LINCOLN, Neb., July 13, 2026 — From the latest turfgrass research to hands-on field demonstrations, the annual Nebraska Turfgrass Field Day brought various turfgrass stakeholders to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus Turfgrass Management Research Plot to explore innovations shaping turf management across the state on July 9, 2026.
Amanda Folck, Nebraska Extension educator in turfgrass management, says various turfgrass stakeholders from Nebraska and surrounding states were in attendance, including lawn care operators, athletic groundskeepers, golf course superintendents and university faculty, staff and students.
In partnership with the Nebraska Turfgrass Association (NTA), the field day also featured industry sponsors who showcased turfgrass products and connected with stakeholders, adding a unique industry component to the event.
Thomas Burkey, interim dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, says that the partnership with NTA is the best opportunity to connect with university stakeholders.
“Turfgrass Field Day allows us to demonstrate the work happening in our research programs and have meaningful conversations with industry professionals about the challenges they’re facing,” Burkey said. “The enthusiasm and support from our stakeholders speak to the strength and value of this event.”
Participants attended morning tours featuring research-based sessions that offered innovative solutions to turfgrass science challenges:
Tall Fescue Under Pressure: Identifying Drought-Resilient Cultivars in NTEP Trials
- Keenan Amundsen discusses the adaptation of results from the drought tolerance portion of the tall fescue plot from the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP).
What’s bugging Nebraska: Insect Pests of Turfgrass
- Kyle Koch provides information related to common turfgrass insect pests seen in recent years.
Next Generation Buffalograss: Evaluating Elite Lines for Turf Performance
- Amundsen talks about the recent start to multi-university trials that determine the next generation of buffalograss through his UNL genetics program.
Lessons in Cold-Tolerant Bermudagrass Adaptation in Nebraska
- Amanda Folck discussed the successes and challenges of managing bermudagrass in Nebraska, using the applied research plot developed in partnership with Nebraska Athletics to demonstrate best management practices.
Turf Diagnostics: From Symptoms to Solutions
- Kyle Broderick provided information on what to look out for in turfgrass diagnostics when determining if it’s a disease or something else.
Do You Know Your Weeds in Turfgrass Areas?
- Folck led an interactive activity to identify ten weeds from the weed garden shown in turfgrass and landscape areas.
A winning collaboration with Nebraska Athletics
The field day’s afternoon session focused on the cutting-edge partnership between the university’s Turfgrass Science Program and Nebraska Athletics. 50 attendees were at the session to observe the differences between sand-based and clay-based playing surfaces and the maintenance strategies used for each at the Nebraska Outdoor Track. Speakers for the session were Alex Harter, assistant turfgrass manager at Nebraska Athletics, and Aaron Barnhouse, a university turfgrass science student who also works with Nebraska Athletics.
Folck emphasized that the partnership with Nebraska Athletics is a great example of the university’s land-grant mission in action. Turfgrass professionals and students gain firsthand insight into the maintenance of Division I Power 4 athletic fields by observing field maintenance practices and evaluating techniques that may benefit their own facilities.
“About a quarter of our turfgrass science students work alongside Nebraska Athletics field staff each semester,” Folck said. “Thanks to our partnership with industry professionals and state associations such as Nebraska Sports Field Management Association, Nebraska Golf Course Superintendent Association and Nebraska Turfgrass Association, we’re able to connect research, extension, education and industry experience in a way that benefits everyone involved.”
