TWCA Trialing Schedule set for 10 year cycle

Predictable Trialing
​Predictability and reliability are essential for long term reliability. In an industry where development is, sometimes, years in realization, TWCA is providing a schedule for trialing.  Released today, the trialing schedule is an important tool for Seed Producers and trialing cooperators alike. 

TWCA Trialing includes both fixed (blue) and by-request (green) trialing windows

This color-coded trial visualization includes both the fixed TWCA trialing (blue) and by-request trialing (green). By-request trialing will be determined by industry survey. By-request trialing will only be conducted when the following conditions are met:

• Interest in the trial is sufficient to offset conducting trialing at the minimum number of trialing sites (TWCA's Research Review Committee (RRC) requires at least three trial locations from at ideally three but at least two different regions)
• ROS shelters with TWCA cooperators are available
• TWCA Board approves conducting trials 

Expensive Trialing
The cost of conducting this trialing is significant. To conduct a single cultivar trial across three locations cost the TWCA nearly $80,000. This exceptional expense is the driver behind the cost of trialing. Non-member trialing is available any company that wants to earn TWCA Qualification for their drought tolerant turf cultivars.  Pricing for the program is tied to the phases of use, Trialing, Qualification, and Promotion. 

​Reliable Trialing
With industry leading protocols that define value added trialing both in drought and low-maintenance, TWCA is the only qualification recognized by name for points in the National Green Building Standard. The reliability of the program is tied to the process. TWCA qualification is decided by third-party peer review of objective data by impartial researchers.  The Research Review Committee (RRC) is comprised of three (3) university researchers and the Data Evaluation Statistical Analyst (DESA).  The RRC determines trialing locations, cultivar standards, and ultimately the qualifications. This objectivity separates industry interest from the qualification and ensures an impartial process.

Membership Options
Membership creates opportunities for trialing and participation at a larger level. Seed Producers now have access to a suite of shared production cultivars opening the door to rapid market access and supports the effort to move the turf industry toward lower water use. To support TWCA through membership, visit our membership page.