Environmental Up-date, June 2010
Environmental Update
- Kerry Watkins
The MGSA Board and a few members are currently working on development of a continuing education credit system for renewal of the provincial IPM certification program. Currently as the program stands right now, one has to rewrite every 5 years. The MGSA is drafting up a document for review by the regulatory bodies of Manitoba and for Assiniboine Community College. Please look for updates on the website and the next magazine for status on the IPM program. If all goes well this may lead to the opportunity to marry the current pesticide license recertification process to a similar credit system for the IPM renewal.
With the recent rains provided the opportune time to capture some water run off/drainage for analysis of nutrients. Once the golf season is over a report on all the water testing that was conducted in 2010 will be summarized and distributed to the membership.
Just a friendly reminder to please take representative soil samples before freeze up for use with your nutrient management application for 2011. Please if anyone has received communication from water stewardship please pass that information on to Bob Hamm or to a MGSA Board member. It would be great to hear what is going on through out the province.
Respectfully Submitted by, MGSA Environmental Committee Environmental Update
 
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Environment Report march 2010
Environmental Update
It’s hard to believe for golf courses in the city of Winnipeg that some were looking at more grass than snow by the middle of March. This leads to the first awareness piece of the 2010 season for MGSA members. The MGSA Board is conducting water run off testing to determine the fates of nutrients and pesticides. So with the early snow melts we hope to have a few golf clubs collect samples and send in for analysis of a fungicide used last fall. During the season select clubs will collect water runoff and test for nitrogen and phosphorous along with a fungicide that has been used during the months of the golf season. The goal from such a program is to have scientific data supporting the actual outcomes of these tests and to truly see if rates of these products applied have an acceptable or detrimental affect on Manitoba’s water ways. As stewards of the land we should know the impact of what we do and identify ways to limit the environmental impact and increase sustainability.
On another note, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program here in Manitoba is under review by a few MGSA members to determine what is happening with the administration of the IPM program. As information is confirmed the MGSA board will be sure to provide all information to MGSA Membership.
2010 is the second season of the Nutrient Management Program (NMP) here in Manitoba. Please follow the regulations and timelines for soil testing and application submittal. Please report your experiences with the NMP to a MGSA board member or post on the MGSA website for discussion. FYI- The new contact person for the NMP program is Mr. Brian Wiebe.
Contact information is:
Brian Wiebe, Ph.D., P.Ag.
Nutrient Management Program Coordinator
Water Science and Management Branch
Manitoba Water Stewardship
160-123 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 1A5
Tel: 204-945-0585 or 1-800-282-8069 ext. 0585
Fax: 204-948-2357
Email: brian.wiebe2@gov.mb.ca
Website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardsh
Respectfully Submitted by,
MGSA Environmental Committee
Environmental Update
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Environment Report, August, 2009
MGSA Environment Report
The MGSA Board has been working on setting up water runoff testing program with ten golf clubs throughout the province. During water run off events (rain fall, snow melt) collecting water samples to test for nutrients and pesticides levels. Each club will have nutrient levels tested and one site specific pesticide. This will be the start of annual data collecting program and hopefully establish sound scientific data regarding water runoff information on a yearly basis. Annual reports will be distributed to MGSA superintendent members.
Nutrient Management Update: There has been correspondence with David Hay from the water stewardship branch. To clarify for everyone if you have not received any information to date your plan has been accepted and there is no need to submit another nutrient management application this year if you included your season fertilizer totals with your first nutrient application. Let this be a reminder that soil samples will have to be taken in 2009 for nutrient management application for 2010.
For further information please contact Kerry C. Watkins by phone at 889-0899 or by email at kerry.watkins@stcharlescountryclub.ca.
Respectfully Submitted by,
MGSA Environmental Committee
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Environment Report April 2009
MGSA Environmental Report
A reminder with the 2009 golf season almost here there are some important steps golf course superintendents have to complete. These steps are applying for provincial pesticide use permits, achieving IPM certification and renewal of pesticide applicators license if you have not already done so. In addition to these steps the provincial nutrient management plan will be in effect for 2009. Golf course superintendents will have to submit their nutrient management plans for approval 14 days prior to the first turf nutritional application. The forms have to be filled out accordingly and must include current soil test results (from 2008) along with recommendations. Please be aware that soil test labs must conduct the Olsen test for Phosphorous levels and indicate Nitrogen levels along with there recommendations. A major challenge for some golf courses will be if main playing features are within designated “buffer zones” where Nitrogen or Phosphorous can not be applied. If you have any doubt regarding your site and buffer zones please contact David Hay by phone at 945-7096 or email at David.Hay@gov.mb.ca. to conduct a site tour to assist in determining buffer zones. Again this is the first year with such a program in place and there will be without question some trial and error as the year progresses. Let’s hope the weather improves as we head into April.
Respectfully Submitted by
MGSA Environment Committee
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