Turf

78 FROM THE ROUGH SOD FARM SPOTLIGHT The punishing four-year drought striking California is the latest crisis impacting the area sod industry. "The market has been stressed by conditions that are largely environmental, with the water issue especially," said Craig Dargatz, general manager of Superior Sod in Corona, Calif. Superior Sod is owned by a limited partnership and has been producing since 1989. Dick Considine started the company with 40 acres in Tehachapi, Calif., and now produces on more than 300 acres in Corona. Considine is the principle owner and active in the business. Superior Sod serves clients in Southern California and greater Las Vegas. Dargatz, 62, said the competitiveness of the market is the biggest change that's occurred within the industry. "Starting with the economic downturn in the housing crunch crisis of 2007-08 and the water concerns following on the heels of that," he said. "The market has become highly competitive. No sod farm has necessarily gone out of business, but we've all had to downsize. And that of course causes production concerns, as well as sales and marketing. But production has to adjust to meet those market demands. We have to reduce acreage and do whatever we can to keep our profitability healthy." Water shortage The 25 percent cut in water ordered April 1 by Gov. Jerry fundamental questions about California will be like in the even whether this state faces people leaving for wetter that this marks a permanent climate, rather than a particularly drought. Among other actions, the order will require urban areas Craig Dargatz of superior soD Dealing with drought Story by Allen Thayer

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