Innovation Gateway staff members sponsored and attended the 73rd annual Southeastern Turfgrass Conference on April 25 in Tifton, where Brian Schwartz (above left), UGA crop and soil sciences, presented David Doguet, Sr. (above right), president of Bladerunner Farms, with the University of Georgia Research Foundation and Tifton Turfgrass Breeding Program Award, recognizing distinguished contributions to the turfgrass industry.   

The conference featured several UGA speakers including Jing Zhang (above left), crop and soil sciences, who discussed using drones, cameras and large data analysis for turfgrass breeding. Paul Raymer (above right), crop and soil sciences, talked about UGA’s turfgrass breeding and its most recent release, SeaStar® seashore paspalum.

The conference also included an optional visit to Adel, Ga., where Jaimie Allen (above left) of Pike Creek Turf and Brian Schwartz (above right), crop and soil sciences, gave tours of the beautiful TifTuf bermudagrass production field at Pike Creek Turf Farm.