Hancock Turfgrass Research Center Annual Report
- Address: 4444 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824
- Farm Manager: Jesse Sholl
- Faculty Co-Chair: Dr. Kevin Frank
- Acreage: 56 acres
- Number of Annual Visitors: 1,000+
Teaching
One of the core values of the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center is to be a living laboratory to assist with and facilitate the teaching mission of the MSU Turf Team and Michigan State University.
Classes that utilize the Turf Center for learning include:
- PLP 885 - Plant Pathology - graduate level (18)
- PLP 266 - Turf Pathology (20)
- CSS 226L - Weed Science Lab - 4 sections (60)
- CSS 232 - Introduction to Turgrass Management (35)
- CSS 181 - Pesticide and Fertilizer Application Technology (33)
- CSS 202 - World of Turf (2500)
- CSS 178 - Turfgrass Irrigation Lab (32)
- CSS 262 - Turfgrass Seminar (50)
- AT 102 - Turf and Landscape Analytical Practices (28)
- MSU Turf Club
Outreach
The Hancock Turfgrass Research Center is centrally located and hosts many green industry groups and events throughout the year. This year, we hosted the governing boards of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF), the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MIGCSA) and the Michigan Sports Field Managers Association (MISFMA) for monthly and/or annual planning sessions.
There is also a great opportunity to host industry educational events. In 2023, we were able to hold educational events and field days for the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM), Michigan Sod Growers Association and our annual MSU/MTF Turfgrass Field Day.
Impacting our students is a priority, and one event that does so is the "Student Ice Breaker" that we have at the beginning of the fall semester. This was the fourth year of the event that brings our new turf students out to the Hancock Center and we pair them up with a second year student and do some fun contests, putting courses, closest to the pin, chipping skills, etc. to help them network with each other. This also lets them know there is a close-knit group of students with the same passions and that they can all lean on each other. At the conclusion, we have a barbecue and discuss scholarship opportunities, industry resources that are available to the students and have a Q&A with industry professionals.
Research
Research is conducted at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center by seven principal investigators and nine graduate students. Areas of study include best management practices for various turf systems, pathology work on resistance, efficacy, application rates and timing, fertility rates and outcomes, environmental fate of fertilizers and pesticides, leaching and run-off. There are also a number of National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) variety trials, new cultivar performance, seeding rate and establishment studies. Weed control strategies, both pre- and post-emergent, efficacy and alternative control options along with turf insect management and control strategies.
Some current studies include:
- Effects of drought and recovery on photosynthetic health of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass
Ice encasement physiology and recovery. - Winter turf physiology and breeding research.
- Comparing variable depth and capillary hydroponics system root zones for sustainable putting green management.
- The evaluation of surface and rooting characteristics of Kentucky bluegrass sod harvested from various systems.
- Shallow root zone profile system component evaluation for sports fields.
- Assessment of different hybrid carpet mat systems for performance turf systems.
- Establishment methods for production of sod on plastic.
- Effects of PGR applications on poa annua seed head suppression.
- Effects of dried leaf matter on weed populations and soil health.
- Evaluating growing degree day (GDD) model accuracy when applying pre-emergent herbicides for crabgrass control.
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