b'PROTECTING INNOVATIONFootball, Futbol, Forage and Beer!LETS BE HONEST:forage, cover crops and tur- and youll notice the weedy lawns that didnt use certi-fgrasses havent always been in the spotlight whenfied seed/sod. Certified seed/sod is identified by a blue it comes to seed innovations and intellectual propertytag that displays why certified seed/sod is of higher protection. However, if you dig in deeper, you may bequality than non-certified seed/sod (source: Univ of surprised by what you root for! Nebraska, Husker Genetics). Certification is used in When you look at the USDA Plant Variety Protectionmany crops that require a higher quality seed or turf (PVP) and USPTO patent history, you begin to seecultivar. where seed companies, universities and foundationCover crops are cultivars that are planted to cover ELOY CORONA seed companies are investing for the future.soil in order improve soil structure by reducing ero-is the executiveRyegrass is both an annual and a perennial thatsion, reducing moisture loss, suppressing weeds and director of the Seedgarners the most interest due to the adaptability of ryepests, increasing microbiome and biodiversity in Innovation andvarieties both for forage production and grazing needsmany cropping situations. These cover crops can be Protection Allianceacross the U.S.planted across fields in crop rotation with field crops, (SIPA). Bluegrass is found in many golf courses across thein between rows of field/tree crops, or row crops can U.S. and northern homeowner lawns its also a weedbe directly planted into a senescing cover crop. Many in my TifTuf bermudagrass lawn! cultivars can be considered a cover crop from fescue, Bermudagrass has a wide following as both aryegrass, clover, vetch, medic, barley, rape, cowpea, common bermudagrass variety and as a hybrid bredmillet or Sudangrass and, surprisingly enough, many for specific applications. Triploid bermudagrass hybridshave some type of IP protection like USDA PVP. In are sterile and fit the demanding requirements of ath- todays environment of being asked to do more with letic fields, golf courses, and homeowner lawns. One ofless, cover crops are making a comeback to provide the interesting twists about bermudagrass is, depend- a more sustainable practice within many cropping ing on the state and cultivars, those destined for ath- systems. In fact, in 2022, the American Seed Trade letic fields, golf courses and homeowner lawns maybeAssociation added a Sustainability pillar to their strate-certified to ensure a high quality, weed free sod. In mygic plan of which cover crops is a major contributor.state of North Carolina, for example, the NC State 2023There you have it! As you prepare for the fall season Sod Producers report indicates that approximately 50%of FOOTBALL(U.S.) or FUTBOL (rest of world), you of all bermudagrass sod sold is certified. Fertile, hybridcan begin to appreciate the manicured turf these ath-bermudagrass is also one of many types of cultivarsletes compete on! That turfs cousin may be a forage used for forage production, both pasture and hay,for our bovine companions contributing delicious across the U.S. steaks and hamburgers!Seed certification by state crop improvementAnd where does beer fit in you may ask? Barley is a associations uses a quality control process that ensurescereal grain but can be used as a cover crop. It also can commercially sold seed/sod is largely free from weedalso be certified.But close to our hearts, it is the cereal seed, disease, and other cultivar contaminations. If yougrain most important to companies involved in malt-drive by a developing neighborhood, even just a coupleing brewing beer! SWof years after houses were built and sod was installed, 24/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2023'