Turf Talk by Lawn Solutions Australia

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe sits down with Gerry Faehrmann from Lawn Green to explore a career that has spanned decades in the lawn care and turf industry. From building Lawn Green into one of Australia's most recognised lawn care businesses to becoming a respected educator, coach and advocate for professional lawn care, Gerry shares the lessons he's learned along the way. The...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe sits down with Michael Bradbery from Syngenta to unpack his journey through the turf industry — from starting out as a 15-year-old working on a golf course in Tamworth to becoming Superintendent at Manly Golf Club and working at Royal Randwick before making the move into the corporate side of the industry with Syngenta. Michael shares stories from the early da...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe sits down with Nathan Bradbury from Nuturf to chat about his journey through the turf industry — from where it all started on the frozen golf courses of the Southern Highlands in NSW to the lessons he’s picked up along the way living and working on the world's best in the United States to revitalising one of Australia's eminent private clubs, The Lak...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe and Nath chat all things winter lawn care — what you should be doing right now, common mistakes to avoid, and how to keep your lawn looking healthy and green through the colder months. They also recap a huge week for Lawn Solutions Australia, including the LSA conference and field day and what's coming up. www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au www.facebook.co...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe sits down with Bill Carraway of The Turfgrass Group.  Bill shares his unconventional path—breaking away from a family of doctors and lawyers to find his calling in the dirt. After being kicked out of his home at 17, he built his first landscaping empire from scratch using nothing but a lawnmower and a credit card to becoming the Vice President of Sales and Mar...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Joe sits down with Nathan Gisi from MusTurf. Nathan’s path into the turf industry is anything but typical—starting out mowing lawns as a teenager in the US before moving into large-scale construction projects before shifting into landscaping, building experience in irrigation and construction before launching his own business, Lawncrafters. After relocating to Syd...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe and Simon turn the clock back on Australia’s turf industry and uncover how it all really began. Long before turf farms became a staple of suburban development, early imports of kikuyu and couch in the 1930s were quietly reshaping how Australians grew and used grass — from racecourses to backyards Fast forward into the post-war boom, where a surge in population...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Joe welcomes back Marcus Rogers from Turfco.  Marcus returns to revisit his earlier predictions on Sabanto’s automated robotic mowers and how they’re shaping the future of turf farming. He also shares a bold new outlook on AI-driven “green on green” spraying technology, and what it could mean for the next wave of on-farm innovation. www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.a...

Send us Fan Mail Joe and Nathan are back just as the footy season kicks off, and there’s plenty happening both on and off the field. The guys chat about the buzz around the season opener, the spectacle of the NRL in Las Vegas, the fields themselves and their premiership predictions for the year (see below for prosperity). As well as the footy, the guys chat about the current weather conditions aff...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe sits down with Simon Elsworth , Head of Professional Solutions at Syngenta , to talk leadership, innovation, and where the turf industry is heading next. Simon unpacks how global R&D connects with real-world challenges on Aussie soil, the evolving demands on turf managers, and what it takes to deliver solutions that actually perform. A sharp, insightful ch...

Send us Fan Mail Joe sits down with Shelley Fincher from the University of Georgia (UGA) to talk turf licensing and what it means to buy a licensed turf variety. Shelley shares her journey at UGA from her science background into law and what the future holds. www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au www.facebook.com/lawnsolutionsaustralia www.youtube.com/@LawnSolutionsAustralia

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Joe sits down with Merrick van As, from the South African Lawn YouTube channel for a chat that spans continents but speaks the same turf language. From cool season turf battles, setting fire to lawns, the emerging lawn culture in South Africa and how lawn care communities are growing worldwide. www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au www.facebook.com/lawnsolutionsaustral...

Send us Fan Mail Joe and Nath are back for 2026, and there’s plenty to catch up on! In this episode, the boys run through what’s been happening to lawns over the last month, the Summer of cricket and what's to come in the turf industry in 2026 Whether you’re in the industry or just keen to stay in the loop, this episode is a great way to get up to speed. www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au www....

Send us Fan Mail It's (almost) the end of the year so we thought there was no time like the present to sit down and take a look back at the year that was. From production facility expansions, trade shows and conferences to what's going on in the world of sport (and sports turf)  as well as some shoutouts to new members joining LSA and those that have celebrated milestones this year... It...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nathan Edwards fills in for regular host Joe and welcomes back our very first podcast guest Dr. Brian Schwartz, Professor - Crop & Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Schwartz is one of the leading minds in warm-season turfgrass breeding. Dr. Schwartz shares updates on the development of TifTuf, insights into Zoysia Australis, and the latest advanc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe sits down with Paul Prout, National Corporate Account Manager for Toro Australia, to discuss his journey in the turf industry and future of turf management. Paul shares insights into how Toro is leading innovation in mowing technology and smart automation to make turf care more efficient and sustainable.  www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au www.facebook.com/lawn...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Joe chats with Mick Pascoe, a seasoned golf course superintendent whose career has taken him across Australia, the UK and US, Barbados, Jamaica, Panama, Vietnam and Indonesia. Mick shares insights from decades in the turf industry, discussing the challenges of managing world-class courses in every environment imaginable, his push to use Sir Grange Zoysia on courses...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe from Lawn Solutions Australia sits down with Master Greenkeeper Alan FitzGerald , who is currently leading turf operations at Rehoboth Beach Country Club in Delaware . Before his appointment there in 2023, Alan spent 19 years as superintendent at LedgeRock Golf Club in Pennsylvania . With over 30 years of experience across some of the world’s most prestigious...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe sits down with Scott Rowe to talk about the fascinating (and labour intensive process) of propagating a brand-new turfgrass variety.  Scott shares his insights into the science and patience behind the process — from the very first buffalo runner through to large-scale production. Joe and Scott also discuss the challenges of ensuring consistency, the health of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe is joined by Cory Spaetti, Chief Operating Officer of Sabanto - an innovative agricultural autonomy company pioneering automation kits for tractors. We dive into the future of robotic automation and how this breakthrough technology is set to transform the turf industry in Australia, particularly within large-scale commercial operations. With Sabanto leading th...

Send us Fan Mail Spring marks a critical period on the turf farm, with increased growth, higher demand, and a sharper focus on quality assurance. In this episode, Joe is joined by Megan from AUSGAP to discuss the vital role the Australian Genetic Assurance Program plays in underpinning industry standards. From genetic purity and traceability to on-farm auditing and best practice guidelines, Megan...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe is joined by Dr. Jim Kerns, Professor of Plant Pathology at NC State University, to discuss turfgrass disease management.  Dr. Kerns shares insights from his extensive research on fungal pathogens, seasonal disease patterns, and integrated management strategies as well as his hopes for the future of disease identification and management in turfgrass. www.lawns...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe is joined by Callum Cameron, Golf Course Superintendent at Remuera Golf Club in Auckland, New Zealand. Callum shares insights into the unique challenges and rewards of managing turf in a high-traffic, year-round golfing environment. From renovation strategies to sustainability initiatives, Callum offers a practical look at what it takes to keep one of New Zeal...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe is joined by Dr. Chase Straw, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State University. Dr Straw shares his journey through the turf industry, from his early interests in sports turf to his current research on precision turfgrass management. They discuss the latest advancements in technology, data-driven turf care, and the future of sustainable turf practices.....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Joe is joined by Holly Abell from PGG Wrightson working out of New Zealand – Holly is a passionate newcomer to the turf industry with a diverse background across golf courses, sports fields, and turf research. Holly shares her journey through the turf industry, from hands-on roles to the challenges and opportunities of managing turf in different climates. They als...