Thursday, January 5, 2023 | Virtual and Recorded Event


Registration for IPM is now closed. A recording will be available for purchase at the end of January 2023.


Please visit https://horttrades.com/event to retrieve the recording once available.


If you require CECs, the exam will be available until March 31st.

The key to turf IPM is the use of cultural practices that optimize growth of grasses and minimize conditions favourable to pest insects, weeds, or pathogens. Landscape Ontario's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Symposium has been a uniquely respected event since 1965.

Accreditation

Attendees will earn 6 CECs from the IPM Council of Canada. Due to the virtual nature of this symposium, there will be a testing portion to the CEC process this year. In order to receive CECs, you must view all the sessions, take the exam and get at 70% (34/48) on the exam. You will have 1 week after the airing of the Symposium to re-view the sessions and take the exam. You can take the exam as many times as you need to pass. Only passing exams will be submitted to the IPM Council. Your registration confirmation and passing mark will be submitted on your behalf to the IPM Council of Canada if you complete the exam by end of day January 13, 2023.

Some sessions qualify for ISA CEUS. The code # will be displayed at the end of the session, please email info@isaontario.com with the CEU Code # provided at the end of the session and date you watched the session.

All sessions qualify for LHCP CEUs.

Pricing

Early Bird Member $150 | Regular Member $200

Early Bird Non-Member $200 | Regular Non-Member $250

Early Bird Student $40 | Regular Student $50

*Early bird pricing ends December 16. 2022

Agenda

8:30am - 9:30am

Soil Biology and the Regenerative Mindset of Decreasing Fertilizer and Pesticide Inputs

Randy Booker | Turfevolution Inc

This session will lay out the groundwork for creating a healthy plant/soil connection with a focus on soil biology that will reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Nine years ago, for both budgetary and conditioning reasons Randy Booker asked the question “WHY?” Why was he doing the conventional practices and seeing no improvement and even a decline in turf health and quality? He began to question these academia taught practices and the need for all the associated inputs. “Nature has all the tools we as Greenkeepers need to be successful in growing our preferred perennial turf. She has been perfecting the process for millions of years, she is self-regulating and self-healing. ‘Our soils are not deficient in nutrients; they are deficient in biology.’” Booker will lay out the basis for the biological approach that he’s followed for several years now at Otter Creek Golf Club, an approach that has a focus on soil health and building the workforce below his feet. Randy Booker is currently the Director of Operations at Otter Creek Golf Club in Otterville Ontario, Canada. He is a past president of the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association and a 25-year member of both Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and OGSA. He has been a golf course superintendent for nearly 30 years. In 2019 Randy travelled to Australia to spend a week learning about the connection between soil health, plant health and human health with Graeme Sait of Nutri-Tech Solutions. He has most recently completed the inaugural CREATE program with Nicole Masters of Integrity Soils where the focus was on a systems approach, paradigm shift and a dive into the plant/microbiome relationship. Randy is also the President/Owner of "Turfevolution Inc." a Regenerative Coaching/Teaching business focusing on Turfgrass and the need to “Transform the ground we play on”

9:30am - 9:45am

BREAK

Sponsor Showcase

9:45am - 10:45am

Controlling Invasive Phragmites: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Janice M. Gilbert, PhD | Invasive Phragmites Control Centre

This session will cover information about Phragmites - why it is an issue and needs to be controlled, effective control methods and examples of successful control projects.

Janice is a wetland ecologist with a PhD from Ohio State University and over 27 years of experience researching and assessing these invaluable ecosystems. She began investigating invasive Phragmites impacts on wetlands and appropriate control methods in 2007. Since that time, she has been a lead author on over 150 reports and presentations and is a contributor on a number of guiding documents. She is a founder and Co-Chair of the Ontario Phragmites Working Group and an advisor on two binational programs the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative, and the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework, which are both operated under the US Geological Service and supported by the Great Lakes Commission. Janice is currently the Executive Director of the Invasive Phragmites Control Centre, a not-for-profit entity she founded to provide effective and environmentally responsible management of Canada’s worst invasive plant.

10:45am - 11:00am

BREAK

Sponsor Showcase

11:00am - 11:30am

Update from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Scott Olan, B.Sc. (Agri) | Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

This presentation will provide an overview of MECP’s pesticide program along with inspection and compliance updates. This session will discuss the do’s and don’ts of pesticide use in Ontario along with any upcoming program changes. In addition, Scott will outline a typical MECP inspection and provide answers to common questions received over the past year.

Scott joined the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks as the Pesticides Specialist for Eastern Region in 2015. He is currently a Divisional Program Specialist in the Ministry’s Program Services Unit. Scott has been a licensed exterminator for over 30 years and holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree from the University of Guelph. Prior to joining the Ministry, Scott spent many years working in grounds maintenance, landscaping, and snow removal.

11:30am - 12:00pm

GTI Update regarding IPM Turf Research

Sara Stricker, Ph.D. | Guelph Turfgrass Institute

This session will highlight some of the cultivar trials, product evaluations, and other research happening at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI). Many trials conducted at the GTI have a strong connection with Integrated Pest Management practices. Data on low-risk herbicides for broadleaf and grassy weed suppression will be discussed. In addition, results from the Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue low-input/drought tolerance turfgrass cultivar trials will also be presented.

Dr. Sara Stricker is a plant pathologist working as the Communications and Outreach Coordinator at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. She aims to make turfgrass research interesting and accessible to the industry and the public. Sara obtained her B.Sc, M.Sc, and Ph.D degrees at the University of Guelph and completed a Bachelor of Education at Western University.

12:00pm - 12:30pm

LUNCH BREAK

Sponsor Showcase

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Endophytic microbes that promote nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and drought tolerance in turfgrass

Dr. Manish Raizada | University of Guelph

Bacteria evolved 2 billion years before plants, and an argument could be made that bacteria evolved plant life to harvest nutrients from vast roots and sunlight from leaves – to ultimately feed bacteria. Indeed, today, plants and the rhizosphere host billions of bacterial cells. Viewed from the perspective that bacteria may partially control plant life, then it is noteworthy that bacterial sprays (biologicals) have been shown to stimulate plant host defence responses, secrete hormones shared by plants, and directly combat plant pathogens. Here, I will share progress by my lab concerning probiotic bacteria that can assist with turf with growth under low nitrogen and drought conditions, with potential side benefits in terms of dollar spot disease.

Manish Raizada received his BSc from the University of Western Ontario, PhD in plant molecular genetics from Stanford University, and conducted postdoctoral training in microbial evolution with Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold at Caltech. He has co-authored nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications. He runs a research lab at the University of Guelph focused on the discovery and testing of beneficial microbes to assist crops including turfgrass. His research group also works to develop sustainable agriculture kits for smallholder farmers in developing nations which has thus far impacted 272,000 people.

1:30pm - 1:45pm

BREAK

Sponsor Showcase

1:45pm - 2:45pm

Invasive Species ID & Management

Derissa Vincentini | Invasive Species Centre

Topics will include identification and management strategies for five invasive species likely to be encountered by lawn care professionals, as well as, how to limit pathways of spread and introduction.

Derissa Vincentini is the Community Science Coordinator and GIS Lead at the Invasive Species Centre in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. In her role, Derissa coordinates invasive species education and outreach initiatives, promoting community action to mitigate the spread of invasive species in Canada. She also plays a supporting role in many other projects using her GIS skills and expertise. Prior to her position with the ISC, Derissa worked as a Forest Research Technician with both the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Natural Resources Canada for 5 years. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology along with obtaining a certificate in Geomatics from Algoma University in 2017. Derissa believes everyone in the community has a role to play in protecting Canada’s forests and waterways and is passionate about sharing the tools and knowledge to do so.

2:45pm - 3:00pm

BREAK

Sponsor Showcase

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Tree Care in the Urban Environment:

An IPM Perspective

Kyle McLoughlin, B.A., BCMA | Ironwood Arboriculture Solutions Inc.

This session will focus on tree and shrub IPM for arborists and landscape professionals including anticipated project risks, preventing fungal diseases, and techniques for diagnosis.

Kyle McLoughlin is a Board Certified Master Arborist who has delivered numerous workshops and lectures on plant pathology and the relationship between trees and fungus. He is the City of Burlington’s Supervisor of Forest Planning and Health and owner and principle arborist of Ironwood Arboricultural Solutions. He has practised arboriculture in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Before becoming an arborist, Kyle was a wilderness guide specializing in edible wilds.

4:00pm - 4:30pm

How re-thinking Agricultural Spray Oils has led to Innovative Breakthroughs for the Horticultural and Landscape Industries

Reinie Drygala | HFSinclair (HFS)

Agricultural Spray Oils have historically been a tool used in Agriculture as well as Horticulture. The advancement in manufacturing has resulted to significant improvements in efficacy, efficiency and plant safety. The breakthrough in Spray Oil understanding has resulted in new product developments addressing growing issues and needs in the market. In this session Reinine will provide background on the innovative development of new active ingredients to create a selective herbicide option that provides the efficacy that homeowners and property managers desire.

Reinie Drygala leads the Agricultural Sciences group for HFSinclair (HFS). His career with HFS has spanned close to three decades with HFS’ predecessor companies (Petro-Canada, HollyFrontier and Suncor Energy Inc.). Throughout his career, he has had roles with increasing responsibility targeting Strategy Development, General Management, Operations, Marketing and Sales Management. Reinie is an individual who excels at overcoming new or existing business challenges leading to the development of strong and sustainable business operations. Having a broad range of experience in previous roles involving business turnarounds, mergers and acquisitions, strategy development, marketing and new business development have bolstered his business and entrepreneurial skillset. These roles positioned Reinie as the ideal candidate to launch HollyFrontier’s Agricultural Sciences business, where he has been responsible for the commercialization of innovative technology providing solutions to issues faced by property managers, growers and farmers. Reinie is a graduate of the Wilfrid Laurier University School of Business and Economics (BBA Honours) and holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business (University of Western Ontario). Reinie continuously seeks to broaden his learning and understanding by partaking in leadership and strategy courses at various academic institutions including York University, Cornell University as well as Harvard Business School (HBS Agribusiness). Outside of his role, Reinie has a keen interest in mentoring youth and young adults in business dealings. He has been sought out to speak at several colleges and universities on how to maximize the value of education and how to expand your career horizons outside of your trained educational background. He enjoys spending time and travelling with his family. In his spare time he continues to build his skills in kitesurfing as well as playing and coaching soccer.

Presenting Partner

Supporting Partners