Cornell Clippings Podcast

Frank Rossi
  • 0.0 (0)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Cornell Clippings is your go-to source for timely, short, and insightful audio segments featuring expert advice from the Cornell Turfgrass Program. Whether you're a homeowner, a lawn care professional, or managing sports fields and golf courses, we deliver research-backed tips and strategies to help you turn turfgrass into an environmental asset.

  1. 09/10/2025

    Pesticides and Transparency: The Origins of the EIQ

    What does it really mean when we talk about the "impact" of pesticides? In this episode, we explore the origin and purpose of the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ)—a tool designed to translate pesticide use into measurable environmental impact. Frank Rossi reflects on his early work with the EIQ, stemming from the apple industry and later extending into turfgrass, where it became a way to demonstrate the thoughtful, environmentally aware decisions turf managers make every day. He also revisits his original collaboration with Jennifer Grant, former New York State IPM director, and Bob Portmess, former extension associate, who helped shape the EIQ into a tool in pest management.   Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

    5 min

  2. 08/27/2025

    Rethinking Golf Course Management and Play

    Smarter care for the course. Smarter care for yourself. This episode looks at golf from two perspectives—the superintendent and the golfer. For superintendents, Carl Schimenti shares why site-specific care is the next frontier in course management. For golfers, he reminds us that the game isn't just about scorecards—it's also about appreciating the natural, urban green spaces that surround us. Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

    2 min

  3. 07/25/2025

    What to Test in Synthetic Turf: Field Safety and Infill Depth

    Think your turf field is game-ready? The real test goes beneath the surface. In this episode, we explore what athletic programs should be testing annually to ensure the longevity of synthetic turf fields and protect athlete safety. From infill depth to traction and concussion risks, routine testing matters. Our guest is Dr. John Sorochan, Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He shares best practices for synthetic turf maintenance, how infill migration affects performance, and the role of rotational testing in reducing injury risks. Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

    10 min

  4. 07/11/2025

    Ideal Fields for Premier Soccer Play

    What do elite soccer coaches and players want from natural turfgrass? In this "Christmas in July" episode, we explore how turf performance affects player movement, even in the snow. Carl Schimenti breaks down a winter match at Cornell to reveal how coaches assess playability, from trueness of roll and vertical bounce to moisture and ball control. Learn how real-time turf conditions shape game strategy, and how researchers are measuring what matters to players on the field.   Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

    5 min

  5. 06/25/2025

    The Poa to Bentgrass Transition in New York

    Retired golf course superintendent Rick Slattery, formerly of Locust Hill, discusses his spring approach to promoting creeping bentgrass growth over Poa annua. He explains how holding off on spring irrigation helps weaken Poa, and how targeted inputs can manage high-Poa areas like shaded or poorly draining greens. Rick shares how cultural practices and selective spot treatments can reduce Poa pressure, especially as changing climate conditions make maintaining Poa more difficult. Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

    10 min

  6. 06/18/2025

    Performance Comparison: Side vs Rear Discharge in Mulching Mowers

    What's the best mower system for managing excess clippings on turf? Dr. Grady Miller of North Carolina State University joins us to share results from recent mower and tractor testing on sod farms. His research evaluated engine horsepower, blade design, and mulching density to identify which setups deliver the cleanest cut and most effective mulching. Tune in for practical insights valuable to turf managers, grounds crews, and anyone aiming to improve mowing performance. Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Miller on youtube.  Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

    9 min

  7. 06/05/2025

    Topdressing: What Have the Options Been Over the Years?

    This episode features Dr. Roch Gaussoin from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, along with Frank and Carl, discussing the evolution of topdressing and turf management practices. Topics include the timing of spring aeration to avoid bumpy greens, the potential overuse of sand for organic matter control, and the benefits of shifting toward less aggressive, growth-driven topdressing strategies. The group also explores the development of a standardized method for sampling golf greens, emphasizing appropriate sampling depth and the importance of preserving surface verdure.   Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

    12 min

  8. 05/29/2025

    Handling Water Use Variability in Changing Weather Patterns

    As climate change increases drought, rainfall and unpredictability, managing water use wisely has never been more important. In this episode, we introduce practical tools and strategies to adapt irrigation and infrastructure for water resilience. From irrigation audits and water budgeting to drought planning and understanding evapotranspiration (ET), we dive into how producers and land managers can prepare for water variability.  Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

    5 min
See All (21)

About

Cornell Clippings is your go-to source for timely, short, and insightful audio segments featuring expert advice from the Cornell Turfgrass Program. Whether you're a homeowner, a lawn care professional, or managing sports fields and golf courses, we deliver research-backed tips and strategies to help you turn turfgrass into an environmental asset.

Information