This year's Turfgrass Field Day will be held on Thursday, August 5th, 2010 at the Rocky Ford Research Center in Manhattan, KS.

The KTF Turf Field Days are a great way to see and learn about the turfgrass research at K-State first hand. The events are held annually in the summer at the turfgrass research locations of Kansas State University.

You can now Register and Pay Online at our Store Front. Or you can register by downloading, printing, and mailing the Field Day Brochure.

Exhibitors can get more information from the Exhibitor Information Letter or from Christy.

8:00 a.m. Registration (coffee, tea, donuts)  Visit Exhibitors 
8:45   Welcome
9:00     Tour Highlights:

* Water Requirements of Turf and  Groundcovers — Dale Bremer  
See K-State's new rainfall manipulation shelter.  Attendees will learn about a study which is underway to investigate water use in turfgrass and landscape cover plants. The ability of the same plants to with- stand deficit irrigation will also be discussed.  

* Selecting Drought Resistance Grasses — Rodney St. John
Commonly used cultivars of cool-season turfgrasses  can differ widely in water requirements and drought  resistance.  In the study we'll see 30 Kentucky blue- grass cultivars have been exposed to a prolonged dry- down under a rainout shelter.  We'll discuss their per- formance as well as the performance of the drought resistance of other cultivars of cool-season turfgrasses.  

* A Unique Approach for Establishing Zoysia & Buffalograss — Jack Fry & Tony Goldsby
A demonstration of how zoysia and buffalo plugs can be pre-planted on a weed barrier mat, and then trans- planted to speed lawn establishment and reduce weed encroachment.  

* Turf Disease Management Update — Megan Kennelly
We have several turf disease trials at KSU.  Come hear the latest research as well as an update on which  diseases are wreaking havoc in 2010.  

* Managing Dollar Spot and Moss — Cole Thompson
Dollar spot and moss are common pests of creeping bentgrass putting greens typically requiring chemical remediation.  The frequency of fungicide applications can be reduced by utilizing bentgrass cultivars resistant to dollar spot.  Furthermore, alternative products like baking soda can be used to control moss populations and ultimately reduce pesticide usage .
 

* Turf Insect Control Update — Ray Cloyd
This tour stop will most definitely "bug" you. We  will discuss the latest in dealing with “bugs” (insect and mite pests) of turfgrass and ornamentals including new pest control materials  and cultural practices that are important  in alleviating problems with turf and ornamental pests.  Be  sure to bring any "bug" samples and also ask  questions associated with management of "bugs."  

* Maximizing Spring Broadleaf Weed Con-trol — Steve Keeley & Zane Raudenbush
Fall control usually works best, but your clients may not be willing to wait that long. In this stop, we'll look at which herbicides and timings give the best results for spring applications. We'll also discuss which herbicides are safest around ornamental plants in the spring.  

* Fine-tuning Your Sprayer — Bob Wolf
Concern has been expressed that the emphasis in designing nozzles to minimize drift is compromis- ing the efficacy for some turf care products. Nozzle manufacturers have introduced nozzle types that, while maintaining a drift reduction theme, are providing better coverage.   Information about how to use the latest nozzle technologies to apply turf protection products is the subject of this field day stop. This presentation will provide a demonstration of the latest nozzle designs as well as a discussion of the latest information on calibrating sprayers to meet label directed droplet size specifications.  

11:30 Lunch 

Afternoon Options (1:00 p.m.)

* Equipment Demonstrations (Exhibitors)

* Golf at Wildcat Creek GC (800 Anneberg Circle) $30.00 (payable at the golf course)