Industry News

Beetles take a bite out of purple loosestrife

Over the past decade, beetles have taken a major bite out of purple loosestrife, one of the world’s most aggressive weeds. 

Featured on "the most noxious weeds" list in 33 states, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is especially a problem in the Midwest where it clogs wetlands and waterways. 

In the early 1990s, researchers in Minnesota were among the first to try a biological-based approach for beating back the weed.  They released two types of loosestrife beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pusilla) that love to munch on purple loosestrife foliage. 

Just two years later, University of Minnesota weed scientists Jeanie Katovich, Ph.D., Roger Becker, Ph.D., and Luke Skinner, Ph.D., of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources noted a significant reduction in purple loosestrife biomass and seed production.  And by five years after the initial release of the beetles, they were finding a dramatic reduction in loosestrife stands. 

The successful trial helped pave the way for beetles to be released across 13 Midwest and Northeast states.   Small "starter kits" of caged beetles were provided to agricultural inspectors, department of transportation staffers, wildlife managers, school children and members of 4H and garden clubs, who helped to rear and distribute the insects in weed-infested areas. 

 "We’ve been able to reduce purple loosestrife infestations by about two-thirds in just eight years," said Dennis Daum, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park ranger who helped to rear and release 100,000 beetles a year in the fragile backwaters of Nebraska’s Lewis and Clark Lake.  "Many of the plants that remain are severely stunted and aren’t vigorous enough to compete with native vegetation."

Stevan Knezevic, Ph.D., of the University of Nebraska says the beetles not only stunt loosestrife, but also cause a delay in the time of the invasive weed’s flowering by stripping away its canopy.  That means there is much less time for loosestrife to produce seeds and spread.  It also means that less herbicide is needed to control the weed.  In Minnesota for example, annual expenditures for herbicide management of loosestrife decreased ten-fold from 1989 to 2003, mostly due to the success of the beetle program. 

"Beetles are another weapon in our arsenal for combating loosestrife, especially when used in combination with other weed control methods," said Lee Van Wychen, director of science policy for the Weed Science Society of America.  "As a result, we’ve been able to make great strides in preserving our wetland habitats from one of the world’s most aggressive weeds."

The Minnesota research that helped to establish the successful beetle biocontrol program was a cooperative effort involving scientists and managers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, local park lands, Cornell University and CABI Bioscience of Delémont, Switzerland. For more information visit www.wssa.net.

Barenbrug attains GCSAA Silver Partner status

Barenbrug USA has pledged its support of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and its members by committing to participate in the association's Partner Recognition Program. Barenbrug will invest resources at the program's "Silver" level.

"We are proud to welcome Barenbrug to the GCSAA Partner Recognition Program," said GCSAA President David S. Downing II, CGCS. "These resources are invested for the benefit of GCSAA's stakeholders -- member superintendents, their facilities and the golf course management profession."

Barenbrug is a long-time supporter of The Environmental Institute for Golf and is recognized at the Statesman's Club level for cumulative giving. The company also donates to the annual Golf Industry Show Silent Auction.

"The GCSAA is a very important component of our business strategy – not only at a corporate level but also at the chapter level," said John Walther, vice president of national sales. "We are very excited about the new PRP and proud to be able to continue our support of the GCSAA."

Stanford's new Siebel complex to host NorCal superintendents
 
On April 28, members of the GCSA of Northern California will participate in an innovative field workshop at the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex at Stanford University. The educational workshop and tour will provide an in-depth look at the nation’s newest innovatively-designed training complex in collegiate golf.
 
According to Stanford University’s golf course superintendent Ken Williams, CGCS, the 30-acre L-shaped facility consists of two sections (200 yd. wide by 400 yd. long, and 100 yd. wide by 400 yd. long). It has three main tee areas, along with six, uniquely-designed green complexes strategically positioned around the perimeter of the site (each green modeled after the work of a renowned architect) with accompanying bunkers filled with varying sand textures.

The complex has already experienced a "wow factor" from Stanford’s golf coaches, and their team players who’ll frequent it regularly in preparation for competitive play. "With different hitting areas, varying green complexes and bunkering, the complex was designed to closely mirror playing conditions found during regular competition," said Williams.  "Thanks to the university and its supporters coupled with our masterful design and construction team, we were able to achieve that lofty goal."

Already touted by sports enthusiasts as the best golf training center in the country, the complex was created by Robert Trent Jones II design team with Jay Blasi as project architect, and Doug Ingram as project shaper. Ed Ott, Colony Landscape, was project contractor, and Andy Slack, Spot Water Management was irrigation designer. Both men are GCSANC members.

During the workshop members from the design team and project affiliates will provide insight on how the complex emerged to its excellence. "Over the years we’ve conducted numerous field workshops throughout the region, but I’m especially looking forward to this year’s event at Stanford’s golf training complex," said Ali Harivandi, Ph.D.

GCSAA represents the industry at minorities conference.

In an effort to expand GCSAA membership and promote diversity in the golf course management profession, Lanie Griffin, GCSAA career services manager, attended the 23rd Annual Career Fair and Training Conference held by Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences last month in Denver.

The society promotes academic and professional advancement for minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. Its membership includes approximately 70 university/college chapters throughout the U.S.
 
GCSAA was among 74 exhibitors and introduced students to the association and superintendent’s profession by explaining degree options and student memberships, and distributing career and scholarship information including GCSAA’s career booklet, "Picture This," copies of GCM magazine and scholarship information.

Club Car revving up eco-friendliness

Club Car manufactures golf cars and utility vehicles in a range of colors, but green is the color that has moved to the front of the line these days as company officials and employees focus on energy efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability.

Club Car says it is working to reduce energy use and costs while decreasing its environmental impact throughout its operation. Parts sourced from around the world are now evaluated on their ability to be recycled. Automated turn-off switches are being installed on power equipment to reduce energy when the equipment is not in use. Tons of electric batteries, cardboard boxes and metal containers are being recycled. Auxiliary power units are being installed on the tractor-trailers that deliver vehicles to reduce idling time and fuel consumption.

"We’re scrutinizing every manufacturing process, every part that goes into our vehicles and every departmental function to make sure we are operating efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner," said Gary Michel, Club Car’s president and CEO.

Club Car’s main contribution to environmental friendliness is the trend it is leading toward zero-emission electric vehicles. Club Car engineers have been at the forefront of work to improve the power and range of electric-powered vehicles in the golf car and utility segments for more than a decade. As a result, electric golf cars now lead production of gas-powered cars with combustible engines. What’s more, improvements in electric technology are making electric utility vehicles an option for many tougher chores that were once the sole domain of gas vehicles.

In 2007 the company recycled more than two million pounds of waste (mostly in the form of cardboard and metal). It also decreased the amount of landfill trash produced by 25 percent. Its goal in 2008, according to John Forrester, Club Car’s safety and environmental manager, is to reduce the amount of energy used to produce each of its thousands of vehicles by three percent.