INDUSTRY NEWS
“ Barenbrug consistently produces high-quality grass varieties that are adapted to low input situations ,” said A-LIST Executive Director Kyley Dickson . “ To add a company with its dedication to sustainability shows they are a company that we want in the A-LIST . Barenbrug ’ s expertise and innovation will be a valuable asset to the A-LIST and its members .”
A-LIST members in addition to Barenbrug include DLF , Mountain View Seeds , Landmark Seeds and Lebanon Seaboard . These members provide the most advanced and sustainable turfgrass varieties on the market today .
Landmark Seed announces new director
Landmark Seed Company promoted John Patton to the position of director . Patton has a lifetime of experience in the turfgrass industry as he grew up working on his family-owned sod farm in Maryland .
After graduating from Virginia Tech with a BS in Agronomy , Patton started his own landscaping business specializing in hydroseeding and sod installation serving the Baltimore-Washington area . After nine years of selfemployment , Patton sold his business and began his seed career in 1992 with Lofts Seed as general manager of their Beltsville , Maryland , office .
Thanks in large part to acquisitions , mergers and promotions , Patton has had many career paths in the seed industry , including positions at Sunbelt Seeds , ABT , Seed Research of Oregon and DLF Pickseed USA . Patton also worked for GreenTech , a modular sports field company , where he was involved with the installation of Virginia Tech and Michigan State football fields in addition to the 2004 Olympic Stadium installation in Athens , Greece .
Since 2015 , Patton has worked with the Landmark Seed Company as director of international sales , building their international business footprint . Patton ’ s primary functions will include overseeing the sales staff and directing all sales activities . In addition , he will also be responsible for pricing and growing the Landmark brand through strategic partnerships around the globe .
Genesis Turfgrass joins UTA
Genesis Turfgrass joined United Turf Alliance ( UTA ) as its newest owner . Based in Glen Rock , Pennsylvania , Genesis Turfgrass serves customers in Pennsylvania ; Delaware ; Maryland ; Washington , D . C .; Virginia ; West Virginia ; and New Jersey .
Mike Del Biondo founded Genesis Turfgrass in November 2005 . With more than 25 years of green
industry experience , Del Biondo ’ s mission was to provide products and knowledge to industry professionals . That mission has grown Genesis Turfgrass to two locations and 40 employees today . The company provides products and support to lawn and landscape services , sports complexes , athletic fields , golf courses , nurseries , sod and organic farms , agriculture , vineyards and infield tracks .
The new partnership between Genesis Turfgrass and UTA is a logical move for both organizations as they align to better serve turfgrass professionals .
The addition of Genesis Turfgrass makes the third new UTA owner this year , following the announcement of D & K Products joining UTA in June . UTA now has nine owners serving turf professionals throughout the country .
A-LIST creeping bentgrass approval
Breeders have worked for decades to improve the quality and performance of turfgrass varieties . Breeding often emphasized the level of fertility and water for optimal growth desired by users . However , turf managers are having to balance improved variety management practices with environmental dictates . Reduced inputs have become the norm , not the exception , in the world of turfgrass management .
The A-LIST sees the need to add another species of turfgrass to its trials to help improve its mission of low input and sustainability . Creeping bentgrass cultivars will now be added to A-LIST approvals . Breeding efforts have greatly improved the ability of disease resistance , heat tolerance , and reduced input requirements of creeping bentgrass . A list of certified varieties that have been proven to be able to meet the mission of the A-LIST through demonstrated trials are listed below . Creeping bentgrass trials will be a part of the trials for A-LIST varieties now and into the future .
Certified Varieties : 007XL 777 Macdonald Piper Oakley Piranha Diplomacy Proclamation Declaration Spectrum Match Ply Luminary sportsfieldmanagementonline . com September 2023 | SportsField Management
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