Author: Sarah

By Dr. Brian Schwartz, Professor, University of Georgia, Department of Crop & Soil Sciences, Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics
Ken Morrow, Vice-President, The Turfgrass Group, Inc.

With ten years of TifTuf bermudagrass in commercial sod production, we are very pleased with the industry recognition and consumer demand that has pushed TifTuf to become a frontrunner in the bermudagrass world. Although this success is appreciated, we also hold in high regard the legacy of TifTuf and the contributions of the University of Georgia’s turfgrass program.

It all started when Wayne Hanna bred TifTuf in 1992. Over the years, he took note of its performance using visual observations and comparisons in his research plots at UGA’s Tifton campus. Beginning in 2009, we began more rigorous scientific testing to better understand what led to Dr. Hanna’s initial observations. The result produced a well-tested, impressive turfgrass cultivar jointly developed by The University of Georgia and USDA-ARS.

A lot of work and mountains of research since those early days has generated more data on TifTuf than any other turfgrass. TifTuf production continues to expand each year as there are now 67 licensed growers across the US, most of which are in southern states. These growers are selected for excellence as over 17,500 acres of TifTuf are now in production.

TifTuf has a lot to offer consumers of many interests, but it is the significant improvement in drought tolerance over all older bermudagrasses that resonates the most. TifTuf is the new standard for judging drought tolerance of turf – the research data from across the country tells the story.

Out of the three mechanisms for drought tolerance (avoidance of drought by growing deeper roots, escape of drought by going dormant, and tolerance of drought which is a physiological adaptive mechanism), TifTuf tolerates drought because it simply uses less water due to physiological adjustments during times of water scarcity.

Years ago, this drought tolerance was tested in Tifton and Atlanta using soil moisture probes that prove TifTuf uses less water underneath the soil in comparison with other Bermudas, such as Tifway – an impressive 38% less water!

All TifTuf is grown under the blue-tag certified cultivar program since our expectation is that it remains genetically pure, even a decade after it was released from UGA.  In just ten years, sales and installations exceed 2.5 billion ft² (over 23,000 hectares) which calculates to more than 77.8 billion gallons of water saved. That’s enough water to fill nearly 118,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools (about 660,000 gallons each or 2.5 million litres)!

In 2020 a detailed article posted in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture showed that in the Southeast US, a new TifTuf lawn installation would have a payback period of less than four years thanks to reduced water use. As consumers look to save money on utilities, reduced water costs are often referenced as a key attribute. TifTuf’s leaf texture is very fine with a vibrant bright green colour. When a customer needs to replace or match a section of Tifway, TifTuf can easily blend in next to the existing turfgrass with no visual difference noted…except when drought sets in, of course.

Wear tolerance is a very important trait as well, and we are thrilled with how TifTuf holds up under the stress of sports play. Initial testing that showed how TifTuf can hold up better than Tifway and other bermudagrasses when beaten up in research plots has translated into its use on sports fields in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, among others.

Just as TifTuf has been an excellent option for athletic fields, it has also been able to hold up to the wear of children and family pets. The foundation of TifTuf’s wear tolerance centers around its dense canopy and upright leaves; both morphological features help it hold up better to traffic. Second, it quickly recovers from sustained damage when watered and fertilised to promote recovery.

Green is good, and TifTuf stays greener longer. Not only under drought stress, but due to its greater cold tolerance during the transition times of spring green-up and fall dormancy. During spring green-up, TifTuf often breaks dormancy earlier than other Bermudas. For fall dormancy, it stays greener further into autumn by several weeks longer than others. Sure, it will eventually go dormant in the winter temperatures, but it brings a rush of Spring Fever when soil temperatures warm again.

A decade after farmers started producing TifTuf for the consumer market, we are elated that TifTuf has distinguished itself as a beautiful, dominant grass with so many positive attributes. Its drought tolerance allows substantial water savings in home and commercial lawns, municipal facilities, school campuses, golf courses and sports fields.

TifTuf is also listed in the Water-Wise Landscape Guide as a drought tolerant turfgrass choice crafted for the Georgia Piedmont area, where it is used as an education tool for water conservation in the entire metro region of Atlanta, Georgia. Because TifTuf maintains acceptable quality longer during a drought, fewer irrigation “events” are needed, resulting in greater water savings over time. Consumers and water providers benefit from decreased irrigation, especially during a time of rainfall scarcity.

The Turfgrass Group and UGA look forward to continuing our work to bring the best grasses to market…and seeing what impacts TifTuf will continue to have in the future across the world. Learning never stops.

Across the Wide Bay region, from Bundaberg to Hervey Bay, Maryborough to Gympie, the sight of lush, green lawns is part of what makes our communities shine. Behind many of those thriving landscapes is Wide Bay Turf, a local, family-run business that’s quietly been transforming backyards, parks, and sporting fields with premium, homegrown turf that’s built for Queensland conditions.

From Agriculture to Turf

Before turf, the team behind Wide Bay Turf spent years working the land in dryland farming, contract harvesting, spraying, and running cattle. With deep roots in agriculture, they understand soil, climate, and what it takes to grow something that lasts.

“We couldn’t see a decent future in the food agriculture sector for the risk versus reward,” says Andrew, owner of Wide Bay Turf.

“We were looking to slow down a bit, but we also saw an opportunity to build something sustainable, a business we could grow while still doing what we love.”

That opportunity became Wide Bay Turf, combining agricultural know-how with a genuine passion for helping people create greener, more enjoyable outdoor spaces.

Turf Grown for the Wide Bay Climate

With warm summers, mild winters, and the occasional dry spell, the Wide Bay climate demands a lawn that can handle everything nature throws at it. That’s why Wide Bay Turf focuses on proven turf varieties like Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo and Zoysia Australis, known for their durability and low maintenance.

Sir Walter’s shade tolerance also makes it perfect for homes surrounded by trees or with partial sunlight, a common feature in many Wide Bay gardens. Every Sir Walter Buffalo lawn supplied by Wide Bay Turf is DNA Certified, so customers know they’re getting the genuine article, the premium, Australian-bred variety.

“Zoysia Australis is a new favourite for clients who want the wow factor,” says the Wide Bay Turf team. “It’s beautiful to look at and surprisingly easy to maintain.”

It’s medium leaf and deep green tone give it a manicured look, while its slower growth rate means less mowing and edging.

Each roll of turf is grown locally, harvested fresh, and delivered straight to site. “We don’t just sell turf,” Andrew says. “We help people create spaces that last, lawns that suit their lifestyle, their property, and their environment.”

A Family-Run Business

What really sets Wide Bay Turf apart is their hands-on approach. Every call is answered personally by the family, ensuring customers get the right advice and attention from someone who actually grows the turf. “Being a family-operated business gives us better quality assurance and a closer connection to our customers,” Andrew explains. “We know the product inside and out, and we genuinely care about the result.”

That personal touch has built strong relationships across the region, from landscapers who order weekly to private clients who come back time and again for their next home or project. Whether it’s a small backyard, a new housing estate, or a civil project, Wide Bay Turf treats every job with the same care and commitment.

The Wide Bay region’s turf demand is as varied as its landscape, from civil contractors and builders to homeowners and local councils. “There’s no rhyme or reason to it,” Andrew says with a smile. “One day it’s a sports field, the next it’s a new housing development or a couple of pallets for someone’s backyard.”

That flexibility and reliability have earned Wide Bay Turf a trusted reputation for service and quality throughout the region.

Committed to Sustainability

Beyond growing great turf, Wide Bay Turf takes pride in responsible water use and sustainable farming practices. Healthy turf, they note, contributes to a healthier ecosystem, cooling the air, filtering dust and pollutants, and helping to prevent soil erosion. It’s a small but meaningful way to make the Wide Bay region greener and more liveable.

As part of the Lawn Solutions Australia network, Wide Bay Turf joined to expand their range and connect with a community of like-minded growers. “We were originally all couch,” Andrew says, “but we saw a need for more options for our customers and improved turf varieties. We didn’t really like the older Zoysia japonica on the market, so when we came across Australis, we knew it was the best newly developed variety for us.”

At its heart, Wide Bay Turf is about more than just growing grass, it’s about growing community pride and a little slice of paradise right under our feet. Because when the lawns look good, the Wide Bay region looks even better.

Stampede Hybrid Buffalo™

Australia’s turf industry is built on innovation, and occasionally, a new variety emerges that reshapes what professionals expect from their turf. That moment has arrived again, with the soon to be released Stampede Hybrid Buffalo™.  Stampede is a next generation turfgrass that’s the result of years of rigorous research, trials, and development both in Australia and internationally.

As we look ahead to 2026, Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA) is proud to announce that foundation stock of Stampede Hybrid Buffalo™ is now being planted by selected LSA members around the country, with a tightly managed rollout set to make this variety available to the market next year.

But what exactly makes Stampede so special and why are so many in the industry already calling it the next big thing in buffalo?

The Search for a Better Buffalo

For decades, Australian growers and turf professionals have relied on buffalo varieties for their versatility, shade tolerance, and overall performance in warm climates. From parks and backyards to high-traffic council spaces, buffalo grass has always had its place.

However, as conditions change and demands increase, so too must the grass.

The development of Stampede Hybrid Buffalo™ began with one clear objective: to combine the best traits of existing buffalo grasses and push the limits on drought tolerance, wear recovery, and year-round colour retention, without sacrificing ease of maintenance.

Working closely with breeders and researchers, LSA undertook a multi-year evaluation program. Hundreds of buffalo selections were trialled under varied Australian conditions, and only those demonstrating superior performance across multiple metrics were considered for further development.

Proven Performance in Trials

One of the standout features of Stampede is its hybrid vigour, delivering fast establishment and an aggressive lateral growth habit, without the excessive thatch buildup seen in older varieties.

Trial highlights include:

• Exceptional drought tolerance: Stampede has consistently outperformed other leading buffalo types in extended dry periods, showing strong resilience and recovery even under minimal irrigation.
• High shade tolerance: With excellent photosynthetic efficiency, Stampede thrives in low-light conditions, making it ideal for shaded residential areas, parklands, and urban environments.
• Superior wear recovery: Stampede bounces back quickly from traffic stress, making it a top candidate for school grounds, sports surrounds, and playgrounds.
• Winter colour retention: Where many varieties fade to pale green or even brown in cooler months, Stampede maintains its colour and coverage longer, helping councils and property managers present a more consistent look year-round.
• Low maintenance: Its growth habit means less mowing, less dethatching, and fewer inputs, something both turf professionals and end-users will appreciate.

Stampede has undergone testing not just in controlled environments, but also in real-world scenarios, across varied soil types, climates, and mowing regimes to ensure the variety is fit-for-purpose for a wide range of applications across Australia.

The Science Behind the Stampede

What makes Stampede different at a molecular level is its carefully selected parental genetics, blending desirable traits from established cultivars with enhanced resistance to common environmental stresses. Unlike traditional buffalo types, which are often bred for a single dominant trait, Stampede has been bred for balance, providing excellent performance across all key turf metrics.

The development process was guided by a combination of field testing, laboratory analysis, and performance modelling, with LSA’s R&D team working closely with international breeders to ensure Stampede meets both current and future needs of the industry.

According to the LSA breeding program team, “Stampede is not just a new buffalo, it’s a new benchmark. It represents the next step in what turf professionals can expect from their grass, especially when looking for reliability, aesthetics, and sustainability in one package.”

Foundation Plantings Underway

While the science and trial results are impressive, Stampede’s next chapter is now being written, quite literally, in paddocks across Australia.

In late 2025, foundation stock of Stampede Hybrid Buffalo™ began being planted by select LSA members nationwide, marking the start of the foundation release phase. This has been a carefully structured and tightly monitored rollout process designed to ensure quality and consistency from the very beginning.

Unlike general commercial releases, foundation release is reserved for highly controlled propagation, ensuring that all material planted meets strict certification standards and originates from verified clean stock.

Why Foundation Release Matters

Foundation release is a critical part of LSA’s approach to bringing new turf varieties to market. It ensures:

• Genetic purity – Only true-to-type material is propagated, eliminating variation and risk of inferior clones.
• All foundation turf is produced under AusGAP-certified conditions, ensuring no contamination from soil-borne pests or pathogens.
• Uniform performance – Growers commit to producing turf under best-practice management protocols, resulting in a consistent product regardless of where it’s grown.

Non-Negotiable Quality with AusGAP Certification

All growers participating in the Stampede foundation program must be AusGAP certified — a mandatory quality assurance standard that covers everything from paddock preparation and harvesting practices to traceability and environmental compliance.

AusGAP (Australian Genetic Assurance Program) is the national standard for turf production, and its adoption ensures that when Stampede hits the market in 2026, buyers, whether councils, contractors, or homeowners, can trust that they are receiving a premium product with proven genetics and performance.

LSA’s national network of turf farms has fully embraced this process, with growers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia all working to establish their initial plantings. By mid-2026, these farms will be ready to meet market demand, with guaranteed quality from paddock to project.

Year in Review

The past 12 months have marked another year of progress and growth for AusGAP, as the program continues to drive higher turf production standards and strengthen awareness around the importance of bona fide certification within the Australian turf industry. Through an active schedule of on-site inspections, stakeholder engagement, and continued development of certification processes, AusGAP remains committed to ensuring that every square metre of certified turfgrass meets the highest possible benchmarks for quality, purity, and performance.

Early in the year, AusGAP conducted a series of inspections across Sydney, assessing the genetic purity and production standards of certified turf farms. These inspections also provided the opportunity to review progress on the foundation fields of the new Stampede Hybrid Buffalo, which continues to demonstrate promising characteristics and resilience. These field assessments reinforce AusGAP’s mission to ensure all certified varieties maintain genetic purity, with every plant grown under conditions that reflect the program’s rigorous standards.

As part of AusGAP’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this period also saw the introduction of new Program Manager Caine James, who commenced training alongside Megan Ford during inspections on the South Coast, NSW.

Throughout the second quarter, AusGAP inspectors conducted scheduled inspections across Northern and Central New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the Sydney metropolitan area. Each inspection plays a vital role in verifying compliance with the AusGAP Certification Program, helping turf producers identify opportunities for continual improvement and uphold the principles of genetic purity and production excellence.

In addition to these activities, AusGAP strengthened its industry partnerships through meetings with regional councils and representatives from major sports turf facilities. These engagements focused on integrating certified turf into procurement and planning frameworks, ensuring that government bodies and key stakeholders understand the long-term value and reliability of AusGAP certified turf varieties. Through this work, AusGAP continues to elevate the visibility and importance of certified turf in infrastructure, landscape, and sports applications across the country.

The third quarter had inspections conducted throughout regional Victoria, northern New South Wales, and southeast Queensland, maintaining a consistent national approach to turf quality assurance. Alongside inspection work, AusGAP placed a strong emphasis on brand development and communication, participating in key events such as the ASTMA Conference and Turf NSW functions.

These activities are central to AusGAP’s broader goal of increasing industry understanding of turf certification. By connecting directly with turf producers, councils, and facility managers, AusGAP continues to demonstrate how certification supports both production consistency and performance reliability.

The final quarter of the year saw AusGAP actively participating in industry events such as the TifTuf Roadshow and the Parks and Leisure Conference, while also engaging closely with certified producers to address their certification needs. These interactions highlight AusGAP’s commitment not only to upholding existing standards but also to advancing the industry through education, collaboration, and the sharing of best practices.

Looking forward, AusGAP is focused on strengthening its role as the benchmark for quality and integrity in turf certification. While many certification programs rely entirely on self-reporting or one-off audits, AusGAP’s rigorous and ongoing inspection framework ensures that certified turfgrass consistently meets the highest standards of genetic purity, production consistency, and professional accountability.

Through continuous improvement, education, and collaboration with industry stakeholders, AusGAP is not only safeguarding the reputation of certified turf but also raising the bar for the entire turf production sector. The commitment to bona fide certification is to ensure that every turf variety grown and sold under the AusGAP name is truly fit for purpose, sustainable, and grown to perform under Australian conditions.