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.

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Ep 33 Dr Scott McElroy Weed Scientist Auburn University

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.

Ep 32 Dr. John Kaminski Penn State University

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.

Ep 31 People First

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

Ep 30 Crowsfoot webinar

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.

Ep 29 Dr John Dempsey “Mr Phosphite”

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.

Ep 28 Ben Gibson The Toolbox Team

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.

Ep 27 University Florida Dr Phil Harmon

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?

Ep 26 GIS 2020 Ben McGraw

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.

Ep 25 GIS 2020 Dr Cale Bigelow

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.

Ep 24 Dr Jim Brosnan

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.

Ep 23 GIS 2020 Stan Kostka

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.

Ep 22 GIS 2020 Scott

Ep 21 Pullin Weeds 2020

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. 

Ep 20 Golf Industry Show 2020

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.

Ep 19 2020 GIS

Behind The Turf is our podcast for turf & landscape mangers. Our podcast brings you various topics from around the the turf world with interviews from leading university professors, current thoughts on topics effecting the industry as well as various interviews with prominent turf managers in Australia. The aim of the podcast is to educate as well as entertain. We hope you enjoy the listen.

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