8:00am - Registration, Coffee/Donuts

8:30am - Welcome and Sponsor/Speaker Introductions VSFMA and Will Cole

8:45am - Topdressing Principles, Infield Skin and Warning Track Mgt. Chad Kropff of Bulldog Field Equipment and Will Cole This workshop will explore the transformative power of sand topdressing to revolutionize your turf management practices and will examine the purpose and effectiveness of topdressing in controlling thatch buildup, improving subsurface drainage, and promoting healthy root growth. Attendees will learn how to develop a sand topdressing program tailored for their specific turf needs. Attendees will also gain an improved understanding of the role of sand, silt, and clay in infield mixes. and how the proportions these materials play a vital role in its performance in drainage characteristics, moisture retention, and overall infield maintenance.

9:30am - BREAK

9:45am - Rootzone Mgt. Practices and Cultivation Equipment Rodney Jordan of Rock Haven Turf Specialties and Mike Goatley, PhD

This workshop will review the specific strengths and weaknesses, and anticipated turfgrass responses, of various field-cultivation practices. Attendees will be able to identify which cultivation practices are most optimal for their rootzone, budget, and schedule. Attendees will also evaluate the attributes and examine the differences among various pieces of sports-field cultivation equipment from live demonstrations on the field.

10:30am - BREAK

10:45am - Sprayer Calibration and Advancements in Sprayer Technologies Greg Austin of Revels Turf & Tractor and David McCall, PhD

A sound fertility and pesticide program is essential for producing and maintaining safe and playable, high-quality athletic fields. It is imperative that sports field managers know how to properly apply these chemicals in adherence to their label recommendations, and in an environmentally-friendly manner. Understanding the importance of sprayer calibration is critical for properly eradicating pests, promoting turf health, increasing economic savings, and getting
more pop for your drop overall! in this workshop, Greg Austin and Dr. David McCall will highlight these important calibration principles and will demonstrate how to properly calibrate a boom sprayer. Attendees will also learn about improved sprayer technologies including the use of GPS sprayers for fully optimizing their spray applications and chemical budget.

11:30am - Panel Discussion on Strategies for Managing Winterkill Mike Goatley, PhD, David McCall, PhD, and Rodney Jordan

The 2022-2023 winter was harsh for many sports field professionals managing bermudagrass athletic fields in Virginia. The late-December freeze and subsequent low temperatures affected all levels of sports fields, ranging from municipal to professional facilities and resulted in a significant number of reported instances of the loss of quality playing surfaces in the spring. This panel of turfgrass-science faculty and sports-field industry professionals will discuss the most common reasons winterkill occurs and share strategies for mitigating winterkill to reduce future problems.

12:00pm - LUNCH and Dismissal

1-1:30pm - Optional Facility Tour