Potential Bermudagrass Sod Shortages in 2015

Kerrie here... We might be in Western North Carolina, but I know many of you work with clients that have or could potentially utilize some warm-season grasses. Check out the latest information from NC State:

Grady Miller, Turfgrass Extension Specialist

In recent discussions with North Carolina sod growers it was apparent that there will be a significant shortage of bermudagrass sod this winter and spring. With good growing conditions the growers may be able to catch up in early to mid-summer.

Why shortages when just five years ago inventory levels were relatively high? There have been multiple factors involved. There was already reduced sod acreage following the downturn in the economy. The increase in construction over the last year and a rapid switch to a preference for bermudagrass by builders has contributed to the shortage. Add to that the poor summer growing conditions (prolonged springs and limited light) for warm-season grasses the last two years and the result is a depleted supply of bermudagrass.

The recent sod survey from GA indicates that they have a similar supply shortfall. (http://www.caes.uga.edu/applications/gafaces/?public=viewStory&pk_id=4996) Sod growers in the southeast suggest this shortage is universal across the region.

What does this mean? All growers, regardless of size and location, will not have adequate bermudagrass sod to meet the demand. This will likely result in an increase in bermudagrass sod cost. In some cases, if sod must be installed during this period, the buyer may have to select an alternative grass.

NC State University is currently surveying the NC Sod industry to get a better estimate of sod supply in 2015 for all the grasses.

For a complete list of NC Sod Producer Association member growers and sod types visit: www.ncsod.org

ORIGINAL POST: http://turffiles.ncsu.edu/Alerts.aspx#005640

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Ag Breakfast

Please join us at the next Friends of Agriculture Breakfast, to be held on February 17th at 7:00 a.m.  Our guest speaker will be Ila Hatter, wild crafter, interpretive naturalist, storyteller, folklorist and North Carolina treasure. She is an author, a publisher, and renowned resource for anyone interested in the utility of the native plants of the Southern Appalachians.  Ila will be sharing some of her plant wisdomand cultural gems that have been garnered over 25 years of teaching and field experience.  The breakfast is held at the WNC Ag Center in Mills River and will begin at 7:00 a.m.am

See the flier on the following link:

Ag Breakfast Flier

If you're interested in attending please RSVP to Meghan Baker at

meghan_baker@ncsu.edu.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

job opening

Landscape Crew Position:

Full-time landscaping position available at large retirement community in South Asheville. General skills required- mowing, pruning, pesticide and fertilizer applications, etc. Certified Plant Professional and N.C. pesticide license preferred. Apply in person at Deerfield Retirement Community, 1617 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC, 28803.   828.274.1531 *3245

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

National Safety Council First Aid Course

First Aid Course

We will be partnering with the NC Department of Labor to offer a First Aid, CPR and AED course on February 17th from 9:00 A.M.  until 5:00 p.m.  The course is in our shared classroom a the Cooperative Extension Office in Buncombe County. (94 Coxe Avenue Asheville)  The class is open to 15 people only and I have 5 already pre-registered so the next 10 that contact me can enroll.  

MSHA and OSHA require that a person on every mine or jobsite be capable of performing basic first aid in the event of an emergency.  This class will meet the requirements for both federal regulatory agencies (MSHA and OSHA).  However, it is not just about being compliant.  You will learn skills to provide care for life threatening and non-life threatening situations, so you can also care for loved ones, neighbors and others along with co-workers. 

This is a National Safety Council course and is provided by an experienced instructor.  The class will consist of classroom and hands-on training.  The course agenda is as follows: 

1.     How to act in an emergency

2.     Preventing disease transmission

3.     Checking the victim

4.     Basic life support

5.     Recovery position

6.     Chocking

7.     Heart attack and chest pain

8.     Bleeding and wound care

9.     Shock

1    Burns

1    Bone, joint and muscle injuries

1    Sudden illness

1    Allergic reactions

1    Poisoning

1    Cold and heat emergencies

1   Moving a victim.

The complete course will take between 6 and 8 hours depending on individuals retention skills.  You will be provided with National Safety Council materials (book and DVD) for you to keep and share with family members.  Upon satisfactory completion of the course you will also be provided with a certificate, including a pocket card, for First Aid, CPR and AED.  You must at least complete the First Aid requirements before continuing with CPR and AED.

Remember this contains the hands-on portion on the use of dressing and bandaging, and also CPR, which requires that you must be able to get in the floor to practice skills of CPR. 

The cost for this class is nothing.  This is provided through the NCDOL as part of a State Grants program regarding compliance with required regulatory requirements.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Webinars for the Greenhouse Industry

E-Grow Webinars

Find it increasingly hard to make it to greenhouse programs?  If so you may find attending these webinars the solution to that problem,   We are offering several on-line short classes in conjunction with several of the other land grant university faculty.  These webinars are scheduled for several consecutive Fridays but should be available to be watched by recording at a later time.  (Typically, 2+ weeks after the original posting)
To access the webinar menu click on the following link:

Webinars



For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.