coordinator for Bartlett operations in Canada.