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SFMA continues to provide education from our industry experts for four weeks following the conference. Every Tuesday we will host a session. Be sure to register for each session so you don’t miss these learning opportunities.

Week 3 – Tuesday, February 8
2-3 pm EST
Opening Minds to Technology
Mike Hales, CSFM – Brigham Young University
REGISTER HERE

This presentation aims to open people’s minds to how the use of technology can help to make their jobs easier.  It targets those who say that they “don’t do technology” and shows them that they can learn new things that will help them to do their job.

This presentation will:

• Open attendee’s minds to how technology can help them do their job better.
• Give attendees specific suggestions of new technologies that can improve their facility.
• Encourage attendees to think of new better ways of doing things.

3:30-4:30 pm EST
Water Management: Cutting-Edge Tools You May Be Missing
Colin Campbell, Ph.D. – METER Group, Inc., Bryan Hopkins, Ph.D. – Brigham Young University, Neil Hansen, Ph.D. – Brigham Young University, Ruth Kerry, Ph.D. – Brigham Young University
REGISTER HERE

In this presentation, we will discuss uniting direct measurements of soil water potential and local weather conditions with remote sensing and machine learning to provide better advice to managers on when and how much to water. We will back these concepts with real world examples from sports fields on the BYU campus.

Attendees will:

• Understand how multiple tools can be combined to provide confidence in irrigation decisions.
• Learn how advanced technology can be used to evaluate existing irrigation schemes and drive adjustment to produce better performing turfgrass.
• Benefit from a case study showing how technology was deployed and leveraged to support the success of sport field managers

Week 4 – Tuesday, February 15
2-3 pm EST
Developing Weed Control Strategies for Your Facility
Jim Brosnan, Ph.D. – University of Tennessee, Gerald Henry, Ph.D. – University of Georgia
REGISTER HERE

Developing an effective weed control program is a skill that is becoming increasingly important for sports field managers. Similar to what is implemented with disease management, an effective weed control program allows turfgrass managers to maintain weed-free turfgrass (or as closely as possible) of optimal quality from January – December. Effective programs not only make use of different herbicide technologies varying in mode of action, but also implement effective cultural management practices such as fertilization, aerification, irrigation, and mowing. This session will teach attendees how to build effective weed control programs for the southern United States.

Attendees will:

• Learn how to build a weed control program for their facility that integrates timely herbicide applications with appropriate cultural practices to minimize weed infestation.
• Understand the benefits (and capability) of rotating herbicide modes of action over time to prevent resistance.
• Learn the strengths and weaknesses of the newest herbicides entering the turfgrass marketplace and how they fit into weed control programs.

3:30-4:30 pm EST
Revitalizing Your School District Sports Fields
Paul Cushing – Paul Cushing Sports Turf Agronomic Consulting Services
REGISTER HERE

This presentation is designed to help Sports Field Managers at the School District level in assisting them to rejuvenate their sports fields. This presentation touches upon weed control, animal abatement, soil testing, soil fertility programs, renovation programs (aerification and verticutting), proper height of cut (HOC), topdressing and seasonal scheduling for school district employees. This session will also include many case studies with school district sports fields over the past year with before, during and after pictures to illustrate points and give Sports Field Managers practical knowledge to empower change to their own school district fields.

Attendees will take home:
Strong understanding of diagnosing broadleaf & grassy weeds and the control methods needed to create a monostand of turfgrass. Animal control and strategies for minimizing their affect. The importance of taking soil samples and the interpretation of important aspects of the results which include: water movement, sodium management and availability of nutrients in the soil.

Did you miss week 1? Watch here:
Pursuing Infill Depth Perfection in Synthetic Turf Systems
Thomas Shay, PE – Woodard & Curran
https://youtu.be/EK0ZaiNb5oo

Pesticide and Topdressing Calculations – It’s Only Cell Phone Math
Samuel Doak – Retired
https://youtu.be/kIOSy7TyVcM

Week 2 took place today, Feb. 1. Recordings will be posted before the end of the week HERE if you missed it.