Mike Goatley

@VAturf keeps all Virginia turfgrass industry professionals apprised of current trends, events, and topics in turfgrass management.

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

Worried about your lawn in a drought? @vtspes faculty member @VTTurfTeaching provides some basic management tips in this interview: https://t.co/pAfkDkeMPW

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

WeevilTrak data for early June for central & eastern VA from @lejodelpozo: Adult densities have increased in Richmond and have also been present in consistent numbers in Williamsburg over the past two weeks. #vaturf @VirginiaGCSA

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

Weevil Trak update for Blacksburg, VA for June 5, 2026 from @TomKuhar: Still showing some light-moderate adult activity at the Virginia Tech Golf Course but still no ABW at the Blacksburg Country Club this year. @VirginiaGCSA #vaturf

[Virginia Sports Field Management Association @VirginiaSFMA]

We're about to gear up for another awards season - make sure you're ready! Learn more about the application process: https://t.co/pnJ5rrJmFU

[Dakota Hensel @dhens_2]

Don’t mind me, just out here doing what I love! Officially Match Day -9! @VTTurfgrass #worldcup

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

The recent persistently wet, warm, and cloudy weather pattern resulted in several diagnoses of Pythium blight on all species of turfgrass across Virginia. @VTTurfPath gives his recommendations on this Pythium damage on zoysiagrass sent to us by one of our @VACoopExt agents: "Based on the classic symptom of "matted turf", my initial diagnosis is foliar Pythium (Pythium blight). I think the combination of prolonged drought followed by several straight days of overcast and rainy conditions has triggered a lot of outbreaks.

Fortunately, Pythium blight is primarily a true foliar disease on warm-season grasses, with some rapid and ugly destruction of the canopy but little damage to the stolons. I suspect that the homeowner will see some fairly quick recovery with several days of sunshine and warm temperatures. Zoysiagrass grows more slowly so they will need to be a little more patient.

If the homeowner is concerned enough, it may be worth sending in a sample to the Plant Disease Clinic for confirmation. Another quick and easy option would be to place some of the foliage from the perimeter in a Tupperware container or plastic bag with a wet paper towel to see if any Pythium mycelium starts to grow after 24-48 hours. This won't confirm that it is a Pythium but could be a good indicator.

Most of the traditional fungicides will not have much activity against Pythium and that's probably why the spring application of fungicide detailed by the homeowner was ineffective. There will likely be some activity if they can find a product with a QoI mode of action (such as azoxystrobin or pyraclostrobin). There are some additional options through specialty stores (mefenoxam comes to mind) but they would need to look at the specific label to see whether that particular product is registered for use on home lawns.

In all likelihood, the areas should recover on their own without too many additional inputs."

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

Here's a great article detailing this year's @vtspes Alumni Award Winners: https://t.co/AaeOz2XqEQ Thanks to these great alumni and friends of SPES for all that they have done and continue to do for our School. They exemplify Ut Prosim!

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

The extended drought had somewhat delayed this annual event, but the recent (and greatly beneficial) rains have led to an explosion of American burnweed/fireweed (Erichtites hieraciifolius) "escapes" in turf that received spring PRE treatments. https://t.co/aKXZlsFrte #vaturf

[Wendell Hutchens @HutchensWendell]

Highly active dollar spot losing the battle to potent fungicides. Dollar spot risk is currently through the roof in most of Arkansas. Time for effective fungicides at tightened intervals. Check the Smith-Kerns Model for current risk levels in your area! @KernsJim @ArkansasTurf

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

One of the @VTTurfgrass Team's most ardent supporters & friends, 'Papa Joe' Williams, passed on 5/26. His obituary w/ funeral arrangements: https://t.co/6rqv1clAhf Papa Joe made a difference in the lives of many & he brought a smile to one's face by sharing his wit & wisdom! RIP.

[Aman Jakhar @jakharaman2493]

Great Fieldday experience sharing ALBA @ecorobotix sprayer research on organic vs. synthetic herbicide savings and spatial accuracy at 1.7 & 3.9 mph for precise annual bluegrass targeting. Also enjoyed assisting with the live demo at @IndependenceGC
@VTTurfweeds @VTTurfgrass

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

ABW update 5/19 - @TomKuhar: Weevil Trak data for Blacksburg. Some larvae at VT GC but adult numbers have jumped just like they did this time last year. Still no ABW at Blacksburg CC this year – maybe due to cold snap in March? From @lejodelpozo: continue to observe low densities of ABW adults at both Kings Mill and The Federal Club. @VirginiaGCSA #vaturf

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

The @VTTurfgrass Field Day reports transition to precision spray weed control with the Alba, updates on in-ground sensors & winter kill management, and undergraduate research w/ presentations by @VTTurfweeds @samTURFkreinbrg @ecakitchin and @VTTurfTeaching #vaturf @TheVTF

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

Next on today's research updates are presentations from @VTTurfweeds @VBVTTurf and @lejodelpozo. Interesting that @lejodelpozo is telling everyone how wonderful the 95 degree temperatures are... but I notice he's standing in the shade 😏 #vaturf

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

The @VTTurfgrass @TheVTF Research Field Day at @IndependenceGC is underway on a beautiful day in Midlothian. We're covering research topics for all areas of turfgrass management this year, & as always the stars of the show are the grad students. Great crowd this morning! #vaturf

[Virginia Turfgrass Foundation @TheVTF]

Today is the day! @VTTurfgrass 2026 Field Day & Turfgrass Research Classic! @IndependenceGC Join us!

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

Thanks to our sponsors for the continued support of @TheVTF in raising $ for @VTTurfgrass research. A great night at @IndependenceGC for our first-ever Turfgrass Sponsor Appreciation dinner featuring a look back at 38 yrs of VTF fundraising (& a look at the future). #vaturf

[C5 Graduate Student Committee @C5GradStudents]

In case you missed it 👀📷

Check out the pilot episode of C5 Conversations featuring guest @AvaVeith and hosted by @samTURFkreinbrg!

Listen here: https://t.co/wJgH2mlTNT @ASA_CSSA_SSSA

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

The @VTTurfgrass @TheVTF Spring Research Field Day at @IndependenceGC is Monday, May 18 w/ research updates for all industry segments. Visit w/ the Turf Team, including an amazing group of new graduate students. And the price is right -- it's FREE (scan the QR code to register).

[Mike Goatley @VAturf]

It's what happens when you have a face made for radio... you get to serve as an easel. 😏

[Zach Horsley, CTP @zachAhorsley]

@VAturf performing doctoral level easel skills today for our calibration talk @VirginiaSFMA Field Day!