AUSGAP TURF CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Turf field inspections are at the heart of the AusGAP turf certification program. Attaining AusGAP certification for a turf variety takes a lot of hard work, with ongoing field inspections being conducted to maintain certification and to ensure continued genetic purity.
AusGAP is The Australian Genetic Assurance Program for Turfgrass. Specialist turfgrasses have been derived from years of research and development by the world’s leading turfgrass breeders. AusGAP uses a quality control framework including turf field inspections which ensures these turfgrasses maintain genetic purity, allowing them to perform and live up to what is expected of them within their application.
AusGAP field inspections occur biannually and turf producers supplement these inspections with compulsory quarterly self- inspections that are reported to AusGAP.
All turf farms with AusGAP Certified turfgrasses need to always have at least one AusGAP Certified Representative (ACR) on their staff. ACR’s are a crucial part of the field inspection procedure through communication with the National AusGAP Program Manager.
The ACR ensures all farm staff adhere to AusGAP’s requirements before the Program Manager or inspector can begin their thorough and comprehensive field inspections:
Fields need to be left unmown for at least 5 days prior to the inspection and have been mowed no more than 2 weeks prior.
Selective herbicides can be used to identify the colour difference between plant types.
All required paperwork: pre-planting assessments, planting form and quarterly self-inspections are up to date.
There may also be a third party involved in the process such as ITGAP (The International Turfgrass Genetic Assurance Program) or ASTC (Australian Sports Turf Consultants) who are able to provide their services as a third- party inspection when required to further consolidate the validity of the program.
Pre-Inspection Requirements
There are multiple checks included in the farm visit that must be made before the inspector can step foot on any paddock. At every entry point of the farm there is expected to be a bio security notice. Some visitors or their vehicles can put the bio security of the farm at risk and ultimately mean the genetic purity of AusGAP’s certified varieties are at risk if not followed.
Paddock maps are to be up to date and provided prior to a farm inspection visit. This allows AusGAP to keep track of stock and evaluate the genetic purity of the registered and certified stock in production.
Every aspect of business compliance is audited as this backs up and provides context to what is happening in the paddock.
AusGAP Field Inspection Process
Field inspections are used to evaluate compliance with the required checks undertaken to ensure the minimum standard is met.
Field isolation requirements are part of the high standards AusGAP enforces. Field isolation involves an artificial barrier and/ or strip of bare land between varieties to prevent cross contamination. AusGAP require a minimum of 1.5 metres between grass varieties –perennial grasses in particular have a strong chance of cross contamination if not monitored.
Walking every paddock containing AusGAP certified varieties is at the core of the inspection process. This is undertaken to ensure all turf is free of pests, weeds and disease. During grow in is the most important time to ensure weed pressure is minimised.
AusGAP use an inspection flagging system to monitor contaminants or sections of paddock that need to be monitored. A yellow flag is used to mark a contamination and/or eradication area. A blue flag is used to mark an area to be monitored or a weed treatment area.
Quality assessment items also assessed during AusGAP Field Inspection:
Are field borders maintained between certified varieties and non-production areas?
Does irrigation equipment move from low non-producing areas into the production field or from one variety to another?
Is a wash down bay available to clean equipment between varieties and is there an established procedure for cleaning equipment?
Is any part of a field subject to flooding?
Conducting field inspections is AusGAP’s way of monitoring and auditing turf and business standards to ensure the highest quality turfgrass is produced. These high industry standards provide the assurance to customers and end users that the turf they are receiving will be true to type and genetically pure.
For more information on the AusGAP program and how to ensure the turfgrass for your next project is AusGAP Certified, visit www.ausgap.com.au
