News Archives

Is "Cash for Grass" the Way to Go?

January 16, 2009 - MAA Research Task Force Reaches Agreement with US EPA for Continued Use of MSMA

January 22, 2009 - Paul Grose Named FSGC President at 20th Annual Meeting

March 22, 2008 - UF / FSGC Announce Release of "Captiva" St. Augustine

Is "Cash for Grass" The Way to Go?

The following is taken from  "Cash for Grass" - A Cost Effective Method to Conserve Landscape Water? by Sylvan Addink, PhD, Certified Professional Agronomist, originally published in the Jan/Feb 2005 Turf News, a publication of Turfgrass Producers International.  The full article with a list of references can be seen at http://ucrturf.ucr.edu/topics/Cash-for-Grass.pdf.

Water districts, municipalities, and states are increasingly confronted with the challenge of finding enough water to sustain their growing and thirsty populations.  In the midst of a drought, the importance of allocating and saving water is of even greater importance.  In the search for methods to achieve this goal, a variety of alternatives have been pursued, some more successfully than others.

One of the methods used has been “Cash for Grass” programs.  Four of these programs were conducted in North Marin, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Albuquerque, NM, and El Paso, TX.  In examining these programs, the following observations were noted:

• The average calculated cost per acre foot of water saved was $899.  This was based on a 15 year life and a 25% erosion factor.  As indicated below, the 25% erosion factor is likely to be higher, causing an increase in the cost for each acre foot saved.

• Each program required the installation of xeriscape plant material, which is generally watered with a drip irrigation system.  A newly installed drip irrigation system can use 20% less water than an in-ground sprinkler system. However, after several years, the drip irrigation system will lose some of its efficiency advantage over the sprinkler system.  In Arizona, a check of several older drip systems revealed an average uniformity of less than 20%.  The short-term results reported for the “Cash for Grass” programs did not consider this factor.

• The programs required xeriscape density of 50% at maturity.  The coverage and water needs of the xeriscape canopy would increase over time as the plants matured, resulting in further erosion of water savings.  The short-term results reported for the “Cash for Grass” programs did not consider these factors.

• In addition, visual observations at some sites revealed that the early xeriscape plant coverage was 10% or less and would never achieve 50% coverage by maturity.  This increased the early reported water savings at the expense of visually unappealing neighborhoods and golf courses.

• Three of the programs required installation of a new irrigation system to qualify for the rebate while the El Paso program did not.  The higher cost per acre foot of water saved for the El Paso program ($1,834) is an indicator that much of the water savings can be attributed to the installation of more efficient irrigation systems, not the removal of turf. 

• Based on water application rates on tall fescue plantings in Las Vegas, a water savings of 28% could have been achieved by applying only the amount of water required by the tall fescue plants.  The Southern Nevada Water authority, in their summer 2004 Waterwise publication, stated that, “On average, residents use 40 percent more water on their grass than most turf requires.”

• The conclusion that the majority of savings came from emphasis on proper irrigation rather than conversion of turf to xeriscape is supported by a water conservation program established by the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD). There was a 50% reduction in water use on non-residential landscapes and “most of the reductions in water use were attributable to improvements in irrigation technology and management, rather than changes in landscape composition.”

Conclusions from examination of “Cash for Grass” Programs:

• There is doubt about the cost effectiveness of “Cash for Grass” programs due to the high cost per acre foot of water saved and low acceptance rate among consumers.

• The reported short-term results of the programs did not consider important long-term factors such as decreasing efficiency of drip systems over time and higher water use due to growth of the xeriscape plant material.

• Three of the programs examined did not separate the water savings for the irrigation system change from the water savings due to conversion of turf to xeriscape.  This critical oversight can only be addressed with additional research in order to conclude the relative water saving benefits of each component.

Good landscape water management is more important than plant material change.  Dr. Welsh, past president of the National Xeriscape Council, stated that, “The type of plant materials or irrigation system in the landscape has much less effect on water consumption than the human factor of good landscape water management.”

MAA Research Task Force Reaches Agreement with US EPA for Continued Use of MSMA

Jan. 16, 2009 - On Jan. 16, 2009, the MAA Research Task Force (Task Force) signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which permits the continued use of MSMA. The details of the agreement pertaining to Sod and Turf and the conditions set forth for the various uses of the product are summarized below.

MSMA Use on Golf Courses, Sod Farms and Highway Rights of Way will be Continued

MSMA sale for the use on golf courses, sod farms and highway rights of way will continue until Dec. 31, 2012, with use of stocks permitted until Dec. 31, 2013. During 2012 (before the discontinuation of these uses), EPA, through one of the Agency's external peer-review groups, will evaluate the scientific information available on any risk posed by inorganic arsenic. The use of MSMA will continue beyond 2013 should the review result in a conclusion that there is no health concern at the doses of exposure resulting from the relevant uses. EPA will also take into account additional information available on the benefits conferred by MSMA. This is particularly important due to the increased problems of weed resistance to products other than MSMA, particularly in the Southeastern United States.

The Task Force is hopeful that the reviews described above will enable EPA to extend these use patterns beyond 2013 and to declare them eligible for re-registration.

The directions for use of MSMA for these applications will be revised as follows:

Golf courses:
One broadcast application will be allowed on newly constructed courses. Application on existing courses will be limited to spot treatment (100 sq ft per spot), not to exceed 25% of the total course in one year.

Sod farms:
Two broadcast applications will be allowed per crop. A 25 foot buffer strip will be required for those fields bordering permanent water bodies.

Highway rights-of-way:
Two broadcast applications will be allowed per year. A 100 foot buffer strip will be required adjacent to permanent water bodies.

Other MSMA Uses

Certain uses of MSMA will not be permitted after Dec. 31, 2010 (sale of MSMA for these uses will stop on Dec. 31, 2009). Those uses are:
* Residential turf
* Forestry
* Non-bearing fruit and nuts
* Citrus, bearing and non-bearing
* Drainage ditch banks, railroad, pipeline, and utility rights of way, fence rows, storage yards and similar non-crop areas
* Bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass grown for seed (this use may be continued till 2013).

MSMA uses in Florida, other than for cotton, will cease and registrants will delete the uses of the related products DSMA, CAMA and DMA (cacodylic acid and its sodium salt), by end of 2010.

The Long Term Outlook for Uses of MSMA Other than Cotton

The Task Force strongly believes that there is growing scientific evidence that low doses of inorganic arsenic do not pose a concern to human health or to the environment. If an EPA science review, to convene in 2012, concurs with this position, then inorganic arsenic resulting from uses of MSMA will not pose a concern, and the Task Force will petition for restoration of some or all of MSMA uses.

*****

The Task Force expresses its appreciation to the users of MSMA, as well as to weed scientists and other technical specialists for their efforts in reinforcing to EPA, and to other government officials, the critically important role MSMA plays in integrated pest management programs for its various uses.

Finally, the Task Force expresses its appreciation to the EPA staff and officials who participated in these challenging discussions and for working in a cooperative spirit to reach this important resolution.

Paul Grose Named FSGC President at 20th Annual Meeting

January 29, 2009 - Paul Grose of King Ranch was named president of the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative at the association’s 20th Annual Meeting, held at the Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando on January 9. 

Grose is the general manager of King Ranch’s Florida division, overseeing the company’s turfgrass, sweet corn, and sugar cane operations at its 20,000 acre Belle Glade farm.   A graduate of Texas A&M University, he worked in King Ranch’s South American cattle operations in Venezuela and Brazil prior to moving to Florida in 1987.

He has served on the FSGC board of directors and as treasurer since 2004.  He also serves on the UF/IFAS Advisory Committee for the Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade and the UF/IFAS Regional Advisory Committee.

“The turfgrass and landscape industries will continue to face many difficult challenges in the coming years,” Grose said, “and the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative will work hard with its green industry partners to promote and protect the interests of its members, the environment, and all the citizens of Florida.”

Keith Truenow of Lake Jem Farms in Mount Dora will serve as vice president. Stan Speed of Lykes Bros, Inc., Okeechobee, was named treasurer and Mark Garrett with Kirkland Sod, New Smyrna Beach, will serve as secretary.  Will Nugent of Bethel Farms in Arcadia is immediate past president.

SWFWMD Governing Board Modifies Turfgrass Restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties

Contact:  Robyn Felix                                                        
1-800-423-1476, Ext. 4770       

December 16, 2008 - The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board voted today to modify the tightened turfgrass restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, which will allow builders to sod and residents to replace lawns under a specific set of conditions.

District staff met with members of the sod industry last week to discuss solutions to the extreme water shortage in the Tampa Bay area as well as the serious economic conditions affecting the sod industry. Based on suggestions by the sod industry, District staff recommended the Governing Board modify both the new sod and turfgrass renovation restrictions.

"We are experiencing two serious conditions: the extreme water shortage in the Tampa Bay area and the dramatic downturn in the economy," said Richard Owen, District deputy executive director. "We met with the sod industry and believe we've come up with a solution that will continue to save water while allowing the sod industry to remain in business."

The modifications apply to both new construction and lawn replacement (sod, plugs, and other turfgrass material.) The changes include:

• Restricting the new construction and turfgrass replacement establishment period to 30 days total.
• On days 1-15, beginning the day of installation, the new or replacement turfgrass may be watered every day of the week.
• On days 16-30, the new or replacement turfgrass may be watered approximately every other day. Unless otherwise specified by a local ordinance, even-numbered addresses may only water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may only water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

• Reducing the 60-day allowance for new plant (non-sod) establishment. During days 31-60, plants and shrubs may be watered three days per week. Unless otherwise specified by a local ordinance, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may be water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
• Reducing the time aesthetic fountains and waterfalls may operate from eight hours to four hours per day.
• Restricting the time for hand-watering or micro-irrigation for non-lawn landscaping to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Requiring water utilities and other local enforcement officials to increase their enforcement efforts, including requirements to respond to citizen complaints and issue citations without having first issued a warning.

• Unless your city or county has stricter hours in effect, properties under two acres in size may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Variances are available if a property proposes an acceptable alternative irrigation plan (such as splitting a large property into two pieces and assigning a different day to each piece).
• Water utilities are required to promote water conservation, conduct a system water audit, and take action based on the results of the audit.
• Water utilities and other local enforcement officials must respond to District referrals and regularly report enforcement activity.
• Phase II restrictions continue to apply to other water uses, such as agricultural and industrial activities.

UF/ FSGC Announce the Release of "Captiva" St. Augustine

March 22, 2008 - The Florida Sod Growers Cooperative and the Univeristy of Florida / Florida Foundation Seed Producers recently announced the release of "Captiva" St. Augustine, which was developed by Dr. Russell Nagata at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research & Education Center in Belle Glade, Florida.

In 2005, the FSGC partnered with the university to evaluate the turfgrass on cooperating farms throughout Florida, Georgia and Texas to assess its performance under standard production practices.  After review, the University approved Captiva for release in the 2007.

Captiva officially debuted at the FSGC Annual Meeting in January and was featured at the Turfgrass Producers International's MidWinter Conference trade show in Orlando this past February.  The turf has exhibited significant resistance to the southern chinch bug and good shade tolerance, but perhaps its most appealing characteristics may be its ability to maintain a deeper green color with fewer inputs and its dwarf-like growth habits, which mean less frequent mowing and a lush, compact appearance.  The turf is expected to be available for purchase in late spring.