April/May 2021 - 26

Trends in the Athletic
Grass Industry
By Brad Aldridge, John Deere Product Manager, Golf Reel & Rotary Mowers
A natural grass field has many benefits, most
importantly, enhancing player safety compared to
other field types. However, many school programs can
feel overwhelmed by the maintenance associated with
keeping a natural field play ready.
The good news is field maintenance can be successfully
achieved with a little planning and the right equipment.
Across the industry, there are a few key trends
changing how natural grass is being maintained - from
lower heights of cut to increased aesthetics, and the
length of playing season. More programs are lowering
the height of the cut, often going below one inch. This
benefits the athlete, as that close-cut can provide a truer
and more consistent playing surface, but also requires
more maintenance.
Another trend is increased attention to aesthetics, as
more athletic programs take inspiration from the fields
seen on TV. Striping patterns add a dramatic effect and
can be achieved through mower selection and add-on
attachments. John Deere PrecisionCut™ and E-Cut™
Hybrid reel mowers, and TerrainCut™ rotary mowers,
do an excellent job with both cut quality and aesthetics.
As seasons are extended, it is important to keep fields
playable and healthy longer, presenting a challenge
when caring for the turf.
With all of these trends impacting the expectations of the
field, it is important to plan correctly to keep turf playable
all season. While mowing is a key piece of the puzzle, a
healthy field requires more than just that, including proper
spraying, aeration, and topdressing. Spraying is key to
properly applying herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, and
fertilizers at the right rate and time. Tools like the John
Deere GPS PrecisionSprayers™ can help increase accuracy
and take a lot of guessing out of the spraying process.
Aeration is another critical step in the maintenance
process that should be done frequently and at alternating
depths, as it helps to minimize compaction and improve
drainage. Additionally, topdressing can have a huge impact
on the turf, helping to keep a level playing surface, easing
compaction, and maintaining the soil profile for better root
growth and increased drainage. Winter overseeding can
also help keep fields green year-round in southern areas
where grasses normally go dormant.
26 APRIL/MAY 2021
Other key maintenance steps include verticutting,
water management, and, of course, mowing.Especially
for those with southern grasses like bermudagrass,
verticutting on a routine schedule stimulates new
growth. Applying the right amount of water at the right
time is also important, as too much or too little can
impact the quality of the turf. Watering in the evening
can promote disease development and hurt turf quality.
When mowing fields, occasionally changing directions
will help eliminate grain and improve cut quality.
In addition to utilizing proper maintenance practices,
it is also important to have the right equipment. When
selecting a mower, there are some key areas to focus on:
* Budget - How much can the program afford? Leasing
a machine can help to reduce monthly payments.
Additionally, a used mower can be an option if a new
machine is out of budget.
* Available Labor - Who will run the machine? This is
important for determining the width of machines and
the type of mower used.
* Ease of maintenance - Will you perform your own
machine maintenance and, if so, do you have the right
tools to do it? For example, a reel mower requires
more maintenance than a rotary mower to keep the
bed knife and reel edges sharp.
* Ease of use - How much experience does the operator
have? The commonality of controls across different
products can make it easier for operators on your crew
to use a wider range of products, increasing efficiency.
Ultimately, these factors will help determine the right
mower for the program to meet its unique needs. The
dealer can also be a great resource, walking through
the different options and the pros and cons of each
machine. For maintenance, some dealers may even offer
a service contract, which can take the stress of machine
maintenance away from the owner.
There are many factors to consider when maintaining
a natural field. However, determining the right care
process, purchasing the right machines for the job, and
working with a trusted dealer partner will help ensure
fields stay beautiful and playable all season long.
April/May 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April/May 2021
