SurveyID Turfgrass Economic Survey – 2018 - Service Provider Vers

TURFGRASS ECONOMIC SURVEY – 2018

Service Provider Version

OMB No. 0535-NEW

Approval Expires: X/XX/20XX

Project Code: XXX

SurveyID:

United States

Department of Agriculture

NATIONAL

AGRICULTURAL

STATISTICS

SERVICE

USDA/NASS

Northeast Region

4050 Crums Mill Road

Suite 203

Harrisburg, PA 17112

Phone: 1-717-787-3904

Fax: 1-855-270-2719 Email: [email protected]

Please make corrections to name, address, and ZIP Code, if necessary.

The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only. Your responses will be kept confidential and any person who willfully discloses ANY identifiable information about you or your operation is subject to a jail term, a fine, or both. This survey is conducted in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347 and other applicable Federal laws. For more information on how we protect your information please visit: https://www.nass.usda.gov/confidentiality. Response is voluntary.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0535-0XXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 45 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

INSTRUCTIONS:

· Report for all land operated, including land rented from others, in New Jersey.

· Report for all seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall) during 2018.

A. Company information

1. Where is your company located?

Primary County: _______________ List any additional counties: _________________________

2. How long has your company been in business? __________ years

3. Are you a member of any of the following professional organizations?

Irrigation Association of New Jersey  Yes  No

New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association  Yes  No

New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association  Yes  No

New Jersey Turfgrass Association  Yes  No

4. What was the approximate total area that your company serviced in 2018?

Total area: __________ acres Turf area: __________ acres

5. What was the approximate total irrigated area that your company serviced in 2018?

Total area: __________ acres

6. Did your company experience growth in 2018 with respect to the previous year?

 Yes  No

7. How much new turf area was established during 2018 by this firm?

Turf area: __________ acres

8. What percentage of the new turf area was established under the following methods:

seeding _____ % sodding _____ %

9. What proportion of customers renewed their contracts for your services in 2018?_______%

10. What type of services does your company provide? (Select all that apply).

 Landscape design  Fertilizer application  Mowing

 New planting (ornamental) liquid_____% dry_____%  Irrigation

 Pruning  Initial laying of grasses:  Aeration

 Herbicide application  Integrated Pest Management  Natural/organic control

 Insecticide application  Training  Biological control

 Fungicide application  Correct drainage  Soil testing

 Soil amendments  Top-dressing  Dethatching

 Edging  Clipping removal  Overseeding

 Turf selection  Snow plowing  Other (specify)______________

B. Turfgrass Specific

11. Please indicate the percentage of each type of turfgrass among your clients? (Select all that apply)

____ % Kentucky Bluegrass ____ % Perennial Ryegrass ____ % Annual Bluegrass

____ % Fine Fescue ____ % Tall Fescue ____ % Bentgrass

____ % Zoysia ____ % Other/Mixture ____ Don’t know

11. What are the important sources of information for your turf-related problems? (Select all that apply).

 Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agent or Specialist  Cook College Office of Continuing Professional Education

 Rutgers University (other)  Private consultant

 Commercial Tech Rep.  Peers

 Industry magazines  Professional Organization

 Internet  TV/Radio

 Books  Other (specify)________________

C. Clients

13. Please indicate the percentage (approximate to the nearest whole number) of the following clients you serve.

    1. Households _____ (%)

    2. Golf Courses _____ (%)

    3. Commercial institutions (eg., businesses, apartments, etc.) _____ (%)

    4. Non-profit institutions (e.g, churches, schools, etc.) _____ (%)

    5. Others (specify) _____ (%)___________________

_____ (%)___________________

_____ (%)___________________

13. Based on your company’s sales, which of your client groups have experienced the highest rate of growth in the past 5 years? Please rank the top three in descending order.

Fastest growing client group ______________

2nd fastest growing client group ______________

3rd highest growing client group ______________

D. Turf and Landscape Problems

15. What do you consider to be difficult turf and landscape related problems facing your industry? (Select all that apply under each category).

a. Regulation

 Local noise ordinances  Water restrictions  Signposting (chemical applications)

 Pesticide application (amount, type of chemical)  Other (specify) ________________

b. Management

 Labor availability  Immigration laws  Employee training

 Health issues due to turf activity (i.e., poisoning, etc.)  Language barriers

 Other (specify) _______________________

100. Turfgrass

 Soil related  Diseases  Insects

 Weeds  Equipment Cost  Erosion

 Water related  Shade  Traffic

 Other (specify) ________________________

15. Which do you anticipate to be the major turf-related problems 5 years from now? (Select all that apply under each category). a. Regulation

 Local noise ordinances  Water restrictions  Signposting (chemical applications)

 Pesticide application (amount, type of chemical)  Other (specify) ________________

b. Management

 Labor availability  Immigration laws  Employee training

 Health issues due to turf activity (i.e., poisoning, etc.)  Language barriers

 Other (specify) _______________________

100. Turfgrass

 Soil related  Diseases  Insects

 Weeds  Equipment Cost  Erosion

 Water related  Shade  Traffic

 Other (specify) ________________________

E. Expenses (Please use previous business year figures to answer sections E and G.)

17. Best Estimate of annual turf-related service costs during the year 2018 (to the nearest $1,000):

1. Seed……………………………………….……………………………………….……. $ __________

2. Sod………………….…………………………………………………………………… $__________

3. Erosion control (turf related mulches)…………………………………………….…. $__________

4. Equipment and Operation (exclude labor)

Tractors (depreciation)……..………...……………………………...……. $ __________

Mowers (depreciation)….…………………………………………………. $ __________

Irrigation equipment (depreciation)….…………..……………………...… $ __________

Application equipment (depreciation)…..………………………………… $__________

Other equipment (depreciation)….……..…………………………………. $ __________

Vehicles (depreciation)………………….………………………………… $__________

Fuel, lube and electricity…………..………………………………………. $ __________

Repairs and maintenance……………………….…………………………. $ __________

Equipment rental……………………………..……………………………. $ __________

e) Chemicals

Weed control products……………………………….……………………. $ __________

Insect control products…….…………………..………….……………….. $ __________

Disease control products……..…………….……………………………… $ __________

Plant-growth regulators ...……........………………………………………. $ __________

Other.…………………………...………………………………………….. $___________

f) Fertilizer and Soil Amendments

Fertilizer ………...………………………………………………………… $ __________

Organic Fertilizer .………………………………………………………… $ __________

Lime…………….….……………………………………………………… $ __________

Natural/organics…....……………………………………………………… $ __________

Soil amendments……….………………………………………………….. $__________

Other…...……………….…………………………………………………. $__________

g) Labor (salaries/wages, not taxes)

Production wages/salaries…………………………………….…………… $ __________

Supervisory wages/salaries……………………………………….….……. $ __________

Mechanics/maintenance…………………………………………………… $__________

Clerical/sales wages/salaries..…………………...………………………… $ __________

h) Services purchased/subcontracts

Chemical/fertilizer application…………………………………………..... $ __________

Sod installation………...…………………………………………..……… $ __________

Transport services/trucking/hauling…………….………………………… $ __________

Irrigation installation……………………………………………………… $ __________

Other contract labor..……………………………………………………… $ __________

i) Advertising cost………...………………………………...…………………………….. $ __________

10. Other direct expenses (Specify)...………………...……………………………………. $ __________

……………………………………………………………….………….… $ __________

……………………….…..………………………………….…………….. $ __________

……………………………………………….………………..…………... $ __________ ...……………………………………………………………….……..…… $ __________

10. Total turf-related expenses.………………………………...………………………….. $ __________

18. Equipment/supplies purchased in 2018 from vendors outside of New Jersey was ______% of total expense.

18. What was the estimated value of turf-related buildings and land owned and used by this firm as of the end of 2018 (to the nearest $1,000)? $ ________________

18. What was the estimated value of turf-related equipment owned and used by this firm as of December 2018?

(include tractors, mowers, seeders, etc.) $ ________________

18. How many positions did this institution or company have in 2018? ___________ employees

19. What percentage of the your company’s total workforce do the following categories represent?

    • Year round full-time ______%

    • Seasonal full-time ______%

    • Year round part-time ______%

    • Seasonal part-time ______%

18. Please indicate the percentage of total hours devoted to turf-related activities by the following employees.

    • Year round full-time ______%

    • Seasonal full-time ______%

    • Year round part-time ______%

    • Seasonal part-time ______%

F. Cultural Practices and Equipment

24. What types of lawn mower are primarily used by your company (check all that apply)?

 Riding  Walk-behind  Push Self-propelled

 Push  Other (specify)________________________________

24. How are grass clippings handled on the majority of your clients’ property?

 always bagged and removed  collected and composted  disposed with trash

 left on ground (rarely or never removed)  bagged and removed only for heavy growth

24. What is the typical width/size of the mower used by your company? ___________inches

24. What is the average interval between mowings on your clients’ property? _________days

24. Please indicate the proportion of your clients’ turf area receiving fertilizer applications:

____ % 1-2 times per year

____ % 3-4 times per year

____ % 5-6 times per year

____ % 7 or more times per year

24. Please indicate the proportion of your clients’ turf area receiving other chemical (e.g., insecticides, herbicides, etc.) applications:

____ % 1-2 times per year

____ % 3-4 times per year

____ % 5-6 times per year

____ % 7 or more times per year

24. Do you monitor the water needs of turf on your clients’ property?

 Yes  No

24. Do you regulate the amount of water being applied to turf on your clients’ property?

 Yes  No

24. What is the average interval between waterings without rain? _________days  Don’t know

24. What is the length of time you water when irrigating? _________hours  Don’t know

G. Sales

34. What was your company’s total billing for each of the following during 2018? (to the nearest $1,000)

Mowing..………….……………………………………………………………..…………….. $__________

Turf fertilizer and pest control……..……..……………………………………………………$__________

Turf establishment and renovation...…………………………………………….………….… $__________

Turf irrigation installation and maintenance…………………………………….………….… $__________

Other billings this firm had in 2018 (NOT related to the care or installation of plants)……... $_________

Total Gross Sales for Turf-Related Business...…………………………………………… $__________

34. Please indicate the methods of advertising used by your company during 2018. (Select all that apply).

 Newspaper  Direct Mail  Radio

 Television  Signs  Brochures

 Internet  Yellow pages  Billboards

 Other (specify) ____________________

H. Opinion

36. How do you feel the demand for turf-related services will change over the next 5 years?

 Increasing  Constant

 Decreasing  Don’t know

36. Do you believe turfgrass represents a healthy environment?

 Yes  No  Don’t know

36. Do you believe pesticide residues on turf present potential health risks to turf users?

 Yes  No  Don’t know

36. Is it important to develop turfgrasses that require less pesticide inputs?

 Yes  No  Don’t know

36. Is it important to develop turfgrasses that use less water?

 Yes  No  Don’t know

36. Do you know what Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is?

 Yes  No

36. Which of the following best fits your view of what IPM is?

 No chemical use  Pesticide use as last resort  Least toxic chemical use

 Best use of chemical, cultural, biological, and genetic pest control strategies

36. Do you use IPM on you clients’ properties?

 Always  Sometimes  Never

 Not practical

36. Do you understand how Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) services can help you?

 Yes  No  Not familiar with RCE

36. How do you perceive Rutgers Cooperative Extension?

 Very helpful  Helpful  Fair

 Not helpful  Don’t know

36. How do you perceive Cook College Office of Continuing Professional Education?

 Very helpful  Helpful  Fair

 Not helpful  Don’t know

36. Please "grade" the Rutgers Turfgrass program in the following areas, using the appropriate number.

1 = Excellent 2 = Good 3 = Fair 4 = Unsatisfactory 5 = Don’t know

_____ Research _____ Undergraduate Education

_____ Extension/Outreach _____ Web-Page content

36. Would you grow/maintain a genetically modified turfgrass or ornamental plant if it were proved to be safe?

 Yes  No  Not Sure

36. In the past 5 years, were you affected by water regulations during a time of drought?

 Yes  No (skip questions 50 and 51)

36. Please estimate the total loss of business in terms of decreased revenue during the drought. $ __________

36. Please estimate the number of employees laid off because of water restriction regulations.

________full-time employees and ________part-time employees

I. Ornamental plantings

52. Do you provide services for ornamental plantings?

 Yes  No (skip question 53)

52. What were the total billings for services provided for ornamental plantings in 2018 (to the nearest $1,000)?

    1. Landscape design…………………………………………………………………… $__________

    2. Installation of plantings (shrubs/trees/flowers)……………………………………... $__________

    3. Pruning/cutting……………………………….…….……………………………….. $__________

    4. Herbicides………………………………………….……………………………….. $ __________

    5. Insecticides………………………………………….……………………………… $ __________

    6. Other pesticides………………………………………..……………………………. $ __________

    7. Fertilization in liquids and granules………………………………………………… $ __________

    8. Irrigation parts and accessories (includes sprinklers, valves, hoses, etc)……….……$ __________

    9. Landscape materials (mulch, hardscaping, rock, fence, others)……………………. $ __________

    10. Training and training materials…………………………………………………...… $ __________

    11. Other (specify) ____________________……………………….………….………. $ __________

    12. Total Gross Sales for Ornamental Business……………………………………... $ __________

				OFFICE USE ONLY
Response		Respondent		Mode		Enum.	Eval.	Change		Office Use for POID
1-Comp 2-R 3-Inac 4-Office Hold 5-R – Est 6-Inac – Est 7-Off Hold – Est	9901	1-Op/Mgr 2-Sp 3-Acct/Bkpr 4-Partner 9-Oth	9902	1-PASI (Mail) 2-PATI (Tel) 33-PAPI (Face-toFace) 6-Email 7-Fax 19-Other	9903	9998	9900	9985	9989	__ __ __ - __ __ __ - __ __ __
							R. Unit			Optional Use
							9921		9907		9908	9906	9916
S/E Name

1