UGA-Tifton Prepares to Host Annual Turfgrass Conference

The annual conference discusses topics like turfgrass varieties and computing irrigation requirements for turfgrasses.
The annual conference discusses topics like turfgrass varieties and computing irrigation requirements for turfgrasses.

The University of Georgia-Tifton will host the 71st annual Southeastern Turfgrass Conference on May 16.

The event will be held at the Tifton Campus Conference Center, and it will take place between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time. An optional field tour of turfgrass research plots will be offered after the event.

“Every year the turfgrass conference brings together some of the top researchers in the South, who discuss their findings,” said Brian Schwartz, turfgrass breeder at the campus. “This year is no different. We are expecting at least 30 different scientists to be in attendance to discuss topics such as turfgrass varieties, computing irrigation requirements for turfgrasses and how to establish insect pest management strategies for Georgia citrus.”

Schwartz went on to note that due to an early spring green-up in the local area, some varieties of turfgrasses have had difficulty this season. However, newer varieties appear to be handling the conditions well.

“One of the challenges this year will be for those people who got out early and fertilized,” he said. “In places like Tifton, Georgia, they might be OK, but up north (Georgia), they might have done it too early.”

Because of these challenges, the topic may be hot at the conference. Last year, the release of UGA’s “TifTuf” turf cultivar dominated the discussion.

Planned topics for this year’s event are plant breeding, fertilizer and herbicide management. Interested attendees can register for the event by visiting www.turfconf.com.