Q & A WITH DR . GRADY MILLER

What do you think about this ?

A field manager asked this question while we watched a SISGrass Universal machine slowly stitch synthetic fibers into a natural grass field . It was a limited installation in soccer goal mouths on one of our varsity practice fields here at NC State . The intention was to have demonstration areas that the sports field managers could use to evaluate this technology on their fields , under their normal maintenance and usage .

Asking a researcher their opinion of new technology can be a bit risky , as we tend to be critical until we have seen test data . It was easy to imagine the direct benefits of this system , but I was also turning over in my mind the potential problems of using this in a field planted to a warm-season turfgrass . I expressed a couple of concerns , and the installer acknowledged that field managers would have to change some of their management practices .

Regardless of my thoughts , it is the field managers who have to be comfortable with the technology . Progress cannot be made without change . The demonstration areas are a great way for our field managers and me to evaluate the technology under actual use without the full cost or commitment of an entire field .

As a researcher , I ’ m often asked to test new ideas or find solutions to specific problems . In other areas of my day-to-day life , I tend to make decisions more on functional aspects of proven products . For example , I recently replaced a seven-year-old phone with a model released a year ago ( I saw no need to get the latest version ). Marketing studies would indicate that there is a “ chasm ” between innovators / early adopters and the majority of users . To me , research data is one way to bridge the chasm . Other people may not place as high a value on research data , preferring different assurances before adoption — perhaps a colleague ’ s endorsement or , in this case , a good experience with a demonstration site .

If we had no research and no one ever took chances with new products or practices , we would never have innovation .

If we had no research and no one ever took chances with new products or practices , we would never have innovation . Just remember that change does not always provide the desired results , and there may be unintended consequences . Research and testing are central to our present-day fields looking and performing better than those of previous times .

To learn more about new products and practices , take advantage of chapter , state and national meetings with innovative speakers . Attend trade shows to see what is new , and ask vendors how their products can benefit your turfgrass or facility . University field days are another great place to learn about new products and visit with vendors .

Use the opportunities you have to speak with researchers about problems you experience . In some cases , they may be able to help you solve the problem or they may have an idea for a study that can evaluate potential solutions . If possible and practical , volunteer to be a test site for a researcher or vendor .

As was being done at NC State , vendors that are trying to get greater industry adoption of a new product or technology may offer you a chance to host a demonstration at your facility . It ’ s a great way to personally experience a product before totally committing . It may also help other sports field managers in deciding if the technology is right for their situation — even if it ’ s not right for you . SFM

Grady Miller , Ph . D . Professor and Extension Turf Specialist North Carolina State University

Questions ? Send them to Grady Miller at North Carolina State University , Box 7620 , Raleigh , NC 27695-7620 , or e-mail grady _ miller @ ncsu . edu

Or , send your question to Pamela Sherratt at 202 Kottman Hall , 2001 Coffey Road , Columbus , OH 43210 or sherratt . 1 @ osu . edu

50 SportsField Management | March 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com