Growers, researchers and turfgrass professionals gathered at Murff Turf Farm in Crosby, TX to see how Cobalt® Hybrid St. Augustine is performing under Texas conditions. With ongoing pressure on water use in the state, the field day focused on what makes Cobalt a strong option for farms and end users seeking drought-resilient growth and reliability.
Lindy Murff opened the October 21, 2025 field day by recognizing the diverse group in attendance. “It’s kind of humbling to have quite a few different farms represented here,” he said, noting attendees from across Texas, the Southeast and even Italy.
“When you see it in person, you can really see that Cobalt looks a lot better than the other grasses,” Murff said. “Cobalt seems to be coming right along in stride and it’s going to work out good.”
During the event, Texas A&M AgriLife breeder Dr. Ambika Chandra reviewed the history and research behind the development of this hybrid St. Augustine variety. She explained that when the program identified Cobalt as an elite line with commercial potential, it was released and licensed to Sod Solutions in 2022.
Texas A&M AgriLife breeder Dr. Ambika Chandra and Sod Solutions President Tobey Wagner with pallets of Cobalt® Hybrid St. Augustine harvested at the event.
Dr. Agustin Boeri, a turfgrass extension specialist at Texas A&M, presented on his work in water conservation, fertilizer efficiency, weed management and pest management. He discussed how Cobalt is performing within each of these areas.
Murff shared his experience growing Cobalt and what stood out from a producer’s standpoint. “This is a new product for us and as a grass farm, we’re trying to find things that are going to work good not for us so much but for our consumers.”
Attendees toured the fields to see side-by-side comparisons of Cobalt with other St. Augustine lines and to observe the grass at various growth stages. Murff also gave a live harvest demonstration to show the blocking and stacking ability of the grass. The tour highlighted stand density, color, and performance under reduced irrigation, along with conversations around production timelines for farms in varying climates. Murff even showed how green Cobalt was where the irrigation pivots on the farm didn’t reach.
The event concluded with camaraderie and fellowship over lunch together in the barn. Sod Solutions is grateful to Lindy Murff and the Murff Turf team for hosting and for their support in expanding Cobalt production across Texas. Stay tuned for more events like this in 2026.
Cobalt® Hybrid St. Augustine being harvested during the field day at Murff Turf Farm.
