WCTA 2013 Turfgrass Research Update

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” — Henry Miller

from Jerry Rousseau

The importance of funding turfgrass research may never have been so obvious as pressure to sustainably provide optimum playing surfaces increasingly challenges professional sportsturf managers in every sector in every location.  Of course problems don’t typically go away by themselves and while manufacturers have a role to play in proving their products through research, independently funded projects and initiatives will always be a critical part of the process.

In the case of the pesticide debate, we have made claim to the BC provincial government that the golf and turf industry directs significant funds toward turfgrass research which includes reducing our environmental footprint.  With this claim, we need to ensure our money is where our mouth is.

The dollar value available to the Research Committee any given year comes from 10% of WCTA member dues, 30% of any net operational profit left at the end of the previous year, member, allied and industry donations like the annual BC Golf Superintendents Association contribution and through all the on-going fundraising efforts like our Silent Auction, 50/50 draw and other campaigns like Peter Sorokovsky’s ‘Give Me 5 Buck’s’ initiative at the 2013 conference and the KPU Turf Club’s multiple efforts/functions that generate turf research dollars. 

On that note and before going any further, we would like to graciously thank all those who have contributed to the research fund.  We print this list in every issue of the Turf Line News to recognize the support being put forward along with the names of the committee members who take the time to manage this fund.

In the past, annual WCTA research funding averaged about $30,000 per year which frankly, isn’t a lot considering a single project can easily cost $100,000.  The last few years reflect the difficulty in fundraising at $18,224 in 2011, $23,263 in 2012 and $21,213 budgeted for 2013.  Reserve funds are close to $75k which is a significant amount but again, not huge considering project costs.

Many research projects are jointly funded which helps to reduce the overall burden on one particular group.  For example, the Canadian Turf Research Foundation (CTRF) collects funds from several provincial groups like the WCTA, rolls it all together and distributes it on a national scale.

Current Research priorities (adapted from the Ontario Turf Research Foundation):

• Nutrient and fertility management, best management practices 
• Soil and root-zone management, best management practices  
• Evaluation of alternatives to pesticides  
• Irrigation and water use issues (water quality and reducing water usage)  
• Investigations into the biology, ecology and management of current and emerging pests  
• Alternative cultivar and species for new turf construction, integration and conversion into existing turf areas
• Species/cultivar evaluation and improved management practices for areas of heavy traffic and wear tolerance

2012 Summary

The dollar value available to the Research Committee for 2012 totalled $23,263.  When the dust settled, only $9,124 was distributed with the remainder being put into reserves.  The reason for this was the delay at Oregon State University in replacing outgoing professor, Dr. Rob Golembiewski, resulting in their Microdochium Patch study being put on hold.  The WCTA had earmarked $15,000 USD for this project.

$6,600 was forwarded to the Canadian Turf Research Foundation for cooperative funding.  The CTRF collects and distributes research monies much like the WCTA but on a national scale.  We have contributed to this collaborative approach to research funding annually since 1992.  Past and current research is published at www.turfresearchcanada.ca

The project titled, ‘Investigation of the Okanagan Valley Resident Canada Goose Sub-population to Assist with Strategic Goose Management’, organized by the Okanagan Valley Goose Management Committee was provided $5,000 in support.  The study is complete and has been fully paid out - information is available online at www.okanagangooseplan.com.  2012 WCTA Conference attendees may recall the presentation by Project Coordinator, Kate Hagmeier who can be reached at coordinator@okanagangooseplan.com 

2013 Update

Based on what was raised in 2012, the dollar value available to the Research Committee for 2013 totalled $21,213.  Note the committee can access reserve funds accumulated from other years if deemed necessary. 

A $4,000 commitment to the CTRF was put forward by the Research Committee and approved by the WCTA Board, along with $15,000 USD for the OSU Microdochium Patch study (that had previously been put on hold) totalling approximately $19,000 in approved funding for 2013.

Project Title: Canadian Turf Research Foundation Cooperative Funding
The CTRF collects and distributes research monies much like the WCTA but on a National Scale.  We have contributed to this collaborative approach to research funding annually since 1992. 
PROJECT LENGTH:   multiple projects / varies
WCTA COMMITMENT:   $4,000
TOTAL PROJECT VALUE: $231,00
CURRENT STATUS: see attached report

Report from the Canadian Turf Research Foundation

In the past year the CTRF has conducted a research call for proposals and, after receiving a record 16 applications, approved three new projects for funding in 2013 which will result in $231,000 in research spending over the next three years.  Please see the funding announcement at www.turfresearchcanada.ca.

The CTRF also took part in a three party process in the past year along with the WCTA and the OTRF which was focussed on reducing duplication and providing a better, more coordinated process for both the research applicants and the funding agencies. 

Priorities for the coming year include the consideration of changes to improve the current approach to requesting and reviewing proposals, the enhancement of funding sources for the CTRF and the review and revision of the Foundation’s by-laws to comply with the new Federal requirements for charitable organizations.

As the CTRF seeks to strengthen its mandate to address research that has a national impact as well as its role with respect to the communication of research findings related to turf, environmental and golf course management, the financial and volunteer support of its key partners remains very important to its success.  In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the Atlantic Turfgrass Research Foundation Inc. has generously donated $12,000 to the CTRF for turfgrass research in Canada.  We are very pleased to receive this voluntary contribution and we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Atlantic Foundation for its continuing support of the CTRF.

Project Title: Evaluation of Alternative Management Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate the Use of Fungicides for    Control of Microdochium Patch, Oregon State University

 More money is spent on fungicides to control Microdochium patch than any other turfgrass disease in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest United States. Turfgrass managers continue to be scrutinized when it comes to pesticide use for the control of problematic turf pests. This project will evaluate cultural practices as well as new alternative products that have shown potential to control Microdochium patch. Each component will be evaluated individually and upon completion of the two year research project be integrated into a complete management program for the control of Microdochium patch with the intent of greatly reducing or eliminating fungicide use.
PROJECT LENGTH:   2 years
WCTA COMMITMENT:   $15,000 USD
TOTAL PROJECT VALUE: $70,000
CURRENT STATUS: This project had been delayed but is now in progress.  Funding has not been disbursed at time of writing.

We would like to thank all of our Turfgrass Researchers and of course all Turf Research donors and  contributors, without whom our Turf Research program simply would not exist.  Please note that the Western Canada Turfgrass Association accepts no responsibility in respect to the opinions and data expressed in the editorial material or outcome of the research projects.  The views do not necessarily represent the views of the Association.