University of Illinois Extension Turfgrass Program

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, S-410 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, Illinois  61801

                        June 17, 2001

To: NCR-192

From:  Tom Voigt, NTEP Policy Committee Representative

Re:  Annual NCR-192 Report

1.  In 2001, the NTEP Policy Committee has held two meetings, the first in February at the GCSAA meeting in Dallas and the second last week at Penn State.  Thanks to NCR-192 members that have offered thoughts and questions to share with the NTEP Policy Committee at these meetings.

2.  2001 NTEP Policy Committee

• Kevin Morris, NTEP Executive Director

3.  Main Topics of Discussion of NCR-192 Interest

•  Proposals to NTEP

¥ NTEP will only fund solicited proposals.

• The USDA-Turf Position

¥ This position is yet unfilled.  At present, a job description has not been drafted attributed to slow movement by the USDA.  The new position will likely be housed at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. and probably be of a basic science orientation.  There are hopes that perhaps 3 additional positions will eventually work in turf, probably at the National Arboretum.  These positions may be new, or transfers from other USDA areas. 

¥ There will be a stakeholder meeting in Dallas October 31 - November 2 to shape how USDA may allocate resources

• The Grand Mean Column in NTEP Reports

      ¥ The Grand Mean Column will be dropped.

• A National Turf Council

¥  Kevin Morris, NTEP Executive Director, is encouraged to pursue the formation of an umbrella organization that would address turf industry needs.

• Large Trials

¥ Large trials continue to be a source of concern for University cooperators due to time and space constraints.  A survey of University cooperators indicated that generally:

a.  NTEP funding was inadequate for large (>100 entries) trials;

b.  increased funding should be available for large trials on a per entry basis;

c.  there are many research sites with space limitations;

d.  most cooperators do not currently pay a space charge, but speculated that it would occur in the future;

e.  at many sites, additional land will have to be prepared for future large studies;

f.  most cooperators do not know the specific costs to conduct a trial; and

g.  donations from state organizations, private industry, university funds or other sources covers from 0 - 54% of costs to conduct a trial.

NTEP response to these concerns:

Beginning with the 2001 Tall Fescue Evaluation, NTEP will pay $12,000 the first 100 entries and an additional $120 for each entry beginning with the 101st entry.

Example:  If a study contains 140 entries, the payment will be $12,000 for the first 100 entries, $4,800 for the additional 40 entries for a total of $16,800 to be paid over the life of the study provided the study is conducted properly and data is returned in the desired fashion.