Industry News

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October 2011

Oct 11 - New Boss Cleans House at SWFWMD

September 2011

Sept 23 - E-Verify Anxiety: Local Growers Fear Immigration Bill

August 2011

Aug 30 - SWFWMD Selects Guillory New Executive Director

Aug 23 - South Florida Growers Achieve Water Quality Record

Aug 22 - DuPont Launches Imprelis Hotline, FAQ Website; Sets Product Return & Refund Program

Aug 22 - EPA Halts Sale of DuPont's Imprelis Herbicide

Aug 19 - Momentum Building in Florida Home & Condo Sales

Aug 17 - USDA Announces $100 Million Conservation Investment for N. Everglades Watershed

Aug 15 - Budget Cuts Force More Layoffs at South Florida Water Management District

Aug 9 - USDA Designates Natural Disaster Counties for FL Ag

Aug 4 - Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam’s 5 Keys To Florida Ag’s Future

July 2011

July 27 - Turfgrass Water Conservation: Second Edition Now Available

July 26 - SWFWMD Extends Lawn Watering Restrictions

July 18 - Rainy July Boosts Lake Okeechobee Levels But Still Not Enough

July 8 -USDA Rules on Genetically Engineered Grasses

New Covington and Santee Centipedegrasses Coming to Florida

Justin Wallace, Director of Communications, Sod Solutions

For years, when the words “Florida” and “grass” were put together, “St. Augustine” was what came to mind. But over
the last decade, other varieties have been encroaching on what was once the Sunshine State’s “turf of choice.” Home and commercial properties are becoming more familiar with zoysiagrasses and now centipedes are

about to move into the once exclusive neighborhood.

Covington and Santee are centipede varieties released through the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative (FSGC) last year and have been licensed by eight sod producers. The
two varieties bring a fresh look to the centipede market
because of the unique features of each grass. Covington is
an all-green selection and Santee has an extremely dense
root structure. And both carry a centipede hallmark feature of needing less nitrogen inputs than most other warm season species.

“Improved centipedes will really add value to producers and end-users,” said Tobey Wagner, president of Sod Solutions, the patent holding company for Covington and Santee. “Covington has a striking color for a centipede grass and Santee is really a producer’s grass. It has an amazing root structure, grow-in is extremely fast and it blocks well.”

One of the drawbacks of common centipede has been a red-colored seed head and leaf blade at certain times of the year. Covington eliminates this issue because of its uniform green color. That goes for blades and seed heads.

While Santee will display the reddish hue at certain times, its hallmark starts in its roots. Santee has a massive root system (see photo above), more so than any other centipede variety. Santee covers the ground rapidly allowing for good damage recovery and for producers, more turns. Another grower bonus: netting doesn’t have to be used when harvesting.

Covington and Santee are licensed in Florida through a joint release with the FSGC, which allows for a portion of the royalties paid to be returned to the association to use for programs benefitting the turfgrass industry. Covington and Santee will be available from these Florida producers:

Sod Solutions, Inc. is an international turfgrass research, development and marketing company located near Charleston, S.C. Sod Solutions has released Palmetto® St. Augustine, EMPIRE Turf ® Zoysia, Celebration® Bermudagrass, Sapphire® St. Augustine, Captiva® St. Augustine, Bella® Bluegrass, Discovery™ Bermudagrass, Santee™ Centipede, Covington™ Centipede, Regenerating Perennial Ryegrass® and Geo™ Zoysia. For more information, visit www.sodsolutions.com or call 843.849.1288.

Discovery Bermudagrass Debuts in Florida Markets in 2011

Mt. Pleasant, SC - “Mow once a month. Doesn’t sound too bad, does it? When low-mow Discovery™ Bermudagrass hits the retail market in 2011, the days of weekly mowing will become nothing but a memory,” says Tobey Wagner, president of Sod Solutions.

Discovery™ is a new bermudagrass variety developed in Europe and selected in the United States for its unique low-growing characteristics. Besides less yard work, Wagner noted that Discovery’s minimal vertical growth will offer benefits for the environment by reducing carbon emissions released by lawn mowing equipment. And its darker green color will cut down on fertilizer use.

“Bermudas are extremely drought tolerant grasses. Add to that 75% less mowing and you get a true environmentally friendly grass; less water used and fewer emissions produced,” said Wagner. Wagner’s company, Sod Solutions, is tasked with facilitating Discovery’s release to the market.

“In the southern part of the U.S., bermudagrass hasn’t been a homeowner’s grass because of the extreme amount of maintenance required to maintain it. Discovery will literally change that landscape and will be a homeowner’s bermudagrass, even in places like South Florida.”

While its vertical growth is minimal, Discovery does feature rapid lateral spread to form a dense lawn with minimal thatch. Other improved benefits are its color and little to no seed head production. Additionally, Discovery tolerates close mowing heights to 1/8 inch and has good cold tolerance. While it can be utilized in any landscape, Discovery’s growth characteristics will make it a perfect match for commercial and residential applications.

“Discovery™ will be a good fit in Florida for those customers who like the fine-bladed appearance of a bermudagrass but always thought it too fussy for their own lawns,” said Florida Sod Growers Cooperative executive director Betsy McGill.

Discovery™ is produced by a limited number of licensed producers in Florida through a joint release with the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative.  To locate a Florida producer and learn more, visit our Variety Locator.

Ready date and amount available will vary by farm. A list of producers outside Florida, as well as care and maintenance information for turf professionals, is available online at www.sodsolutions.com.

Video Tells the Story of Florida Agriculture                                                         

Florida agriculture is more than just products: it's a story of people, combining a rich heritage, a dedication to innovation and excellence, and a long tradition of respecting and caring for the land.   The Agriculture Institute of Florida has produced a video highlighting the diversity and productivity of Florida's farmers as well as the challenges the industry faces.

Watch the video here:  Florida Agriculture