Author: Sarah

The world is opening its doors again and the best in turf from the USA are coming back to our shores. In collaboration with the Australian Turf Certification Program (AusGAP), the International Turfgrass Genetic Assurance Program (ITGAP) and Lawn Solutions Australia, two of the international turf industries pre-eminent turf experts recently headed our way.

Billy Skaggs from Georgia Crop Improvement Association

Mr Billy Skaggs, seasoned Production Field Inspector for the International Turfgrass Genetic Assurance Program (ITGAP) toured Australia visiting AusGAP clients ensuring ITGAP policies and practices are up to standard.

Mr Skaggs was in Australia from the 20^th of May to the 3rd of June and as AusGAP is governed by ITGAP, he undertook an audit on all clients, documenting submissions and correspondence to ensure compliance to their policies and procedures. His visit also included turf variety inspections of the AusGAP programs production facilities in SE QLD, SA & VIC during this period.

AusGAP is the only independently endorsed turf certification program from ITGAP internationally. Mr Skaggs monitors turf production sites worldwide to ensure that turfgrasses are grown, inspected and sold under a rigorous set of rules and guidelines. ITGAP inspectors such as Mr Skaggs undertake third-party inspections to verify a member’s compliance with ITGAP standards, provide reports of compliance (or non-compliance) to the owner of the turfgrass variety and to the member/grower and maintain all records of annual and quarterly certificates and inspections. ITGAP is the international iteration of AusGAP and is an internationally accepted and recognised verification and certification program for turfgrass production.

Dr Brian Schwartz, University of Georgia (UGA) Turfgrass Breeding Program

Dr Brian Schwartz is a superstar of the turf world and is the man behind the release of what is proven to be the world’s best couch grass, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. Dr Schwartz continues the work of legendary turf breeder Dr Wayne Hanna, who planted over 27,700 couch grasses he had cross bred in 1993.

In 2009 Dr Schwartz arrived at UGA, expanded evaluation plots and developed real world test sites. After more than a decade of extensive trials with collaboration between a five-university collective known as the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) the SCRI determined to release a single couch grass cultivar. This cultivar was the University of Georgia and Dr Schwartz’s grass DT-1 which would officially be named TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda.

Dr Schwartz continues his extensive research and breeding program at UGA and we were excited to have had him in Australia this year to share his knowledge. Dr Schwartz was in Australia from the 9th to the 27th of May, he visited some of the industry’s best turf growers, suppliers of TifTuf and presented at the Lawn Solutions Australia National Conference on the 24th of May.

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

Pinnaroo is a rural town in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia over 200km east of Adelaide. It has a hot and dry climate with a majority farming community and is home to turf production business The Turf Farm.

Project Overview

The Pinnaroo Village Green Project is an exciting, 3 stage, 2-million-dollar rejuvenation project of the Pinnaroo central green area. This project, once completed, will be a huge boost to the local community, transforming an almost 92,000m2 unused, desert-like central area into a green haven of gorgeous landscapes, useful amenities and interactive areas.

The Daniel’s family-owned business, The Turf Farm have been involved in stage 1 with the supply of around 1,500m2 of Eureka Kikuyu, which has already made a huge difference to the look and feel of the town.

“The Pinnaroo Village Green Project aims to help revitalise the central green area adjacent the main street of Pinnaroo. The redevelopment aims to create places for fun, culture, recreation, tourism, social connection and economic growth. This will be achieved by adding or improving the amenities within the site as well as the functionality and layout of the area.”

There is a huge focus in this project to re- green the previously dry and dusty area with the abundant use of instant lawn, trees and plants. Stage 1 has almost been completed and has already stunningly altered the look and feel of Pinnaroo’s main street.

People and Businesses Involved

This project has been a huge accomplishment and milestone for the Southern Mallee District Council. They were granted funding for the project but have also contributed a significant amount of time and money also. Jason Taylor, CEO, has been a huge part in securing the funding and has been a credit to the Mallee community since he took the position.

WAX Design have been involved in consultation sessions with steering committee and the community, including an engagement workshop at the local Primary School. They have created detailed designs and documentation for the stages and the final Masterplan.

Undertaking the landscaping for stage1 is the South Australian commercial landscaping business LCS Landscapes. Southern Mallee District Council have formed a great relationship that they hope will continue in future projects.

Step by Step Process

As part of the local community, The Turf Farm were excited to hear of a project so close to home and to be involved in the initial community consultation back in November 2019. The Turf Farm contributed their ideas and recommendations for the project, including a suggestion of a giant roll of turf for the ‘Pinnaroo Big Thing.’ With part of the plan to revitalise Pinnaroo being the addition of an animated ‘big thing’ tourist attraction.

“An animated structure that can capture not just what we produce in the Mallee, but what is the spirit of the Mallee,” Deputy Mayor Paul Ireland said.

The Turf Farm provided recommendations, information and quotes to commercial landscapers throughout the tendering stages before supplying the turf to the successful LCS Landscapes during stage 1 of the project.

Turf Variety

The project has used Lawn Solutions Australia’s Eureka Kikuyu throughout and started with 180m2 supplied from The Turf Farm on the 20th of October 2021. With an additional 310m2 supplied on the 26th of October.

On the 3rd of December, The Turf Farm owner and part-time truck driver Paul Daniel pulled their semi up on Pinnaroo main street with a further 680m2 of turf, followed by 370m2 on the 7th of December. Bringing the total turf supplied for stage 1 to 1,540m2 so far.

Stages 2 and 3 will start sometime this year with an estimated completion date of December 2022.

The Turf Farm

It’s not often you get to be involved in a project of this size, let alone in your own community. The central area that divides Railway Terrace North and South in Pinnaroo has always been a dry and unloved piece of land, seemingly abandoned once the railway tracks were de-commissioned in 2015.

“We’re proud that the council and LCS Landscapes have been supporting local businesses throughout the project and that our lawn has been used in the main street. We also get the additional benefit of seeing our lawn almost every day and have already noticed the huge impact it has had on the community.” – The Turf Farm

The Turf Farm have had the pleasure of watching as travellers and locals alike enjoy the space and utilise the lawn areas for relaxation and fun.

“We’re looking forward to the next couple of stages and can’t wait to see the project completed at the end of the year.”