TurfScout® services are changing the paradigm of turfgrass management from Reactive to Proactive. We leverage the properties of plant tissue that change in response to stress. These changes provide precise and unbiased measure of plant health. Spectral reflectance sensors can quantify turfgrass health because healthy plants absorb red and green light to photosynthesize, and are highly reflective in the near-infrared portion of the light spectrum.

Spectral reflectance using near-infrared is not the same as a visual rating. Spectral reflectance is more sensitive and precise than visual ratings. Near-infrared reflectance is particularly responsive as plant tissue reacts to stress. TurfScout® spectral reflectance measurements can provide; 1) Early warning signs of pending problems, 2) Evaluation of response and recovery, 3) Enhanced management practices (mowing frequency, irrigation, fertility and pesticide programs to name a few).

So far, this discussion has been about the quality of the measurement on a small patch of turf, or “pixel” in map terms. What makes TurfScout® unique is our easy to use, online mapping and data management system. Using the TurfScout® system, our clients create near-real time, and more importantly, comprehensive pictures of turfgrass health. Using our maps and charting tools our clients can track how turf quality changes over time.

The total package consists of a turfgrass health mapping system, comprised of a sensor and GPS, along with a unique user log on credentials for accessing the web tools. The mapping system is turn-key and easily mounted on a mower, cart or other piece of equipment to measure and map turfgrass health everywhere it goes. Routine operations can be used to collect red and near-infrared reflectance data to quantify turf health. Once the data are collected, maps are as easy as 1-2-3! Simply log on to www.turfscout.com and load your data to a personal dashboard. Maps are available in minutes for viewing.

Maps of turfgrass health can be used to fine tune turf management strategies, focus resources and pinpoint signs of impending trouble. Following trends in your map data can help you optimize fertility and irrigation regimes, perhaps even reduce inputs and conserve resources while maintaining consistency in playability and aesthetics.

TurfScout® services provide you with the expertise in equipment, data processing and display so that you can take full advantage of near real-time measurements of turf quality. With TurfScout®, you do not need to be an expert in mapping or sensing technology, we provide the tools to make your job easier.

- No need to maintain complicated or expensive software.
- Getting set-up is easy!
- All outputs are quality control checked, labeled, and sorted for you.
- Immediate presentation of maps and charts.
- Adjust inputs such as water, nutrients and pesticides.
- Monitor response and recovery.
- Implement precision turf strategies to streamline resources and labor.
- Be Pro-Active by acting BEFORE a problem takes hold of your turf

If professional turfgrass managers look to your business to solve their turfgrass health issues, you need to maintain a competitive edge. TurfScout® is an economical force multiplier to get the most out of your resources and test products more thoroughly in an accelerated period of time. Set up more treatments, run more experiments and have the flexibility to collect experimental data several times per day, several days a week!

If your company has R&D, our service can speed up your product development cycle. If R&D is new to your company, TurfScout® can help you design an experiment to measure the effectiveness of your turf product or service. We can manage experimental data from multiple sites and your company will always have an up-to-date summary of all experiments during testing.