TurfBreed’s special guest at this year’s conference, Professor Dave Kopec made a lasting impression on all those growers he met or visited on farm. Dave’s interest in our industry shone through at the conference and, as a well-respected United States turfgrass researcher, he offered a plethora of advice. Dave, for the past 32 years, ran the University of Arizona’s turfgrass research and extension program which is globally noted for its excellence in plant breeding and research. His work in species and cultivar development saw him focus on varieties/genetics to create fit-for-purpose grasses for the consumer.
This was Dave’s first trip to Australia, and GROWTH asked him to share his thoughts on our industry.
Above: David Kopec takes growers through some of the finer points of better understanding soil structure.
What were your first impressions of Australia’s turf industry?
I have only seen the sod production portion, but I am impressed with the fact that you have mostly warm season grasses to “handle” such diverse climate, soil and rainfall conditions across the continent at large. For us in the States, Kikuyu grass is often labeled as a noxious weed. It was most interesting to see that your countrymen have developed cultivars for turf of this species.
Secondly, I am impressed with the resourcefulness of many of the TurfBreed growers themselves. The movement of soils and the redirection of water sources for irrigation use on some of the farms was absolutely, hands-down phenomenal.
What have you learnt?
On the plant side of things, there are many of the same weeds in sod farms in the States that you have Down Under as well. I was impressed by the kinds of “secondary” grasses that you grow (various types of Blue Couch), as well as some of the other native or naturalized grasses that exist, such as Durbin grass, and other species of Distichlis. I was impressed to see cultivars of Zoysia Macrantha (Native Nara) in production. We even saw “freshwater Paspalum”.
As far as the “animal kingdom” is concerned, I can now tell the difference between a ‘Roo’ and a ‘Wallaby’.
I finally met and chatted with well-respected Turf Scientist, Peter McMaugh. It was terrific to finally put a face to the name who I have read so much about in magazines and technical papers.
I also say with full assurance, that Australians have a strong moral compass and are among the friendliest folks one can ever meet.
Above: David finally meets respected Turf Scientist, Peter McMaugh.
How is our industry and market similar and different to yours in the US?
Similarities: All farmers have the major concern of turning over a crop in the least amount of time at the lowest costs. Harvest machinery is the same in both locations. Sod growers in the US have seen prices over the past 18-months increase. There is a big campaign in TurfBreed to educate their growers on the value and to be proud of the turf they produce, and I endorse it!
Our markets, in the States, are similar in terms of customers being:
1. Landscape retailers –commercially installed for home lawns and commercial sites.
2. Big Box store retailers (mostly for homeowners).
3. Sports turf.
4. Golf Courses.
In the States, we grow predominately Bermuda (Couch) grass. With your shade and mild winters, you are looking for warm season grasses that hold their colour in the late fall into mid-winter. The Kikuyu is best so far. You are way ahead of the States as far as this item is concerned!
Where is the future of genetics in turf going in terms of breeding for customer satisfaction?
You have many local strains of Bermuda grass (Couch) that should be looked at for turf use. I believe a University Scientist in New South Wales has collected many ecotype selections across Australia.
If adequate support is generated, these plants should be tested at several locations across the provinces, in order to find out which collections do best at which locations, and if any collections do “best” at all locations.
Plant (turf) hunters could probably find perhaps naturalized stands of lower growing Kikuyu grasses in old cemeteries, old parks and old sports fields. There are many genetic techniques that University Scientists can help with that will allow for (1) identifying genes or gene complexes that are related to stress tolerance (2) show relatedness of different turfgrasses to each other (3) identification of unique DNA properties, which can be used for varietal identification and cultivar protection.
What is your final “leaving” advice to our growers?
You cannot rush Mother Nature. Most of your grasses other than Bermuda grass provide only one cut a year (Kikuyu sometimes two cuttings a year). So often, it is especially hard to try to get a seasonal cut when you want to hit the market just right.
Try to line up big “sod –jobs” well in advance. This may help somewhat, but it can be a challenge since even buyers shop by price, usually at the last minute.
