Golf Fertilizer Pollution

[Charlie Goerges]

Charlie,
I could go on the longest of diatribes about this topic of sustainability and have somewhat here in the past. I think I’ve wore folks out with it and I’ll sit this one out. Bottom line is we need to do better if we are to guarantee the future survival of the sport in some kind of form in which we are accustomed to. Not just turf managers, but everyone under the golf umbrella from the public golfers, private members, architects and their clients, pros, GM’s, and anyone else you want to throw in there that’s either directly or tangentially involved with golf.

That's all fair enough. I agree about a concerted effort by everyone, which is why I am looking for some discussion of the topic.

[Max Prokopy]

These numbers would continue to trend down rapidly with industry adoption of improved fertilizer recommendations, which are readily available for implementation. Hurdle is that people refuse to except the data and rely on outdated and wasteful methods of nutrient management. So, while we are trending downward it may not be fast enough.


N and P are the two elements of concern when talking about water quality. There are no federal drinking water standards for K.



Trending down fast enough for what?  Innovations keep on coming.  People may be slower to adapt/adopt but the "market" tends to sort itself out. 

[John Emerson]

These numbers would continue to trend down rapidly with industry adoption of improved fertilizer recommendations, which are readily available for implementation. Hurdle is that people refuse to except the data and rely on outdated and wasteful methods of nutrient management. So, while we are trending downward it may not be fast enough.


N and P are the two elements of concern when talking about water quality. There are no federal drinking water standards for K.



Trending down fast enough for what?  Innovations keep on coming.  People may be slower to adapt/adopt but the "market" tends to sort itself out.

To appease the powers that be (EPA USDA etc) before they administer more regulations that are extremely detrimental to the turfgrass industry as a whole. Waiting for the market to “sort itself out” is not an option

[Max Prokopy]

These numbers would continue to trend down rapidly with industry adoption of improved fertilizer recommendations, which are readily available for implementation. Hurdle is that people refuse to except the data and rely on outdated and wasteful methods of nutrient management. So, while we are trending downward it may not be fast enough.


N and P are the two elements of concern when talking about water quality. There are no federal drinking water standards for K.



Trending down fast enough for what?  Innovations keep on coming.  People may be slower to adapt/adopt but the "market" tends to sort itself out.

To appease the powers that be (EPA USDA etc) before they administer more regulations that are extremely detrimental to the turfgrass industry as a whole. Waiting for the market to “sort itself out” is not an option

Applying pressure to an industry can help it flourish.  Perhaps the industry needs to improve.  I am not a huge fan of bureaucracy but humans aren't the only part of this equation and won't self-regulate in that regard.  An alternative is that golf (in pristine conditions) becomes more expensive, or Americans might start to better appreciate browner grasses at certain times of the year. 


It's not obvious that "detrimental" to a segment is detrimental to the game or its environs. 

[David_Tepper]

Slightly OT, but still quite relevant:


https://downeast.com/land-wildlife/this-woman-wants-to-destroy-your-lawn/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

[Alan FitzGerald CGCS MG]

The GCSAA just released the results of their recent fertility nutrient use survey. Overall usage is down.


https://www.gcmonline.com/research/news/nutrient-use-and-management-on-u.s.-golf-courses

[Bruce Katona]

So the original premise of this thread concerns non-point source pollution from farming, lawn (golf & residential) fertilization and septic system runoff on The Cape.  Interesting 1st world problem.


here's the way I've responded to this question when asked by planning/zoning boards/commissions when pitching a new project or looking to expand an existing one:


1. BK to the Board/public: "Who here cares for their own lawn and who hires a lawn service?"
    Raise of hands for both questions and to the public attending as well.
2. BK: :Who follows the directions on the fertilizer package exactly and sets the spreader exactly to that size and doesn't overlap distribution to make sure you get everything covered ?  Who adds a little more fertilizer to make sure the grass is greener so their spouse and neighbor don't complain the lawn looks brown?" Again raise of hands
3. BK: "Who here is licensed by the state of ____ to apply fertilizer & pesticides? Our golf course super is required to be"
4. BK: "Who has a septic system and tests the liquid that comes out "- the answer is always no one.


BK: "USDA & other academic studies have determined septic system runoff and and regulated lawn care by homeowners contribute far greater amounts of nutrient loading/non-point source pollution impacting adjacent fresh & slat water than regulated activities such as golf courses and agricultural activities. A farmer or golf course will only use what's required to keep their crop/turf healthy and disease resistant - why?  Because it costs a lot of money!  A farmer or golf course isn't going to use too much of something where there is no impact as it impacts the bottom line and profitability". This is where is get heads to nod, even from the bugs and bunny/tree huggers.


 

[John Emerson]

So the original premise of this thread concerns non-point source pollution from farming, lawn (golf & residential) fertilization and septic system runoff on The Cape.  Interesting 1st world problem.


here's the way I've responded to this question when asked by planning/zoning boards/commissions when pitching a new project or looking to expand an existing one:


1. BK to the Board/public: "Who here cares for their own lawn and who hires a lawn service?"
    Raise of hands for both questions and to the public attending as well.
2. BK: :Who follows the directions on the fertilizer package exactly and sets the spreader exactly to that size and doesn't overlap distribution to make sure you get everything covered ?  Who adds a little more fertilizer to make sure the grass is greener so their spouse and neighbor don't complain the lawn looks brown?" Again raise of hands
3. BK: "Who here is licensed by the state of ____ to apply fertilizer & pesticides? Our golf course super is required to be"
4. BK: "Who has a septic system and tests the liquid that comes out "- the answer is always no one.


BK: "USDA & other academic studies have determined septic system runoff and and regulated lawn care by homeowners contribute far greater amounts of nutrient loading/non-point source pollution impacting adjacent fresh & slat water than regulated activities such as golf courses and agricultural activities. A farmer or golf course will only use what's required to keep their crop/turf healthy and disease resistant - why?  Because it costs a lot of money!  A farmer or golf course isn't going to use too much of something where there is no impact as it impacts the bottom line and profitability". This is where is get heads to nod, even from the bugs and bunny/tree huggers.

The strongest correlation factor to how much or little fertilizer a golf course typically applies is the size of the budget. Meaning the courses with more money and bigger budgets typically apply more fertilizer.

[Steve Lang]

   Man, if there's septic system run-off... that's design, maintenance, or plumbing malpractice or most likely a combination of all three for older systems!


Guess some folks need to plant more carrots, shrubbery, and trees if they've got perimeter surface runoff issues... while deeper groundwater issues need much more geohydrologic study and moving to wells versus cores & lysimeters... its a big jump and will cost you, but a little knowledge goes a long way.